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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)

J.K. Rowling

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Sep 02, 2019 Sherry rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own, favourites

I love the Weasleys.

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Apr 25, 2017 Belisarius Carstairs rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: author-rowling-j-k, genre-fantasy, novels-books

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Harry is warned of danger by a house elf, finds himself in devastating trouble when he gets to Hogwarts and mudbloods are getting petrified all around the school.

When it comes to J.K Rowling's work, I'm always blown away by just how big the world is and how Rowling manages to hold back so much without making her books feel stuffy, more brimmed with magic around every corner and it's amazing how she's able to add so much with each new instalment with the franchise that made her a billionaire. We' Harry is warned of danger by a house elf, finds himself in devastating trouble when he gets to Hogwarts and mudbloods are getting petrified all around the school.

When it comes to J.K Rowling's work, I'm always blown away by just how big the world is and how Rowling manages to hold back so much without making her books feel stuffy, more brimmed with magic around every corner and it's amazing how she's able to add so much with each new instalment with the franchise that made her a billionaire. We've got a solid mystery with a who-done-it plot though this one is a lot deeper than last book. Tension building as we reach the climax though I feel it was a bit rushed at the end. We had a steady pace throughout most of the book, then the last three chapters sort of just flew by as fast as a nimbus 2001. A real shame, really.

At this stage, Ginny is no better than movie Ginny, grovelling at Harry's feet for his love.
Malfoy gets an introduction to his father, showing he has a high position through his father. He even flaunts about his father on occasion.
Hagrid gets put in the background this book which is a shame in my opinion.
Dumbledore is up to his usual mysterious tricks, playing is chess game with Voldemort and Harry.
McGonigal's first real stab at the limelight her character is shown as a competent leader, if somewhat weaker than the great Dumbledore, proving her place as Dumbledore's successor. I love the scene where her heart bleeds out for Harry and Ron when they say they're going to talk to petrified Hermione.
Nearly Headless Nick gets nicely fleshed out (if they had flesh) as Rowling reveals more about the cultures and morals of the dead.
We discover some of the members of Hufflepuff and discover what it means to be a true Hufflepuff.
This year's defence against the dark arts teach, Gildory Lockhart came across as a pathetic character, always flaunting abilities that other wizards have, gloating at every possible moment. I feel his character was simply annoying despite the book obviously being self aware.
We get a deep look into Ron's family. They play a very important part in this film. Ron, himself is quite weak a character, especially in this book with his broken wand
Hermione is becoming less of a Samaritan as Harry and Ron slowly corrupt her towards mischief and she's still the brain box, digging her head into as many books as possible though I'm not too keen of her silly interest in Lockhart.
Harry gains a love interest. Nothing too major really happens to Harry as a result of his actions other than Dumbledore's usual favouritism for the trio.

The story, though it follows similar lines, has plenty of new content thrown it it revealing more about the wizarding world The characters, most of them don't get much if anything good to go on. A number of them are quite weak but there are some gems.
7/10 ...more

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