The third novel in the Harry Potter series is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling. As Harry returns to Hogwarts for his third year, he is pursued by the escaped prisoner, Sirius Black. Harry learns about how his parents were killed and wants revenge no matter what. Keep reading to find out what else to expect in this novel!
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Summary
Harry Potter gets into a heated argument with his aunt and uncle and leaves home as a result. Luckily for him, Sirius Black has escaped jail and is reportedly after him which leads to the Ministry of Magic helping Harry until he returns to Hogwarts. The third school year is different as Dementors, wraithlike dark creatures, are roaming around Hogwarts to prevent Black from entering.
A new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher named Lupin helps Harry defend himself as Harry passes out when Dementors are around him. Divination professor Sybill Trelawney irritates Harry and his friends by constantly predicting Harry’s life to be in danger. And lastly, Harry and his Quidditch team practice nonstop so they can finally win the Quidditch cup.
As Harry navigates his third year, he feels suffocated with all the teachers trying to keep him safe. Sirius Black has been spotted on campus and Harry learns who betrayed his parents to the Dark Lord. Follow Harry as he tries to balance his school life and his personal feelings in a hectic third school year at Hogwarts.
Commentary
It is yet another horrible school year for Harry. One more person is allegedly after Harry and it makes his life more chaotic than usual. It is hard to say what is normal for Harry since he hasn’t had a normal life ever since he found he was a wizard. Sirius Black has escaped Azkaban and security around Harry tightens…somewhat. But that is the normal is this universe at this point.
The third year is much busier and we get more details about the classes, something that the previous books lacked. And I did enjoy that. Seeing them learn other stuff besides Defense against the Dark Arts (which they haven’t learned much in class) makes it feel like a real school experience. The timeskip to Christmas and the finals still happens to fast in my opinion.
There are several plot twists that seem too big to not have been solved beforehand. If only the wizard world had detectives and police instead of Dementors that crave suffering and pain. Harry and his friends have solved a lot of the mysteries and they are not even 13!
Conclusion
That is my take for this novel. It is mostly humourous and stuff that I enjoy thinking too much. I will try to read the fourth book by the end of the month or early August so be on the lookout for that!