Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Review

I know lots of Potter fans out there have a special love for Sirius Black, but for me what makes book 3 special is Remus Lupin.  Of course, a man who carries chocolate with him and encourages you to eat it can always win a spot in my heart.


To be honest, the first time I read this series, I really didn't particularly like Sirius Black.  His actions in the 5th book which lead to his death struck me as supremely selfish.  But, re-reading book 3 has helped to soften my impression of him.  The scene in the book where he asks Harry if he wants to come live with him (however odd and sudden it was) was rather sweet.  I long for a book focused on the Marauders- Mooney, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. And of course, more Snape and Lily!

Prisoner of Azkaban is where Harry begins to grow up, he makes the decision to not kill Wormtail, a very mature choice given that his parent's betrayer was also one of their most trusted friends.  Poor Hermione in this book though- overworked and shunned by Ron and Harry when she is only trying to look out for their best interests.  However, this is also the book that sees Hermione taking a swing at Draco and walking out of Divination in disgust- this is the Hermione we all love.

The only part of Prisoner of Azkaban that I have trouble with is the end.  It doesn't seem realistic that Dumbledore couldn't find a way to clear Sirius Black's name.  It doesn't make sense that suddenly the MoM is okay with lowering the intense security on the castle and around Harry (except for sending the Dementors back, since they did kind of try to kill Harry). Of course, if Sirius was free and clear, than that would have changed the entire rest of the series, so I'll happily accept it.

Favorite quotes from the book:

"Mooney presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business."
     ~Marauder's Map

"Harry and Ron both made furious moves toward Malfoy, but Hermione got there first-
SMACK!
She had slapped Malfoy across the face with all the strength she could muster.  Malfoy staggered.  Harry, Ron, Crabbe and Goyle stood flabbergasted as Hermione raised her hand again."


'"Well, honestly...'the fates have informed her'.  Who sets the exam? She does!  What an amazing prediction!" she said, not troubling to keep her voice low.  Harry and Ron choked back laughs.
     ~Hermione

'"Believe me," croaked Black. "Believe me, Harry.  I never betrayed James and Lily.  I would have died before I betrayed them."'
     ~Sirius Black

'"Are you insane?" said Harry, his voice easily as croaky as Black's. "Of course I want to leave the Dursleys!  Have you got a house? When can I move in?"'
     ~Harry

'"HE DIDN'T DISAPPARATE!" Snape roared, now very close at hand. "YOU CAN'T APPARATE OR DISAPPARATE INSIDE THIS CASTLE! THIS - HAS- SOMETHING- TO- DO- WITH- POTTER!"'
     ~Snape... poor Snape.

'"You think the dead we loved ever truly leave us?  You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble?  Your father is alive in you, Harry, and shows himself most plainly when you have need of him.  How else could you produce that particular Patronus? Prongs rode again last night."'
     ~Dumbledore

'"Godfather?" sputtered Uncle Vernon.  "You haven't got a godfather!"
"Yes, I have," said Harry brightly.  "He was my mum and dad's best friend.  He's a convicted murderer, but he's broken out of wizard prison and he's on the run.  He likes to keep in touch with me, though...keep up with my news...check if I'm happy..."'
     ~Uncle Vernon and Harry

Prisoner of Azkaban gets a Midnight Book Rating of 11:30pm (inching it's way to a full out Midnight rating).  I'm so glad I re-read this book, it's been too long!

Read for Challenge:

Other Challenges this book qualifies for in Labels.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Review

It's been a long time since I read the second book in the HP series.  It's probably my least favorite in the series... if any could be considered a least favorite since I love them all so much.  I was delighted to read scenes I'd forgotten about- Sir Nicholas' Death Day party, Hermione fighting with the Slytherin girl.  And of course it's the first time we really get to know Ginny as a character.  Ron comes into his own as a humorous character (almost all the best lines from the book are his).

Again, I'm not going to do a review of the book, but I will say that Fawkes totally wins my heart in this book... and by the end Dobby didn't annoy me. :)

Here's some quotes I love:

'"No," said Ron, without hesitation. "Hearing voices no one else can hear isn't a good sign, even in the wizarding world."'
     ~Ron

'"So Dobby stopped us from getting on the train and broke your arm." He shook his head. "You know what, Harry? If he doesn't stop trying to save your life he's going to kill you."'
     ~Ron

"... and Madam Pomfrey was pleased to report that the Mandrakes were becoming moody and secretive, meaning that they were fast leaving childhood."

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets gets a Midnight Book Rating of 11pm.  For me the series took off with the 4th book, but I'm looking forward to a re-read of Book 3... and Lupin and Sirius!

Challenges this book qualifies for:

*additional challenges in labels

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Review

As part of the Potterthon challenge this month, I decided to start over at the beginning of the HP series.  I've recently re-read book 7, and book 6 is my go to audio book when I'm trying to sleep.  Sadly, re-reads of books 2 and 3 have been neglected for a long time.

I'm not going to try to summarize or avoid spoilers in this review.  By now if you're a book blogger who hasn't actually read the series, you no doubt are familiar enough with the storyline.

I wish I'd been blogging back when I first read this book, or at the very least journal writing, but sadly it was about 10 years ago when I started the series.  My friend Jessica innocently passed on a couple of books in a series that her little brother had been reading, simply telling me that I would love them.  How right she was!


Instead of a lengthy review I'm just going to share some of my favorite quotes from the first book:


'I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death-"'
     ~Severus Snape (aka my boyfriend)


'"We could have all been killed- or worse, expelled."'
     ~Hermione


'''Very safe, as they're both dentists."'
     ~Hermione

'"Harry's is better than ours, though," said Fred, holding up Harry's sweater.  "She obviously makes more of an effort if you're family."'
     ~Fred

'"Yeah," said Ron, "and lucky Harry doesn't lose his head in a crisis- 'there's no wood", honestly."'
     ~Ron

'"Yes, Severus does seem the type, doesn't he? So useful to have him swooping around like and overgrown bat."'
     ~Quirrell

'"Alas! Ear Wax!"'
     ~Dumbledore

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone gets a Midnight Book Rating of 11pm- the further the series goes on, the more midnight worthy the books become.  If for some reason you've put off reading the HP series simply because you're one of those people who are turned off by any books that become too popular- fear not.  The series will wait you out patiently, until you finally give in and overcome your Muggleness.


Challenges that I'm participating in that this book qualifies for:

*additional challenges in Labels