99. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

99. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. 1999. 435 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars] [MG speculative fiction]

First sentence: Harry Potter was a highly unusual boy in many ways. For one thing, he hated the summer holidays more than any other time of year. For another, he really wanted to do his homework but was forced to do it in secret, in the dead of night. And he also happened to be a wizard.

This is my third time reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I listened on audio book; the narrator was Stephen Fry.

Premise/plot: Harry Potter and his friends are preparing for a third year at Hogwarts. This one starts out in some ways extremely similar to the other two books in the series, but quite different as well. After an INCIDENT with his "family," Harry Potter runs away... Around this same time the magic world is shook by the escape of a prisoner from Azkaban--Sirius Black. Everyone is so distracted/concerned about his escape, that Harry Potter's so-called illegal use of magic is overlooked or quickly pardoned. Most of this school year is concerned with the missing Sirius Black. It is thought that Harry Potter is in even more danger than usual...

Plenty of adventures and misadventures are to be found in the day to day lives of Harry Potter and company. 

My thoughts: I certainly did not expect Scabbers--Ron Weasley's rat--to enter into the story in this fashion. I wasn't surprised by other elements of this one. I've learned to expect just about anything/everything from other characters--particularly adults, mostly professors, etc.

My original rating was three stars; I've since come to enjoy this one more. If I'm being honest, the second half I'd give an enthusiastic five stars. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the last section of this one where ALL THE action happens with Harry, Sirius Black, Ron, Hermione, etc. I loved the 'redo' they get. I don't know why exactly but Sirius Black is one of my favorite characters in the series. I couldn't begin to tell you why--he just is. I loved learning more about James and Lily Potter. I loved learning more about the friendships and relationships from their younger school days. The first half isn't bad by any stretch. 


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