by J. K. Rowling
Lord Voldemort, the dark wizard responsible for the deaths of Harry's parents, is growing stronger. At the Quidditch World Cup, Voldemort's signature Dark Mark appears in the sky over the stadium, causing pandemonium. The lightning-bolt-shaped scar on Harry's forehead is sporadically causing him agonizing pain, and he is also hearing disturbing voices. Harry realizes that all this is the result of a strong connection between himself and the Dark Lord, one that is putting him in grave danger. Back at Hogwarts, the students are getting ready for the upcoming Triwizard Tournament. Witches and wizards from two other schools are coming to Hogwarts for the year to compete in a series of grueling contests. The tournament is open only to students age 17 and above, but when someone secretly enters Harry's name, he is forced to compete. How can a 14-year-old possibly pass tests that might be fatal to an advanced wizard? And with the threat of Lord Voldemort looming, will he be able to focus on t…
Long but earns its length. The world expands significantly here — Quidditch World Cup, foreign wizarding schools, the Death Eaters reappearing. The mystery of who put Harry's name in the goblet is well constructed. A turning point for the series in every way.
This is the one where the series grows up. The Triwizard Tournament is a great structural device and the final chapters are genuinely harrowing. The graveyard scene hit differently than I expected. One of the best climaxes in the whole series.
Sarah J. Maas
