Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Year: 1999

Abstract:
Before Harry Potter starts his third year at Hogwart's a mysterious prisoner of Azkaban breaks free and the magical world is buzzing about whether or not the prisoner will hunt Harry down. Harry makes it to school, but there are a lot of all new problems to be dealt with, including staying alive.

Advanced Mind
Exploration/Quest
Military/Fighting
Horror
Magic
Advanced Technology
Time Travel/Alternate History
Science
Aliens/Beasties
Contemporality

Other books in this series: Harry Potter
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone [1997]
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets [1998]
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire [2000]

tyranist's Review
It amazes me that I can be so drawn into a world that even when the third book of a series is longer than the first two, I can finish reading it in close to the same amount of time. It speaks to the engaging writing style of Ms. Rowling that I promptly purchased book three upon completing book 2. Harry Potter is taking on mythic proportions among the young literati and he deserves it. It's too bad the book 4 doesn't come out for another month.
This entry in the series is a little darker and more dangerous than the first two, but it still strikes at the same cords. Perhaps that is why I felt so compelled to finish it. Harry Potter is obviously growing up and having to make decisions that might affect him forever. He proves himself more than capable here and leads us into wondering what more will happen or can happen to him. You know where I'll be next month.

Spectre's Review
Mmm. That's a very satisfied mmm, too. This book felt good. I like it when things go dark. The end was gratifying, it's good to see Harry's life get a little bit better with each book. Granted, you pretty well have the same script for each book, as far as the pattern of when things will happen is concerned. However, each book seems to introduce a new magical item that's pretty nifty, or some little thing that really adds to the atmosphere of the thing.
So far, I have enjoyed each succeeding book in the series better than the previous. That speaks pretty well for the writing skills of Ms. Rowling. I still have a hard time figuring out what some of the British colloquialisms mean (I sure as hell hope tyranist checks my spelling, I have no idea how to spell that[I always check your spelling and sometimes even correct it - tyranist]). The characters seem to mature at an appropriate pace, although there were a few things quite outside of character in some situations, but if you read fast enough, you'll forget about it because something much more interesting and exciting comes up.
I like juvenile literature, and for the longest time I couldn't figure out why. Now I have finally figured it out. When you're a kid, most kids anyway, have a shorter attention span. Since it appears the Harry Potter series is targeted towards a younger audience, the pace of the book is much quicker. Very little time is wasted. I think that's why I'm addicted to it, and can't ever put it down, is because the pace is so quick, there's no comfortable places to stop. You always want to find out what's going to happen next (check out the Ben Bova and C. S. Friedman listings we have here as well, they're very similar).
Date posted: 2000 08 29

Spectre's Rating
Very gratifying ending.

(Rating addendum: I don't usually do addenda. Actually, this is my first, but this is deserved. The ONLY reason this book did not score a perfect 10 was because of the few technical innaccuracies and out-of-character scenes that occurred.)

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