prisoner of azkaban is superior and no i don't take criticism

Each of the Harry Potter books is different from one another. I think by book 5 the mystery element had to go. It was unsustainable. New characters here, were bound to reappear later. So there's some foreshadowing ongoing.

Again, this book was very enjoyable. The interactions between the Hogwarts residents and Harry are worth reading. I had little to no problem with the time travel element.

What hit me most were the cliffhanger tropes at the end of each chapter. You can sense how Rowling crafted each scene. By now we had come to realize that everything is seen through Harry's lenses. At the end everything had a lot of information unfurled to reveal the puzzles written before. This book is usually my most cherished Potter book.

¿Viajes en el tiempo, animales fantásticos y un plot twist increíble? Claro que disfruté este libro

Messieurs Lunard, Queudver, Patmol et Cornedrue
spécialistes en assistance
aux Maniganceurs de Mauvais Coups
sont fiers de vous présenter.
LA CARTE DU MARAUDEUR

I have to say that after all this time I have a bigger appreciation for the third book than I did before. And it was sadder than I realised. Knowing what's going to happen.
No matter how many times I read this, it's still amazing.

Je jure solennellement que mes intentions sont mauvaises.

*** 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!

The author of this series is a TERF. I highly recommend buying a used copy of this book so that your money doesn't directly go into the author's pockets. Trans people are real and valid. A cis person doesn't get a say on how trans people identify. If you have the money, here's a trans nonprofit that you can donate to: https://transgenderlawcenter.org

I don't feel comfortable praising this series without pointing out how the author's tweets are unacceptable, so my statements at the start of each of my reviews may seem repetitive but it's what I have to do. Now onto the rest of my review~

Times read as of October 2024: 5

This book hurts even more with each reread. It's so good but Harry was so close to having a perfect life away from the Dursley's and Voldemort, and then any chance of that perfect life was all stripped away. It's so painful. Harry and Sirius deserved better.

Prisoner of Azkaban is the one that always feels the most different from the movie. The movie is wonderful, but so many things are different in the book. The movie ends with the firebolt but that scene takes place in the very middle of this book, Lavender becomes more of a main character, Hermione's busy schedule is a major plot point, Harry and Ron ignore Hermione so much that she goes to see Hagrid while in the middle of crying, Lee's iconic quidditch commentary, and so many other things. I adore the movie, but it changed so many of my favorite scenes from this book.

Anyways, Prisoner of Azkaban will always be one of my favorites in this series. It's the perfect mix of school drama, heartache, and friendship.

Note: Since I believe in calling out all problematic content in books despite how much I like a book, I have to comment on the problematic content in this book. The treatment of Dudley's weight in this story is fatphobic.

Some of my favorite moments/quotes:
-"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."

-" On the rare occassion that they did catch a real witch or wizard, burning had no effect whatsoever. The witch or wizard would perform a basic Flame Freezing Charm and then pretend to shriek with pain while enjoying a gentle, tickling sensation. Indeed, Wendelin the Weird enjoyed being burned so much that she allowed herself to be caught no less than forty-seven times in various disguises. "

-"Silhouetted against the golden moon, and growing larger every moment, was a large, strangely lopsided creature, and it was flapping in Harry's direction... Through the window soared three owls, two of them holding up the third, which appeared to be unconscious... Harry recognized the unconscious owl at once - his name was Errol, and he belonged to the Weasley family. Harry dashed to the bed, untied the cords around Errol's legs, took off the parcel, and then carried Errol to Hedwig's cage. Errol opened one bleary eye, gave a feeble hoot of thanks, and began to gulp some water."

-"A delighted Mr. Weasley told tje Daily Prophet , 'We will be spending the gold on a summer holiday in Egypt, where our eldest son, Bill, works as a curse breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank.'"

-" It's amazing here in Egypt. Bill's taken us around all the tombs and you wouldn't believe the curses those old Egyptian wizards put on them. Mum wouldn't let Ginny come in the last one. There were all these mutant skeletons in there, of Muggles who'd broken in and grown extra heads and stuff. "

-" Don't let the Muggles get you down! "

-" ...this is a Pocket Sneakoscope. If there's someone untrustworthy around, it's supposed to light up and spin. Bill says it's rubbish sold for wizard tourists and isn't reliable, because it kept lighting up at dinner last night. But he didn't realize Fred and George had put beetles in his soup. "

-"'What were you doin' down there?' said Stan, dropping his professional manner.
'Fell over,' said Harry.
''Choo fall over for?' sniggered Stan.
'I didn't do it on purpose,' said Harry, annoyed."

-"'Woss your name?' Stan persisted.
'Neville Longbottom,' said Harry, saying the first name that came into his head."

