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Summary: Jim Dale's reading is a must-hear!
Review: First of all, don't expect Tolkien or Lewis. You won't find such literary depth and deftness here. J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books are much more akin to Roald Dahl's quirky, alternately lighthearted and dark children's stories. However, that's not to say Rowling's books aren't well-written, enormously entertaining and fun. They are. In fact, I can honestly say that very few books of late have delighted me as much -- *especially* the CD versions. For as much as I enjoy *reading* the Harry Potter books (and I have them all in print form), I love *hearing* them even more. Jim Dale's readings (especially the briskly-paced and richly charactered third book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) have to be heard to be believed. Dale is a master storyteller. He switches between characters seamlessly, giving each one a different voice and personality. His English accent is a delight, and the pronounciations are crisp. I especially enjoy hearing the voices of Draco Malfoy, Hagrid and Professors Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall (who has a delightful brogue). I recently purchased the third book on CD in anticipation of my 3-hour drive (each way!) to Chicago for a conference. I loaded up my car's CD changer and listened all the way down and back, hanging on every word. Dale's fabulous reading turned what could have been a long, uneventful trip into a delightful escape to Hogwarts. In fact, when I returned home, I didn't want to get out of my car ... and, I'm nearly ashamed to say, kept looking for excuses to run errands just so I could continue listening to the exciting story unfold! Rowling's books seem tailor-made for *hearing*, as if she wrote them specifically to be read aloud. So if you've ever wanted to try an audio book, and if you enjoy reading the Harry Potter series, I highly recommend Jim Dale's presentations. Thankfully, the audio versions are UNABRIDGED so you can enjoy every single word. I hope Dale continues to be the reader for the Harry Potter series. I can't imagine any other voice for them. He's a perfect match for Rowling's words. By the way, I'm 39 years old. And I was raised on science fiction and fantasy books. I rank the Harry Potter books right up there with some of my all-time favorites. As I said in the beginning, Rowling's books are not as deep or clever as many of the classics of the genre, but they're every bit as entertaining in their own right. I recommend the books, but I *highly* recommend Jim Dale's reading of them. Especially Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
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Summary: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Review: Harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban
In this book Harry is at his third year of Hogwarts School. Harry and
Ron made it to the train this year, but all the compartments were full
except for one, which had an old man sleeping in it. So they sat with him.
On there way to hogwarts the train made an unscheduled stop. An escaped
serial criminal named Sirius black had escaped, and the dementors, which
are guards for the azkaban prison, searched the train. Dementors feed off
of people's happy memories. When the dementors came into the car Harry was
in Harry fainted because he doesn't have many happy memories. Professor
Lupin who was the old man in the car woke up and cast a spell making the
dementors going away. He woke Harry up and he gave everyone chocolate to
make them feel better. Sirius wasn't really a serial killer. He was Harry's
godfather, and one of Harry's father's best friends. Sirius was set up by
peter petigrew. Peter was one of James potters friends who betrayed James
potter and told voldemort where they were so he could kill them. When
Sirius found out he went after peter, but peter blew off his finger and
killed 13 people and turned into a rat and run away. Sirius was blamed for
all the murders and was sent to azkaban prison. Ron's rat scabers is really
Peter, and Sirius is going to hogwarts to get peter. Harry thought that
Sirius was coming to kill him. But when Sirius and professor Lupin who was
also one of James friends told them and made peter turn human they were
surprised. Harry told Sirius not to kill him so Sirius could clear his name
and Harry could go live with him. When they were going to turn peter in
Lupin turned into a ware wolf because the moon came out, and in all the
commotion peter turned into a rat and got away. The dementors caught black
and were going to suck out his soul. Harry and Herminie went back in time
and saved his life. This book is even better then the first 2 I recommend
that everyone read the whole series because every book gets better and
better.
Rating:
Summary: The foundation of HP
Review: It was the release of this book that finally got me to pick up the series that had so many children and adults raving. It was one of the best book decisions I ever made. HP has proven to be an exciting and fun way to bond with my nieces and nephews along with many coworkers and friends."The Order of the Phoenix" does take the reader deeper into the dark world which Voldemort, the nemesis of HP and all good witches/warlocks has tried to plunge them. This book finally sheds light on part of Harry's past that helps to explain the present. Along with Harry, we learn more about his parents and about how things were at the time Voldemort killed them. We are also introduced to an integral character, Sirius Black. Is he a good witch or a bad witch? Read this "Prisoner of Azkaban" to find out.
