Opinião: Harry Potter e o Prisioneiro de Azkaban (JK Rowling)

Harry Potter e o Prisioneiro de Azkaban de J.K. Rowling

Editora: Editorial Presença (2000)
Formato: Capa Mole | 343 páginas
Idioma: Inglês
Géneros: Lit. Infanto-Juvenil, Fantasia, Fantasia Urbana

Descrição (Goodreads): "Faltavam ainda algumas semanas para o fim de mais umas horrendas férias de Verão com os Dursleys, quando Harry ouve a triste notícia da vinda da detestável tia Marge! Quebrando as leis de Hogwarts, Harry não resiste a usar os seus poderes de feiticeiro e acaba por abandonar a casa dos tios, deixando a perplexa tia Marge, mais inchada do que um balão, a flutuar junto ao tecto da cozinha dos Dyrsleys... Mas este terceiro ano de Harry Potter na Escola de Magia e Feitiçaria esconde perigos insuspeitos.
De Azkaban, a prisão-forte para feiticeiros, evade-se o prisioneiro mais temido, Sirius Black, que muitos dizem ser o fiel servidor de Voldemort, o Senhor das Trevas.
E porque repetiria ele, durante o sono, a frase: «Ele está em Hogwarts... Ele está em Hogwarts»? Estaria a referir-se a Harry Potter? Tudo indica que sim. O nosso herói não está a salvo nem mesmo dentro das parades da Escola, agora que o lado negro está a reunir as suas forças.
A atmosfera em Hoqwarts trona-se cada vez mais tensa. Quem é, afinal, Sirius Black? Porque é que os Dementors, os guardas de Azkaban, têm um efeito tão devastador sobre Harry? Haverá realmente um traidor entre os seus amigos de Hogwarts? A cada nova aventura, Harry enfrenta forças mais poderosas, a cada nova aventura, levanta-se um pouco mais o véu que esconde os mistérios da sua família..."

AVISO: Contém SPOILERS! 

Devo dizer que me tem sido difícil escrever opiniões ultimamente, em especial no que toca aos livros desta série. Creio que isto se deve ao facto desta ser uma saga que aprecio especialmente e que tem muito valor para mim em termos literários. Por isso, se esta opinião parecer... desconjuntada... bem, já sabem porque é. Mais ou menos.

"Harry Potter e o Prisioneiro de Azkaban" leva-nos de volta ao fantástico mundo da feitiçaria criado por J.K. Rowling.

Harry e os amigos preparam-se para mais um ano em Hogwarts, a escola dos feiticeiros. E tal como nos outros anos, o perigo e a aventura parecem persegui-los: desta vez vão ter de lidar com Sirius Black, um feiticeiro negro muito poderoso que conseguiu a proeza de escapar de Azkaban, a prisão mais segura do mundo. Black anda à solta e à procura de Harry Potter, a quem culpa pela queda de Voldemort.

Neste terceiro livro, Rowling continua a surpreender-nos com o seu mundo mágico. A mistura imaginativa de mito, realidade conferem ao mundo de Harry Potter um ambiente misterioso e intrigante. Mais pormenores são adicionados; à medida que Harry descobre novos feitiços e novas poções, o leitor vai aprendendo mais sobre o universo escondido dos feiticeiros.

A história continua a ser dirigida para o público juvenil mas nota-se uma ligeira diferença na narrativa: afinal, as personagens estão mais crescidas e creio que a passagem da infância para a adolescência começa neste livro e é notória. O enredo dá-nos também informações preciosas sobre o passado dos pais de Harry e sobre a primeira guerra contra o Voldemort; este é um livro importante porque alguns dos acontecimentos terão repercussões em livros posteriores (e isto seria óbvio mesmo para quem não tivesse lido os livros a seguir), mas não é um livro essencial.

Ou seja, apesar da autora começar neste livro a desenvolver mais o enredo que diz respeito a Harry Potter e a Voldemort, fá-lo ainda utilizando a 'fórmula' dos livros anteriores, com um mistério e pistas que culminarão no final do livro (e do ano) num desfecho satisfatório mas algo aberto.

Alguns dos conceitos mais fascinantes do mundo de Rowling estão neste livro. Os Animagus, o mapa do Salteador, Azkaban e os Dementors são alguns exemplos daquilo que faz com que estes livros sejam diferentes da maioria das ofertas do género.

No geral, "Harry Potter e o Prisioneiro de Azkaban" é mais um óptimo livro juvenil que começa já a mostrar alguma complexidade de enredo a juntar à crescente complexidade do fascinante universo criado por Rowling. Uma óptima leitura.