-"The Knight Bus kept mounting the pavement, but it didn't hit anything; lines of lampposts, mailboxes, and trash cans jumped out of its way as it approached and back into position once it had passed."

-"Harry didn't have to do his homework under the blankets by flashlight anymore; now he could sit in the bright sunshine outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, finishing all his essays with occassional help from Florean Fortescue himself, who, apart from knowing a great deal about medevial witch burnings, gave Harry free sundaes every half an hour."

-"'Get out of the way,' said the manager impatiently, brushing Harry aside. He drew on a pair of very thick gloves, picked up a large, knobby walking stick, and proceeded toward the door of the Monster Books' cage.
'Hang on,' said Harry quickly, 'I've already got one of those.'
'Have you?' A look of enormous relief spread over the manager's face. 'Thank heavens for that. I've been bitten five times already this morning-'"

-"Ron buckled as something huge and orange came soaring from the top of the highest cage, landed on his head, and then propelled itself, spitting madly, at Scabbers.
'NO, CROOKSHANKS, NO!' cried the witch, but Scabbers shot from between her hands like a bar of soap, landed splay-legged on the floor, and then scampered for the door...
'What was that?'
'It was either a very big cat or quite a small tiger,' said Harry."

-"...Hermione came out, but she wasn't carrying an owl. Her 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.
That was a matter of opinion, though Harry. The cat's ginger fur was thick and fluffy, but it was definitely a bit bowlegged and its face looked grumpy and oddly squashed, as though it had run headlong into a brick wall."

-"'I hope you're well?' said Percy pompously, shaking hands. It was rather like being introduced to the mayor.
'Very well, thanks -'
'Harry!' said Fred, elbowing Percy out of the way and bowing deeply. 'Simply splendid to see you, old boy -'
'Marvelous,' said George, pushing Fred aside and seizing Harry's hand in turn. 'Absolutely spiffing.'"

-'We tried to shut him in a pyramid,' he told Harry. 'But Mum spotted us.'"

-"'The Ministry's provding a couple of cars,' said Mr. Weasley.
Everyone looked up at him.
'Why?' said Percy curiously.
'It's because of you, Perce,' said George seriously. 'And there'll be little flags on the hoods, with HB on them -'
'- for Humongous Bighead,' said Fred."

-"'We've got it,' Fred whispered to Harry. 'We've been improving it.'
The badge now read Bighead Boy. "

-"'I'm not going to be murdered,' Harry said out loud.
'That's the spirit, dear,' said his mirror sleepily."

-"'I don't go looking for trouble,' said Harry, nettled. 'Trouble usually finds me .'"

-"There was a soft, crackling noise, and a shivering light filled the compartment. Professor Lupin appeared to be holding a handful of flames."

-"'Hermione,' said Ron, frowning as he looked over her shoulder, 'they've messed up your schedule. Look - they've got you down for about ten subjects a day. There isn't enough time .'"

-"Harry's immediate impression was of a large, glittering insect. Professor Trelawney moved into the firelight, and they saw that she was very thin; her large glasses magnified her eyes to several times their natural size, and she was draped in a gauzy spangled shawl."

"'On, and dear' - she caught Neville by the arm as he made to stand up - 'after you've broken your first cup, would you be so kind as to select one of the blue patterned ones? I'm rather attached to the pink.'
Sure enough, Neville had no sooner reached the shelf of teacups when there was a tinkle of breaking china."

-"'Right,' said Ron as they both opened their books at page five and six. 'What can you see in mine?'
'A load of soggy brown stuff,' said Harry."

-"...so you're going to suffer but be very happy..."

-"You look in excellent health to me, Potter, so you will excuse me if I don't let you off homework today. I assure you that if you die, you need not hand it in."

-"There was a moment of hushed silence, in which Trevor gulped; then there was a small pop, and Trevor the tadpole was wriggling Snape's palm."

-"'He bit Goyle for us once!' Ron said miserably. 'Remember, Harry?'
'Yeah, that's true,' said Harry.
'His finest hour,' said Fred..."

-"Cedric Diggory came over to congratulate Harry on having acquired such a superb replacement for his Nimbus, and Percy's Ravenclaw girlfriend, Penelope Clearwater, asked if she could actually hold the Firebolt.
'Now, now, Penny, no sabotage!' said Percy heartily as she examined the Firebolt closely. 'Penelope and I have got a bet on,' he told the team. 'Ten Galleons on the outcome of the match!'
Penelope put the Firebolt down again, thanked Harry, and went back to her table.
'Harry - make sure you win,' said Percy, in an urgent whisper. ' I haven't got ten Galleons .'"

