Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Ratings3,260
Average rating4.4
Something about the ending just felt...slightly unsatisfying? Can't put my finger on it but I'm already moving onto the next one hah!
I had to read to the kids for 1.5 hours last night because they HAD to find out how the book ends! “Mom, I don't care what you say, we HAVE to start book four tomorrow!” I think I can officially call them Potter-heads now. ;)
David rating - 4.5/5
Sophia rating - 5/5
Mommy rating - 5/5
Prisoner of Azkaban starts to move the Harry Potter series from a children's book to something closer to young adult. The books are getting darker and more complicated. While you can't have the series without books 1 and 2 (there's a lot of world building, character introductions as well as hints of things that make more sense later), I feel the series really takes off with book 3.
Jim Dale's narration is still spot on. He gives each character a unique voice and puts so much into his performance. He is definitely a master at this craft and I'd not hesitate to listen to more of his work.
This series should definitely be read in order and if you have any love for magic / fantasy, I strongly suggest looking past the thought of this being a children's book and give it a try.
Maravilloso. Si lo disfruté con 34 años, no me imagino como habría sido de adolescente.
Few years apart, this book was more enjoyable the second read.
Prisoner of Azkaban shall always remain my most favourite Harry Potter book.
Oh, it was such a lovely journey to visit all those wonderful characters all over again.
Mischief Managed :)
Very dissapointed at how unhinged JK depicted Snape - everyone's favourite potions master - yet happily surprised by my newfound OTP: Harry and Cho.
I don't have much to say as this is, well, Harry Potter. This has always been my favorite book in the series. The audiobook was a delight!
After a bit of wavering about in the first two books, in The Prisoner of Azkaban we are presented with a novel that feels fully developed. In retrospect, The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets seem like practice runs for JKR in which she hones her craft, builds and furnishes her wizarding universe, and cements the quirks and traits of her characters' personalities. With all that out of the way, our patience is rewarded with a gripping, clever story that doesn't rely on a clumsy Dumbledore related deus ex machina to bring it to a conclusion. Huzzah!
My eldest tells me that this is her least favourite of the books, and I suspect the reasons for that lie in the difference between reading it as an adult and reading it as a child. This is undoubtedly my favourite of the series so far but I can imagine a youngster could find it quite boring without the relentless, quickly paced twists and turns found in the previous books. This is a tale to be slowly unraveled, and although it doesn't have the charm of The Chamber of Secrets there is a lot to love about this book. Fred and George's relentless pranking of poor, overly-earnest Percy had me laughing out loud as I read, and I sincerely hope we get to see more of gentle Professor Lupin. The Marauder's Map was a stroke of genius, and the reveal of the origin of the names and their accompanying backstory gave me the warm fuzzies.
With my ratings steadily creeping up, I have high hopes for the next few books. Four stars.
I think this one is my favourite book of this series. I just love Sirius, Lupin and Harry together. I'd love to know more about Lupin and Sirius with James. I can't even put into words how much I love this book as it contains so many amazing, well written events, like the Quidditch matches.
Hoe kan ik ooit minder dan 5 sterretjes geven aan een Harry Potter boek? Nooit!
En deze derde is toch één van mijn favorieten. Het is voor mij het eerste boek in de reeks die de “Harry Potter” sfeer bij me opwekt. Het eerste boek waarbij het duidelijk wordt hoe groots die wereld is en hoe complex en meesterlijk het verhaal wordt uitgesponnen.
Natuurlijk zijn er een paar mindere kantjes, die je vooral gaan storen naarmate je ouder wordt – bijvoorbeeld, welk schoolhoofd laat een kind in hemelsnaam die dingen doen – maar daar moet je gewoon doorheen kijken. Laat je kinderlijke fantasie bovendrijven en geniet!
Oh my gosh, this has been my favorite so far. Might seem very much like the other two books until the last several chapters, where so much story and twists and turns are crammed into such a small space that it makes one's head spin. Amazing.
Among the first three Harry Potter books, I enjoyed this one the most.
Lots of new magical concepts, great narrative and a sci-fi twist make this a great read.
