SPOILER ALERT! These reviews may give away some of the plot. In these very special reviews, we will cite reviews from several sources and then include our own. These are books for any beliefs, gender, age, and race and we KNOW you will enjoy them! Series books will be marked with an (S) and all books here are 11 stars.
HARRY POTTER #4: THE GOBLET OF FIRE
(S*11)
BOOK OF THE YEAR 2014
WHAT THE BACK OF THE BOOK SAYS
Harry Potter is midway through his training as a wizard and his coming of age. Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup. He wants to find out about the mysterious event that's supposed to take place at Hogwarts this year, an event involving two other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn't happened for a hundred years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. But unfortunately for Harry Potter, he's not normal - even by wizarding standards. And in his case, different can be deadly.
WHAT BARNES AND NOBLE SAYS
First, imagine if you will, the sleepy but mysterious village of Little Hangleton, and what happened at the Riddle House. No, the Riddle House is not a place for riddles, but a home where the family died of fright. The man accused of murdering them was eventually released, but when he returns to the Riddle House, he overhears a curious conversation between someone named Wormtail and a terrible, dark presence by the name of Lord Voldemort -- oh, so sorry…He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Volde... (oops, almost said it again) He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is one of the most powerful Dark wizards -- and he wants Harry Potter. When Harry wakes from a particularly vivid dream, the scar on his forehead throbs, and he knows something is up. Harry's been living in a dreadful house on Privet Drive with his Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and greedy cousin, Dudley. They won't even let him do any wizardry -- you know Muggles, how they can't really handle that kind of stuff. Harry's uncle and aunt like to let the neighbors think that Harry goes to St. Brutus's Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys rather than to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He has to hide his magic -- and even broomsticks aren't a suitable topic of conversation in the Dursley household. But everything is about to change for Harry, beginning with this particular summer vacation. It starts with a letter from Mrs. Weasley, Harry's friend Ron's mother. She invites him to come spend the rest of the summer with the Weasleys and to go see the Quidditch World Cup. Quidditch is Harry's favorite sport in the world, and it isn't often that the Quidditch World Cup is in Britain. Faster than you can say "Hogwarts," Harry travels by fire to the Burrow, and the dark and threatening adventure begins. On the way, Harry discovers that his interest in girls is becoming more nerve-wracking -- how is a young wizard to ask a girl to the Yule Ball? And what of the Goblet of Fire itself? And the Triwizard Tournament? And then, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named might be seeking Harry out even now! Who can resist a Harry Potter tale? J. K. Rowling has proven again that her international success seemed inevitable. It is beautifully written, with a strong narrative and fascinating, unforgettable characters, and there is not a child or adult in the world who won't love this story. Not one word is wasted.
WHAT SCHOLASTIC SAYS
Even by his standards, Harry's year is anything but normal. First Dumbledore announces the revival of a grand competition that hasn't taken place for one hundred years: the Triwizard Tournament, where a Hogwarts champion will compete against rivals from two other schools of magic in three highly dangerous tasks. Then someone frames Harry to participate in the tournament—which really means someone wants him dead.
WHAT WIKIPEDIA SAYS
The book opens with Harry seeing Frank Bryce being killed by Lord Voldemort in a vision, and is awoken by his scar hurting. The Weasleys then take Harry and Hermione Granger to the Quidditch World Cup, using a Portkey, to watch Ireland versus Bulgaria, with Ireland emerging victorious. There, Harry meets Cedric Diggory, who is attending the match with his father. After the match, Voldemort's followers attack the site, destroying spectators' tents and wreaking havoc. The Dark Mark gets fired into the sky, which leads to a panic since it is the first time the sign has been seen in 13 years. Winky, a house elf, is blamed for casting the Mark after she is found holding Harry's wand, which is revealed to have been used to cast the Mark.
At Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore announces that the auror Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody will be the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher for the year, and also that Hogwarts will host the Triwizard Tournament, starting in October, with a prize of one thousand gold Galleons. However, only those over 17—the age of majority in the wizarding world—will be allowed to enter. It is the first time in 202 years that the Triwizard Tournament will be held. Students from Beauxbatons Academy and the Durmstrang Institute, other wizarding academies, will travel to Hogwarts, where they will stay for the year, in hopes of competing. At Halloween, the Goblet of Fire picks Fleur Delacour from Beauxbatons Academy; Viktor Krum (who is also the Seeker on Bulgaria's Quidditch team) from Durmstrang Institute; and Cedric Diggory from Hogwarts to compete in the tournament. However, it additionally gives a fourth name—Harry Potter—leading to suspicion and indignation from everyone, and magically binding Harry to compete. Ron is jealous that Harry is once again in the limelight, and refuses to speak to Harry.