-"'HARRY, THIS IS NO TIME TO BE A GENTLEMAN!' Wood roared as Harry swerved to avoid collision. 'KNOCK HER OFF HER BROOM IF YOU HAVE TO!'"

-"Three dementors, three tall, black hooded dementors, were looking up at him.
He didn't stop to think. Plunging a hand down the neck of his robes, he whipped out his wand and roared, ' Expecto patronum! '
Something silver-white, something enormous, erupted from the end of his wand."

-"'The dementors didn't affect me at all!' Harry said excitedly. 'I didn't feel a thing!'
'That would be because they - er - weren't dementors,' said Professor Lupin. 'Come and see -'
He led Harry out of the crowd until they were able to see the edge of the field.
'You gave Mr. Malfoy quite a fright,' said Lupin.
Harry stared. Lying in a crumped heap on the ground were Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Marcus Flint, the Slytherin team Captain, all struggling to remove themselves from long, black, hooded robes."

-"...Professor Flitwick could be seen teaching the front doors to recognize a large picture of Sirius Black..."

-"'Mr. Moony presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business.'
Snape froze. Harry stared, dumbstruck, at the message. But the map didn't stop there. More writing appeared beneath the first.
'Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony, and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git.'
It would have been very funny if the situation hadn't been so serious. And there was more...
'Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that an idiot like that every became a professor.'
Harry closed his eyes in horror. When he'd opened them, the map had had its last word.
'Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape good day, and advises him to wash his hair, the slimeball.'"

-"Your parents gave their lives to keep you alive, Harry. A poor way to repay them - gambling their sacrifice for a bag of magic tricks."

-"She had slapped Malfoy across the face with all the strengh she could muster. Malfoy staggered. Harry, Ron, Crabbe, and Goyle stood flabberfasted as Hermione raised her hand again."

-"'Seen anything yet?' Harry asked the, after a quarter of an hour's quiet crystal gazing.
'Yeah, there's a burn on this table,' said Ron, pointing. 'Someone's spilled their candle.' ...
'Would anyone like me to help them interpret the shadowy portents within their Orb?' she murmured over the clinking of her bangles.
'I don't need help,' Ron whispered. 'It's obvious what this means. There's going to be loads of fog tonight.'"

-"Gryffindor hadn't won the Quidditch Cup since the legendary Charlie Weasley (Ron's second oldest brother) had been Seeker."

-"A number of small scuffles broke out in the corridors, culminating in a nasty incident in which a Gryffindor fourth year and a Slytherin sixth year ended up in the hospital wing with leeks sprouting out of their ears."

-"Crookshankes seemed to have come to a halt. Harry was sure he could see something else moving in the shadows of the trees too.
And just then, it emerged - a gigantic, shaggy black dog, moving steathily across the lawn, Crookshanks trotting at its side."

-"Then Wood was speeding toward him, half-blinded by tears; he seized Harry around the neck and sobbed unrestrainedly into his shoulder."

-"Professor McGonagall was sobbing harder even than Wood, wiping her eyes with an enormous Gryffindor flag..."

-"...all anybody felt like doing was strolling onto the grounds and flopping down on the grass with several pints of iced pumpkin juice, perhaps playing a casual game of Gobstones or watching the giant squid propel itself dreamily across the surface of the lake."

-"...History of Magic on Wednesday morning, in which Harry scribbled everything Florean Fortescue had ever told him about medieval witch-hunts, while wishing he could have had one of Fortescue's chocolate-nut sundaes with him in the stifling classroom."

-"Professor Lupin had compiled the most unusual exam any of them had ever taken; a sort of obstacle course outside in the sun, where they had to wade across a deep paddling pool containing a grindylow, cross a series of potholes full of Red Caps, squish their way across a patch of marsh while ignoring misleading directions from hinkypunk, then clim into an old trunk and battle with a new boggart."

-"You think the dead we loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble?"

-"'This is a useful little spell,' he told the class over his shoulder. 'Please watch closely.'
He raised the wand to shoulder height, said, ' Waddiwasi! ' and pointed it at Peeves.
With the force of a bullet, the wad of chewing gum shot out of the keyhole and straight down Peeves's left nostril; he whirled upright and zoomed away, cursing."

-"'Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces,' said Professor Lupin. 'Wardrobes, the gap beneath beds, the cupboards under sinks - I've even met one that had lodged itself in a grandfather clock.'"

-"After Boggarts, they studied Red Caps, nasty little goblinlike creatures that lurked wherever there had been bloodshed: in the dungeons of castles and the potholes of deserted battlefields, waiting to bludgeon those who had gotten lost. From Red Caps they moved onto kappas, creepy water-dwellers that looked like scaly monkeys, with webbed hands itching to strangle unwitting waders in their ponds."

