Product ReviewsHarry Potter Ser.: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling (1999, Hardcover)

Great condition of 1st Edition Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban and Quick Ship

This 1st edition Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban arrived in excellent condition and quickly. The 1st edition, US printings of the Harry Potter books are a much nicer quality than later editions. Now that my son is old enough to read Harry Potter, I am seeking out 1st editions for him. Glad to have found this one!Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: albumhunter2016

Rowling and Harry begin to come of age

I would have to say that this book was a pivotal book not only in Harry Potter's life, but in JK Rowling's writing career as well.

For Harry, his past begins to reveal itself and danger comes ever closer to his reluctant sanctuary (ie-the Dursley's residence). For Rowling, her stories are no longer stand alone mysteries that share a common location, but are part of a larger story.

These changes are perfectly timed, as the 8th grade is a pivotal time. It is at this age that children are in between true childhood but not quite yet a young adult. We see changes in Harry, Hermione and Ron that indicate the change.

For one, Draco becomes less of an enemy and more like a pest-problems that they used to have no longer seem to matter, or at least not as much. The spells that Harry and his friends learn are likewise indicative of their maturity. Harry is learns to cast a protective patronus years ahead of his peers, which shows that he has matured beyond his peers. Harry takes his last, irrevocable step into adulthood when he choses to spare the life of his parent's betrayer so he can stand trial.

On the surface, Rowling does not "sanitize" the book as much as she did with the other two, a trend that continues with the rest of the series. Some people say that Prisoner was the last "children's" book and that Goblet of Fire begins her "young adult" books. While I agree with that assessment, I also think that JK was having her books grow up as her children did. We not only see character development in our heros, but in the writing style as well.

But her level of writing maturity does not end there. Each of the first two books had a beginning, middle and end. Each book was self contained. You could read Chamber of Secrets before Sorcerer's Stone and not miss much. Not so anymore. If you read any of the other books out of order, you could follow the plot but all the richness of her literary devices will not make sense to you.

I think what truely sets JK Rowling as a master story teller is that this book does not suffer from the "middle book funk". Too many book writers and movie produces use this excuse to cover their own laziness (sadly, too many people accept this excuse and keep wasting hard earned money on trash).

JK is able to produce a good book by following the same success formula that Marvel and DC comics did-have complete endings for the sub-plots so the readers feel satisfied. Rowling gives us plenty of satisfaction: the innocent escape death, the betrayer's cover is blown, Harry earns the respect of the people needs to rely on in later books and preparations are being made, at least by some, for the storm that they now know will come.

The greatest weakness I found was her assigning value and meaning to items from the first two books. When they were first written, these items were only described so much as to provide ambience. By retro-actively assigning significance to them, she created a feeling of artificialality that comes with forcing a plot device. This was corrected in later books and a much smoother flow will take place.

In short, Prisoner of Azkaban is a wonderfully writen transition book that takes Harry from being a child into adulthood and takes JK Rowling from being a great entertainer into a master storyteller.

John Holland-author of Necklace of TerrersylvanousRead full review...

Harry Connect with His Past in an Unexpected Way

In this book the year begins with Harry being attacked by these magical prison guards known as Dementors. Dementors live by sucking the joy from others. Harry and his Cousin are attacked by Dementors. Of course the Dersleys think it is all Harry's doing. Harry discovers that a man by the name of Sirius Black has escaped from Azkabahn Prison. He is told that Sirius was responsible for the death of his parents. Sirius was one of his father's best friends at Hogwarts. He prepares himself to avenge his parents' death until he discovers that not everything is as it seems. Sirius has come to watch over Harry who is his godson and the real person who betrayed his parents is revealed. Of course Voldemort is up to his wicked ways and is attempting once again to regain himself. The Dementors come to Hogwarts to find Sirius but end up making life there miserable especially for Harry. Harry and his friends struggle to discover the truth and become closer friend during the ordeal. The end of the book leaves you longing for Harry because just as he finds his Godfather Sirius he has to help rescue him from the Dementors and send him into hiding.

This is a wonderful books with lots of twists and turns. The adventure begins with the first page and keeps your on your toes until the end.Read full review...

My Favorite Book of the Series!!!

This book in the Harry Potter Series is where the darkness starts to creep in. A convicted murderer escapes from the wizarding prison and rumors are that he's after Harry. I remember the first time I read this, I was really excited to read this one because it took the series a step further (more school subjects, more background story about Harry's family, people unexpectedly showing up in Harry's world. I would say my favorite part is the climax of the book, near the end, when Harry and his friends are confronted by the murderer and one of their professors. I like this part a lot because you find out a lot of information in a short period of time (much like in the 3rd movie in a trilogy, where things you thought you knew are seen in a completely different light).

I consider the first two books excellent for kids aged 6-8, but this book should be for ages 7-9... because of the darker content. Like I said, this is my favorite of the series....Read full review...

Harry Potter

....started series last month....could not stop listening....will miss Harry so very much when last book read. Started this series after I completed J K. Rowling's Comoran Strike mysteries under her pseudonym of Robert Galbraith....loved her writing so much that I started the Harry Potter series. I am in my 80's and never enjoyed fantasy... until now. Thank you J.K. for making an old lady very very happy.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: ctn_g2006

Have You Seen this Wizard????

Yet another great installment in the HP Series. This book tells about Lily and James Potter pre Harry and pre marriage. It shows the friendships they made at Hogwarts and how even your friends can betray you. We are introduced to Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew who were James Potter's best friends and completed the "Mauraders". It gives a bit more insight into what happened the night the Potters were attacked by Voldemort, or does it? We also meet yet another Magical Creature in Buckbeak Hagrid's newest crittur that can be your best friend or worst enemy.Read full review...

The best in the series!

Of all the books in the series, I liked the Prisoner of Azkaban the most. This I would say that this is the last of the Harry Potter books that I consider as a chidren's book - the rest, is more geared to young adults (and even older adults).

Here we're introduced to the creepy dementors from Azkaban that are searching for Sirius Black, the wizard responsible for the death of Harry’s parents. We’re also introduced to Professor Lupin, the new defense against the dark arts teacher – who also has a dark secret himself . He helps Harry overcome his fear of the dementors and teaches him a new spell, making him discover a new ability that he’s good at.

The story gets better in the third installment of the series as Harry discovers new allies and friends. This book also has nice twists and revelations and definitely a page turner as all the other books. If you weren’t much of a fan after reading the first and second books, this will probably the book that’ll get you hooked on Harry Potter.Read full review...

Hard to put down

The Harry Potter series are my favorite collection of books of all time. I would really like to thank the author, J.K. Rowling, for changing the lives of millions of people, especially children. Not only are the stories amazing, but J.K. Rowling truly is an excellent writer, unlike many other fiction writers with a large cult following (Twilight series). I could not imagine my life without ever reading Harry Potter and I urge you, young or old, to give this book series a chance. Trust me, you will love it.Read full review...

Added to the collection

Thanks to the person who had this. Now my First Edition Harry Potter collection is complete. Also in very fine condition. I appreciate how much packing was used to keep it safe. Thank you

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Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: qawsed1991

Excellent, Fanstastic Read

Absolutely the best, and my favorite book of the Harry Potter Series. You follow Harry into his third year of Hogwarts, where he makes a few new friends and uncovers more secrets of Hogwarts and his past. Armed with Ron, Hermione and their wands, they set off to uncover the truth and save the innocent. Only downside to this story is all the pages! Overall, Fantastic book, loads of detail and of course tons of things the movie left out. Now it all makes sense.Read full review...