#19 of 52 – 52 Books in 52 Weeks
Note: spoilers follow.
So far, this is my second favorite in the series (with book 1 being my favorite). I like this one because the storytelling continues to be imaginative, but the plot had a few twists that I hadn’t expected. I didn’t anticipate that Sirius Black was Harry’s godfather, though I had a feeling he might end up being a “good guy” character. At one point, I thought Hermione’s cat, Crookshanks, might be connected to Voldemort, but I was wrong about that.
I’m so glad whenever good things happen to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, so I was incredibly sad for Harry when it turned out that he wouldn’t be able to go live with Sirius. I really detest the Dursleys, but I suppose I wouldn’t feel nearly as sympathetic toward Harry if he had great relatives to live with. The Dursleys just get worse with each book, and at times I do feel like the thread of their storyline is getting kind of tired. Maybe because I’m reading the books back to back in such a short period of time. I just feel slightly exhausted reading any scenes in which they appear.
On the other hand, I’m not yet tired of the exchanges between Harry and Dumbledore–I always think of Gandalf from Lord of the Rings when Dumbledore is teaching Harry something.
Slightly random but worth mentioning: I was delighted when Sirius gave Ron an owl, especially after the revelation involving Scabbers/Peter Pettigrew/Wormtail. (It is Wormtail, right? I get it confused with Wormtongue, which is from Lord of the Rings, I think?) But I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of Peter Pettigrew.
Hermione is becoming one of my favorite characters. She’s very clever and I love that she has an active role in the story–she is just as important as the male characters, which is refreshing. She is no damsel in distress or anything. Especially in this book, her role was essential since Harry couldn’t have gone back in time without Hermione’s Time-Turner.
A couple words about the movie adaptation: this is possibly my favorite movie of the series–well, after the first one, maybe. I rented the movie and watched it three times before returning it. I really loved it. The special effects are pretty amazing–Buckbeak especially. I hope we get to see him again.
Whenever I finish another book in this series, I’m left with a content, happy feeling, mixed with the urge to read more. I’ve read a lot of books this year, and these are definitely in my top ten list thus far.
PoA is definitely my fav – I think we get to see a bit more of the “evil” – dementors, Wormtail (you’re right), werewolves, etc. – and I love the movie too. it was refreshing to see it through another director’s eyes, no? the part where he gets mad at his aunt in the beginning, the little bits of humor, aaah when Hagrid says “careful you don’t pull any of his feathers, cause he won’t thank ya for that” *smack* cracks me up! hehe. I love Hermione. she’s such a great character. and all the Weasleys
and I love her punny way of writing – the Knight Bus, Knockturn Alley, Diagon Alley, etc. I’m so glad you are enjoying them!
The dementors were pretty freaky! I keep making comparisons between HP and LotR, because the dementors reminded me of the wraiths from LotR (I think that’s what they were called? The creepster riders with the black cloaks? lol). I need to stop comparing and just evaluate HP on its own because it really is that good on its own! ah yes, the werewolves–I wasn’t expecting that part of the story, and ended up really liking Professor Lupin, especially in the movie. The scene toward the end where Harry walks in on him packing was so sad! oh I LOVED the scene when he blows up his aunt, haha…that was really delightful, she just floated away! And I love Hagrid, too–he’s so cute. ok, I’m feeling like a dork because I didn’t get the punny aspect of Knockturn Alley until you mentioned it just now…I had gotten the others, though.
oh yes, I love Lupin. love him. and Hagrid. ahh. HP goodness =D
and she was so good about the names she gave people and places – their origins and things pretty much always have a meaning
it is hard not to compare HP and LOTR, but since I’m a pretty big fan of both, I can keep them separated most of the time
there are a lot of similarities, but truly different stories!
Now that you mentioned it, I just looked up the meaning of Hermione and it’s Greek for “travel.” I did not know this! Appropriate, though!