-"'She got a letter from home this morning,' Parvati whispered. 'It's her rabbit, Binky. He's been killed by a fox.'"

-"Sir Cadogan spent half his time challenging people to duels, and the rest thinking up ridiculously complicated passwords, which he changed at least twice a day."

-"I was under the impression that I am teaching this lesson, not you. And I am telling you all to turn to page 394."

-"Five more points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable know-it-all."

-"You asked us a question and she knows the answer! Why ask if you don't want to be told?"

-"At that very moment, Hermione appeared at his shoulder; she was holding her cloak over her head and was, inexplicably, beaming.
'I've had an idea, Harry! Give me your glasses, quick!'
He handed them to her, and as the team watched in amazement, Hermione tapped them with her wand and said, ' Impervius! '
'There!' she said, handing them back to Harry. 'They'll repel water!'
Wood looked as though he could have kissed her."

-"'Where is Wood?' said Harry, suddenly realizing he wasn't there.
'Still in the showers,' said Fred. 'We think he's trying to drown himself.'"

-"Hargid snet him a bunch of earwiggy flowers that looked like yellow cabbages, and Ginny Weasley, blushing furiously, turned up with a get-well card she had made herself, which sang shrilly unless Harry kept it shut under his bowl of fruit."

-"Inside the castle, there was a buzz of Christmas in the air. Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher, had already deocrated his classroom with shimmering lights that turned out to be real, fluttering fairies."

-"Both Ron and Hermione had decided to remain at Hogwarts, and though Ron said it was because he couldn't stand two weeks with Percy, and Hermione insisted she needed to use the library, Harry wasn't fooled; they were doing it to keep him company, and he was very grateful."

-"'This, Harry, is the secret of our success,' said George, patting the parchment fondly.
'It's a wrench giving it to you,' said Fred, 'but we decided last night, your need's greater than ours.'"

-" I solemnly swear I am up to no good. "

-"'Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs,' sighed George, patting the heading of the map. 'We owe them so much.'"

-"There were shelves upon shelves of the most succulent-looking sweets imaginable. Creamy chunks of nougat, shimmering pink squares of coconut ice, fat, honey-colored toffees; hundreds of different kinds of chocolate in neat rows; there was a large barrel of Every Flavor Beans, and another of Fizzing Whizbees, the levitating sherbert balls that Ron had mentioned; along yet another wall were 'Special Effects' sweets: Droobles Best Blowing Gum (which filled a room with bluebell-colored bubbles that refused to pop for days), the strange, splintery Toothflossing Stringmints, tiny black Pepper Imps ('breathe fire for your friends!'), Ice Mice ('hear your teeth chatter and squeak!'), peppermint creams shaped like toads ('hop realistically in the stomach!'), fragile sugar-spun quills, and exploding bonbons."

-"Somewhere above him, Hermione whispered, ' Mobiliarbus! '
The Christmas tree beside their table rose a few inches off the ground, drifted sideways, and landed with a soft thump right in the front of their table, hiding them from view."

-"Of all the people to go over to the Dark Side, Sirius Black was the last I'd have though... I mean, I remember him when he was a boy at Hogwarts. If you'd told me then what he was going to become, I'd have said you'd had too much mead."

-"Never saw one without the other, did you? The number of times I had them in here - ooh, they used to make me laugh. Quite the double act, Sirius Black and James Potter."

Third book....third year at Hogswarts.

I think this might be my favorite Harry Potter book yet. It has more psychological depth. The wild adventures are still wizardly enthralling ....but we there are also many emotionally unsettling scenes to grapple with....which has us thinking and feeling deeper.

At the start, J. K. Rowling immediately begins by pulling on our heartstrings. It’s summer, Harry’s least favorite season when he’s in the throngs of the unbearable muggle relatives, the Dursleys.

It’s Harry’s birthday - and for the first time ever - his friends- Hermione, Ron, and Hagrid give him cards and gifts.....but his relatives wouldn’t even consider such a thing. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon looking at Harry suspiciously at every turn - is one thing - bad enough- but when Aunt Marge shows up on his birthday voicing her opinion that Harry was mentally subnormal and displaying other cruel actions - Harry is willing to almost do anything he needs including lie to get what he so desperately needs. Third year students at Hogwarts can sign out to visit Hogsmead on weekends - but first they must turn in a signed permission slip from their caretaker. So Harry makes a deal with his Uncle Vernon - promising to act normal - that’s going to come back and bite him.