WHAT THIS SITE SAYS
Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts and faces an entirely new set of challenges in this novel. This spectacular book provides a vivid image of the protagonist in the reader's mind as he attends the Quidditch world cup, faces three challenging and near impossible tasks, takes on a dragon, and solemnly swears he's up to no good. While the movie may be good, it does not compare to this fantastic thriller. Well regarded as a pivotal point in the septalogy, this book marks the return of Lord Voldemort and his heinous group of Death Eaters and the first deaths of innocents in the series. THE GOBLET OF FIRE is a must read for any lexophile above the age of seven or eight, and it is bound to intrest children previously indifferent to literature. J.K. Rowiling put her best into this book, and though it is pretty straightfoward, it provides a fantastic story great for reading on a cold, rainy morning. The end of this book is shocking and will stun even the most imaginative of minds, and the foreshadowing at the beginning leaves a lot of questions to be answered. While the other HARRY POTTER installments are worthy of recognition, this reader's paradise is uncomparable to them.
BOOK OF THE YEAR 2014
WHAT THE BACK OF THE BOOK SAYS
Harry Potter is midway through his training as a wizard and his coming of age. Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup. He wants to find out about the mysterious event that's supposed to take place at Hogwarts this year, an event involving two other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn't happened for a hundred years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. But unfortunately for Harry Potter, he's not normal - even by wizarding standards. And in his case, different can be deadly.
WHAT BARNES AND NOBLE SAYS
First, imagine if you will, the sleepy but mysterious village of Little Hangleton, and what happened at the Riddle House. No, the Riddle House is not a place for riddles, but a home where the family died of fright. The man accused of murdering them was eventually released, but when he returns to the Riddle House, he overhears a curious conversation between someone named Wormtail and a terrible, dark presence by the name of Lord Voldemort -- oh, so sorry…He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Volde... (oops, almost said it again) He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is one of the most powerful Dark wizards -- and he wants Harry Potter. When Harry wakes from a particularly vivid dream, the scar on his forehead throbs, and he knows something is up. Harry's been living in a dreadful house on Privet Drive with his Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and greedy cousin, Dudley. They won't even let him do any wizardry -- you know Muggles, how they can't really handle that kind of stuff. Harry's uncle and aunt like to let the neighbors think that Harry goes to St. Brutus's Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys rather than to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He has to hide his magic -- and even broomsticks aren't a suitable topic of conversation in the Dursley household. But everything is about to change for Harry, beginning with this particular summer vacation. It starts with a letter from Mrs. Weasley, Harry's friend Ron's mother. She invites him to come spend the rest of the summer with the Weasleys and to go see the Quidditch World Cup. Quidditch is Harry's favorite sport in the world, and it isn't often that the Quidditch World Cup is in Britain. Faster than you can say "Hogwarts," Harry travels by fire to the Burrow, and the dark and threatening adventure begins. On the way, Harry discovers that his interest in girls is becoming more nerve-wracking -- how is a young wizard to ask a girl to the Yule Ball? And what of the Goblet of Fire itself? And the Triwizard Tournament? And then, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named might be seeking Harry out even now! Who can resist a Harry Potter tale? J. K. Rowling has proven again that her international success seemed inevitable. It is beautifully written, with a strong narrative and fascinating, unforgettable characters, and there is not a child or adult in the world who won't love this story. Not one word is wasted.
WHAT SCHOLASTIC SAYS
Even by his standards, Harry's year is anything but normal. First Dumbledore announces the revival of a grand competition that hasn't taken place for one hundred years: the Triwizard Tournament, where a Hogwarts champion will compete against rivals from two other schools of magic in three highly dangerous tasks. Then someone frames Harry to participate in the tournament—which really means someone wants him dead.
