Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling

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Summary A wonderful achievement by a wonderful author.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the third book of the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling.

Harry is spending another dreadful summer at home with the Dursley's when an unfortunate run in with Aunt Marge ends in her sudden balloon like inflation. Harry runs away and fears expulsion from Hogwarts for his use of magic outside of term time. At the same time Sirius Balck escapes from Azkaban Prison and this adds to Harry's woes as it appears that Black seeks to kill him for his part in foiling Voldemort's plans.

Harry arrives back at Hogwarts where the Quidditch season is welcome relief to the presence of the Dementors, mysterious gaurds from Azkaban searching for Sirius Black. Harry, and his friends attempt to unearth the truth surrounding Sirius Black and discover why the Dementor's presence cause im such pain.

This is the best Harry Potter book of the series so far, which seems to get stronger as each book is released. If you read the first two books then The Prisoner of Azkaban really is like revisiting ols friends. The thoughts and actions of the characters are firmly establised within your own mind and this is one of JK Rowling's great strengths as a writer.

The narrative will once again sit comfortably with both children and adults and those expecting the series to weaken like so many fantasy series in the past have done will be sorely dissapointed.

The characters are expanded upon and we learn more about Harry's parents and the character that really shines in Azkaban is Sirius Black and he story is by far the highlight, he really is a great addition, as is Remus Lupin.

This book is another must read and Rowling continues to go from strength to strength. She has managed to write a series that has postmen living in fear of her next publication, such is the excitement and demand created as this remarkable series blooms. After raising the expectation to a level that borders on the unfair (and putting herself under a lot of pressure), JK Rowling really has risen to the challenge and created a book even better than the first and second, a wonderful achievement by a wonderful author.