I love Prisoner of Azkaban. I think that this was the novel that really hooked me into the series. I have a hard time writing a literary review of any of the Rowling novels mainly because I do not feel like I'm reading a novel when I read these books, I feel like I'm on vacation. I'm transported into another world and forget to look at the subtext or deeply analyze anything that the writer is trying to say because it is just to much fun to just read it. This is a book to read when you are stressed out because of your real life. Try reading it when you are in a wretched mood and see if you are not instantly a little bit happier. Harry begins to evolve in this novel and the books from here begin to feel a little bit more "grown up". To me, this book is virtually the first in the series that is now so infamous. The characters are impossible to not fall in love with. Rowling seems to have her feet firmly planted in the ground at this point in the series and I knew when I finished the final pages that the series could only get better. Which of course it does.

I really enjoyed it and would have given 5 stars except for the fact that I'm a sucker for happy endings. It was sad that Harry couldn't keep his newly found friends. I did find that the writing matured as Harry did, which probably made an easier read.

This is my favorite novel of the series so far. In his second year, Harry was able to overcome an incompetent professor to thwart Voldemort yet again. But this novel was even better. I never saw the ending coming. The relationship between Snape and Lupin caught me completely by surprise. And the incredible revelations about Harry's parents death add even more depth to Harry's third year. JK Rowling has an amazing imagination and I look forward to finishing the rest of her novels.

Summary: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the third book in the Harry Potter series. The book introduces some key characters for the later books and gives the reader more backstory on Harry's parents. The writing seems as if J. K. Rowling was debating on doing more description or keeping the book length down -- I would have gone for more descriptions and more pages.

Setting:
The world of Harry Potter continues to expand into a more interesting fantasty setting with each book. Rowling does a good job of creating the setting using existing fantasty elements with a slight tweak to keep it non-cliche (for the most part). The Marauder's Map is a fantastic idea! It will be interesting to see if it is re-used in later novels. Note: There is starting to become a bit predictable in that each book has a new magic item which is central to the story.

Characters:
Sirius Black is introduced to the setting as a murderous wizard. The Sirius Black character is developed to a certain degree but when he has some actual dialog near the end of the book, he comes across as a bit out of sorts (Understandable after being in Azkaban for 12 years). I saw the movie version before reading the book which has colored my opinion of book and the book's characterization of Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. I do prefer the movie adaptation a bit more; it could be the actors did a fantastic job.

Harry, Ron and Hermaine continue to develop a bit. Their character development is secondary to plot advancement.

Action:
The action is typical Harry Potter style where things get hairy but everyone comes out ok. The description of the mass dementor attack was weak and really should have been more developed as this is a critical scene showing what Harry can do magically and has some connection to his parent's spirits.

The relative danger level to the character is weak but appropriate for what is going on in the story.

Prose:
The prose is tight and to the point. The descriptions are not very detailed which is a bit frustrating as I keep wanting more hear with each book especially to see a difference in the movie set work (which is amazing) to see if there was something the set designers did not do for the movies. Generally, a book does a better job of describing a world than a movie -- kudos to the movie setting designers and craftsmen.

Overall: 4 stars
Setting: 5 stars
Characters: 2.5 - 3 stars
Action: 3 stars
Prose: 2.5 - 3 stars

My family has enjoyed listening to the Harry Potter audio books for several years. Jim Dale's readings include a host of characters with remarkably distinctive voices that carry over from the first book, the Sorcerer's Stone, to the last. He reads with fabulous energy and makes these great stories come to life like nothing I've ever heard before.
The Prisoner of Azkaban is no exception. This audiobook is a fabulous way to enjoy several afternoon in the car or in your favorite chair at home.

