Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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  Rowling does it again in this decidedly darker (and more emotionally engaging) but just as endearing installment of the Potter series. Though for being a series so focused on witchcraft, it's quite ironic how little spell-casting actually takes place in this one. The book is chiefly concerned with the escaped prisoner fiasco, the Quiddich Cup, Hagrid's problem, the fight between Hermoine and Ron, and some quite interesting developments in Harry's history and the relationships between all th... (show more)

  Rowling does it again in this decidedly darker (and more emotionally engaging) but just as endearing installment of the Potter series. Though for being a series so focused on witchcraft, it's quite ironic how little spell-casting actually takes place in this one. The book is chiefly concerned with the escaped prisoner fiasco, the Quiddich Cup, Hagrid's problem, the fight between Hermoine and Ron, and some quite interesting developments in Harry's history and the relationships between all the characters... all such to the point where any "new" magic falls by the wayside... proof perhaps that Rowling is more concerned with her characters than the magical escapism that thrilled earlier readers into the series in the first place.

  Magic aside, all of the familiar devices are here; the exasperatingly malicious Malfoy, the clever plot twistings and villain switchings, intense Quiddich matches, and of course that distinctive and charming magic that Rowling and Potter pull off quite well.

  I've been hoping since I started the series that Harry would start to come into his own with some kind of magical prowess... something that would start to define him tangibly as the "powerful" wizard hidden in a teenager's frame that everyone makes him out to be. But that didn't happen this time around either. Besides being a Parcel-tongue, having a natural ability for broomstick riding, and possessing a kind of unparalleled courage/recklessness, Harry seems quite ordinary as a wizard... which, now that I think about it, might really be the point after all; what connects Harry to so many readers and makes him sympathetic. But at the end of the day, I always feel like Harry is floundering... still trying to find some kind of self-identity and a comfortableness with existence as a wizard. At least in this one, some interesting developments really move his and the others' characters along emotionally, and Potter demonstrated some skill which might be the beginnings of a master dueler... something that would definitely come in handy as Voldemort's strength seems to be rising.

  There were some bad omens in this one, ones that weren't resolved by the end of the book, and I'm very glad I'm reading these now instead of having to wait for the next one to come out. This one was fun, just like all the rest, and I look forward to the next installment of Potter's marvelously charming adventures. Another well done to Rowling. (show less)

   

   

  by David Calkins on Jun 14, 2008 at 02:12AM

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  This is when the series really started to pick up for me. In all honesty, I was 17 when I started reading this book for the first time, and I carried it with me everywhere until I had the whole thing finished. The suspense actually got to me and I couldn't wait to see what happened. The characters seemed to become more developed as well in this installment, which to me, improves most books.

  It is an easy but still enjoyable read. The writing seems to flow enough for me to get through t... (show more)

  This is when the series really started to pick up for me. In all honesty, I was 17 when I started reading this book for the first time, and I carried it with me everywhere until I had the whole thing finished. The suspense actually got to me and I couldn't wait to see what happened. The characters seemed to become more developed as well in this installment, which to me, improves most books.

  It is an easy but still enjoyable read. The writing seems to flow enough for me to get through them and look back and say, "Yeah, that was a good book." In later years, when rereading the series, I find that this is usually the one I go through the fastest. I would have to say, my favorite of the Harry Potter series. I'm not saying it's my favorite book of all time or anything, but definitely a good read. (show less)

   

   

  by Michelle Anelli on Nov 12, 2009 at 08:03PM

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