Rating:
Summary: I'm "Sirius" - This Is A Great Book
Review: My daughters absolutely love the Harry Potter books, and I can't help but agree with them. These books are enjoyed by all five of the people in my household, with ages ranging from 9 to 30. Simply put, this is one really well written book. Just like the first two books in the series, this one starts out with Harry spending the summer at the Dursley's home. But, it's only a matter of time before Harry gets back to his wizardry school called Hogwarts. This time, there is an escaped convict named Sirius Black, who is said to be after Harry. The action is intense, and the twists and turns are plentiful. This third book keeps you in the dark for most of the book. It is extremely difficult to predict the ending, and just when you think you know how it is going to end, the book turns in another direction. All of the regular characters are back, and a couple more are introduced and developed rather nicely. In this novel, we have a little more light shed on the deaths of Harry's parents, which makes for really interesting reading. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban has a little bit of everything in it. The thrilling mystery is excellent and suspenseful as usual, and the excitement wrapped around the tournament for the Quidditch Cup is absolutely sensational. It felt as if I was right there in the pitch. The classic conflict of good vs. evil is never better defined, making for an all-around enjoyable read. This is one entertaining book, and a must read for all households with children.
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Summary: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban book review
Review: Sirius Black, a convicted murderer broke out of the Wizarding prison of Azkaban. The ministry of magic think that he is out to kill Harry so that the evil Lord Voldemort could return to power, and they are trying to do this without Harry's knowledge.
The plot is great and better than the movie.
(I like the movie, but it leaves out too much important stuff.)
Rating:
Summary: The best of the series! (So far)
Review: So far, this is my favorite book of the Harry Potter series.
I was reading some of the bad reviews, and it pains me to read what they said. Who, in the past, has given witchcraft and wizardry such a positive world? Nearly every story that ever came out about witchcraft and wizardry before Harry Potter made it look like an evil part of our world. But J.K.R. changed it, giving witchcraft and wizardry their own place to live. Her stuff is original and wonderful.
I would rather read stuff by J.K.R. then I would by other authors listed in some of the bad reviews. Those book were too, oh... non-daring. They stayed almots "politically correct." Harry Potter is away from the norm. It is a very daring novel, especially coming out in today's day and age.
And as to the Satan thing? I highly doubt it. J.K.R. herself has suggested that the books actually have many pro-religious morals hidden within them.
This particular book, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" is undoubtebly J.K.R.'s best work so far. The movie, unfortunately, pretty much hacks the book up, but as a book alone, it's amazing. I do suggest not listening to those bad reviews, but see for your self just how good it is.
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Summary: The Revenge of JK Rowlings
Review: The tension builds as an escaped prisoner is rumored to be heading to Hogwarts. The school is surrounded by Dementors who are trying to recapture the escapee. Harry also learns more about his past and the betrayal of his parents.
The plot thickens as Harry becomes more and more tired of the endless staring, the whispers behind his back, at being the center of attention. It is enough to drive a 13 year old mad.
We are introduced to a two new teachers, and we see Hagrid moving into a new position at the school. The bonds between Harry, Ron, and Hermione grow, and a foreboding premonition of the Dark Lord is told.
Rowling keeps the excitment rolling and does not let anyone down with this installment. It is very interesting watching Harry grow up and learn more and more about who he is and how he got to where he is. The story does get a little darker, but still should be fine for the younger readers.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as Good as Book Two
Review: The third book in the series. Rowling does an excellent job with character development again. The three primary characters are seen to be growing and changing slightly. Some of the surrounding cast are also shown to be changing as well, which provides for an excellent read. The plot gets confusing in places, but really plays well as a mystery of sorts. Again, Rowling does an excellent job of extending our knowledge of the Hogwarts environment, along with an even deeper extension into the rest of the Magic world that Hogwarts is part of. In essence, her exploration of the world comes through the eyes of Harry, who (like the reader) has very little knowledge of the world around him. The ending to this one was also done at breakneck speed, but this time the outcome came in a little cliche fashion. Was slightly disappointed at the manner she ended this particular book.
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