Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2)
Summary:
The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.
And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny. But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone, or something, starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects: Harry Potter himself? (Summary and cover courtesy of goodreads.com)
Review:
This year I reread the Harry Potter series (third time around for me) and since I reread all the books when each book was released, this is one of the ones I have read the most! Despite that, I find myself always a little less excited going into this book relative to the others. There are just so many squirm-worthy moments. Anytime Dobby tries to help, any time Harry tries to defend himself and anything involving Gilderoy Lockhart just has me wincing as I go through it. That being said, this book is of course still very good, but my least favorite of the series (unless we’re counting “Cursed Child”).
What I do like about this book is that it feels to me like it’s the book where Ron, Hermione and Harry cement their friendship. Despite their repeated rule-breaking in the first installment, it is in “Chamber of Secrets” where the trio makes an active effort to break the rules in the pursuit of the truth. Even when you know what’s coming, the big twist throughout the book keeps you on your toes as the plot develops. And in the end, this book does have one of the best quotes as called out by many people: "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” – Dumbledore.
Warning: Contains violence.
Rating: 5 stars!
Who should read it? Fantasy fans who need to find out what’s going on! If you skipped the first book, you’re still probably ok to pick it up here if you don’t want to go back.
Want to read the whole series?