This book was such a pleasure to re read. This is the first book in the series since my re reading began that I had forgotten every little that happened and the logistics of the characters and the plot advancement. That for me was so lovely because it allowed me to fall in love with this story all over again, as if for the first time. As Lupin is one of my all time favourite characters and Sirius as well, it is always so nice to have the reveal of those characters as decent in this book. And this is the first book we start to understand more about the character of Severus and as he is also one of my all time favourite characters, I find his development in this book really important. I also enjoyed that this book allows the characters of Harry and his friends to evolve and grow up. I enjoyed that the danger in this book gets more complicated and that the lessons and the stakes are starting to get higher from this book onwards. This book is a beloved classic of mine and I can't wait to continue on with the series!
This is my favorite of the Potter books so far. The characters continue to grow and the story gets stronger. Without getting into spoilers, it seems that Rowling had a grand story arc in mind when writing these books, rather than working hard to piece together each story.
The underlying theme in this book that I took away is that things are often not what they seem. It takes patience and wisdom to find the truth. I think that applies to life in the real world, too.
Ah, finally I see why everyone talks about Harry Potter so much. You know, I was growing a little worried there with the first and second books, but this one is much better.
Did I love it? Probably not. But it was very, very good. I was engaged the entire book (which is more I can say for the last two!) and was extremely immersed in the world. I felt connected to the characters and certain events really tugged at my heartstrings. I think I have also met some of my favorite characters so far, which is also exciting. After all, I honestly don't love the main three. Shoot me. I'm not sorry.
But you know who I did love? Lupin and Sirius.
I guess I'm looking forward to the next book now!
Harry is once again barely managing to get by when home for the summer holidays with the Dursleys. After a nasty run in with Vernon's sister Marge and a rash choice to run away from home, Harry finds himself in front of the Minister for Magic who is just happy to see Harry safe and in one piece. On his own for the rest of the holidays and confined to Diagon Alley, Harry is for once blissfully happy until finding out that a dangerous convict by the name of Sirius Black is after him for defeating Lord Voldemort 12 years prior. Harry finds out that Black is his godfather and was his parents best friend before handing them over to Lord Voldemort. Harry operates under the intention to make Black pay until he learns the truth for himself. Ron's rat is really Peter Pettigrew the Potter's secret keeper who betrayed them to the Dark Lord. While Harry did manage to prevent Sirius from being executed by the Dementors of Azkaban, Pettigrew was allowed to escape.
This is without a doubt my favorite book in the Harry Potter series. First and foremost it's the only book in the series that does not complete revolve around a plot to kill Harry. It also gives the first glimpse into the deep rooted lack of trust between even friends that the presence of Voldemort had cultivated. This book definitely has a darker tone at times than it's predecessors due to it revolving completely around the betrayal of Harry's parents and the cause of his miserable life with the Dursleys. Personally I love Sirius! His mysterious introduction is perfect and although he's not your conventional parenting figure, he is still presented to deeply care about Harry. I am also a huge Lupin fan! He's gentle, yet prepared to protect Harry while avenging his best friend. I was rather displeased that J.K. chose to have his condition revealed forcing him to resign from his post. I completely understand the necessity of the choice, but Lupin is one of the best characters introduced thus far.
As with the previous two reviews this was my first time listening to the Stephen Fry version of this book and he makes the story not only engaging, but too thrilling to even put down. I listened to this particular book twice because I love every moment of it especially when Sirius finally is on the scene.
Harry's back, back again, tell a friend...okay terrible joke, but he really is back in another adventure that as with any Harry Potter book leaves more questions than answers. As if you need anyone more reason to go out and pick up the third book in this enticing series.
it's getting darker, bigger and better. We are saying goodbye to the friendly relationship between our 3 favourite students, they are growing up, they faced losses and developed new feelings. It was very interesting to read the tension between them. It's why it's one of my favorite : like real life, it's black and white, even between friends, there is a grey area.
I don't really remember how I felt when I first read the Shrieking Shack scene, so much stress around it and so many revelations !! Maybe i'll be yelled at, but i don't like Ron much, he's so mean with Hermione for little matters...
Reread 2020: Sirius and Remus are SMOL beans and we must protect them at all costs.
This will be always a part of my childhood, also this is my favorite book of the series so :(
Is a great book series but with an author that has hurt a lot of minorities, some which I'm part of. And especially to trans people.
Here is a video to understand better the hurt that she made against trans people:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Avcp-e4bOs&t=1s
Fantastic, amazing, wonderful, lovely, incredible, unbelievable.
This was fucking fantastic. The books just get better and better.
Fucking loved it.
SIRIUS BLACK.
That's all I'm gonna say.