5 Expecto Patronum stars!



I grew up with Harry Potter. Yes, I am that generation. I was a little bit younger than 11 when the books were released, and when the final book was published I had just graduated high school. I'm also the same age as Daniel Radcliffe and he's only older than me by less than a month. I also have a deathly hallows bumper sticker on my car. So, I think it's safe to say that this series has had a profound effect on me, to the point where I am still a little bit bitter that I never got my Hogwarts acceptance letter.



A couple years ago I reread the first two books in the series and loved them just as much as when I was a kid. So when I got into a horrible reading slump, I saw my dad watching Harry Potter weekend on ABC Family (as he does for every fucking Harry Potter weekend mind you), I said to myself, what the hell. Time for a reread. So hence, Harry Potter 3 reread.



All of us may know the story but I am going to reiterate. In his third year at Hogwarts, Harry Potter learns that a dangerous man named Sirius Black has escaped from the wizard prison Azkaban. Harry then overhears the fact that Black is the reason his parents are dead, as Black sold them out to Voldemort and then killed 13 people in broad daylight.

So in a unique part of the review from me, here are all the amazing parts of this book that I forgot because I've been watching the movies instead:

-Peeves the Poltergeist: Holy crap how did I forget about this hilarious menacing spirit? He's not as present in this book but he has always had a part in the series and I completely forgot he existed! I know they can't include everything in the movies but I wish Peeves had been included.

-Charlie Weasley: Ron had yet ANOTHER sibling that is only mentioned in the films! This one is the cool brother in Egypt.

-Cho Chang and Cedric Diggory: there are soooooo many mentions of Cho and Cedric in this book! I never really noticed Cedric until the 4th book where he becomes prominent. And this is the book where Harry's crush on Cho began. Stomach flutters!

-More details on Whomping Willow/Shrieking Shack: This may be a spoiler for those of you who haven't read it, but the Whomping Willow was actually planted to hide Lupin's werewolfism as well as the shrieking shack to hide him. I thought this little tidbit was super interesting, along with the details of how Black escaped Azkaban.



And just in general, I love JK Rowling's ability to tie things together. There's so much in this book that becomes important later and tiny little details and sharp wit that make me giggle.



So in a small factoid, this book is probably my least favorite of the entire series. It's good, obviously, but for some reason I like all the other ones better. The movie, well it's my second to last favorite (just ahead of that godawful Goblet of Fire film which ruined everything but I digress). The movie director added so many unnecessary things that weren't in the book, and I wish he hadn't so he could of kept the good stuff! (And I've heard a rumor that he didn't even read the fucking book until JK kept vetoing all of his weird ideas. Look it up!)

If you haven't read these books, do not tell me!!!!! I will smack you!

ENGLISH (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) / ITALIANO

«Harry Potter was a highly unusual boy in many ways.For one thing, he hated the summer holidays more than any other time of year. For another, he really wanted to do his homework but was forced to do it in secret, in the dead of night. And he also happened to be a wizard»

Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban prison is on every wizard's lips. Not even the dreaded guards of the prison, the Dementors, managed to keep in a cage the wicked wizard, who probably want to meet again his master, Voldemort. But to do that, firstly he must kill Harry Potter, the only one capable to stand up to Voldemort... Meanwhile, the new school year is about to start at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and Harry, Ron and hermione will become acquainted with two new professors...

Compared to the previous, the third volume of the series is the one that is richer in twists and turns. I'm reading the saga of Harry Potter to my daughter, when in the evening she goes to bed, and in this "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" a little tragedy happened. When we got to "The kiss of the dementor" chapter, just hearing the title my daughter (6 years old) was so upset by what it might happen that she required that I read that chapter alone, and just then telling her what was going on by omitting the scary details. Apart from this hiccup, the reading was neat and clean. It is evident that the playful and carefree tones of the first two adventures give way to dark colors. After all harry is growing up, and its way of seeing things is supposed to change as well. Rowling takes us in the maturation process of the most famous little wizard of the world using the same plot device of the previous volumes: the teachings of Headmaster Dumbledore, the clashes with Malfoy, the bickering with Hermione, the conflicts with Professor Snape. I do not know if in the near future I will continue to read to my daughter the Harry Potter saga, or if I will wait she grows enough to read it alone to avoid upsetting her again. Never mind. I will go on because now it is not possible for me to stop reading, with the pleasant awareness that there is no healthier addiction of this one. "Get high" yourself too.

