“If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.”

See the irony there?

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"OMG -- Not another book review on Harry Potter." *or* "OMG -- I LOVE HARRY POTTER"



I bet you just said something along those lines... Me too. But I have to do this for two reasons: (1) It's Harry Potter and (2) I committed to writing a real review for every book I've read and I'm only on 202 of 454. Slap me please. But when I'm done, not quite yet.



However, to save us both... I won't do a review on this whole book. You can read every other review for that! I'll just say the top 5 reasons why I loved this particular book:

1. Harry Potter went dark! Not the book... the character... this was the first time for me where I really stood back and said "He's growing up. He's realizing not everything around him should be believed without a hint of doubt." When he protected Sirius in the Shrieking Shack, it all changed for me.



2. Dementors are awesome. I love the concept of stealing someone's soul through sucking their physical body off its bones.



3. Transfiguration is a focus point, and I love seeing people turn into animals. It's like our core is bursting to show itself.



4. Remus was my favorite Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. He was someone I'd want to hang out with... you know, and be a werewolf and all.



5. History is revealed in many family connections and secrets. And since that's my favorite thing... this book was the most eye-opening for me.



See, that wasn't so bad to re-read a little bit of Harry Potter. I promise the next one won't be so hard. Only 4 left to write a review for.



n  n    About Men  n
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
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my HP books ranking so far:

1. Prisoner of Azkaban (humor is on point, MARAUDER'S, we meet Sirius, THE TIME TURNER, things start getting real serious)
2. Philosopher's Stone
3. Chamber of Secrets

Sirius Black, a prisoner at Azkaban, has escaped and is out on the loose. How will Harry survive?

I will likely rewrite this review at some point in the future as I have a serious cold and feel like I am on my deathbed. I need to layoff the Greek mythology because I might have muttered that I was the goddess of animals in a state of delirium. Anyways, Harry Potter.

What I enjoyed about Harry Potter #1 was his wonderment and amazement. He is grateful that he isn’t going to be stuck with the Dursleys anymore. Now, in Harry Potter #3, the wonder and amazement are gone. Harry is constantly bemoaning that he can’t go to Hogsmeade. Harry Potter #3 does show some character development because Harry finally decides to stop waiting for someone to rescue him from the Dursleys and leaves on his own accord. I’m still completely baffled as to why he doesn’t make arrangements to stay with Hermione or Ron or even Hagrid.

The story itself is ok. JK Rowling relies too heavily on the popularity of the fan favorite characters. The ending on this seemed to drag on and on. The book also lacked some originality. This book revisits many of the tropes that were explored in the first two books, starting off at the Dursley’s, going to school, and Quidditch. The books almost seem to follow a formula. Given the events in Harry Potter #3, I would have been more interested to hear the story from the perspective of Hermione (getting to know her Muggle family and what they think of the school, all of Hermione’s different classes, what the girls of the school think of her, etc.). Additionally, Professor Trelawney seemed like a watered-down version of Miss Cleo. Harry Potter #3 is longer than the first two installments, and it could have used some additional editing down.

One of the biggest positives about this book is that now whenever I am eating some chocolate, I can tell people that I am just recovering from a dementor attack.

2025 Reading Schedule
JantA Town Like Alice
FebtBirdsong
MartCaptain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
AprtWar and Peace
MaytThe Woman in White
JuntAtonement
JultThe Shadow of the Wind
AugtJude the Obscure
SeptUlysses
OcttVanity Fair
NovtA Fine Balance
DectGerminal

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AND.... the series turns young adult

"The consequences of our actions are always so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is a very difficult business indeed."

This is the first Harry Potter book that truly got me excited to be in the wizarding world. Up until Prisoner of Azkaban, this series is essentially for a very young audience, and reading these for the first time as an adult made it very difficult to connect. Now, having re-read them multiple times, it's very easy to understand how compelling and mysterious the first two books are to bring you to this one. And this one is where the magic truly begins.

First, I adore Professor Lupin. I think that meeting him was the first thing that made me want to know more. I wanted to know about his connection to James, more about the friendship he had with Sirius and Peter. I wanted to know about their group dynamic as children in Hogwarts, and we get to much of that here. He's one of the sweetest characters in the entire series. A wizard, turned into a werewolf, forced to suffer through prejudice and still being one of the greatest role models Harry could have. He's called the "best defense against the arts teacher" the kids have ever had, and I think all the way to the end, that remains true. His mentorship is one of the greatest things Harry could have had going into the rest of the series.