However - soon enough school starts in September....and the wild ride begins of following the escape of a prisoner Sirius Black. The wizards and muggles are both after him and Harry’s in real physical life or death danger .....but Harry - poor Harry also has to re-live the events leading to his parents murder whenever the dementors get near him. On the flip side Harry learns more about his parents and himself and so do we.

Yep.... my favorite so far! The characters are endearing
Ron was more emotional in this story....
Hermione was slightly wonderfully hysterical about studying for her classes......and watching Ron and Hermione go at it was - well was so wizardly-human!
Ron thinks Hermione will never admit she’s wrong: squabbling over the Scabbers!

I just started to fall in love with these kids more and more.

And who knew I could feel excited for a Quidditch match? I did!

Thank you .....once again to my friend Lisa for being my Harry Potter inspiration

Buddy-read with two of my Great Escape gal pals- Stepheny and Ivonne.



Be on the look out for Stepheny Potthead aka The Book Pusher aka Quick Draw Stepheny aka The Nutty Professor. Last seen running along side the Knight Bus with Harry Potter's invisible cloak. Also Suspected in the kidnapping of fellow Goodreader Jeff and best-selling author Stephen King. Blonde Hair...big green doll eyes, has a frightening maniacal cackle and a tendency to whine when she doesn't get her way. LOUDLY. Considered armed and dangerous- approach with caution...and Nerds- she likes Nerds.

Now back to our regularly scheduled review....

I don't listen to a lot of audio-books (I prefer to read) but I was kind of falling behind in my reading commitments...and I had put Ms. Stepheny off again and again for this buddy-read soooooo many times- I couldn't do it again to her (she pouts..and she gets all mopey and it is JUST heartbreaking). I am so happy I listened to this one- Stephen Fry was just perfect. Perfect!..and HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN was just the thing to put me in the Christmas Spirit.



It's Harry's least favorite time of year- school break spent with the Dursleys...and this visit isn't going well. First: News that Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban- Second: An unfortunate accident involving mean Aunt Marge...



Harry decides not to stick around- and catches the Knight Bus to Diagon Alley- where instead of getting in trouble for using magic away from Hogwarts, he gets invited to stay until school begins, by Cornelius Fudge-the Minister for Magic.



The night before he is expected to leave- Harry is warned that Sirius may have escaped with murder in mind- and HE may be the target....

This is my favorite of the series so far!! I loved that it was still light and fun...but that the darkness is slooooooooowly creeping in.

I loved that a lot of it took place during the Christmas Holidays...



I really liked the addition of the Dementors...spoooooky...



...and I adored Buckbeak!!



As for the whereabouts of Stepheny? I can almost guarantee...she is up to no good.

Since pretty much everyone I know has read these books, I figure reviewing them is pretty pointless. But with the new book coming out in a couple of weeks, I have to go through them beginning to end. To make the reviews more entertaining, I will be doing them in a variety of unexpected formats. For this review, I will be writing as Crookshanks fan fiction.

Crookshanks swished his tail back and forth as he crept up the stairs to the boys' bedrooms. He knew the rat wasn't what it was pretending to be, but all of his attempts to alert the humans to this fact had failed. "I don't know why I even bother," he muttered to himself. "I could get along fine without any of them. Let the rat do whatever it is it's trying to do. So long as Girl keeps feeding me and scratching my belly, I'll - hello, what's this?"

He could smell the rat. Its scent was like nothing Crookshanks had ever smelled, and for all his time living in a magical pet shop, he'd smelled a lot. The rat did smell like a rat, yes, but there was also something else. Something... human. It was just like that big black dog he'd met on the grounds the other day. Every instinct in him had screamed to run away, but there was that smell. And even Crookshanks knew what they said about cats and curiosity. The dog had turned out to be more than just a dog, and it had convinced Crookshanks to help it. First order of business: retrieve a certain rat from the bedroom of the Red-Haired Boy.

The Boy wasn't in, but the rat was. Crookshanks circled the bed a few times. This time, maybe, he would be able to get the damn thing. He tensed for a moment and then leapt onto the bed.

By luck or skill, he was nearly on top of the thing when he landed. "A-HA!" he yowled. "Gotcha!" He pinned the rat under his sizable paw. "Where you gonna run to now, ratty?" he asked, sneering as best he could.

The rat writhed in his grip. "Please," it said. "Just let me go. You don't know what will happen if you eat me, it would be a terrible mistake!"

"A mistake, eh?" the cat said. "We'll see about that. I have a great big doggie friend who's just aching to get his jaws around you...."

