Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the third in the series (not quite half way through yet I'm afraid). For some reason I always want to skip the first two books, or at least try and read them ridiculously quickly to get to this book. I wouldn't say it is my favourite of the series, but then again I don't think I have any favourites. This is just, in my opinion, better than some of the others in the series.

So. Harry Potter is a boy who grew up not knowing that he was a wizard, or even that he was a famous wizard as he survived an attack by a dark wizard named Voldemort, and managed to severely weaken him in the process. His first two years at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry were pretty normal - he made friends (Ron & Hermione), he made enemies (Malfoy), attended potions, charms and other lessons, had run ins with ghosts and a few other creatures that were thought to be mythical. Oh, and he encountered Voldemort twice, and defeated him twice, adding to his fame. In prisoner of Azkaban Harry hopes that his year may not involve Voldemort and he can just concentrate on not failing Potions. However when a dangerous prisoner escapes from Azkaban (the Wizards prison) which is something that has never been done before, trouble looms. He is obsessed with both Harry and returning to his master, Voldemort; Harry's year may not be as quiet as he hoped.

One thing I love about this book is that you get to explore of the Wizard's world; although Diagon Alley (the shopping street for Wizard's in London) has been introduced before, in the Prisoner of Azkaban you get to spend a lot more time there, and learn a little about different wizards that work and live there. Also, the third years are allowed to visit the village of Hogsmeade - a wizarding village at the edge of Hogwarts - this means that we the reader gets to explore it too. Here more wonderful characters are introduced, and you get the idea of how wizards live together in a village. And it lets us see a little more magic - and magical items - and of course, a wizard sweet shop (I'd love for that to be real!). JK Rowling has used this book to open up the wizarding world and let us see and imagine what it'd be like to be a part of it.

I feel that is the book when the story begins to get dark. It sets the beginning of the story which is continued right until the end of the seventh book. Whereas the other two books once finished could be classed as stand-alone, Prisoner of Azkaban ends with the beginning of a bit of a 'problem' for Harry - but that's all I can say. Only those with severe self-control (or disinterest) can walk away from the series when they read this one. Besides anything, there is the promise of learning even more about the wizarding world, as well as Harry and his parents past. I love that sort of thing as it makes the world I'm reading about seem even more real, and I can get really involved in it, and even feel like I'm a part of it.

Even though the story seems a little darker than the previous two, it is still suitable for little ones (then again, if they can deal with Unicorns, giant spiders and snakes, they'll be fine with this one!). Everything is getting further developed - the story, the characters, and the background. The book is still a little small for my taste - I get going and then it's over before I'm ready to leave. But unlike several books I've been reading lately, the story is well-paced: it doesn't feel like there is a rush at the end to reach the climax of the story and not enough time to finish off the story - the whole thing feels well-timed and the climax is reached without having to rush through it, and with enough time for any explanations needed at the end, without leaving you feeling cheated a little. It is in this book that two of my favourite characters are introduced. Unfortunalty I can't tell you much without giving away the story, but one is a teacher named Professor Lupin, and the other is another adult from the wizarding world. These characters are slightly different to those we have already seen; a little more fun or reckless than some of the other adults, and with storylines that will interest and surprise.


Prisoner of Azkaban was an absolutely brilliant read - and it still has the ability to make me jump, even though I've read it numerous times over the years! As with all the Harry Potter books, I think this is suitable for both children and adults - there are little jokes or references that will amuse both, and I really think the storyline is enough to keep both entertained. Or I could think that because I have read this book as I've grown up, and I can't see that changing the further I get into adulthood!