This is also the last book that Harry is allowed to be a child. The last time that Voldemort is an idea, not a reality. Going forward there is only hurt, and conflict no one should have to go through at Harry's age. And because of that I love that Harry allows Peter to go free and be in his debt. It's a decision that has a consequence, as so eloquently pointed out by Dumbledore in the quote above. It's a decision that allows a future where Harry just might live, not that he is aware of that now. I love that he thinks to himself "had all four of them been out on the ground tonight?" because it's the last time he's truly hopeful about a future that involves all of his father's friends being with him. And rooting for him. All in the same place.

But what this book really solidifies for me is the friendship between Hermione and Harry. He becomes the middle man to Ron and Hermione's constant bickering, a shoulder for one and an ear for the other. It's such a beautiful dynamic and there are very few friendships as special as the one built here. It's such a perfect example of why they work so well together in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, why a romance between them would never work.

Platonic soulmates are slowly becoming a favorite trope of mine to read, and I think Harry and Hermione are the reason.

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

this book ate i have not a bad word to say about it. i loved every second. sirius??? remus??? they literally won me over so hard bye

Literally one of the best books I've ever read. I was chained to it for two days. I cried and laughed and yelled SHIT when all of the action went down.

I'm such a peasant for judging this series before I had read it. I read the first two and half of this one when I was about 10, before reading was cool, before I had the attention span that reading requires (I know these are kids' books but I was a particularly distracted child). I did not know, Mother Rowling. Forgive my sin, and all the times when I said, "I don't think Harry Potter is really my thing". Please.

This book was incredible and this series is a classic more than any Dickens or Middle Earth or Narnia shit has any right to be. This series isn't up it's own ass; it's so accessible and readable and meaningful.

God damn me! How could I have been so blind?

Forgive me, because this book changed the game. This book deserves 7 stars and I'm getting the cover art (from my edition) tattooed on my thigh.

I'm such a fucking fan.

Still five stars. Love this so much. Can't review. Couldn't even take notes. Watched the movie immediately after finishing. Need next book. Wish I lived in this world. Damn you, Rowling.

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(A) 85% | Extraordinary
Notes: A flavorful foreboding, it plies expanded bandwidth, like ripened fruit, and more acute: a sweet and spicy sandwich.

*Check out progress updates for detailed commentary:

Progress updates:

02/13/2020 - Preamble

Of all the books, most people say this one's their favorite. I believe a big reason why is it hits the sweet-spot between the middle-grade fare of the first two and the dark seriousness of the last four. On the whole, I enjoyed the last four more, as serial installments of the "Voldemort is back" storyline. But of the standalone books, I like this best.

02/14/2020 - 4%

(1) Hedwig flew all the way to France, assuming Hermione would have a gift for Harry. A bit presumptuous.
(2) Hermione's letter: "Dear Harry, Ron wrote to me ... Did you see that picture of Ron and his family ... Ron says he's going to be in London ... Ron says Percy's Head Boy ... Ron doesn't seem too happy."
- Ron, Ron, Ron. It's all about Ron.

02/15/2020 - 7%

(1) "Ron Weasley ... came from a whole family of wizards. This meant that he knew a lot of things Harry didn't, but had never used a telephone before."
- Filmmakers should've taken note... not so much the telephone part.
(2) Everyone's weirdly casual about the fact that Harry's punished with beatings. Likely entirely acceptable in the early '90s.

02/16/2020 - 12%

(1) "Muggles have been told that Black is carrying a gun (a kind of metal wand that Muggles use to kill each other)."
- Well, wizards use wooden wands to kill each other too.
(2) Fudge took off his pinstriped cloak and tossed it aside, then hitched up the trousers of his bottle-green suit."
- Trousers? Suit? Fudge enjoys muggle clothes, I see.

02/17/2020 - 15%

(1) Hermione takes Muggle Studies. Which, while not cheating, is a lot like taking a language you're fluent in.
(2) '[Hermione's] arms were clamped tightly around the enormous ginger cat.
"You bought that monster?" said Ron, his mouth hanging open.
"He's gorgeous, isn't he?" said Hermione, glowing.'
- Well, Hermione does have a thing for gingers.

02/18/2020 - 18%

(1) When arguing about Harry's safety, it's Arthur who insists on extra precautions, while Molly believes Dumbledore knows what's best. I'd have thought it'd be opposite.
(2) "Mrs. Weasley kissed all her children, then Hermione, and finally Harry."
- I wonder if Molly ever treated her kids' other friends this way. Possibly, she's seen the future.