WHAT WIKIPEDIA SAYS
The book opens with Harry seeing Frank Bryce being killed by Lord Voldemort in a vision, and is awoken by his scar hurting. The Weasleys then take Harry and Hermione Granger to the Quidditch World Cup, using a Portkey, to watch Ireland versus Bulgaria, with Ireland emerging victorious. There, Harry meets Cedric Diggory, who is attending the match with his father. After the match, Voldemort's followers attack the site, destroying spectators' tents and wreaking havoc. The Dark Mark gets fired into the sky, which leads to a panic since it is the first time the sign has been seen in 13 years. Winky, a house elf, is blamed for casting the Mark after she is found holding Harry's wand, which is revealed to have been used to cast the Mark.
At Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore announces that the auror Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody will be the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher for the year, and also that Hogwarts will host the Triwizard Tournament, starting in October, with a prize of one thousand gold Galleons. However, only those over 17—the age of majority in the wizarding world—will be allowed to enter. It is the first time in 202 years that the Triwizard Tournament will be held. Students from Beauxbatons Academy and the Durmstrang Institute, other wizarding academies, will travel to Hogwarts, where they will stay for the year, in hopes of competing. At Halloween, the Goblet of Fire picks Fleur Delacour from Beauxbatons Academy; Viktor Krum (who is also the Seeker on Bulgaria's Quidditch team) from Durmstrang Institute; and Cedric Diggory from Hogwarts to compete in the tournament. However, it additionally gives a fourth name—Harry Potter—leading to suspicion and indignation from everyone, and magically binding Harry to compete. Ron is jealous that Harry is once again in the limelight, and refuses to speak to Harry.
WHAT THIS SITE SAYS
Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts and faces an entirely new set of challenges in this novel. This spectacular book provides a vivid image of the protagonist in the reader's mind as he attends the Quidditch world cup, faces three challenging and near impossible tasks, takes on a dragon, and solemnly swears he's up to no good. While the movie may be good, it does not compare to this fantastic thriller. Well regarded as a pivotal point in the septalogy, this book marks the return of Lord Voldemort and his heinous group of Death Eaters and the first deaths of innocents in the series. THE GOBLET OF FIRE is a must read for any lexophile above the age of seven or eight, and it is bound to intrest children previously indifferent to literature. J.K. Rowiling put her best into this book, and though it is pretty straightfoward, it provides a fantastic story great for reading on a cold, rainy morning. The end of this book is shocking and will stun even the most imaginative of minds, and the foreshadowing at the beginning leaves a lot of questions to be answered. While the other HARRY POTTER installments are worthy of recognition, this reader's paradise is uncomparable to them.
HIVE #2: THE OVERLORD PROTOCOL
(S*11)
BOOK OF THE YEAR 2013
WHAT THE BACK OF THE BOOK SAYS
Otto Malpense and his friends thought their first year at the Higher Institute of Villainous Education was the most adventurous and exciting that they would ever encounter. They were dead wrong. When Otto and Wing are allowed off campus to attend Wing's father's funeral, they have no idea it's a trap, all part of a lethal plan organized by Cypher, the most ruthless super villain any of them have ever known. He intends to use them to retrieve the Overlord Protocol, a device that has the capacity to help him take over the world. But when things go terribly wrong, Otto will stop at nothing to hunt him down and make him pay. With the help of Laura, Shelby, Raven, and his former nemesis, Dr. Nero, Otto must find a way to defeat an enemy that has overcome some of the planet's most infamous villains without even breaking a sweat. Because if he doesn't, the world as they know it will be changed forever.
WHAT BARNES AND NOBLE SAYS
H.I.V.E. is not your typical school. It is the "Higher Institute of Villainous Education," and it trains tomorrow's super villains. H.I.V.E. is where some parents send their too-smart children to keep them from doing something illegal. The rest of the students have no idea how they ended up on the school's rosters. Otto Malpense is one of those students. He is preternaturally smart, sees algorithms in his head and can walk through laser beams, but all he wants to do is escape the school. An opportunity presents itself when his best friend's father dies. Otto is allowed to travel to Tokyo with Wing to attend the funeral services. While they are gone, their friends Laura and Shelby uncover a plot to undermine the security system of the school and attack the boys. Unbeknownst to Wing and Otto, the attack goes off as planned. Upon their arrival, they are attacked by Cypher, one of the most devious masterminds on the villainous council. Wing is killed, and Otto sets out on a mission to hunt down Cypher. But hunting down a super villain is not so easy. Then Otto figures out that Cypher's target is actually the school. Otto is forced to team up with Professor Pike, the head scientist/tactician to reboot the school's H.I.V.E. mind and bring back its defenses. Will he finish the job before the school is infiltrated? Will Cypher use H.I.V.E. as a base for evil? Can Otto find it in himself to avenge his friend's death? Despite the fact that this is the second book in a series, the story is relatively easy to pick up. The story is full of rich details and will keep the reader guessing. The plot lines are extremely intricate, and the characters are quirky in a good way. This book belongs in uppermiddle school or high school. It would truly appeal to any science fiction patrons.