Vote: 10

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«Harry Potter era un ragazzo insolito sotto molti punti di vista. Prima di tutto, odiava le vacanze estive più di qualunque altro periodo dell'anno. Poi voleva davvero fare i compiti, ma era costretto a studiare di nascosto, nel cuore della notte. E per giunta era un mago»

La fuga di Sirius Black dalla prigione di Azkaban è sulla bocca di tutti i maghi. Nemmeno i temuti guardiani del carcere, i Dissennatori, sono riusciti a tenere in gabbia il malvagio stregone, che si dice voglia riunirsi al suo padrone, Voldemort. Per farlo però dovrà prima eliminare Harry Potter, l'unico che fino ad ora è stato in grado di tenere testa a Voldemort... Nel frattempo, alla scuola di magia e stregoneria di Hogwarts sta per cominciare il nuovo anno scolastico, ed Harry, Ron ed Hermione faranno la conoscenza di due nuovi professori...

Rispetto ai due precedenti, il terzo volume della serie è quello più ricco di colpi di scena, e di conseguenza quello con il ritmo più serrato. Sto leggendo la saga di Harry Potter a mia figlia quando la sera va a letto, ed in questo "Harry Potter e il Prigioniero di Azkaban" è successa una piccola tragedia. Arrivati al capitolo "il bacio del dissennatore", al solo sentire il titolo mia figlia (6 anni) è rimasta così turbata da quello che sarebbe potuto accadere che ha preteso che lo leggessi io da solo, e che le raccontassi quello che succedeva omettendo i particolari spaventosi. A parte questo intoppo, la lettura è continuata liscia. E' evidente che i toni giocosi e spensierati delle prime due avventure lasciano il posto a sfumature a tratti cupe e goticheggianti. D'altronde Harry sta crescendo, e si suppone che cambi anche il suo modo di vedere le cose. La Rowling ci accompagna nel processo di maturazione del maghetto più famoso del mondo utilizzando gli stessi espedienti narrativi usati negli altri volumi: gli insegnamenti di Silente, gli scontri con Malfoy, i battibecchi con Hermione, i conflitti con Piton. Non so se nell'immediato futuro continuerò a leggere a mia figlia la saga di Harry Potter, o se aspetterò che cresca abbastanza da essere in grado di leggerseli da sola per evitare adesso di turbarla. Non importa. Io andrò avanti perchè per me non è più possibile fermarmi, con la piacevole consapevolezza che non esiste dipendenza più salutare di questa. "Drogatevi" anche voi.

Voto: 10

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS that amaze me about this book as I read it again as an adult for the first time in years. I've read it many times before but this is the first time I'm like WOW, did J.K. Rowling really plan everything from the beginning?

THINGS THAT ARE AMAZING ABOUT THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN

The Characters POA introduces some of the most wonderful characters in the entire Harry Potter series - Lupin, Sirius, Crookshanks, Professor Trelawny, Buckbeak - the Dementors! All amazing additions to the wizarding world, as well as the fact that we got to experience more of Cornelius Fudge. I was even surprised that Cho Chang and Cedric Diggory were mentioned. I think it's so great that we already got to see Harry interact with two seemingly minor characters who become focal points in the next novel - though I do absolutely loathe Cho with all my heart, ughh.

Harry and Hermione! One of my favourite things about this series is Harry and Hermione's friendship. I was never a shipper of these two because I simply loved their platonic relationship. It's so lovely and makes me squeal - and POA gives us tons of H/H time because Ron and Herm aren't on speaking terms most of the time (aw, cute lil love spats) and Ron is too injured in the last couple of chapters to join them on their incredible mission to save Sirius.

The Plot I think, in retrospect, The Chamber of Secrets was such a dud because POA is chock full of exciting plot, surprising discoveries, and great build up for the rest of the books. This is where the ball really gets rolling towards the return of Voldemort and such. This is also the only book in which Voldemort doesn't actually make an appearance and I think that adds to the depth of the plot. It stops being a Scoopy Doo mystery where the bad guy turns up at the end of the episode and is defeated by the gang. Also the whole time turning thing was something I actually couldn't wrap my head around as a kid until I saw the movie where they added a bunch of little moments that helped explain it more. It's so imaginative and complex, and I loved how the Buckbeak/Hermione/Sirius plot points all intertwined.

Quidditch & Hogsmeade I love that we got to see more Quidditch in this book. It's never repetitive, always exciting, and so satisfying that we finally got to experience Gryfinndor's win. Hogsmeade, of course, is a fantastic way to broaden the world building. And J.K. manages to do this so naturally, as if it were always there. Which, of course, it was, because Hagrid won a dragon egg at the Hog's Head in the first book. I AM SO IN AWE OF ALL THE SEEDS J.K. QUIETLY PLANTS IN OUR HEADS.

I also had the pleasure of reading this during my trip to London which made everything so much better. Overall, I am blown away by how much excitement has been reawakened in me after so many years.

That was awesome. I really should have read this about ten years ago when all the cool kids did. I'm enjoying this series so much and it's great I have no idea what happens next. No spoilers, please! :) x

I'm just going to add a few gifs and pictures from my book. Harry Potter books will always be 5 star no matter how many times they are read. (Hermione forever!)





I fell in love with S. Black in this book and I never looked back.



