It's so good! Very much like the events in the books
920520
It's so good!  Very much like the events in the books.  A few discrepancies but I like the changes!
3588216
What an awesome book! I loved it, it was so carefully written with tangible theories about concepts that you knew were there but weren't sure what they meant. There were one or two things, in hindsight (after Book 5) that I think they could have picked up on, but the things they did were amazing- many I had missed during the times I'd read the first four novels. It's incredible how many running bits there are- cabbage, 12- in the series, and that's all mentioned in here. Coincidences that were really meant to happen from the get-go, "insignificant" details you thought were unimportant were really keys to the plot- they have an awesome system they let you in on, four rules to picking up on clues. This is an insanely great piece of work, for any Potterhead. :) I'm definitely pre-ordering "New Clues", to accompany it.
664608
You MUST read the 4 Elemental Mysteries book to understand the timeline in this one as it runs parallel to them. It's basically what was happening to Carwyn in the times he was away in the other books. I was actually flustered by him in the last book because so much seemed to happen to him as a character that we didn't see, but now it's all explained!

I absolutely adore this series, and it is great to finally see what was going on with Carwyn that you got hints of. I'm really happy to see some of the other characters taken on and some new ones added to the extended family. Carwyn is a happy go lucky side kick for most of the other books and you really get to see him come into his own in this one. Now with that said if you were expecting someone just like B for him you may be disappointed but I was relieved (too many authors tend to have very similar characters that they just modify the story and names to make new books - this is NOT the case here). You may not even like Brigid all that much, but she really grew on me. B was strong from the get go, but sometimes you have to overcome being broken to become strong. And to be honest... I don't think you were meant to love Brigid from the get go, or even all that much of the book. I hope to see more of her in the future, because I feel like we were really just beginning to see who she had grown into!
2066887
I am absolutely in love with this show! I've been reading the Outlander Series and am currently on Voyager, but took a break from reading when I heard they had made it into a TV series. Most TV shows do not do their book counterparts justice, but this one does! I was very pleased with how closely they kept the storyline to that of the book, and noticed numerous times when they took lines verbatim out of the book. However, they still added enough here and there so the fist season wasn't completely predictable. All-in-all, if you are a fan of the books, I think you will love the show!
826210
I love it! The writing is amazing, I'm a complete fan and I'm about to order all other books I can find by this author. It's really quite a feat when someone can make me tolerate a character like Monty, I really really wouldn't like him irl and it was hard at first, but after a while I did more than tolerate, I actually grew to like him a bit! And there were plot things that I usually hate and now don't, that's quite spectacular. And Percy is perfect. Love the fact that it had a proper ending, I was a bit afraid for cliffhangers when I saw that there was a second book coming. Though right now I really want to dive into it, since I have developed an adoration for Felicity as well.
1212028
I must say, the mini series is (almost) as good as the book!  If you loved the book, you will love this too!
614622
This book was so good, I actually read the next seven or so in the series after. The premise and world it takes place in are unique, in a way that reminds me of Garth Nix's Abhorsen series. That being said, the stories themselves aren't similar.  I read this book because it was made into a movie (which was terrible), and this book is a pretty light read (provided you like your light reads a little dark.)  I definitely recommend it, but I'd also recommend getting the next few ones in the series from the library if you can; buying the entire series would be somewhat expensive considering how fast they read and how many are in the series (eight in series, plus 2 in-world off-shoots).
3233729
This story was a delightful change of pace from what I have been reading lately. I must say, if you like the harry Potter books, you will love The Return of Knecht Ruprech by Olivia Black.

The reader follows three young children, Jack, Chance, and Ashley, on an adventure of a lifetime. Join the adventure as they begin the battle against the evil soldiers of Krampus.

I loved how detailed the characters were and how easy it was to get into the story. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great fantasy. Although the majority of this book is fantasy, it was nice to see that there were several real life instances as well and the research done was great. The writing style was fantastic and kept me interested from page one. I can't wait to see what else happens throughout the series!

Overall, I rate this book with 5 stars!
4559353
Pretty much amazing book. It is so cool to learn things about past times, while reading such a great book. I really did not want it to end, and am so excited to find out what happens next in the two next books! The love story is not cliche, which I love. It is great to show how brave and tough girls really can be in any given situation! Oh, and the cover is gorgeous!
490782
My husband and I have been reading the Harry Potter series with our daughter each night before bedtime. With him travelling and being away so much for work and both of us huge lovers of the series, we decided that we would only read the series when we were together, meaning that while he was away, Bella and I would read other books at bedtime. He ended up being transferred to an entirely new job site, so prior to April, we had only since him a couple of weekends since Christmas. So, because of this, it has taken us forever to get this far in the series.

I was super excited when we finally got around to Goblet of Fire. It has always been my favorite book in the series and my favorite movie out of the film versions. This is only my second time reading the book (and the entire series, actually) but there was a time in my teenage years when I watched the movie obsessively. I couldn't wait to get back into my favorite year at Hogwarts.

I love all of the challenges that Harry faces in this book. Not only is he dealing with classes, being a young teen and dealing with everything that comes along with that, but now he has to deal with figuring out how to survive the different tasks of the Triwizard Tournament as well as the impending threat of Lord Voldemort. There's a lot of action and adventure in this one and we get to meet a ton of new and very important characters.

Another reason why I love this book is because it is the turning point for the entire series. On the side of Hogwarts and it's students, our favorite characters are transitioning into their teenage years and they are maturing. They still keep 99% of their original personalities but we get to witness a whole new side of them coming out. From Ron and Hermione and all their bickering to Harry's jealousy of Cedric and Cho, there's a lot of coming of age issues in this book.