02/19/2020 - 27%

(1) "Crabbe and Goyle seemed to exist to do Malfoy's bidding."
- That's quite the meta statement.
(2) '[Professor Trelawney] shot suddenly at Parvati Patil, "beware a red-haired man." Parvati gave a startled look at Ron, who was right behind her and edged her chair away from him.'
- Hmm, it'd be a much better omen for Padma, Ron’s Yule Ball date.

02/20/2020 - 30%

(1) Pansy Parkinson is totally Malfoy's Lavender Brown. Unlike Ron, Malfoy's content to string her along.
(2) Malfoy calls Buckbeak ugly, provoking an attack. Wonder if hippogriffs understand English or are just sensitive to tone.
(3) Ron's surprisingly proficient at potions, at least where knifework is concerned. His roots are "beautifully cut."

02/21/2020 - 34%

(1) Parvati's greatest fear is mummies. I'd assume they'd only be a real threat in Egypt. Though, perhaps she was menaced by one brought over for Victorian unwrapping parties.
(2) Lupin and the Marauders mocked Snape as students. Lupin encourages Neville to mock Snape in effigy. Snape bullies Neville more than ever. Not right, but it makes sense.

02/22/2020 - 37%

(1) Crookshanks kills a spider, and eats it in front of Ron. Then goes to kill Scabbers: taking out all Ron's natural enemies.
(2) "Ron and Hermione had just turned up in the common room, pink-faced from the cold wind and looking as though they'd had the time of their lives."
- See, who said Ron and Hermione can't get along, just the two of them?

02/23/2020 - 41%

(1) The Hufflepuff quidditch team's secret weapon is Cedric Diggory... who makes all the female Griffindor players giggle and swoon.
(2) Snape calls Hermione an "insufferable know-it-all." Ron yells at Snape and gets detention... only Ron gets to call her that ;)
(3) Snape makes Lupin's class study werewolves... because he's such a troll.

02/24/2020 - 45%

(1) Lupin: "Don't worry. I'll speak to Professor Snape. You don't have to do the [werewolf] essay."
"Oh no," said Hermione, looking very disappointed. "I've already finished it!"
- This is why I procrastinate.
(2) Trips to Hogsmede essentially serve as bonding-time for Ron and Hermione. Or at the very least, a ceasefire during their pet conflict.

02/25/2020 - 49%

(1) Ron has a crush on Madame Rosmerta, which the book only hints at. In the film Hermione teases him about it.
(2) In the book Harry finds Ron and Hermione in Honeydukes. In the film they're by themselves in a secluded wood:
Hermione: "Do you want to move a bit closer?"
Ron: "Huh?"
Hermione: "To the Shrieking Shack."
Ron: "Oh no. I'm fine here."

02/26/2020 - 55%

(1) For someone who scolds others for breaking rules, Hermione's awful cavalier about entering the boys' dormitory.
(2) '"When thirteen dine together, the first to rise will be the first to die!"
... Professor McGonagall poked a large spoon into the nearest tureen.
"Tripe, Sibyll?"
Professor Trelawney ignored her.'
- McGonagall with the sly diss!

02/27/2020 - 58%

(1) I'd imagine butterbeer must taste something like a cross between butterscotch and root beer.
(2) Dementors drain happiness. The remedy for a dementor attack is chocolate. Ergo, chocolate equals happiness.
(3) Hermione's favorite subject is arithmancy. I'd never have taken her for a numbers person. But then, math is the opposite of divination.

02/28/2020 - 62%

(1) Cho is to Harry as Cedric is to the Gryffindor girls. Eyes on the snitch, Harry! Not the girl!
(2) Harry is to the Firebolt as Jon Snow is to Longclaw.
(3) '"Penelope and I have got a bet on," [Percy] told the team. "Ten Galleons on the outcome of the match!"
- Yes, because making your girlfriend pay you money is always a good idea. *eye-roll

02/29/2020 - 64%

(1) Hermione: "Harry, if you go into Hogsmeade again... I'll tell Professor McGonagall about [the Marauder's] map!"
- Oh, Hermione. Always resorting to blackmail. Like getting Harry's broom confiscated worked so well.
(2) Hagrid: "Really upset, [Hermione] was, when Black nearly stabbed yeh, Ron."
- Never confide in Hagrid, he always spills beans!

03/01/2020 - 66%

(1) Ron to invisible Harry: '"Where are you? ... Are you still there? This feels weird!"'
- "Weird" seems to be Ron's catchphrase, as in "Weird! What a shape! This is money?" or “So that’s a house-elf? ... Weird things, aren’t they?”
(2) "Harry tried to look innocent, all too aware of his sweaty face and his muddy hands."
- Blame it on herbology!

