[Book Review] Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling

Rating 4.75/5

“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.”

This has always been my favourite novel of the series. I’ve never been able to pinpoint exactly why, though.

I love almost everything about this novel. The characters are still young and mischievous. Harry finds out he has family that doesn’t hate him, other than the Weasleys of course! We meet Buckbeak and Lupin, and we discover the origin of the beloved Whomping Willow.

It could definitely be argued that not much happens in this novel, as it was more of a set up novel. But if you really think about it, Rowling introduced soo many things that would have a greater effect in he later novels.

So many little things happened in this novel so I’m going to put them into list form.

• The Weasley twins give Harry the Marauder’s map.
• We finally meet Sirius Black.

“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…”

• This novel is, unfortunately, Oliver Wood’s last year at Hogwarts. Since Wood is my favourite character this saddens me a lot.

“Where is Wood?” said Harry, suddenly realizing he wasn’t there.
“Still in the showers,” said Fred. “We think he’s trying to drown himself.”

• We are introduced to Professor Trelawny’s Divination lessons, WHAT A HOOT!

“I dreamed I was buying new shoes last night,” said Ron. “What d’ya think that’s gonna mean?”
“Probably that you’re going to be eaten by a giant marshmallow or something,” said Harry.”

• We “meet” Peter Pettigrew
• Hagrid got his job as Care of Magical Creatures teacher
• Hermione slapped Malfoy!
• Werewolf shaming – poor Lupin

“Ron made a valiant effort to get up again but fell back with a whimper of pain. Lupin made toward him, looking concerned, but Ron gasped, “Get away ftom me, werewolf!” Lupin stopped dead. Then, with an obvious effort, he turned to Hermione and said, “How long have you known?”

• Foreshadowing

“Pettigrew owes his life to you. You have sent Voldemort a deputy who is in your debt…. When one wizard saves another wizard’s life, it creates a certain bond between them… and I’m much mistaken if Voldemort wants his servant in the debt of Harry Potter.”

I just want to talk about Hagrid for a minute. Besides Oliver Wood, Hagrid is one of my favourite characters. Hagrid is definitely part of Harry’s family. He writes Harry letters, takes an interest in his classes and is genuinely hurt if Harry forgets to go down to see him in his hut.

01
“C’mon!” Hagrid said angrily. “I’m takin’ yer all back up ter school, an’ don’ let me catch yeh walkin’ down ter see me after dark again. I’m not worth that!” 

02
“Thought he’d jus’ heard the news o’ You-Know-Who’s attack an’ come ter see what he could do. White an’ shakin’, he was. An’ yeh know what I did? I COMFORTED THE MURDERIN’ TRAITOR!” Hagrid roared.

Wood quote:

“Told me I’d got my priorities wrong. Seemed to think I cared more about winning the Cup than I do about you staying alive. Just because I told her I didn’t care if it threw you off, as long as you caught the Snitch first.” Wood shook his head in disbelief. “Honestly, the way she was yelling at me… you’d think I’d said something terrible…”

“Mischief Managed.”