For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort, and might even have assisted in the deaths of James and Lily Potter—Harry Potter’s parents.
Now Black has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard him muttering in his sleep, "He’s at Hogwarts... he’s at Hogwarts."
Of course, Harry already had plenty to worry about. After inflating his nasty aunt and running away on the magical Knight Bus, he finds he’s being pursued by death omens at every turn. He receives two wonderful gifts: a top-of-the-line Firebolt broomstick, and the Marauder’s Map, a magical diagram of Hogwarts made by the mysterious “Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs.” Hermione disappears frequently, burdened down by a seemingly impossible course schedule. And the soulless Dementors have come to guard Hogwarts—supposedly to protect Harry from Sirius Black, but they terrify Harry more than the fugitive ever could.
To strengthen himself against them, Harry reaches out to Remus Lupin, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who was once a friend of his father’s. Lupin teaches Harry about the Patronus Charm, a defensive measure well above the level of magic generally mastered by wizards Harry’s age. But even with his broom, his map, his magic, and his loyal friends, Harry isn't safe.
Because on top of everything else, there’s a traitor hidden at Hogwarts...
Now Black has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard him muttering in his sleep, "He’s at Hogwarts... he’s at Hogwarts."
Of course, Harry already had plenty to worry about. After inflating his nasty aunt and running away on the magical Knight Bus, he finds he’s being pursued by death omens at every turn. He receives two wonderful gifts: a top-of-the-line Firebolt broomstick, and the Marauder’s Map, a magical diagram of Hogwarts made by the mysterious “Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs.” Hermione disappears frequently, burdened down by a seemingly impossible course schedule. And the soulless Dementors have come to guard Hogwarts—supposedly to protect Harry from Sirius Black, but they terrify Harry more than the fugitive ever could.
To strengthen himself against them, Harry reaches out to Remus Lupin, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who was once a friend of his father’s. Lupin teaches Harry about the Patronus Charm, a defensive measure well above the level of magic generally mastered by wizards Harry’s age. But even with his broom, his map, his magic, and his loyal friends, Harry isn't safe.
Because on top of everything else, there’s a traitor hidden at Hogwarts...
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15
bennett_the_ceo
(Grade: B+) The series matures by embracing a darker tone and digging into the history and mystery of Harry's parents. There's a stretch in the second half of the book where the plot slows down and gets stuck in too many classroom and Quidditch scenes, but the breakneck pace of the final chapters makes up for it.
(Grade: B+) The series matures by embracing a darker tone and digging into the history and mystery of Harry's parents. There's a stretch in the second half of the book where the plot slows down and gets stuck in too many classroom and Quidditch scenes, but the breakneck pace of the final chapters makes up for it.(Rated on Feb 24, 2015)
14
Allie (Grade: A+) My favourite book in the series, for me this when the series went from good to great. Darker than the first two books, with a much more intriguing plot.
(Rated on Sep 3, 2013)
14
Hyzie (Grade: B) This is definitely the point where the series starts getting darker and where the scope of the books gets much larger.
(Rated on Aug 10, 2014)
11
dianasaurusmex (Grade: A+) I started reading these books in 8th grade. I'm now nearly 30, and will re-read them every few years.
My next adventure: Reading them to all of my nieces.
(Rated on Jun 26, 2013)
9
underdog92 (Grade: A+) This was my favorite of the series.
(Rated on Jan 6, 2014)
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