A fellow Potter fan pointed out that this book was longer than "Chamber"
My bad.
I must have been confusing the movies. DOH!!!
I blame it on age. :)
As for the book, ahem....
In short, it's brilliant.
All the action and drama of the first two with twists and turns that made it almost impossible to put down.
The Prisoner of Azkaban further advanced the series with slightly more mature themes and an absolutely haunting atmosphere.
This book solidified the series as a force to be reckoned with.
Same as the previous two, highly recommended.

It's a great story, with much more detail and interest than the movie that was based on it. Jim Dale's performance is excellent and really brings life to the characters.

I took off one star because one of the disks was scratched & Amazon cowered behind their policy that they would not allow an exchange of an audio product that was opened.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (year 3 at Hogwarts) is regarded by some as the best book of the Harry Potter series. After recently re-reading the entire series, I think am ready to jump on the bandwagon.

For starters, this book has a very compelling plot, brilliantly crafted characters (most notably, Sirius Black) and a critically important plot twist towards the end which shapes the next several books of the series. It introduces the friends of Harry's father, all of whom have extremely important roles to play in the series. It creates a sense of danger, but still manages to be humorous and fun at the right times. And this is the last book in the series that manages to keep itself to a fairly low word count.

There are several key moments of humor (centering on the marauders and Dumbledore's offhand observations, for instance) and poignancy (Harry finding out the truth about the betrayal of his parents, conjuring of patronuses, and saving the lives of characters whose deaths would have been tragic). And this, of ALL of the books in the series, is the only one where I don't feel like the adults are improbably inept. The way in which Harry "solves" the mystery (or gets forcibly dragged to the solution!) is believable and unique to him, such that I can accept that none of the teachers would have solved it.

This story is important as it shows Harry starting to believe in his own abilities, and beginning to really take a stand for what he knows is right. He shows mercy and compassion, a sense of justice and conviction, and of course hope and love. In a way, this book has the "happiest" ending of any in the series, and certainly a meaningful one.

In short, is this the best book in the Harry Potter series? I can't say absolutely that it is, but I'm certainly having difficulty convincing myself that it's not.

This is truly a great book. It is the real starting point for Harry's adventures. The Chamber of Secrets and The Sorcerer's Stone weren't able to give me anywhere near the amount of excitement I received while reading this book. I give this book 5 stars for many different reasons

Harry Potter's skills as a sorcerer aren't very impressive until this book when he learns to use the Patonus...something...I read this a while back lol. Also, the Dementors were the first creatures throughout the whole series to really strike fear into my mind. Sure there were traps that were devastating in the first book, and sure there was the basilisk who could kill people with its glare. But the Dementors were able to make a person suffer horribly through only emotions. I mean, who wouldn't be scared of having all the happiness and good emotions sucked out of you and the environment around you. The chilled air and flickering lights (maybe they actually turned off) scared the bejesus out of me.

Here's a measurement for how good this book is and how it's a turning point for this whole series. I cannot begin to describe how fast I read this book compared to the first two. The Sorcer's Stone took me a whole year because it bored the crap out of me. The Chamber of Secrets...I got up to the 2nd paragraph and actually could not go on reading it. The Prisoner of Azkaban, by far my favorite of the whole series, took me the better part of a week or two to read. The same with The Deathly Hallows and The Half-Blood Prince. Overall, the maturity of this book compared to the first two is pumped up and it is truly a masterpiece for people of all ages.

Mr. Dale has a strange way of pronouncing accio folks, prepare yourself.

We all really enjoy listening to the Potter series on audio CD. They are well done.

This is a very good book, i thought the harry potter books would suck but they dont. they are getting better and better. This was a good book to read

Jim Dale is such a wonder narrator- he really makes all the characters come alive!! I can't recommend any of the Harry Potter books enough with him as the narrator. Perfect!!

With the fourth book about to come out and the first three staying in the top ten on all best seller lists, I thought it was high time that I read the series to find out what makes it so popular. Besides, my wife and my ten year old son love the stories.
I discovered that J. K. Rowling has a wonderful writing style. Although the stories build upon themselves they can be read independently as she reviews aspects from the past. She creates very interesting characters. We admire Harry Potter and his friends Hermoine and Ron. We despise Malfoy and Harry's muggle relatives. The characters that start out as villians may turn out to be heroes. All the plots are intriguing and magic is brought in to help the plot.

