Author: J.K. Rowling
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 4.5 stars (Because even though I love all these books so much, there is only one book in the entire series that I would give a 5 star rating to. You'll see what it is as I review each book!)
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Harry Potter's third
year at Hogwarts is full of new dangers. A convicted murderer, Sirius
Black, has broken out of Azkaban prison, and it seems he's after Harry.
Now Hogwarts is being patrolled by the dementors, the Azkaban guards who
are hunting Sirius. But Harry can't imagine that Sirius or, for that
matter, the evil Lord Voldemort could be more frightening than the
dementors themselves, who have the terrible power to fill anyone they
come across with aching loneliness and despair. Meanwhile, life
continues as usual at Hogwarts. A top-of-the-line broom takes Harry's
success at Quidditch, the sport of the Wizarding world, to new heights. A
cute fourth-year student catches his eye. And he becomes close with the
new Defense of the Dark Arts teacher, who was a childhood friend of his
father. Yet despite the relative safety of life at Hogwarts and the
best efforts of the dementors, the threat of Sirius Black grows ever
closer. But if Harry has learned anything from his education in
wizardry, it is that things are often not what they seem. Tragic
revelations, heartwarming surprises, and high-stakes magical adventures
await the boy wizard in this funny and poignant third installment of the
beloved series.
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In the third installment of the Harry Potter series, I find myself as in love with the characters as I was in the first two books. Full Disclosure: The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Deathly Hallows are my two favorite books in the whole series.
I feel like the characters really come into their own in this book. I also feel like this is the book where Rowling really finds her writing chops. The first two books were good, but this book was great. The characters start becoming more of who they are through the rest of the series. They become stronger, and stand up for themselves even more, and are starting to become more well developed in this book.
As always, the humor throughout the book got me as well. Even in the midst of all the sirius (intentional) stuff going on in this book, Rowling still manages to throw in some funny lines as well.
For example, when Harry meets Snape in the hallway and gives him the map:
“Mr. Moony presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business.
Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony, and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git.
Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that an idiot like that ever became a professor.
Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape good day, and advises him to wash his hair, the slimeball.”
Also, the story of Ron calling Harry on the telephone, and shouting because he doesn't know how to actually use a phone - it's hilarious.
Anyway, you get the idea. Things that I love about this book include:
* When Harry blew up his aunt into a balloon, and then got to spend a month in Diagon Alley doing homework, eating ice cream, and hanging out.
* Hagrid being named the Care of Magical Creatures professor.
* Buckbeak taking a chomp on Malfoy. (Am I a naughty person if I secretly wish Buckbeak would have bitten off the whole arm?!)
* Hermione rocking a time turner all year and taking all those classes because she is a frigging genius!
* When Harry gets his new broom and Hermione turns him into Professor McGonagall for it. I mean, sure it sucked that she turned him in - but I just love that she stood up for what was right, AND that Harry got a new broom.
* All the quidditch - I think the quidditch really got upped in this game. I love that. (Even when the dementors came in during that one game and threw Harry for a loop.
I could go on and on with this list all day! This is always such a fun book to read, and I enjoyed every second of it.
What are some of your favorite parts from The Prisoner of Azkaban?
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Check out my review for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone here:
And My review of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets here:
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