i started reading Goblet Of Fire simply because one of the kids bought it home, and it lead me to to believe this: Harry Potter is some of the most overrated crap i have ever read. (and the films aren't much better either.)
honestly: a kids film that lasts nearly 3 hours... what genius came up with that? (obviously someone who's never taken a brat to the cinema for a standard 90 minute flick.)
want some fantasy? read some Tolkien or Pratchett.