Goblet of Fire is also when the series starts to transition into darker, more serious territory. The books have always, from the very first pages, dealt with series issues, but this is the first book that an actual death occurs and the first where Harry truly faces off with Voldemort in all of his glory. From here on out, the books are darker, more serious, and we begin to lose some truly amazing characters.

I'm honestly nervous about rereading the next books in the series because I know how emotionally affected I will be. It's a bittersweet thing when it comes to the last few books in the series. I must admit though that Order of the Phoenix is my least favorite book and I'm so not ready to face off with Umbridge. But, alas, we can't have the good without the bad, can we?

Also, GoF has a ton of great quotes!

Rating: 5 Stars, easily.
4575185
I watched the movies (1-4) before I read any of the books, but one day I saw the first book in my mother's office and I started to read it half-heartedly.  I couldn't put it down.  I then ordered the paperback set (Books 1-6) and read them all in a couple of months, while working 60+ hours a week.  Sometimes I neglected to sleep.  I ordered the last book the day I started reading book 6.  I finished book six the day before book 7 came in the mail and I was chomping at the bit.  I read it (all 700+ pages) in less than 48 hours.  I cried and laughed and was horrified and overjoyed.  The entire series is amazing and I recommend it to adults and children alike.  I think some aspects are a little too scary for younger children.

My only complaint is that I would have liked a more detailed epilogue.  You do get a glimpse at the end of the future of some of the remaining characters, but I would have liked a bit more detail and a bit more description as to how they got there and what happened to everyone else.  I may have just had a hard time letting the characters go.  As with any good fiction, you come to love and care for the characters and become emotionally invested in their journey so much that it almost becomes your own.  I wasn't ready for it to end.

A wonderful enthralling read and a mostly satisfying end to a fantastic series.  I would recommend it to anyone!
464366
At first i was sure what was going to happen with all these characters and especially between Nesyra and Choal but it was so very good and how it dropped in plot lines from the other books.  Cant wait for next book!
1237989
This production is very much like the book - Davies does a wonderful job choosing great scenes that accurately portray Dickens' characters. If you enjoyed the book, be prepared to enjoy this television series!
3585126
After reading the book I now realize how closely the movies/TV series followed the dialogue inn the book.  It's absolutely amazing!  It's been an enjoyable experience to read after having seen the TV series.  Easy, enjoyable, endearing experience!!!
3651592
The book is totally amazing, or at least, I could say that I have never skipped ahead of the book.  This book is not that predictable: I bet anyone who says it is just said that because you looked ahead... shame on you, just because it's that long!
Anyway, ever since the start at the beginning, and the tragic event that led to Hogwarts, the plot of events were so artfully created and cleverly plotted, and as it progresses, the ladder of intensifying events that leads to the highest point of total conflict is one of the most horrifying I've read, yet JK Rowling had reasons to make such conflicts to make an opening for the next installment, but to also thrill the reader and show how cruel evil can be.
The many twists and humorous times in the book were both good and well-thought, and especially, the whole book focuses on the fight on good against evil, which is the main theme in all Harry Potter books.
The 4th installment is as great, or possibly the best, just as the previous three: yet, even though it might look like the longest book of the series, don't get impatient and look ahead!  You're ruining it for yourself!
However... due to the content, and some horrific reads, I only reccomend this for children years 8 and up.
3725119
I stood in line at midnight on July 21, 2007 to get this book.  I took my (then) 12-year-old daughter and her best friend home and we all began reading while sitting in my sunroom at 2:00 in the morning.  Over the next couple of days, I savored this book from beginning to end - putting it down if I wasn't fully concentrating on it since I didn't want to spoil the experience.  Just a few days ago I picked it up and re-read it in anticipation of the last movie coming out and I have to say I enjoyed the experience all over again.

It's very difficult to review this book independently of the series since story threads and characters run throughout the series of seven books.  What I will say is that the entire series of books captured the imaginations of millions of fans for a reason.  The creativity and storytelling are hard to match especially in the world of YA fiction.  At the time of the publications, most of the YA literature was either too serious for its intended audience (winning lots of awards handed out by adults, read in the classrooms and largely disliked by the students themselves).  Over the years the material available to this age group has taken a decided turn for the worse particularly as it relates to young women/girls --- there are just too many books about girls behaving badly and making poor choices which are inconsistent with the values many of us want to instill in our daughters.  Harry Potter is (and was) a refreshing change from all of that.  It's good versus evil and brains (particularly Hermione) over brawn over and over again yet told so incredibly well that the lessons aren't even that noticeable.

Books that will appeal to young readers as well as older ones, the final installment does the series proud.  I actually enjoyed it more the second time around as I was better able to notice the nuances versus just trying to find out what happened.  It was like a tapestry where the individual threads are all woven together to form a masterpiece which is most appreciated in its final form.

A wonderful series, a wonderful book and thrilled I was able to go along for the ride!
4544750
My Hogwarts Haggadah arrived on Sunday and as a huge HP fan, I couldn't wait to tear open the package.  I haven't read the whole thing yet, but so far I love it!  Now I want to see if I can get my hands on a copy of his other book, Morality of Muggles:  Ethics in the Bible and the World of Harry Potter.
If you haven't read the entire series there are some spoilers in it (so I'm going to have to be selective in which parts I share with my daughter this year since we are only in Book 5 right now).  Even if she and I don't read through it all now, as soon as we finish the series together we will definitely be going through the Haggadah to help her tie together her favorite series and Judaism.