He barely had time to finish his sentence when the rat went mad. It squealed and bit and slashed with its paws. And then, against all of Crookshanks' previous experience - it grew! It nearly threw the cat off the bed as it became much more massive - its legs lengthened and its arms stretched until it had reached a human size and shape. Crookshanks goggled. Of all the things he'd expected from this rat, this wasn't it. The human grabbed at him, but Crookshanks was too fast. He jumped off the bed and shimmied under the wardrobe, where he could see but not be seen.

The human looked around, breathing heavily. He was pale and thin, and still looked ratty. "Think, Peter, think," he said. "Gotta get out of here, but..." He stopped, glanced at the wardrobe, and grimaced. "You may just have given me my way out, cat," he said. And then he bit the ball of his hand.

Blood dripped out, leaving spreading red blotches on the sheets. "They'll think it was you," he said. "They'll leave me for dead and I'll be free to rejoin my Lord." He looked at the recently repaired curtains on Ron's bed. "It's not safe here anymore." He sucked at the wound to stop the bloodflow and then went to the window. Perched on the windowsill, he looked over at Crookshanks' hiding place. "If I were human," he said, "the fall would kill me. But as a rat...." His body rippled and twisted and shrank, and then there was an old grey rat on the sill. Crookshanks was pretty sure it winked at him before leaping off.

After a minute or two, Crookshanks wriggled out from under the wardrobe, his thoughts dark. The Red-Haired Boy was going to be angry, and so was the Girl. But more importantly, the Dog was going to be furious. It was barely holding on to its sanity as it was. Crookshanks shook his head. This was going to get worse before it would get better...

It's a rainy Sunday. It's colder than it should be this time of the year, so I'm drinking a delicious cup of coffee and I'm browsing my Goodreads shelves only to realise that I haven't written a Harry Potter review. Not a single one. So, I decided to start with the first Harry Potter book I ever read, the one that took me to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and made me believe that magic is something tangible.

n  n    “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.” n  n

I was 16 years old, and I had just started my english classes in order to pass my Proficiency examinations. My teacher told me that the best way to delve into a foreign language and familiarize with it is to read books written in it, so she gave me the third instalment of Harry Potter. (Little did she know that she unleashed a beast who now reads almost exclusively in english). Before I tell you about my experience, I need to make a confession. It was my choice to stay away from J.K. Rowling's books until that moment. I wanted to swim against the current, and I thought that Harry Potter was too "mainstream" for my taste. And the foolish little me was proud of this decision. But when my teacher gave me this old, used copy, something inside me cracked. I knew the basics about the story, about the orphan kid who goes to a school for wizards and fights the ugly, evil dude who doesn't have a nose. But page by page, I came to understand with awe that the wizard who finds trouble even when he doesn't want to offers more than that; he opened a portal to a world where I longed to be fervently. I stayed up late at night, with a faint light just enough to make out the sentences, and I cheered for Gryffindor's Quidditch team, I flied with Firebolt and I kept wondering what my patronus would be (according to Pottermore it's a brown mastiff, which is oddly fitting). I casted spells (but never Avada Kedavra, you shouldn't play with this shit) and tasted butterbeer in Hogsmeade, and just like that, my life had changed irrevocably. I was a Potterhead. And I was proud of that. (my mum wasn't though, especially when I asked for a wand).

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

There is a reason why J.K. Rowling is the fairy god-mother to millions of children (and adults) worldwide. Friendship, love, hope, they're present in her books even in the most desperate times, when Evil seems undefeatable, when no escape is visible. She encourages and empowers, shows that everything is possible, that strength and courage can be found within, when you have someone to hold your hand. Harry was a kid who was deprived of love yet he was capable of loving, it took him years but he finally found a place to belong, to feel safe and cared. Ron, with his witty lines and his constant presence, Hermione, my personal favorite, with her intelligence and compassion, they managed to enchant my prejudiced heart, and even now, years later, I'm still under their spell. I think I will always be.

n  n    “Don't let the muggles get you down.”n  n

I'm still waiting for my Hogwarts letter, and secretly hope that Dobby is the one to blame. I still caress with affection the spines of my Harry Potter books (meanwhile I bought them all and finished the entire series in a week and a half) and laugh at Harry Potter jokes. And I know, and it's imprinted in my soul, that I'll never be a muggle again.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3), J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is a fantasy novel written by British author J. K. Rowling and the third in the Harry Potter series. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was released in the UK on 8 July 1999 and in the US on 8 September 1999.

The book follows Harry Potter, a young wizard, in his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Along with friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry investigates Sirius Black, an escaped prisoner from Azkaban who they believe is one of Lord Voldemort's old allies.

