Book Review #2: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Book Synopsis

Harry Potter's third year at Hogwarts.

Ciel's Rating

Ciel's Review

This is a much better book in comparison to the first and second one. It is well written, with several unexpected (finally!) plot twists, mind-bending connections, and entwining of the characters and situations. The waters are getting deeper, darker, and more mysterious. It’s exciting to read and is literally spell-binding. We are introduced to a cast of new characters; characters that play an important part in Harry’s life, and their relationship to each other are a major footing on which Rowling built her series. It is the first time I feel immediate affection toward newly introduced characters and actually care for them.

Not only are the new characters a wonder in this book, but also the new places, threats, magical creatures, and spells. Oh! the level of magic and spells you’ll learn in this book will blow your mind away; it’s just top notch. Rowling has made a big successful jump from the second book to the third. The looming darkness becomes apparent at the end of the book, in the form of specters that will make you shiver from head to toe with their deadly kiss, literally.

Rowling casts her characters in a new light and offers some background to the most interesting character in the book. It is fascinating when Rowling shows us what it was like to attend Hogwarts during Harry’s parent’s time and how those students have changed to what they are in the present. The book was also good paced and adventurous, taking us from one breath-take to the next.

Rowling carries on her style of writing, world-building, and imagination through dialogues; and although her writing skills and character development aren’t the best (yet), the plot in this book kept me reading through. Something noteworthy: I am amazed at the ability of Rowling to write for the teenage mind. I could understand, and even relate to the protagonists, perfectly.

Disclaimer: May not be appropriate for very young children due to a mature theme.