Continuing on with my reread of the Harry Potter series, I have finished the third book, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban." As always, if you haven't read the series, I suggest you go and read it and then come back and read my review.
This is where the series really starts to turn, for the better, as there isn't as much word-building and we already know a lot of the characters. Harry and his friends are a little older, 13, so they are able to go into Hogsmead, which is one of my favorite parts. I love exploring new places in this world. I basically live vicariously through Harry Potter.
In this one, we are introduced to one of my favorite characters in the series, Lupin. He is the newest Defense against the Dark Arts professor, and the best one that the school has scene to date.
"What you fear most of all is – fear."
He helps Harry protect himself against the dementors. We also discover the reasons why Lupin has been sick for a lot of the school year–he is a werewolf,
"The shrieking Shack was never haunted.... The screams and howls the villagers used to hear were made by me."
Although, Hermione already seemed to figure it out. I wouldn't expect anything less.
Speaking of Hermione, she is like a completely different person in this book. Professor McGonagall provided Hermione with the time turner so that she was able to take more classes, which is crazy but OK, I accepted it. She is yelling at the Divination professor, Professor Trelawney. She is punching people. And she is keeping secrets from her friends. I am not used to this new Hermione.
One of my favorite chapters in the third book is "Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs." This is where we learn all about the relationship between Sirius Black, Lupin, Peter Pettigrew and James Potter. I thought it was interesting that once Sirius, Peter, and James learned about Lupin becoming a werewolf, the three of them trained to become Animagi, meaning that they could all transform into animals. Sirius becomes a wolf, Peter a rat (ew), and James a doe.
To conclude my review, I will leave you with some of Lee Jordan's commentary during the Quidditch Cup game, as it is one of a kind:
"THIRTY-ZERO! TAKE THAT, YOU DIRTY, CHEATING–"
"Jordan, if you can't commentate in an unbiased way...!"
"I'm telling it like it is, Professor!"
"'Ha haaa!' yelled Lee Jordan as the Slytherin Beaters lurched away from each other, clutching their heads. 'Too bad, boys! You'll need to get up earlier than that to beat the Firebolt!'"
"'YOU CHEATING SCUM!' Lee Jordan was howling into the megaphone, dancing out of Professor McGonagall's reach. "YOU FILTHY, CHEATING B–"
Professor McGonagall didn't even bother to tell him off. She was actually shaking her finger in Malfoy's direction, her hat had fallen off, and she too was shouting furiously."
Look out for my next review on the next book in the series...
