Oh, my god I love this book. I know I said I think the third one was my favorite but I might have to remedy that. This book just has so much more going on in terms of action and clues and mysteries that get introduced as early as the Quidditch World Cup and don't get solved until the very end but they all intertwine and make for a great read.
Firstly, I love the Quidditch World Cup. Rowling absolutely captures the atmosphere of a major sporting event and I love the way in which she works elements of her own world into this event to help create that atmosphere. Things like leprechauns flying into the air to form words and pictures to mock their opponents is, of course, extremely reminiscent of the sorts of things we Muggles do with our technology. But, as usual, Rowling has managed to take that sort of thing and put her own twist on it. And I will never forget the wizard wearing a nightdress because he prefers a healthy breeze 'round his privates!
Magical things I love in this book: Portkeys. How awesome would it be if these things actually existed? Also, I love the way in which Rowling introduces us to this particular bit of magic early in the book so that when it plays a major role towards the end of the book, she doesn't have to waste time explaining what just happened. Harry (and, consequently, her reader) has already been made to understand; Dumbledore's Pensieve (again, how cool would it be if this actually existed?); Rita Skeeter's quill. I'm not going to lie, I totally want one of those. I would love to have a quill which just hangs in the air and writes down everything I say only more entertaining. I also love the way in which Rowling makes fun of journalists and the fact that you can never believe what you read in the paper, whether you're in the Muggle world or at Hogwarts. This is also the first time we really see Harry struggling with fame he never asked for.
I just have to take a moment to say GO HERMIONE! Not because she's so smart and just generally awesome (I think that goes without saying) but because she proved that the nerd can get the jock once in awhile! Krum was actually kind of adorable in his supremely awkward way and it made me like him so much more when he went after Hermione rather than showing up at Hogwarts with each arm draped over a gorgeous blond.
By the end of the book I was kind of traumatized. And I had already read it and seen the movie! But, upon re-reading, I was extraordinarily impressed with Crouch Jr.'s ability to fool even Dumbledore that he was really Mad-Eye Moody and to make it seem as though he were on Harry's side. That would take some serious skill and, if I were Harry, I don't think I would ever be able to trust anyone ever again after having been through that.
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