Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter #4) by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter #4
J. K. Rowling

Front cover

Date read: 19 April - 4 May 2017
Length: 636 pages

After the Quidditch World Cup final, Harry returns to Hogwarts for his fourth year. Things will be slightly different this year, as his name is drawn from the Goblet of Fire, which means he must compete in the Triwizard Tournament. Can he finish the tasks, and come out the other end alive?


Back at Hogwarts we are treated with yet another Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher: Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody. He's a retired Auror doing a favour for Dumbledore. 

This book definitely takes a turn to the darker side, as you learn more about the true power of the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters. Harry spends so much time preparing for the Triwizard Tournament tasks that you kind of forget Lord Voldemort is trying to make a comeback.

It's nice to meet other students from other wizarding schools. Although why some feel the need to keep their location a secret is strange. Fair enough keeping it secret from Muggles, but from each other?

Hermione becomes obsessed with house elves' rights, and creates a group called Society for the Promotion of Elvish Welfare aka SPEW. Needless to say it's not a hit.


The Dark Lord has risen once more! Things are going to get very bad...




Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

Voice of the Gods (Age of the Five #3) by Trudi Canavan

Voice of the Gods 
Age of the Five #3
Trudi Canavan

Front cover

Date read: 3 - 18 April 2017
Length: 622 pages

No longer a Priestess of the White, Auraya remains with the Siyee. After their capture, she sets off to free them after learning a few tricks from Emerahl. Emerahl is looking for a scroll to learn the secrets of the Gods, and the Wilds band together to end this impending war. Can the Gods be stopped?


I like the variety of characters in this trilogy, but Emerahl is probably my favourite. She's mysterious, funny, kind hearted (to people she likes), and very loyal. I wouldn't mind having her on my side, and definitely not an enemy I'd want to have!

Although this is the end of the trilogy, I kind of feel like there could have been more. The books in themselves are really detailed but I felt like it wasn't quite finished, like there was more to be told. I wouldn't be surprised if there was another one.

I liked this trilogy, and although I gave each of them 3 stars, I liked the second one (Last of the Wilds) the best. It concentrated more on characters rather than war. I like stories about people. Everyday people and their lives, rather than war and politics. You got to see the plot from the "other" side which was interesting.

Quite a good trilogy. My flatmate is now reading them!




Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist

Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult

Handle With Care
Jodi Picoult

Front cover

Date read: 20 March - 2 April 2017
Length: 551 pages

Willow is a young girl with a disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or brittle bone disease. She had seven broken bones before she was even born. Her mother, Charlotte, goes to court to sue her doctor in a wrongful birth case, in order to be able to afford the care Willow needs. Her doctor just happens to be her best friend. The court case is splitting her family apart, but will they win in the end?


There's so much going on with all the characters in this book that you feel it's not just the one story. For me I think that's a good thing. You really get to know the other characters in the novel, rather than just focusing on the main plot. I liked the lawyer, Marin. She had an interesting story, and it shows development we might have otherwise not seen.

I'm not a huge fan of the fact that Picoult's books often have lawyers and courts in them, but I did like this one. Sometimes I don't think it really fits with the plot, but I think it worked here. A desperate mother did what she thought was right to help her disabled child.

While reading this book I had it in my mind it was getting 3 stars. But the ending was so abrupt and surprising, it changed suddenly.  I just did not see it coming!


One of Picoult's better books.

Jodi Picoult 

Overall rating

Thanks,
The Wee Librocubicularist