This is the longest and best of the three. In fact I think each book is better than its predecessor. They are all great!

In this one it is Hermoine's secret that leads to the surprise ending and helps Hermoine and Harry save Sirius Black and Buckbeak but also Pettigrew. Pettigrew's escape seems to be a lead in for book 4 where I suspect he will return to Lord Voldemort.

There are seven books in the series and most nhave now come out as movies as well. Starting with the Goblet of Fire the books became a little too long and "dark" for the youth groups that it was originally intended for. Rowling has a way of attracting both the children and the adults to these books. Still I became disappointed with some of the latter ones.

I loved this book on cd. For any Harry Potter fan its a must have and for any one thats new to Harry Potter beware by listening to this cd you'll get hooked to Harry Potter like I did.

As it used to be from Rowling, this is another Masterpiece. I love hp books, its story is intriguing and very addictive, a little bit dark but excellent anyway. This story in particular is one of the best becuse it ends up full fo hope for harry and his gang, ending up with a kinda of happy end, something unsual of Rowling. Buy, read it and I assure that you will enjoy it!

For me, this is where the series really starts to go from great to amazing. I highly recommend this book. It's so fantastic!

Of the first three Harry Potter books, I must say, this is the first where the nail was truly hit smack on the head, and I went "OMGSQUEE THAT WAS GOOD WHERE IS THE NEXT BOOK NOW?".

From start until finish, this is by far my favorite of the Potter books I have so far read. It's so... twisty. Spiraling back in on itself in more ways than one, and sometimes literally -- and actually changing how we see some of the characters already established. And I am such a fan of backstory -- getting a bit more knowledge of the past (especially, as here, in regard to Harry's parents) makes me quite happy indeed.

The plot's the best this far along in the series, and it's complex -- much moreso than either of the first two. It also has some of the neatest gadgets that J.K.R. has so far come up with; this one is such a page-turner.

Ms. Rowling's overall arc, as was predictable in the first few books, grows much more complex, and at many times, is so... touching. Touching and heartfelt -- you can't help but have empathy for so many of the characters.

Did I mention the nifty gadgets?

All in all, the plot and new characters make up for any other shortcomings. Don't start with this book, but definitely read it.

I'm finally getting around to reading the Harry Potter books. I've seen the movies that have come out thus far (well, except for Order of the Phoenix, which is on forever-wait-list at Netflix), so I have the picture of them in my head as I read. I would usually prefer the other way around (read, then watch), but I think the movies follow the books so nicely it doesn't really matter.

OK, but this is a review of the book, not the movie.

As with the first two books, Ms Rowling takes us on a wild ride of magic, odd characters, plot twists, and bending of the laws of physics. Her writing style makes you want to read one more chapter before putting the book down (indeed, I had to finish the last 200-some pages yesterday, despite the lateness of the hour). This really demonstrates her ability to tell a tale and is great for the main age group she's writing for -- if these books get kids as interested in reading as I am, they're worth their weight in galleons!

This book finds Harry preparing to start his third year at Hogwarts. As usual, he has to struggle with his non-wizard relatives, the Dursleys, as he gets ready to take the Hogwarts Express back to school. As in both of the first two books, there is a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher (much to Snape's chagrin, as he wants the job). Harry is happy to be back with his friends Ron and Hermione, even if Hermione is becoming an even bigger striver than she was last year (taking several classes in the same time slot?).

The driver of this plot, as the title suggests, is a prisoner (Sirius Black) who has escaped from Azkaban, a wizard prison from which escape was thought to be impossible. Harry overhears that Sirius has killed Harry's parents and is now after him. This leads to all the usual twists and turns, action, new creatures, revelations of characters' history that made the first two books so enjoyable.

