Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling

 (Harry Potter #4)

734 pages / 20 hrs, 36 mins

"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 with Hermione, Ron, and the Weasleys. He wants to dream about Cho Chang, his crush (and maybe do more than dream). 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 hundreds of years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. But unfortunately for Harry Potter, he's not normal - even by wizarding standards."  --from the publisher

I'm continuing my second time through the series, and thoroughly enjoyed this installment again. I had forgotten much of the content of this one. It definitely holds up to my original rating of four (out of five) stars.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

 (Harry Potter #3)

435 pages / 12 hrs, 15 mins

"For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort. Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, "He's at Hogwarts . . . he's at Hogwarts. "Harry Potter isn't safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in their midst." --from the publisher

This book is so well written. I was better able to appreciate Rowling's efforts the second time through since I was already familiar with the events in the story. I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars this time around.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

 (Harry Potter #7)

759 pages / 21 hrs, 37 mins

"Harry Potter is leaving Privet Drive for the last time. But as he climbs into the sidecar of Hagrid’s motorbike and they take to the skies, he knows Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters will not be far behind.

"The protective charm that has kept him safe until now is broken. But the Dark Lord is breathing fear into everything he loves. And he knows he can’t keep hiding.

"To stop Voldemort, Harry knows he must find the remaining Horcruxes and destroy them.

"He will have to face his enemy in one final battle."  --from the publisher

Wow! What an ending! I'm not sure I understood Dumbledore's explanation; some things are better in print than audio. I plan to get a print copy and go over it again. Rowling is an incredibly talented writer.