تاریخ نخستین خوانش: در ماه نوامبر سال 2001 میلادی

عنوان: هری پاتر و زندانی آزکابان - کتاب سوم؛ نویسنده: جی.کی رولینگ؛ مترجم ویدا اسلامیه؛ تهران، کتابسرای تندیس؛ 1379؛ در 496ص؛ چاپ بیست و جهارم 1392؛ شابک 9789645757012؛ موضوع: داستانهای خیال انگیز نویسندگان بریتانیا - سده 20م

فصلهای کتاب: جغد نامه‌رسان؛ اشتباه بزرگ عمه مارج؛ اتوبوس شوالیه؛ پاتیل درزدار؛ دیوانه ساز؛ چنگال تیز و تفاله‌های چای؛ لولوخورخوره درون گنجه؛ فرار بانوی چاق؛ شکست شوم؛ جغد نامه‌رسان؛ آذرخش؛ سپر مدافع؛ لولوخورخوره درون گنجه؛ مسابقه‌ی نهایی کوییدیچ؛ پیشگویی پروفسور تریلانی؛ گربه، موش و سگ؛ مهتابی، دم‌باریک، پانمدی و شاخ‌دار؛ خادم لرد ولدمورت؛ بوسه‌ی دیوانه ساز؛ راز هرمیون؛ یک جغد نامه‌رسان دیگر؛

آن روزها که این کتاب منتشر شد، تنها در آمریکا، بیش از پنج میلیون جلد گالینگور، و میلیونها نسخه با جلد شمیز، به فروش رفت؛ والدین آمریکایی، با حیرت، به خبرنگارها میگفتند: فرزندان آنها، بازیهای کامپیوتری را کنار گذاشته، و کتابخوان شده اند؛ یادم میآید یک هفته نامه نوشته بود، «هری» پسرک دوازده ساله، ظرف کمتر از دو سه سال، رویاهای بسیاری از کودکان دنیا را تسخیر کرده است

هری پاتر و زندانی آزکابان، کتاب سوم از مجموعه رمان‌های «هری پاتر»، اثر بانو «جی.کی رولینگ» است؛ پس از اینکه «عمه مارج» وارد خانهٔ خاله ی «هری پاتر» می‌شود، او با «هری» درگیری پیدا می‌کند، و «هری» ناخواسته باعث رخداد ناخوش‌آیندی می‌شود «عمه مارج» باد شده و همانند بادکنکی به هوا می‌رود؛

اخطار و هشدار برای آنها که میخواهند کتاب یا فیلم را داغ داغ بخوانند و تماشا کنند، بهتر است ادامه ریویو را نخوانید

هری از خانه فرار می‌کند، و منتظر اظهارنامه ی وزارت جادو می‌شود، زیرا انجام جادو، برای افراد زیر هفده سال ممنوع است، و «هری» تنها سیزده سال سن دارد؛ اما او سرانجام می‌فهمد، که «سیریوس بلک»، کسی بوده، که پدر و مادرش را به «ولدمورت» فروخته؛ و اکنون از زندان فرار کرده، و حالا دنبال اوست، و به همین دلیل، وزارت برای او حکم اخراج نمی‌فرستد، تا بتواند در مدرسه «هاگوارتز» در امان باشد؛ «هری» همواره باید مواظب باشد، تا مورد حمله ی «سیریوس بلک» قرار نگیرد؛ اما در پایان مشخص می‌شود که «سیریوس بلک» پدر خوانده ی اوست، و دوست صمیمی پدرش بوده، و کسی که پدرش را به «ولدمورت» لو داده «پیتر پتی‌گرو» بوده؛ که خود را به شکل موشی درآورده بوده؛ که همان موش از قضا موش خانگی «رون ویزلی»، بهترین دوست «هری» بوده‌ است

اما درست آنگاه که همه چیز سرراست می‌شود، و «سیریوس» موش را به شکل عادی برمی‌گرداند، و همه امیدوار می‌شوند، که اعتراف او بی گناهی «سیریوس» را ثابت کند؛ همه چیز دوباره نقش بر آب شده، و «پیتر پتی‌گرو» باز هم فرار می‌کند؛ پس از اینکه «سیریوس» دوباره زندانی می‌شود؛ «هری» و «هرمیون گرنجر»، دوست صمیمی «هری»، به گذشته بازگشته، «سیریوس» را نجات می‌دهند؛ همچنین «هری» با موجوداتی به نام «دیوانه‌ ساز» مبارزه می‌کند؛ در نهایت «سیریوس بلک» به یاری ساعت زمان «هرمیون گرینجر» فرار میکند، و «هری» به مدرسه باز می‌گردد؛