What I liked: The story moves right along. Each book is building on the last, showing us more of the back story even as we move forward in time. Things are, once more, not always as they seem.

I have some minor complaints about comma splices, characters being written as all-good or all-bad (Snape is still my favorite character, as he has at least a little ambiguity around him), and the use of "lizard" -- a reptile -- as a synonym for "salamander" -- an amphibian. OK, they were magic salamanders, but I'm pretty sure the taxonomy should hold. It's like calling a dolphin a fish. Ms Rowling also telegraphs a lot in her writing, but maybe you have to think of the primary audience. For example, if you can't figure out at least some aspects of the deeper secrets of Prof Lupin and Sirius Black, you're not really paying attention (or you're not into etymology).

But gosh -- minor complaints, really. These books are fantastic. I'm already 150 pages into the next one!

I only got started on the Harry Potter books at the end of '07 on the recommendation of my cousin. She told me that I would love it and so far I have. So far this is my favorite, I love the emotions and the lines that are starting to really be seen in the characters and watching them evolve is so real, I can remember feeling the same as some of the characters. Awesome book for new and old readers.

... I want to resist reviewing the book, as so many have, and just say something about the audio experience.
... Jim Dale is one of the best voice actors I've ever listened to and he brought the books to life an a way that reading could never do. I like reading, but it's really incredible to have someone put a different voice to every character, displaying the emotions and tone of the interactions.
... They are a really phenomenal experience, and I've listened to them over again and again.

Harry is relieved to be back at Hogwarts for his third year with his friends Ron and Hermione even though he isn't completely safe. The escaped convict Sirius Black, a staunch supporter of Voldemort, is after Harry. Sequel to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. A very entertaining read.

This book is by far the worst in the series. Not to say that it's a bad book but it's not the best. I really like Sirius and everything about Wormtail was really interesting but this book didn't reach the standards of the others by far. Again, hmmm...

My son has listened to this excellently-read audiobook for a year now and is not sick of it! Enough said.

With my very busy life and working three jobs I miss reading so very much. Now that I found my new faviorite kind of reading I find it hard to get out of my car LOL LOL.
I love the Audio books and the promptness of which Amazon is so very good at.
Love the books

I ordered this for my granddaughter and it arrived in great shape. I would order from this person again.
Thanks!

After finishing with the second book I stayed waiting for more, I wanted more, until I finally got this one... And was a thousand times much better, darker storyline, more excitment, for real fans or just for people who like to read I recommend this Book, like in the other books before it, you will go to a magical world filled with monsters and secrets, secrets that you will have to understand the hard way... and much more

I give it 5 stars and as soon as you read it you'll see why

I am a retired lawyer and I generally do not read fiction because I feel it is a waste of my time. I read the first Harry Potter book because I had heard so much about it. Now I am hooked on the series. The books have many layers and each one seems better and more complex than the previous one These books can be enjoyed at many levels so they are not just for the young. To really "get" the movies, it is necessary to read the book first too. I gave this book "only" four stars because I think book 4 will be even better. I do recommend reading the series in order though starting with book 1.

This says library binding, but it is not. Library binding is when the book is actually sewn together for durability. This is a paperback in size and quality with a hard cover that has a bad version of the cover art.

"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" shows JK Rowling still in her prime. Harry,in his anger,practices magic in the Muggle world...instead of being punished by the Ministry of Magic,he must be sequestered in the tavern called the Leaky Cauldron. He learns that Sirius Black, a notorious serial killer and escaped fugitive from the wizarding prison of Azkaban, is after him. Harry learns about the Animagi, wizards capable of changing their form into those of animals, and of his protective spirit, the Patronus. Hermione shows she has the ability to "turn back time" with her Time Turner...thus able to take plenty of classes,and in the end,save the day.

