Halfway through this series! My favourite podcast, Through the Griffin Door, is nearly finished analysing this book in their read-through.

Read: Jul. 2 – Jul. 6, 2025

Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
Audience: Children, Middle-grade
Book contains: implied death, explicit death, non-graphic torture, danger, mortal peril, fire

Purchase a copy from Indigo.ca

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Leads the Series into a New Era

Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts for his fourth year to discover that this year, Hogwarts will host the perilous Triwizard Tournament. Meanwhile, in the shadows, Voldemort is planning his return. Will the dark lord manage to rise again?

I think I might change which Harry Potter book is my favourite. I forgot how in-depth and exciting this book is. So many new characters as Harry discovers the wider wizarding world, and a lot more of Voldemort after he was nearly non-existent in the previous book.

This book is structured much like the others in the series, following Harry, our main character, in a third person past tense perspective. The reader does not know much more than Harry knows, though all the clues are there for you to be able to figure out the mystery before the big reveal at the end. I especially enjoyed the double entendre phrases that were cleverly snuck in.

I’ve taken to reading only in the mornings again, so I listened along to this book as I either sat inside in my recliner or outside on the balcony enjoying the summer heat. My only complaint is how heavy/thick this book is. Hard to hold!

Harry is always caught in the middle of the action, but he takes to it well. He is the noble main character that the reader can root for but is still flawed enough to be likeable. He’s not a perfect person; he’s a teenaged boy. Hermione, who remains Harry’s steadfast supporter, remains bull-headed at times, but has learned where to follow the rules and where to bend them, unlike her younger self who held to the rules like gospel. She’s also been disillusioned to authority figures, now giving respect only to adults whom she deems worthy of it. Nonetheless, she’s once again holding fast to a belief and going about it the wrong way. Ron isn’t doing his best in this book, but he comes around eventually. This arc of his is quite in character and is believable and valid and something he needs going forward. As for Dumbledore: his entire plan for this year has been derailed by Voldemort, and he is left reacting to the dark lord’s plan.

The main trio stand on shaky ground in this book, but I think it’s quite necessary for where the story is obviously headed. They’re growing up, and the obstacles they face together only strengthen their bond. Harry, though intentionally isolated in this book, is still able to lean on others for support, such as his teachers and Gryffindor House.

If you’re the type of reader who likes when worldbuilding is accurate and in-depth and logical, this isn’t the book series for you. The world itself is fantastic, but the Harry Potter worldbuilding famously doesn’t make logical sense. Otherwise, Rowling’s writing is easy to understand for children; parents just be forewarned that the series gets darker from here.

This was a hefty book. Over 600 pages’ worth of story with intertwining plotlines and red herrings and subplots for this whodunnit novel. Nonetheless, the chapters move swiftly, and the action is quite enjoyable.

I highly recommend continuing this series! It’s always an enjoyable read.

Related Reviews:

Harry Potter Book 1: The Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter Book 2: The Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter Book 3: The Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter Book 4: The Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter Book 5: The Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter Book 6: The Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter Book 7: The Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Fantastic Beasts Book 1: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling
*The Shadow Atlas Book 1: Initiate by Jenny Sandiford