WHAT SCHOLASTIC SAYS
In the sequel to "H.I.V.E.: The Higher Institute of Villainous Education," thirteen-year-old Otto and his best friend and roommate Wing Fanchu walk into a trap disguised as a funeral for Wing's father. Wing has been murdered, and now Otto and Dr. Nero must band together to fight the evil supervillain Cypher who is after the Overlord Protocol. He must be stopped from destroying the world.
WHAT WIKIPEDIA SAYS
When Wing receives news of his father's death, he selects Otto to accompany him, under Raven's supervision, to the funeral . However, before they can attend the funeral, the trio is attacked by mysterious assassins. Wing appears to be killed by Cypher, a mysterious member of G.L.O.V.E. who wants to seize power. Otto and Raven barely escape with their lives, and hide in one of Raven's numerous, personal safe houses while waiting for instructions from Dr. Nero. Raven plans to attempt to discover what Cypher is up to, with Otto at her side. They discover the unbeatable adversaries they battled with at the original safe house to be robots, engineered for one thing: war. Meanwhile, at H.I.V.E., a betrayal is revealed as the Contessa (a powerful teacher who can control people with her voice) takes over the school. Cypher makes an attack on the school, threatening to kill the students of H.I.V.E to get what he wants. In a sudden turn of events, Wing is found alive and, for the most part, well, and joins his friends in their attempt to save the school. Ultimately, they win the battle, leaving Cypher injured, but not fatally, and Nero insists that he be dead to everyone but himself and the doctor who treated the patient. Otto and his friends find out that Cypher is Wing's father. Otto and his friends find themselves glad to be out of danger and home for good, as well as excited that H.I.V.E.mind has had his personality functions restored.
WHAT THIS SITE SAYS
THE OVERLORD PROTOCOL is by far the best book by Mark Walden. Though you have to read the first book to understand the second one, this novel marks the rising climax of the series, where a terrible secret is discovered and will in a future book (HIVE #6: ZERO HOUR to be precise) be overcome. This book has the best plot of the entire saga and received 11 stars for a reason. Beginning with the character Wing receiving the somber news that his father died in a laboratory accident, Wing then invites his whiz friend Otto to come to the funeral. Before they could attend, however, Wing gets shot and the sake of their school is threatened. There are quite a couple surprises near the end and this book is not nearly as predictable as some. I frequently find myself rereading this, maybe once every month at the least, and I think it fully deserves the Book of the Year award, after going through the process of elimination with other books as well. This book also juxtaposes many characters and their viewpoints in a pleasing manner and is the most intricate of its saga. Best for ages 8 to 18, but those are absolutely no limits. There are also many adults who enjoy this series - and for good reason.
BOOK OF THE YEAR 2013
WHAT THE BACK OF THE BOOK SAYS
Otto Malpense and his friends thought their first year at the Higher Institute of Villainous Education was the most adventurous and exciting that they would ever encounter. They were dead wrong. When Otto and Wing are allowed off campus to attend Wing's father's funeral, they have no idea it's a trap, all part of a lethal plan organized by Cypher, the most ruthless super villain any of them have ever known. He intends to use them to retrieve the Overlord Protocol, a device that has the capacity to help him take over the world. But when things go terribly wrong, Otto will stop at nothing to hunt him down and make him pay. With the help of Laura, Shelby, Raven, and his former nemesis, Dr. Nero, Otto must find a way to defeat an enemy that has overcome some of the planet's most infamous villains without even breaking a sweat. Because if he doesn't, the world as they know it will be changed forever.