I'm going to add some pictures from my book, although now, I wish I would have added more but it is what it is. . . maybe later













I love these big illustrated coffee table editions of the books. It makes re-reading them an extremely fun experience. I just wish she would put them all out at once. I know, I know... I'm ready for the next though.

Happy Reading!

Mel ♥

MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List

n  “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”n




Harry is in his third year at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry and although it's great to be back, everyone in the magical world is on edge.



An escaped mass murderer, Sirius Black, is on the loose and it turns out Harry has cause to worry that he might be Black's next target.





n  “What you fear most of all is —fear. Very wise...”n

I found it highly entertaining how obviously teenage our trio were in this book. The arguing, mood swings and first crushes were so on point.

I'm glad this is the last of the middle grade books in this series and that from book 4 we move into YA.

JKR really knew how to set the spooky vibes and the unsettling atmosphere.

This book did have a little of the investigation element that the other books have but not as great as it is in rest.

I forgot so much about this book in particular. I did not remember how much slower paced and lacking
The first 3/4 were so slow and while I still love every bit of it I needed more to happen.

n  “I knew I could do it all this time,” said Harry, “Because I'd already done it... does that make sense?”n

Buddy read with Fares!!

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My reviews for:

1:  Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
2:  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
4: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

This is my favourite book in the Harry Potter series!

It marks a distinct change in tone and a maturation of the writing. As the characters grew older, the challenges they faced became more dark and intense. The plot became murkier especially in regard to Sirius and his involvement (or lack thereof) in the murders of Potter’s parents. It all just got so much better. I think this is a large part of Rowling’s success. She could have fell into a trap and continuously wrote books like the first two, but instead she moved her story forward and let it grow. And her readers rejoice.

This is also the first time the real threat to Harry is realised. Sure, we’ve seen Voldemort on the back of Professor Quirrel’s head and we saw an early Tom Riddle in the form of Horcorux diary type thing, but the dementors were an entirely different level of danger. The entire story felt less comic and less feel-good, for the first time it seemed like Harry Potter could actually die if he didn’t find his courage and repel them with his power. He owed much to Lupin here, a character who becomes slightly overlooked as the series progresses, but a hugely pivotal one in the development of Harry.

And, for me, that’s why this one is the best because eit is the one where Harry truly found his confidence.

There isn’t anything more comforting than this series.

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It baffled me for a minute that Harry was 13 going through all that he went through in this book.
It made me happy to see that this is more or less the beginning of him forming his own family. I love that Ron - and The Weasley’s by extension - and Hermoine are there for him. Especially when he has to go back to that idiotic family during the summer.
Dumbledore slowly mentoring him always gets to me.

But there isn’t anything more happy-inducing than this series.
Though I always feel somewhat sad by the end of the books, there isn’t anything that’s more comforting than these stories.

“Don't let the muggles get you down.”
Yup yup yup I love this book.

This is a Weasley appreciation post.

I'm beginning to wonder if there will ever be a Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher who is just a teacher.

*** 2024 reread -

I think this one is my favorite.

We still have some of the magical mystery and charm of the more juvenile first books while beginning our journey into deeper waters. An observant reader might say that this is the embarkation towards the darker later books.

Here we see much of the wonderful backstory Rowling has woven for us regarding several characters and I can see why the complicated antagonist Snape became a fan favorite (that and Rickman's magnificent portrayal.) We also get to learn about Hogsmeade and some greater understanding for how the Ministry of Magic works.

Good fun and now I'm off the find the fourth book!

***

I see that many readers and reviewers note that J.K. Rowling’s third book in her Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, is their favorite and I can see why.

Building on her first two successes, Rowling now begins to shrug off the YA elements in favor of more mature tones and some darker horror elements and it makes for a much better story.

We first learned about the magic prison Azkaban in the second book when Hagrid was sent there briefly, but we learn much more in this Harry’s third year at Hogwarts. We also discovery one of Rowling’s most intriguing characters (and another great Dickensesque name) Sirius Black.

Black had been linked to both Voldemort and Harry’s parents and so when he escapes from Azkaban (something that is supposed to never happen) we are led on a discovery that further explains and explores Rowling’s magnificent world building.

Readers are also introduced to the Dementors, ghoulish and terrifying Azkaban prison guards who are searching for the fugitive Black. Harry has a strange aversion to these creatures.

Third year students are also allowed to visit the local village of Hogsmeade, a hamlet exclusively populated by wizards, witches and all things magical. Harry and his friends enjoy some butter beer in the famous inn Three Broomsticks. (My family and I love to go to Universal Studios Orlando Harry Potter world, and we can eat at the Three Broomsticks and shop at Zonko’s Joke Shop.) ** BTW – Pottermore says I am in Slytherin House.

And! werewolves!

And! Magical time travel!

More good fun and we’re ready to move on to the next book!