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In my Mailbox (26)

Esta semana não houve grandes actualizações no blogue... mas mesmo assim podem contar com a "Mailbox"! Recebi alguns livros pelo correio e estou particularmente interessada num, sobre o qual li críticas positivas: "A Long, Long Sleep".

 Black Night - Christina Henry [UF]

Black Wings - Christina Henry [UF]

Kindling Moon - Jenn Bennett [UF]

Grave Dance - Kalayna Price [UF]

Hard Bitten - Chloe Neill [UF]

Twice Bitten - Chloe Neill [UF]

Friday Night Bites - Chloe Neill [UF]

The Greyfriar - Clay & Susan Griffith [UF]

A Long, Long Sleep - Anna Sheeran [SF, YA]

E vocês o que receberam na vossa Caixa de Correio (What did you get in your mailbox this week?)?

"In my Mailbox" is hosted by The Story Siren.

Review: Hammered

Hammered by Kevin Hearne

Publisher: Del Rey (2011)
Format:  Mass Market Paperback | 310 pages
Genre(s): Urban Fantasy 

Description (Goodreads): "Thor, the Norse god of thunder, is worse than a blowhard and a bully—he’s ruined countless lives and killed scores of innocents. After centuries, Viking vampire Leif Helgarson is ready to get his vengeance, and he’s asked his friend Atticus O’Sullivan, the last of the Druids, to help take down this Norse nightmare.One survival strategy has worked for Atticus for more than two thousand years: stay away from the guy with the lightning bolts. But things are heating up in Atticus’s home base of Tempe, Arizona. There’s a vampire turf war brewing, and Russian demon hunters who call themselves the Hammers of God are running rampant. Despite multiple warnings and portents of dire consequences, Atticus and Leif journey to the Norse plain of Asgard, where they team up with a werewolf, a sorcerer, and an army of frost giants for an epic showdown against vicious Valkyries, angry gods, and the hammer-wielding Thunder Thug himself."

Still not quite there. In terms of story, characters and world-building. The most interesting thing so far is Hearne's world as it deals with the different pantheons of ancient gods and goddesses. While most urban fantasy books feature supernatural creatures there are not many who focus on old religions. It's refreshing and you can tell the author has researched the subject at least a little, which is always good as it makes everything a bit more... 'realistic'.

While Hearne continues to develop his world in the third installment of "The Iron Druid Chronicles", there wasn't any real progress as far as Atticus is concerned. He is still a bit too smug (as he, himself recognizes in this book) and does not really display that much wisdom. He is far too immature and not layered enough for someone who's supposed to be more than 2000 years old. Not saying he can't act immature, but he doesn't display a different, more complex personality...ever (unless you count quoting Shakespeare). On a brighter note, I really like The Morrigan, ahah. Now she is a great character.

I still don't see the purpose of Granuaile, Atticus' apprentice. I mean, yeah she's probably there as the hot female who falls in love with the protagonist (at least it seems to be going that way) but Hearne has made a mistake with this character. She really has no distinguishable features besides the fact that she's... well, pretty. She doesn't have special powers or abilities, nor will she have them in the foreseeable future. She also doesn't have much of a personality. And... well, she doesn't really participate much in the action. She's just there.

Oberon is a cute character that provides humor but is, ultimately pretty superfluous as well.

So, character-wise, the series really needs more development. Atticus just isn't charismatic... at all.

In terms of plot, this book didn't have much of one. I mean it was a bit ridiculous, really. A bunch of guys decide to kill the Norse god Thor because he is a big, immortal bully. Some of what he did was bad (I liked the chapters where everyone shared their particular grievances with the Norse god of Thunder) but the single-mindedness of the group and Thor's completely unrepentant character made all of the action very... blah. Basically the problem was... character development.

Overall "Hammered" was better than the first but not as good as the second book. The author seems to be building his world slowly adding more information with each book. But there is still some confusion about the mythology.

The characters are the series weak point: they're too stereotyped. As for plot, this book seemed to be filler although there are a few clues that point to something more elaborate happening in future books. A nice read within the genre but still not good enough to stand out, even if male protagonists are rare.

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In my Mailbox (25)

Apesar de um pouco atrasada, aqui está a "Mailbox" desta semana! Mais alguns livros para as estantes, incluindo o "Earthsea Quartet" sobre o qual me disseram maravilhas! E, claro, mais um livro do Doctor Who... :D

 The Earthsea Quartet - Ursula Le Guin [Fant]

The Scorch Trials - James Dashner [Sci-Fi, YA, UF]

Epic Fail - Claire Lazebnik [YA]

Touched by an Angel - Jonathan Morris [Sci-Fi]

The Near Witch - Victoria Schwab [YA, UF]

E vocês o que receberam na vossa Caixa de Correio (What did you get in your mailbox this week?)?

