Rating: 
Summary: Talk about a progressive series!
Review: In regards to the Harry Potter series, Prisoner of Azkaban really got things going. The series progressed from simplistic adventure/fantasy story into a well-developed and deeply humanistic drama. Prisoner of Azkaban, unlike Chamber of Secrets or Philosopher's Stone, begins to develope deep character traits and expands immensely on the motives and relationships of every character. The addition of Sirius Black and Remus Lupin into the mix of things helps trigger JK Rowling's new direction, a charcter play. This is in no way a bad move. In fact, it is what sets the Harry Potter series apart from other fantasy/sci-fi stories such as Lord of the Rings, The Sword of Shanara, and The Chronicles of Prydain. Now, I'm not putting down Lord of the Rings, but Tolkien focused solely on plot and rarely developed a character much past the point of necessity (Smeagol being the exception and Bilbo to a lesser extend). Tolkien loathed character plays and therefore made it a point not to develope them (this also goes for allegorical analyses that people invent about Tolkien's complexity and understanding of human nature and society; there was none of that is LOTR b/c Tolkien simply wanted to make a straightforward mythological tale, nothing more). Now, the way Tolkien went about writing his fantasy is the same way that most writers go about doing it today (except, now, with less quality). This is where Harry Potter flourishes. Not necessarily in unparalleled character development, but in the way that Rowling has slowly drawn it out through subtle events of the past three novels. By the fourth book, Harry is beginning to show an array of believably human emotions. Prisoner of Azkaban delicately weaves together Harry's past and the events surrounding the murder of his parents. What shocked me the most about this book was detail that went into constructing Harry's past and the relationships that the present characters had with his parents. One fateful night affected each and every character in a different way. Luckily, Prisoner of Azkaban is merely a beginning of something much larger and daunting. In Goblet of Fire, the event's of Harry Potter past collide with the present in a way that will shake the very foundations of the Wizarding World. The choices that Harry makes in Prisoner of Azkaban will affect the atmosphere of the next book in ways that you will not fathom until it is all over. The first two books of the series were a prelude to this new beginning. Within Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry encounters his first experience of pure rage...but even that is nothing in comparison to the horrors he will face in Goblet of Fire. If you must, skip the first two novels (although you're heartless if you do!). Make it to Prisoner of Azkaban and you will never be able to naysay Harry Potter again.
Rating:
Summary: Finger Lickin good
Review: In South Africa, this book has been a phenomenal success. Most average bookstores have got one every other book in the orders section, whilst the library waiting lists are 20 Pages long! My congratulations to Ms. Rowling on another superb book.
Rating:
Summary: Great from beginning to end
Review: In the 3rd Harry Potter book, Sirius Black, Harry's godfather escapes from Azkaban. Everybody thinks that Sirius was the one who told Voldemort the potters safe spot,but Sirius is out to seek the person who really told Voldemort the Potters safe spot. There are some new people like Prof. Trelawney the Divination teacher. There are Dementors out side of Hogwarts but Dumbledore dosent like it. Every time harry comes close to one he heres his moms last words. Its weird. You should read it Because its exciding.
Rating:
Summary: It was a great book.
Review: In the beginning I thought the book was boring because there was no excitement and it wasn't interesting. The story is about a boy named Harry Potter and his friends at Hogwarts which is castle where they can learn Dark Arts and much more magic. My favorite part in the story is when Harry Potter got a Firebolt. I liked the end because it was exciting when Black said that Harry could stay with him over the summer.
Rating:
Summary: Get swept away to Hogwarts!
Review: In the beginning of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry leaves his nosy Aunt Petunia and horrible Uncle Vernon to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for his third year. Mr and Mrs Weasley, parents of Harry's friend Ron, are very worried for Harry because Sirius Black, who everybody thinks murdered Harry's parents, has escaped from the wizard prison Azkaban. There are lots of adventures which you should read for yourself , and wonderful, perfect details of wizard life. For example, Harry gets a Marauder's Map that shows where everybody is at Hogwarts, and it also is wonderfully rude to Snape. All our favourite characters are back, especially Hagrid. If there is anything wrong with the book, it is that Hermione and Ron don't get enough to do in the final adventure. The book completely swallows you. I just turned nine and I have read this book three times. It is so wonderful, I know I'll read it at least three times more and then read it to my children one day. There is a lot to think about too. Without giving too much away, there is a good character who doesn't try to tell the people who arrest him that he didn't do the crime because he feels so guilty for harm that has come to others because he trusted the wrong person. There is also an especially good teacher who has to give up teaching because he seriously endangered his students even though he could easily have avoided it. My family and I are reading aloud A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens and comparing what it is like for the ex-prisoners in the two books to come back to life, at least partly. It is also interesting to see how differently they kept from going crazy.
Rating:
Summary: I thought it was an interesting and detailed story!
Review: In the book, Harry realizes that even though he is a kid, he can do whatever an adult can do. However, he has to learn to control this ability. The book tells about punishments that occur when Harry goes to Hogsmeade without a signed permission slip. Harry learns to trust his instincts, and doesn't kill Sirius Black, who turned out to be Harry's godfather. The book has excellent details: even the currency and the broomsticks are named!
