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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  I do believe that The Chamber of Secrets was so far my favorite of the books, although this one was still pretty great. As I go on with this series I can feel the angst rising. The movie was far worse, of course in matters of: Grrr, SHUT UP!!*desk-kick* but I have a strong sense of much more adolescent boyish attitude yet to come in the following books. Huzzah for more character and plot development; something the money-mongering-movie-makers refuse to provide us with, such as longer explanat... (show more)

  I do believe that The Chamber of Secrets was so far my favorite of the books, although this one was still pretty great. As I go on with this series I can feel the angst rising. The movie was far worse, of course in matters of: Grrr, SHUT UP!!*desk-kick* but I have a strong sense of much more adolescent boyish attitude yet to come in the following books. Huzzah for more character and plot development; something the money-mongering-movie-makers refuse to provide us with, such as longer explanations for simpler foreshadowing, and extra glimpses of characters we want to know more about. Namely, the other Weasley children like Fred, George, and Ginny. I also ***SPOILERS*** liked Sirius Black and felt a lot more compassion for him before I saw movie-Sirius. Ho hum. Poor characters. Well, at least Harry Potter hasn't made an exception to the age old rule: The book is always better. (show less)

   

   

  by Bethany Woody on Nov 09, 2009 at 09:35AM

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