"In my Mailbox" is hosted by The Story Siren.

Review: Hounded

Hounded by Kevin Hearne

Publisher: Del Rey (2011)

Format:  Mass Market Paperback | 289 pages

Genre(s): Urban Fantasy

Description (Goodreads): "Tempe, Arizona is as far removed from paranormal activity as is possible. And that's where Atticus O'Sullivan, rare book salesman, herb peddler, and 2,000 year old Druid - the last of his kind - has decided to set up shop. He's been on the run, guarding a very powerful sword from a very angry ancient Celtic god for over two millennia now. But while these years have been good to him - Atticus has become more powerful than he could have possibly imagined - The Morrigan, a very old god of death, has predicted death and doom for our hero, and it's up to Atticus, with help from a pride of werewolves, and a gorgeous bartender with a secret of her own, to stay alive, hopefully for another thousand years."

WARNING: Contains some SPOILERS!

"Hounded" is the first in a new series featuring a 2.100 year-old Druid as the main character. I've seen many a video and read a few reviews raving about this series and how it was awesome so, as a lover of all things urban fantasy and wanting to read a few more books with male protagonists, I promptly bought all the books available.

And yet again my high expectations were shot down. This isn't a terrible book, no, but it's not brilliant either. Although I liked the general concept I felt the author crammed way too many myths, religions and supernatural creatures into his universe. You have werewolves, vampires, fairies and every god from every pantheon running about. It's too much and honestly it was confusing. Hearne doesn't explain much about this and there are references to several ancient deities, although only the Tuatha Dé Danann appear in this first book (since the hero is a Druid and all). Still they are depicted as "people who know a lot of magic and thus are very powerful and immortal" so the reader is left wandering if all the other pantheons are the same (which, mythologically they aren't) or if it's just the Tuatha Dé Danann.

Basically Hearne's world building needs fixing and urgent development. In this first book we are thrown into the world of Irish mythology but the author fails to clarify many of his ideas and views to the readers. And that is never good.

I also didn't care much for Atticus, the protagonist. He was too smug, too sure of himself. If he is 2000 years old I think he should be wise enough not to be too smug. I disliked him from the beginning and throughout the book the character didn't really grow in a positive way. He was just so powerful and magic and all-knowing and the action was lackluster at best because of it.

Another thing that bothered me (yes, a lot of things did in this book): Oberon, the wolfhound. I liked the fact that there was a talking dog and the discourse was hilarious some times, but I doubt a dog would speak like that even if he was taught to speak English. His thought processes were just... too human.

Even with all of these (major) flaws and the slow start (I considered stopping at first, it was boring) of the book, "Hounded" wasn't that bad. I've read worse Urban Fantasy debuts. It needed more character and world development and the plot wasn't exactly super original, but it was an interesting read (once the pace picked up, about 100 pages in) nonetheless. I've started the second book and it's much better so far, so I'd say that if Hearne can develop his world and main character properly the "Iron Druid series" does have potential.

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Cover Commentary: Pretty standard UF cover overall. But the model annoys me. I think it's the beard. I really don't like it. Plus, the guy looks about 15... not the image you want when depicting a 2100 year-old druid. Even if he's meant to be totally hip!

Opinião: Harry Potter e a Câmara dos Segredos

Harry Potter e a Câmara dos Segredos de J.K. Rowling

Editora: Editorial Presença (2011)

Formato: Capa Mole | 275 páginas

Géneros: Lit. Infanto-Juvenil, Fantasia, Fantasia Urbana

Descrição (Ed. Presença): "Os dias de Verão com os Dursleys estavam a tornar-se insuportáveis. Harry Potter já não gostava muito de muggles, mas o pior é que tinha de passar os seus dias de férias em casa dos muggles mais muggles de todo o planeta e arredores. Não havia maneira de voltar para a sua querida escola de feitiçaria... E ultimamente mesmo esse regresso se encontrava ameaçado, pois o duende Dobby não cessava de o avisar de que algo terrível o aguardava em Hogwarts... Nada mais nada menos do que a revelação dos misteriosos e ameaçadores poderes da câmara do segredos! O regresso do herói que está a conquistar jovens e adultos de todo o mundo numa aventura que te enfeitiçará até à última página."

O segundo livro da série Harry Potter leva-nos novamente a Hogwarts onde Harry está prestes a iniciar o seu segundo ano de aprendizagem.