Rating:
Summary: The Adventure Continues.
Review: In the first book, readers were introduced to Harry Potter and company and given a brief glimpse into Harry's past. The story described Harry's first adventures and as most first adventures are, it was exciting, yet simple. The second book introduced several new characters and delved deeper into Hogwarts history, specifically the origins of Harry's arch nemesis, Lord Voldemort. Harry faced his enemy in a stronger form with greater risk but proved that he had the heart of a hero. HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN is more interesting and exciting than either of the first two books. The novel is full of suspense, twists, and turns. It continues the search into the past (after all who we are is who we were) revealing more secrets about Harry and Hogwarts and introduces several great characters, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. Not only that, but the book hints at a darkness that is to come and contains a level of emotion that is lacking in the first two novels. The story moves at a fast pace and is not easy to put down. Children will love reading the book, but many adults may be surprised that they enjoy reading it as well. A great story.
Rating:
Summary: Unbeleivably funny, spooky, and action-packed ! Very GOOD!
Review: In the Prisoner of Azkaban,Harry finally learns much more about his dead parents and his family. But there is something he doesn't know as this episode stretches on, is that big black dog he keeps illusionating is really real. Way real. More like the murderer named Sirius Black, the man who killed thirteen inicent people in a flash of a curse! But this is soon revived as we find out who could morph into the dog. But Harry is anxious to find out who has really been the murderer. When Harry figures this out, the story stretches onto anothet problem. Harry hasn't cleared away his name as being a massive murderer! Demeneters are being postionioned to do a very deadly curse called the Demeneters kiss. Now Harry and Hermione have found themselfs going back through time to save his god father and capture the real murderer in this epic poportion, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Rating:
Summary: Griping...More Revelations!!
Review: In the third novel of her epic Harry Potter story, J.K. Rowling weaves an even LARGER and more complex tale of mystery, betrayal, magic and fantasy. Far more gripping than the first two novels, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban will leave you on the edge of your seat as Rowling takes you on a magical ride of mystery and shocking betrayals as Harry and his friends, Ron and Hermione, battle the forces of evil and search for the truth. As has become her M.O., not all is as it seems. The ending will leave you in complete shock and surprise. The Main Story: Harry's third year at Hogwarts of Wizardry and Withcraft is marked with danger as the infamous Sirius Black, believed to be the second most evil and dangerous Dark Wizard in the land and the right-hand man of Lord Voldemort, escapes from Azkaban, the Wizards prison, leaving a cryptic message, "He's at Hogwarts!!!" behind. Tensions rise as Black continuously sneaks into Hogwarts, leaving the students, faculty and even the government paralyzed with fear. Supporting Stories: -What is the mysterious power that the dementors hold over Harry? -Harry continues to see images of a mysterious Black dog. What does it forebode for him? -For the third year in a row, a new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, Professor Lupin, joins the Hogwarts faculty. A beloved and able instructor, Professor Lupin himself, however, holds a mysterious secret with his frequent illnesses. Is his illnesses caused by the strange potions Snape is giving him? -After an elusive two years, will Gryffindor finally be able to capture the House Quidditch Cup? -Hermione's new cat Crookshanks has an unusual and deadly interest in Ron's deteriorating pet rat Scribbles, leaving tensions high between Ron and Hermione. -How exactly is Hermione managing to keep and maintain her impossible school schedule? -Harry, Ron and Hermione come to the defense of Hagrid's hippograff who is sentenced to death What We Find Out: -We take a step into the past of Hogwarts as Fred and George bestow upon Harry the Marauder's Map, authored by four students from Hogwarts past. -We learn a little about Harry' parents days at Hogwarts and the friends they had, and more importantly, the enemy they made. -We discover the TRUE story behind Harry's parents' death and the startling story of betrayal behind it. -We take a look beyond the walls of Hogwarts as the third year students visit the purely magical town of Hogsmeade. -The mysterious Divination instructor, the seer Professor Trelawney makes a shocking prediction about the return of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named!!! Far more gripping and engaging than the first two novels, fans of Harry Potter will love and enjoy this third chapter in his epic story. Rowling continues to expand upon the world of Harry Potter at a great rate, slowly revealing more about his mysterious past and the world around him. At a little over 400 pages, the book reads fast. Harry Potter mania has swept the nation, if not the world, for the past several years. Rowling's gripping stories of mystery, suspense, shock, fantasy and magic are a true treat. This book is another shining example of why her characters are beloved by both children and adults the world over. My total read time: 11 hours, two evenings. Highest Recommendation
Rating:
Summary: Finding Family
Review: In this book Harry Potter finds his Godfather. Finally, someone who knew his parents and so now he has family who really care about him. Only problem is that his godfather is wanted as a criminal for a terrible crime....did he actually do it? Read this book to find out. Hagrid also begins teaching this year, and some exciting adventures are found in his classes. However, Draco Malfoy manages to create more problems for him. Harry is also faced with a challenge which nearly kills him, and learns to conquer it.
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