Read 2: October 5th, 2022
I'm not sure how I feel about Harry Potter four years later. I can't deny that J.K. Rowling revealing herself to be a piece of shit in the years since I first read this book has affected how I view the series. And to be honest I'm not sure this book holds up in light of that.

I also have to admit the circumstances of this reread may be affecting my view of this book. Zooming through something for a class definitely doesn't allow for the same reading experience as reading something for fun. But I can't deny I found myself more annoyed throughout this read than I was my first go around. I was annoyed by how Rowling constantly framed fatness as grotesque and evil. I was annoyed by how cruel Ron and Harry were to Hermione. I was annoyed by the structure of the plot. I think I have to admit there's just no going back to Hogwarts. Whether it be because Rawling's beliefs have tainted the series or because my mind latches on to plot contrivances now that wonder and whimsy aren't quite there anymore.

That's not to say I completely hated this book either. One thing I did still love about this book was the room Rowling gave for Harry's rage. Harry's life frankly sucks and the weight Rowling puts on that tragedy and the space she gives Harry to feel that pure unadulterated rage at his shitty circumstances did still hit pretty hard. In the end, I think I'll leave this review unrated. My feelings on this book and series are just too complicated to be reduced numerically.

Read 1: February 11th, 2018
5 stars

This book was such a rollercoaster ride of emotions and had hands down the best and most emotional climax of a Harry Potter book to date.

Unravelling my feelings for Prisoner of Azkaban is a bit complicated because for the majority of this book I was annoyed with Harry. Harry was a lot of things in this book, shortsighted, a bit selfish, a bad friend and overall reckless but I think that's what makes him a great protagonist. He isn't always a symbol of unshakeable goodness, he has flaws and is still an imperfect 13-year-old kid.

How Harry handled his grief in this book was so well done as well. Seeing him process all his feelings while still remaining a brave and kind person was so amazing. Harry goes through so much in this book Aunt Marg insults his parents in such a vile way and Snape says the cruellest things about James to Harry's face. And to add insult to injury he has to relive his parents' last moments all throughout the school year and learns that they died because of a friend's betrayal. Seeing Harry persevere despite all of that makes him easily one of my favourite characters of all time.

Can we talk about Marauders for a minute? I love how Rowling expanded on what we knew about James Potter in this book. He and his group of friends were amazing and I need to rewatch Moshceif Managed again to recapture that feeling. (view spoiler) If Rowling doesn't write a prequel book about them before she dies I don't know what I'll do with myself.

Did I already mention how nerve-wracking and heartbreaking the climax was because damn it had me shook. Rowling is amazing at climaxes but the feeling on this one was at 11.

Hearing Serius explain how Peter betrayed them was so rage-inducing and painful. I could not deal with my emotions. And when the dementors were about to kill them I had to put the book down, it was too much

In the end, I had way too many feelings about this book to put in one review. Most of it is just stating things that gave me emotions. This book was fantastic and I can't deal with my emotions at this point. I didn't even mention Quidditch or Hermione or Snape but I need to stop rambling. This book was amazing and is definitely my favourite Harry Potter book so far.