Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

The Book in 1 Sentence

Children make dumb decisions to save a murderer who has escaped the most high security prison the wizarding world while two professors forget to leave personal vendettas at the door.

Brief Review

I remember this book being my least favorite as a kid and after going through it this time, it isn't as bad as I remember it. I think as an adult I can see the growth and the importance of the character interactions. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is my least favorite as I know what is coming.

Why I Read this book

Going back through the series.

In-Depth Review (Favorite Quotes)

I mentioned that there was some good character growth whether the characters knew it or not. There is a point where Harry has to make a call that a younger kid would let emotions just run through him, but he thinks. Where the adults just lose their mind.

The overall story is really good. Helps expand the world and gives Harry some more people to interact with. We also learn more about how magic is conducted and what is allowed, but there is one really lingering question for me.

Near the end of the book, oh yeah major spoilers ahead, but this book did come out almost 30 years ago in 1999. So I guess 25. Anyway. Dumbledore, when we are following Future Harry and Hermione, seems to know what is going on. You might say it is coincidence, but it happens too often to be that. So while we know he is a powerful wizard, but to know the future would make for a very pointless 6th book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Rating

This book is entertaining, but there are a lot of dumb actions that really just take the juice out of the punch. It isn't bad, but it could be better. I'll give it a 6, which upon looking at Chamber of Secrets, I gave that a 7. I might need to move that down too or flip them as I did enjoy this book more. You know what, no. This doesn't further the larger plot more than a nudge so it will stay a 6 as it just isn't as good as a book overall.

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