"The Prisoner of Azkaban" is probably the most moving of the Harry Potter series as Harry learns the truth about himself and himself. He learns about prejudice from his new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher,Remus Lupin,who faces discrimination because hes a werewolf. The fact that his father,James,had the ability to turn into a stag recalls the ancient legend of St.Patrick turning himself into a stag to escape murderous Druids. "Prisoner of Azkaban" has an intricate,engaging plot and brilliant characterization. Could JK Rowling hold onto her winning streak?

I really liked this book. It was really well written and I recomend it.

For my money, though I like the first two Potter books, this is where Rowling struck gold. I started reading the series in late 1999 or early 2000, well before GOBLET came out, and when I finished the three books that at that time were out, I thought AZKABAN was not only easily the best of three, but one of the best books I had read in a long time. The storyline is easily the strongest of the first three installments, and for once Voldemort is not the main villain driving the plot, but, so it is thought, a renegade supporter of his who murdered 13 people with a single curse.

In AZKABAN, we learn an escaped criminal from the wizard prison Azkaban by the name of Sirius Black is out on the lam looking for Potter. Black was once a vehement supporter for Voldemort, and now Black is gunning to finish off the job by murdering Potter, a task he had tried to do several years ago. Not only that, Potter learns during the course of the plot that Black was James' best friend, along with the new defense against the dark arts teacher, Remus Lupin. We get to learn who Scabbers really is (another instant of an character mentioned in passing on the first two novels who is hugely important here). Black is Potter's godfather, and yet he betrayed the Potters!

What makes Azkaban so interesting is you really get to learn about the relationships between James Potter, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, and Severus Snape. These five characters, and their relationships with one another, are huge portions of the foundation on which Rowling built her series. You need a clear understanding of these characters to fully experience Rowling's series, and it is thru these characters that this book, and the series itself, is as rich as it is. The fact no one knew that the three characters were unregistered animagus to help Remus cope with his condition was pretty cool.

For once, Rowling introduces a new magical artifiact called the Marauder's Map, which she uncharacteristically fully explains by the end of the novel. It was made by Padfoot, Moony, Wormtail, and Prongs, which are the nicknames of James and his crew. The map shows you the location of every one on the Hogwarts grounds, a tremendously useful item, supplied, appropriately enough, by those masters of mischief, Fred and George.

Another great new bit of magic in the book is the Patronus, a magical spell that will help fight back the dementors and fear, a very advanced piece of magic for third years. It is also very touching to know why Harry's patronus is a stag, as that is what his father transformed into.

There are also other memorable scenes and events. You get Hermione and the Time Turners, Buckbeak the Hippogriff, Professor Trelawney, the Dementors, the Maurader's Map, etc. The climax of the novel is great, but for me, it's that time when Remus, Sirus, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Snape are all in that Shreiking Shack, and you finally get to learn a lot of key information about Harry's past.

Ironically enough, though I have long held the opinion this is the best Potter book of them all (not including Book 7), this book has the worst movie adaptation, BECAUSE they don't fully establish all the different relationships between the four, or even explain the Marauder's Map.

For myself, this is easily my favorite of the Potter novels, or was until DEATHLY HALLOWS came out. Still, I have had a great history with this book, and probably reread this more than all the other Potter books. This is the second best Potter book.





These are my order of Potter books by preference:
Deathly Hallows
Prisoner of Azkaban
Order of the Phoenix
Philosopher's Stone/Chamber of Secrets (I rank them both the same)
Half-Blood Prince
Goblet of Fire.

Still a fantsy adventure, but storyline gets old. Rowling matches everything up fairly well, but old characters begin to lose their luster.

For my money, though I like the first two Potter books, this is where Rowling struck gold. I started reading the series in late 1999 or early 2000, well before GOBLET came out, and when I finished the three books that at that time were out, I thought AZKABAN was not only easily the best of three, but one of the best books I had read in a long time. The storyline is easily the strongest of the first three installments, and for once Voldemort is not the main villain driving the plot, but, so it is thought, a renegade supporter of his who murdered 13 people with a single curse.