03/02/2020 - 68%

(1) '"Oh, Ron!" Hermione flung her arms around Ron's neck and broke down completely. Ron, looking quite terrified, patted her very awkwardly on the top of the head. Finally, Hermione drew away.'
- Ron's not used to being hugged, I guess. Pats go on the back.
(2) Ron totally gets turned on by Hermione punching Malfoy. She should've done it sooner!

03/03/2020 - 70%

(1) Hermione quits divination... which fulfills the prophesy of the lost pupil!
(2) Trelawney: "Would anyone like me to help them interpret the shadowy portents within their Orb?"
Ron: "I don't need help ... There's going to be loads of fog tonight."
(3) For a supposed charlatan, Trelawney's remarkably accurate with her omens... albeit imprecise.

03/04/2020 - 73%

(1) Co-ed changing rooms seem like a recipe for disaster.
(2) Penalty shots in quidditch are never adequately explained or described. Is it soccer-style, where the shot's taken from a fixed position? Or is it hockey-style, where the player moves toward the goalkeeper?
(3) Apparently, wizarding trials involve a judge, jury, and executioner.

03/05/2020 - 75%

(1) Apparently, Ron has giant feet. Could well call him Ronald McDonald instead of Ronald Weasley.
(2) Like Neville, Hermione's boggart is also a teacher. It's McGonagall saying she's failed everything. Unlike Neville, she fails to find the humor in it.
(3) Hermione blushes when Ron compliments her rule-breaking. Weird what passes for sweet-talk.

03/06/2020 - 77%

(1) I'm getting a definite "Hound of the Baskervilles" vibe at the scene where the Grim pulls Ron below ground.
(2) At the execution scene, both Harry and Hermione fall to pieces. Surprisingly, it's Ron that's the pillar of strength.
(3) The tunnel at the base of the Whomping Willow goes off the Marauder's Map. It's literally uncharted territory.

03/07/2020 - 79%

(1) "'If you want to kill Harry, you'll have to kill us too!' [Ron] said fiercely, though the effort of standing upright was draining him of still more color, and he swayed slightly as he spoke."
- Another estimable Ron line/act given to Hermione in the film.
(2) Knowing how the book plays out takes all the edge out of seeing Sirius as a villain.

03/08/2020 - 82%

(1) Lupin seeing Peter on the Marauder's Map is a spit-take I want to see!
(2) Hermione's awfully naive, assuming every Animagi voluntarily registers with the Ministry. But then, she's new to rule-breaking.
(3) I heard J.K. Rowling say once that being a werewolf was akin to living with AIDS. Really makes you read Lupin's origin story differently.

03/09/2020 - 87%

(1) "Bandages spun up Ron's leg, strapping it tightly to a splint. Lupin helped him to his feet; Ron put his weight gingerly on the leg and didn't wince."
- Far cry from the film, where Ron's a whimpering wreck. Though, I did get a kick out of film-Ron milking his injuries to bait care and attention from Hermione. Book-Ron would never be so bold!

03/10/2020 - 91%

(1) Ron's in the hospital, leaving Harry and Hermione to save the day. It was the other way around last book, which is an interesting bit of mirroring.
(2) "[Madam Pomfrey] was carrying the largest block of chocolate [Harry] had ever seen in his life. It looked like a small boulder."
- I have a feeling medicinal chocolate may not taste so great.

03/11/2020 - 94%

(1) "From what Harry could see of Hermione's face, she looked terrified."
- One major aspect of Hermione lost in the films is how terrified she is all the time. She gets braver each book. It's called character development!
(2) Harry bows to Buckbeak before leading him away. Who says you never learn anything practical in Care of Magical Creatures?

03/12/2020 - 96%

(1) Hermione: "Harry, I can't believe it... You conjured up a Patronus that drove away all those Dementors! That's very, very advanced magic."
Harry: "I knew I could do it this time because I'd already done it... Does that make sense?"
Hermione: "I don't know."
- It's a chicken and egg paradox... where did the confidence come from to begin with?!

03/13/2020 - 98%

(1) '"[Sirius Black] didn't disapparate!" Snape roared, now very close at hand. "You can't apparate or disapparate inside this castle! This–has–something–to–do–with–Potter! ... They helped him escape, I know it!"'
- Well, Snape's right about that.
(2) Must get to writing my review. How does one distill Harry Potter in a sentence? It's never easy.

I am both pleasantly surprised and mad that I ended up enjoying this audiobook and getting invested in Sirius Black. The story really improved when we discovered more about the background story of events that happened before Harry's generation. I enjoyed learning more about the adult characters and being surprised at the plot developments.