نقل از متن: (چندی نگذشته بود که درس دفاع در برابر جادوی سیاه درس محبوب همه‌ ی دانش آموزان شد؛ در این میان فقط «دراکو مالفوی» و دارو دسته‌ اش پشت سر «لوپین» بد و بیراه می‌گفتند؛ هر بار که «لوپین» از جلوی «مالفوی» می‌گذشت او با صدای نسبتاً بلندی زمزمه می‌کرد: رداشو ببین! سر و وضعش مثل جن پیریه که توی خونه‌ ی ما کار می‌کنه؛ اما هیچ کس دیگری به لباس‌های وصله‌ دار و نخ نمای پروفسور «لوپین» توجه نمی‌کرد؛ کلاس‌های «لوپین» هر بار مثل اولین جلسه جالب و دوست‌ داشتنی بودند؛ بعد از لولوخرخره‌ها به درس کلاه قرمزی‌ها رسیدند؛ آن‌ها موجودات بدجنسی شبیه به جن‌ها بودند، و در جاهایی که خون و خون‌ریزی زیاد بود، کمین می‌کردند؛ در سیاه‌ چال قلعه‌ها یا در چاله‌ های میادین جنگ منتظر می‌ماندند، و کسانی را که راهشان را گم کرده بودند، با چوب و چماق می‌زدند؛ بعد از کلاه قرمزی‌ها نوبت به غواص‌ها رسید؛ غواص‌ها موجودات آبزی وحشتناکی شبیه به میمون بودند، که بدنشان از فلس پوشیده شده بود، و منتظر می‌ماندند، تا یک شخص بخت‌ برگشته، و از همه‌ جا بی‌خبر، از کنارشان عبور کند، آن‌وقت با دست‌های پرده‌ دارشان، گلوی رهگذر را می‌فشردند، و به درون آب می‌کشیدند؛ هیچ‌یک از کلاس‌های «هری» به‌ اندازه‌ ی کلاس دفاع در برابر جادوی سیاه، جذاب و دوست‌ داشتنی نبودند؛ از همه بدتر کلاس معجون‌ها بود؛ این روزها «اسنیپ» بسیار کینه‌ جو شده بود و کسی نبود که علت آن را نداند؛ ماجرای لولوخورخوره‌ای که به شکل «اسنیپ» درآمد، و بالباس‌های مادربزرگ «نویل» ظاهر شد، مثل توپ در تمام مدرسه صدا کرده بود؛ به نظر نمی‌رسید که این ماجرا برای «اسنیپ» خنده‌ دار باشد؛ به‌ محض شنیدن نام پروفسور «لوپین» آتش خشم در چشمانش شعله‌ ور می‌شد و این روزها خیلی بیش‌تر از قبل، به تهدید و تحقیر «نویل» می‌پرداخت؛ «هری» دیگر تحمل کلاس دم کرده و خفه‌ ی پروفسور «تریلانی» را نداشت؛ اصلاً حوصله نداشت از راز و رمز شکل‌ها و نشانه‌ های کج‌ و معوج سر درآورد؛ هر بار که چشم پروفسور «تریلانی» به «هری» می‌افتاد، چشم‌های درشتش پر از اشک می‌شد، و «هری» سعی می‌کرد به او توجهی نشان ندهد؛ با اینکه بسیاری از شاگردان کلاس، پروفسور «تریلانی» را به سرحد پرستش دوست داشتند، «هری» به او علاقه‌ ی چندانی نداشت؛ «پروتی پتیل» و «لاوندر براون» هر روز ظهر هنگام صرف ناهار، به سراغ پروفسور «تریلانی» می‌رفتند، و هر بار که از آن برج مطرود دم کرده، بازمی‌گشتند، چنان بادی به غبغب می‌انداختند، که گویی از اخباری اطلاع دارند که دیگران از آن‌ها بی‌خبرند؛ تازگی‌ها هنگام صحبت کردن با «هری»، با حالتی ملایم و دلسوزانه حرف می‌زدند، انگار «هری» را در بستر مرگ تصور می‌کردند)؛ پایان

تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 21/06/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 21/05/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی

La relectura del primer libro fue maravillosa pero esta ha estado a otro nivel.
Me acordaba muy bien de casi todo porque es mi libro preferido de la saga, pero aún así no he podido disfrutarlo más. La acción no decae en ningún momento, el argumento en sí y el desenlace para mi es el más redondo de toda la saga y en fin, nuevos personajes como Sirius y Lupin ponen la guinda.
Bueno, y luego está Hermione, que es más QUEEN que nunca.
FAN, muy fan de todo.
La edición ilustrada por cierto, es una verdadera brutalidad, las ilustraciones hacen muuuucho más que acompañar, os lo aseguro, y me va a doler no poder seguir la relectura en estas ediciones...