Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3) in The Dusty Bookshelf

Apr 24, 2008 Jessica (Books: A true story) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own, kindle, blog, amazon, 5-stars, hardcover, content-mild, ebook-challenge-2013, re-read-2013, to-kids

This book is also reviewed on my blog Books: A true story

I love the way that J. K. Rowling twists traditional mythology and history. When at the beginning Harry is writing an essay about witch burning, it's just funny that the witches thought it tickled when they were burned. The title of the essay, "Witch Burning in the Fourteenth Century Was Completely Pointless - discuss", is just charming. There is so much great humor in the books that just didn't make it into the movie. Ron's phone call ...more

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Dec 15, 2007 Josephine (biblioseph) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 3rd-in-a-series

This is possibly my favorite Harry Potter book, and the one I’ve read most often. Though I’m probably only saying that because it’s where my favorite character, Remus Lupin, is introduced.

And yet, there’s so much I’d forgotten. I was a little surprised by how careful Lupin is. It seems hat he’s quieter than I remember. He truly seems run down, and is generous with a smile. The movies have hardened him in my mind, and in thinking about his past, it seems I’ve also toughened his heart as well. But This is possibly my favorite Harry Potter book, and the one I’ve read most often. Though I’m probably only saying that because it’s where my favorite character, Remus Lupin, is introduced.

And yet, there’s so much I’d forgotten. I was a little surprised by how careful Lupin is. It seems hat he’s quieter than I remember. He truly seems run down, and is generous with a smile. The movies have hardened him in my mind, and in thinking about his past, it seems I’ve also toughened his heart as well. But he’s more a man who is unable to get a job than one who is haunted by his past, at least as depicted here. He’s made a crude peace with it.

Also how did I forget that Remus and Sirius were not on such good terms at the end of their run in the Order that they each had suspicions about the other? If they were as close as I’d been expecting them to be, how could they have each suspected each other of being a spy? I think they might have been slightly estranged because of Sirius "pranking" Severus by showing him a werewolf, but that was in year 5. Did their friendship suffer that much? Was it because no one could know who had been compromised? Did they not see much of each other? These books are dark, man.

Foreshadowing is more subtle in this one, with the Dementors playing a significant part in this book, they come back to be important in the fifth as well. This is all the first mention of Cedric. Ooh, that hurts.

And yeah, Severus wants Sirius dead. So just consider how much better things would have gone if Severus had seen reconnecting with Harry as an homage to Lily rather than a betrayal and submission to James?

Man, each book just shows how messed up things are.

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"But then...," Lupin muttered, staring at Black so intently it seemed he was trying to read his mind, "... why hasn't he shown himself before now? Unless" --Lupin's eyes suddenly widened, as though he was seeing something beyond Black, something none of the rest could see, "--unless he was the one... unless you switched... without telling me?"

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"Remus!" Pettigrew squeaked, turning to Lupin instead, writhing imploringly in front of him. "You don't believe this... wouldn't Sirius have told you if they'd changed the plan?"

"Not if he thought I was the spy, Peter," said Lupin. "I assume that's why you didn't tell me, Sirius?" he said casually over Pettigrew's head.

"Forgive me, Remus," said Black.

"Not at all, Padfoot, old friend," said Lupin, who was now rolling up his sleeves. "And will you, in turn, forgive me for believing you were the spy?"

"Of course," said Black, and the ghost of a grin was flitting across his gaunt face. He, too, began rolling up his sleeves. "Shall we kill him together?"

"Yes, I think so," said Lupin grimly.

I mean, the kids were awesome as well. But the Marauder band do pull a little focus. ...more

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Apr 19, 2008 Celeste rated it it was amazing

I told you I would tell you when I reviewed my favorite of the Harry Potter books. Well, this is it. I love book three. The Prisoner of Azkaban tells the story of Sirius Black, who for me was always Antonio Bandaras before he broke out of prison in The Count of Monte Cristo. That would have been perfect casting in my world. Oh well, on with the review.

This book has many of my favorite characters. Many introduced for the first time. Lupine, Black, and Buckbeck just to name a few. The magical wor ...more

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