Series: Harry Potter #3
Genre: Middle Grade, fantasy
Published on September 8, 1999
Published by Arthur A. Levine Books
Pages: 435
Read From: 12.26.14 - 12.30.14
SYNOPSIS
For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held a 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 the magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in their midst.
Review
Cover Blurb: Yes or No? Actually, probably not my favorite cover. I don't like the color scheme at all.
Characters: And poor me is running into the issue I have every time I have to review the third book in a series: what can one say about the characters that I haven't already? Harry is a protagonist who does grow with every book, and I often find myself laughing unexpectedly at his sarcasm. Hermione is my favorite of the three; she and I would get along so very well. I always took more classes than I should have at once in college, and I wouldn't give up on any of them. Even if I drove myself crazy trying to keep up. I like Ron, but he's probably my least favorite of the three because he's so pessimistic and hot-tempered. Really, Ron, just think sensibly for once, please. Probably my favorite character, though, was Professor Lupin. I don't know if I liked him as much as I do because of who played him in the movie (who happens to be one of my favorite British actors), or if he's just that awesome of a character. A little of both, I guess. But he's definitely my favorite out of all the characters.
The Romance: None!
Plot: So many people know about the plot of the books; I'm not going to bother. While Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is more of a mystery, this might be my favorite so far (and not just because Professor Lupin was in it). There's so much plot development, even more world building, backstory, and risk. We learn more about what happened to Harry's parents, what it was like when they went to Hogwarts, and the events leading up to Voldemort's demise. Because I'd already seen the movie, I knew everything that was going to happen, of course, and yes, it ruined a lot of the mystery and twists. But I still enjoyed it a lot. And the dementors - so creepy! So, so creepy!
Believability: Not applicable.
Writing Style: Third person, past tense. I do like J. K. Rowling's writing style a lot. Very British; part serious, part humor, totally whimsical and magical and unexpected.
Content: None.
Conclusion: Again, I saw the movie, so the climax wasn't as awesome as it could have been. I learned my lesson: no seeing movies first! But to be fair to myself, I might not have read the books if I hadn't. So. . . .Anyway, this is a terrific installment with lots of development and new characters, and I can't wait to read the next one.
Recommended Audience: Girl-and-guy read, twelve-and-up, fans of fantasy.
Others in the Harry Potter Series:
1)Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
2)Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
3)Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
4)Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
5)Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
6)Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
7)Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
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