| At 734 pages, the fourth in the Harry Potter series is considerably more hefty than its predecessors, but doesn't feel that way. The central events are the World Quidditch Cup, where witches and wizards from all over the world gather in Britain to watch Bulgaria play Ireland in the final; and a Triwizard Tournament, wherein kids from two continental wizarding schools come to Hogwarts and champions from each compete in three difficult and dangerous magical events. One can see signs of maturation in the main characters: Hermione especially develops more depth and substance. There are a few more obvious plot holes in this one (what do all the other visiting kids who aren't competing DO all year? do they get a whole year off from school?) but they're not fatal to one's enjoyment. If one thing puts this volume ahead of the others, it's the plain old non-magical themes of adolescence: anxiety and jockeying for a partner in the Hogwarts holiday prom, and misunderstandings between the principals. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - very upbeat FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy story on current Earth Coming of age Yes Youngster becomes - a powerful magician Inner Struggle Yes Plotlet: - coping with mental/magical powers Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Descript. of chases or violence - 20 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 % Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - a teen If magical mental powers: - can fly - can cast many different spells - Invisibility - is very quick Main Adversary Identity: - magical being Age: - long-lived adults Profession/status: Has magical powers? Yes Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - can cast all sorts of spells Eccentric: Yes How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a little/some How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Setting Terrain Earth setting: - 20th century Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment Sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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