No entanto, parece que as coisas não serão mais fáceis do que no primeiro. Durante o verão Harry recebe a visita de uma estranha criatura, Dobby o elfo doméstico, que o avisa de um grande perigo e lhe transmite uma mensagem: "Harry Potter não deve voltar para Hogwarts". Harry não fica muito contente com este aviso uma vez que Hogwarts se tornou o seu verdadeiro lar. Mas pouco depois de chegar, acontecimentos estranhos começam a desenrolar-se e Harry, Ron e Hermione precisarão de toda a sua coragem e perspicácia para descobrirem a sua origem.

"Harry Potter e a Câmara dos Segredos" é o segundo numa série de sete dedicado às aventuras de Harry Potter e dos seus amigos na escola de Magia e Feitiçaria de Hogwarts. Sempre achei que este livro era mais "para encher" do que outra coisa. Apesar dos nossos protagonistas se depararem com um mistério para resolver, não temos nesta segunda obra de J.K. Rowling um grande desenvolvimento do enredo geral (a saber: Voldemort e a importância de Harry na luta contra o feiticeiro negro).

Neste livro, Rowling estabelece mais vincadamente as características e comportamentos das suas personagens mais importantes (Harry, Ron, Hermione, Draco Malfoy, Dumbledore e Snape) sem nunca revelar muito acerca da sua real importância para a história da saga.

No final Dumbledore dá-nos mais alguma informação sobre a ligação entre Harry e Voldemort, mas este é sem dúvida o livro da série que se pode saltar sem grande perigo pois não contém nenhuma informação particularmente vital.

No geral, "Harry Potter e a Câmara dos Segredos" é mais uma leitura agradável que nos dá a conhecer mais pormenores sobre o mundo dos feiticeiros e sobre os protagonistas, mas que tem pouca importância em termos do enredo principal.

É de referir o excelente trabalho de revisão realizado pela Presença aquando do lançamento destas novas edições; ao comparar a minha edição mais antiga com esta, reparei que o texto flui melhor na de 2011 e faz muito mais sentido.

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Review: Touch of Frost

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Publisher: Kesington Publishing (2011)

Format:  Paperback | 350 pages

Genre(s): Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

Description (Goodreads): "My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy — a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest. But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why—especially since I should have been the one who died. . ."

WARNING: Contains SPOILERS!

Although I own several books by Jennifer Estep, I'd never read anything by her before. I like Urban Fantasy but the genre is so saturated that I am starting to be weary of any new series that comes out. That is why I postponed the reading of Estep's adult series. But as "Touch of Frost" seemed interesting and I was in the mood to read more about ancient myths (after Dark Descendant) I decided to give it a try.

I liked it. It was a good YA urban fantasy, even if it wasn't exactly original. The base story is a very common one: a boarding school filled with rich kids that have some supernatural power. In this case it's a school for "mythological warriors" (like Valkyries, Amazons, Vikings, Spartans, Romans and the likes) who are trained in the arts of combat so that they can later join the ongoing battle against the evil guys.

Of course our heroine, Gwen, ends up in Mythos Academy in a rather precipitous and slightly unrealistic way. She doesn't fit into any class of warrior so she is shunned by everyone. The only ability she has is the gift of psychometry which allows her to 'extract' feelings and images from any object or person.

When a student is murdered and an ancient artefact stolen Gwen decides to use her power to find out 'who did it'.

So, as you see, "Touch of Frost" isn't exactly the picture of originality, either in terms of story or character development. I'll admit Gwen was pretty cute and I loved that she was so nerdy, but Logan was pretty much a walking stereotype of the perfect YA male protagonist; he was a Spartan warrior and a serious bad boy who slept around but somehow ended up attracted to Gwen. I see how this may appeal to teen readers but I'm getting kind of tired of reading about the same characters over and over again.

I will say, though, that I liked Daphne... the popular kid turned geek was amusing to read about.

The plot wasn't very complex: it was a mixture of "whodunit" with everyday high school life. The usual. Parties, catty popular girls, the geeky protagonist falling for the bad and mysterious boy, etc.

As for the "mythology" and the basic concept behind Mythos Academy, it reminded me a bit of Harry Potter. Still, it was original enough. I wasn't particularly thrilled with Estep's definition of "mythological warriors" - as far as I know Spartans, Romans, Vikings and Celtics were pretty real - but I got her idea and I suppose a little creative license is okay.

Overall, while I liked "Touch of Frost" I have to say it isn't a book that stands out among all the similar-themed YA Urban Fantasy that I've read. The heroine was a definite strong point, but I think the author should try to be a little more original, even if I reckon it's pretty much impossible nowadays. Still, a gripping read that kept me interested in spite of lacking originality.

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