WHAT BARNES AND NOBLE SAYS
H.I.V.E. is not your typical school. It is the "Higher Institute of Villainous Education," and it trains tomorrow's super villains. H.I.V.E. is where some parents send their too-smart children to keep them from doing something illegal. The rest of the students have no idea how they ended up on the school's rosters. Otto Malpense is one of those students. He is preternaturally smart, sees algorithms in his head and can walk through laser beams, but all he wants to do is escape the school. An opportunity presents itself when his best friend's father dies. Otto is allowed to travel to Tokyo with Wing to attend the funeral services. While they are gone, their friends Laura and Shelby uncover a plot to undermine the security system of the school and attack the boys. Unbeknownst to Wing and Otto, the attack goes off as planned. Upon their arrival, they are attacked by Cypher, one of the most devious masterminds on the villainous council. Wing is killed, and Otto sets out on a mission to hunt down Cypher. But hunting down a super villain is not so easy. Then Otto figures out that Cypher's target is actually the school. Otto is forced to team up with Professor Pike, the head scientist/tactician to reboot the school's H.I.V.E. mind and bring back its defenses. Will he finish the job before the school is infiltrated? Will Cypher use H.I.V.E. as a base for evil? Can Otto find it in himself to avenge his friend's death? Despite the fact that this is the second book in a series, the story is relatively easy to pick up. The story is full of rich details and will keep the reader guessing. The plot lines are extremely intricate, and the characters are quirky in a good way. This book belongs in uppermiddle school or high school. It would truly appeal to any science fiction patrons.
WHAT SCHOLASTIC SAYS
In the sequel to "H.I.V.E.: The Higher Institute of Villainous Education," thirteen-year-old Otto and his best friend and roommate Wing Fanchu walk into a trap disguised as a funeral for Wing's father. Wing has been murdered, and now Otto and Dr. Nero must band together to fight the evil supervillain Cypher who is after the Overlord Protocol. He must be stopped from destroying the world.
WHAT WIKIPEDIA SAYS
When Wing receives news of his father's death, he selects Otto to accompany him, under Raven's supervision, to the funeral . However, before they can attend the funeral, the trio is attacked by mysterious assassins. Wing appears to be killed by Cypher, a mysterious member of G.L.O.V.E. who wants to seize power. Otto and Raven barely escape with their lives, and hide in one of Raven's numerous, personal safe houses while waiting for instructions from Dr. Nero. Raven plans to attempt to discover what Cypher is up to, with Otto at her side. They discover the unbeatable adversaries they battled with at the original safe house to be robots, engineered for one thing: war. Meanwhile, at H.I.V.E., a betrayal is revealed as the Contessa (a powerful teacher who can control people with her voice) takes over the school. Cypher makes an attack on the school, threatening to kill the students of H.I.V.E to get what he wants. In a sudden turn of events, Wing is found alive and, for the most part, well, and joins his friends in their attempt to save the school. Ultimately, they win the battle, leaving Cypher injured, but not fatally, and Nero insists that he be dead to everyone but himself and the doctor who treated the patient. Otto and his friends find out that Cypher is Wing's father. Otto and his friends find themselves glad to be out of danger and home for good, as well as excited that H.I.V.E.mind has had his personality functions restored.
WHAT THIS SITE SAYS
THE OVERLORD PROTOCOL is by far the best book by Mark Walden. Though you have to read the first book to understand the second one, this novel marks the rising climax of the series, where a terrible secret is discovered and will in a future book (HIVE #6: ZERO HOUR to be precise) be overcome. This book has the best plot of the entire saga and received 11 stars for a reason. Beginning with the character Wing receiving the somber news that his father died in a laboratory accident, Wing then invites his whiz friend Otto to come to the funeral. Before they could attend, however, Wing gets shot and the sake of their school is threatened. There are quite a couple surprises near the end and this book is not nearly as predictable as some. I frequently find myself rereading this, maybe once every month at the least, and I think it fully deserves the Book of the Year award, after going through the process of elimination with other books as well. This book also juxtaposes many characters and their viewpoints in a pleasing manner and is the most intricate of its saga. Best for ages 8 to 18, but those are absolutely no limits. There are also many adults who enjoy this series - and for good reason.