In AZKABAN, we learn an escaped criminal from the wizard prison Azkaban by the name of Sirius Black is out on the lam looking for Potter. Black was once a vehement supporter for Voldemort, and now Black is gunning to finish off the job by murdering Potter, a task he had tried to do several years ago. Not only that, Potter learns during the course of the plot that Black was James' best friend, along with the new defense against the dark arts teacher, Remus Lupin. We get to learn who Scabbers really is (another instant of an character mentioned in passing on the first two novels who is hugely important here). Black is Potter's godfather, and yet he betrayed the Potters!

What makes Azkaban so interesting is you really get to learn about the relationships between James Potter, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, and Severus Snape. These five characters, and their relationships with one another, are huge portions of the foundation on which Rowling built her series. You need a clear understanding of these characters to fully experience Rowling's series, and it is thru these characters that this book, and the series itself, is as rich as it is. The fact no one knew that the three characters were unregistered animagus to help Remus cope with his condition was pretty cool.

For once, Rowling introduces a new magical artifiact called the Marauder's Map, which she uncharacteristically fully explains by the end of the novel. It was made by Padfoot, Moony, Wormtail, and Prongs, which are the nicknames of James and his crew. The map shows you the location of every one on the Hogwarts grounds, a tremendously useful item, supplied, appropriately enough, by those masters of mischief, Fred and George.

Another great new bit of magic in the book is the Patronus, a magical spell that will help fight back the dementors and fear, a very advanced piece of magic for third years. It is also very touching to know why Harry's patronus is a stag, as that is what his father transformed into.

There are also other memorable scenes and events. You get Hermione and the Time Turners, Buckbeak the Hippogriff, Professor Trelawney, the Dementors, the Maurader's Map, etc. The climax of the novel is great, but for me, it's that time when Remus, Sirus, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Snape are all in that Shreiking Shack, and you finally get to learn a lot of key information about Harry's past.

Ironically enough, though I have long held the opinion this is the best Potter book of them all (not including Book 7), this book has the worst movie adaptation, BECAUSE they don't fully establish all the different relationships between the four, or even explain the Marauder's Map.

For myself, this is easily my favorite of the Potter novels, or was until DEATHLY HALLOWS came out. Still, I have had a great history with this book, and probably reread this more than all the other Potter books. This is the second best Potter book.

My hubby loves to read but being a truck driver he does not have the time. So I purchased the books on CD for him and he says that it helps him get hundreds of miles down the road. He has seen the movies but did not realize how much more was in the books and now can see how the all add up. He loves the product. I ordered the Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix for his birthday.

I was in great need of this book as I was new to the world of Harry Potter and couldn't wait to continue after reading Chamber of Secrets. The timing was perfect!

Don't let my title deceive you. This is still a great book but in comparison to the others it was a slight stepback. The book is still very entertaining and a necessity for the progression of the story. I just wasn't sucked in as fast or left wanting more as i was with the first 2 and with book 4 (sorry haven't finished the series just yet). I've been told by a few others that have finished the series that this is the worst and if thats the case then it should speak volumes of how well the rest of the books are.

This is third book from this great Saga, we meet Sirius black, Remus lupin and peter is this great, they are super!!!

I do not think there is a need to rate the story itself considering the immense popularity of it. This review is for those who produced the audio book.

Like in the two Harry Potter stories before this one, Jim Dale and company do an excellent job of relating this tale. Mr. Dale has an amazing range of voices and never misses a beat as he hops from one character to another. The listener forgets Mr. Dale is the lone reader and is immediately immersed in the story. Buy this, listen, and then watch the movie.

A magic bus filled with beds, a huge black dog, creatures known as dementures, a Hippogriff, and a mass murderer apparently bent on killing him are just a few of the things that Harry has to deal with in his second year at Hogwarts.

Harry goes on the run during the summer, fleeing from his Aunt and Uncle after accidentally blowing up another of his horrid relatives like a big balloon. He is picked up by the Knight Bus, a triple decker wizardly bus that runs around giving a lift to Wizards and Witches. He then meets with the Minister of Magic, who takes the whole accidental blowing up of Harry's Aunt very lightly, shrugging it off as an accident, much to Harry's relief. Yet once school starts he learns news that is very distressing. Notorious mass murderer, Serius Black, has escaped from the high security Wizard prison of Azkaban, and all the signs point that he is coming after Harry! Again, JK Rowling has created another spellbinding masterpiece.

RD Williams, author of 'The Lost Gate'

is the way I think of this audio book. Jim Dale has a wonderful way of telling the story and including all the drama this book has.

As with the entire series of Harry Potter books, this one is outstanding. We have it in book, cd, and cassette so the entire family can enjoy it.

This book to is wonderfully done and will keep you reading until the end. J.K. Rowling's makes you feel you are there. Great story line,must read and I highly recommend all the whole series.

The book was in excellent condition as described. Will continue to do business with Amazon.com

Another GREAT Harry Potter book. If you don't have it get it, if you don't have the others, get them to & read read read! Read it to yourself, read it to your kids, read it to your sister! It's worth reading in case you haven't figured it out by now. We learn a little more about Harry's family & we learn a little more about other things. I wont tell you 'cause you have to read it! By the way, the hardcover books have attractive dustjackets & artwork.

Well if you're looking at this product you're probably like me, busy and not the biggest fan of sitting down to read. I've always been a big fan of stories but I could just never find the time to read because of work and when I did I am admittedly an abysmally slow reader. After years of hearing how amazing these books, the Harry Potter series, were and loving every movie immensely it finally dawned on me to see if there was an audio book and there obviously is.

When I first started listening to the series I must admit I was a little turned off because Stephen Fray came across as a little dry and I was beginning to think the audio books weren't going to be much more tolerable than simply reading the books. As new characters are introduced though I was pleased to find that he managed to give most of them a unique personality and even more so that he maintains these personas not just through this single book but all the way to where I am now, The Half Blood Prince. Aside from just their vocal definition Fry also manages to display a diverse range of emotion for each individual character as if there is a separate actor for each character, it's really quite an amazing performance in my opinion. At certain times various audio filters are added for dramatic effect like echo and things of the sort and I guess that's really the only place this audio book comes up short for me is that there really isn't a whole lot to it other than Stephen Fry reading the books. This being my first audio book I can't really compare it to anything but I guess I was expecting at least some music between chapters or maybe some ambient sound effects but I still find the overall experience enjoyable without them.

There are probably hundreds of reviews for the books themselves so I'll keep my opinions on the series short and sweet. I believe the thing that I like most about the Harry Potter series is the overall charm of everything and the connection Rawling maintains to both the real world and real life. She really seems to nail human archetypes and the teenage inner dialogue and I can't help but think there are many pieces of her own children in this book. It showcases such an amazing insight as to the way people think and feel that I really can't help but be awe inspired. Like I said though, I'm not a big reader/listener so I imagine there are better books out there but that really doesn't take away from this series' ability to crack a smile on my face at work. I guess my only gripe is that it sometimes appears as if she has some favorite words or a limited vocabulary or perhaps people in England just find these words more common but there is an obtuse overuse of the words incredulous, glower, and one other that I will add in a couple of hours when I remember it. This obviously isn't a big deal but it can make me cringe a little.

Anyways, I work in science and listen to these all day when I don't have to read for work and I'm actually doing lab work and they have improved my enjoyment at work immensely so they come highly recommended by me. Each book is probably about 18-24 hours long off the top of my head so the whole series should take you a while to get through. I hope you enjoy!

Loved this book. It is the best book in the series. I can't wait to read this again.

After another miserable summer fraught with muggle-trouble, Harry heads back to Hogwarts for his third year. As usual, things start to go wrong even before he gets there. A cold-blooded murderer named Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban, the prison for wayward wizards, and he's out to get Harry. Worse, the enforcers charged with recapturing Black--the joy-draining dementors--are almost more malevolent than he is. But Harry's got an ally in Professor Lupin, the chronically disheveled Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and with the help of his friends Ron and Hermione, a special mischief-maker's map, and a hippogriff named Buckbeak, Harry delves deeper into the mystery of his past and finds an unexpected new protector.

If Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was formulaic and a rehash of Sorcerer's Stone with a few different critters and magical doo-hickeys, The Prisoner of Azkaban is, by contrast, a refreshing change of pace. The overall writing is better, the dialog is more believable and the characters less cardboard. The twisting plot also keeps you guessing which makes for an enjoyable read throughout. And it's a good thing, too. At over 430 pages and a solid two pounds in hardcover, Prisoner of Azkaban is quite the tome.

Rowling introduces the fascinating character of Sirius Black in Prisoner of Azkaban and he is the boogey-man throughout 90% of the book. The best friend of Harry's parents, Black was accused of betraying them to the wicked Voldemort. He was thrown into Azkaban for murdering 13 people, one of whom was Peter Pettigrew, a bungling wizard who chased Black down to avenge his betrayal of the Potters. That, at least, was the official story. The truth, of course, is considerably more complicated.

From my perspective, what is most intriguing about Black is that he is identified as Harry Potter's godfather. Now, some have used this to demonstrate that the Harry Potter books are indeed steeped in a Christian worldview. Why else would Harry have a godfather if he hadn't been baptized? Unfortunately, one doesn't have to do very much web searching to turn up evidence that wiccans do actually have godparents as part of their rituals. There is also the traditional linkage between witchcraft and the notion of the fairy godmother, though I haven't explored that relationship in any great detail. Given this, the argument that Harry is Christian because he has a godfather seems less credible. At the same time, it doesn't positively confirm any linkage between the books and wicca. The use of the term is simply ambiguous.

The major themes in this book are in general agreement with Christian ethic, even if it is not explicitly stated. Good and evil are clearly defined, though it's not always clear who is on which side. The Weasleys, with their large, rambunctious family, are given a central place and are presented very sympathetically. The notions of courage and self-sacrifice are explored in detail, particularly with regard to the love of a mother and father for their child. Harry also shows compassion and mercy, in very much the Christian sense. In one scene, he forbids the killing of Voldemort's creature when he is about to be done in by Harry's protectors.

There are also some hints in the book about an afterlife, though in a form more closely resembling the Star Wars universe than anything Christian. Toward the end of the book, Dumbledore says, "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" (page 427-8). Kind of like Harry's own Obi-Wan Kenobi. But again, I hesitate to make a call on semi-new-agey stuff like this until I've got a better idea of where it's all going.

Over all, though I enjoyed the writing and the story in Prisoner of Azkaban, I remain conflicted about the series in general, and its suitability for young Catholic readers in particular. I reckon my opinion is going to come down to the wire at the end of Book VII. But I've got to get there first and these books don't seem to get any slimmer as the series progresses. On to Book IV!

This is probably when I got 'addicted' to Harry Potter. The first 2 were fun, but this is what really turned me geek. I saw the movie before reading the book and they did cut a few things out however, I loved the movie. But the book is just awesome. The plot is very in depth but still easy enough for a youngster to understand. Once again, I recommend the HP series to anybody, young or old.

Once again Rowling has given us something to take away and cherish. Harry's adventures continue to grow darker, and become more involved as we discover more of the history of this particular wizarding world. The Sirius Black mystery keeps us on our toes, as well as the joy-draining dementors. A fine third installment.

This was a lot more entertaining then the first two and I was glad it ended the way it did. Can't wait unitl the next one, because it appears they just keep getting better!