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

I remember watching this movie on VHS at my grandmothers with my cousin while we wrapped Christmas presents. We would try to pronounce Hermione's name and giggle at how adorable Ron was.

That was so, so many years ago, and now I'm finally reading the books.

The Chamber of Secrets, for a lack of better word, is HELLA interesting.

Riddle's diary.
Tom being super creepy, but also kinda charming.
Hagrid as a boy.
The car.
The spiders.
The chickens.
Draco being a dick.
Moaning Myrtle.
Dobby!
Professor Lockhart.
Our main trio's friendship.
The Weasley's!

Everything about this book is grand. No complaints. Perfection.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second book in the Harry Potter series, and is about Harry's eventful second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Before he even got on the train to school, Harry is visited by 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 Lockheart, 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 human statues. 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?

The second book of the Harry Potter series has always been one of my favourite, I've always loved the basilisk, hiding down in the basement of a school. The whole diary and riddle mystery always puts me on the edge of my seat, and I just have to keep reading, even through the last quarter of the AFL grand final (which my team did win!!! Don't worry, I finished it before the winning goal!).

I love the characters in this book. The author has all her characters fit certain roles, and it all works perfectly. With the three main characters, the rival and even the enemy, this book has it all. They are all perfect, and so is the rest of the book, and you will be hooked on the first page of the book, this is a must read.

And this book contains my favourite sentence:
"The Chamber of Secrets has been opened,
Enemies of the heir, beware"

If you read the first book in the Harry Potter series, you must read this one too! It is even better than the first, with more mysteries and secrets to keep you hooked. My friend recommended this series to me, and I usually don’t like fantasy, but this was a great book. If you like fantasy and mystery, this is definitely the book for you. It is an interesting and exciting read that I couldn’t put down. Full of adventure, mystery, and even some humor, you will definitely be hooked by the first chapter! The suspense and mystery keeps you reading, wanting to know what will happen next.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery and fantasy or just wants something different to read. There are so many characters who kids and adults alike can relate to, which makes reading this book so enjoyable for many people. After all, a book so famous and internationally loved has to be great! Overall, a great read for basically everyone, I would strongly recommend this fascinating and amazing story to all!

I loved our second year at Hogwarts. Dobby is introduced, more of Voldemort's backstory is revealed, and the castle begins to give up more of its secrets. The friendships are deepened, the characters are as fabulously compelling as they were the year before, and we are once again seduced by the magic of Harry's wizarding world. I highly recommend.

Reader reviewed by GRgenius

The Harry Potter series casts its magical spell once again in the second installment, 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets".  We find Harry experiencing (notice I didn't say enjoying) his summer at the Dursley's home...shut off from the wizarding world entirely.  Now, I don't just mean removed from Higwart's; we are talking total cut off.  His friends are not even writing to him, leaving Harry wondering if he has been forgotten.  All seems to be going along the same lines of mistreatment until an unexpected visitor arrives. 

Hmmm...perhaps arrives is not the right word, let's go with shows up.  Dobby, the house elf to a darker wizard family, has arrived to save Harry Potter's life.  The only way this can be done is if Harry promises not to go back to Hogwart's.  Might as well be asking him not to breathe, so of course he does not agree.  Mayhem ensues, but good triumphs once again with Harry's escape to the Weasley residence.  Harry is welcomed with open arms and soon the tricky trio are back together...in Diagon Alley for school supplies!  This year, Gilderoy Lockhart, author of many books and heart throb to the ladies, will be teaching the Defense Against the Dark Arts course....can't wait to see how that turns out (well, I know, I read it....but you may not have!).  While purchasing the necessities, an unexpected, and frankly unwelcome, meeting with Lucious and Draco Malfoy follows, leaving all with a bitter taste in their mouths. 

Alas, summer is over, and it is time to return to Hogwart's!  But, what's this?  They can't get on the platform to board the train?  In what should have been an ideal return to his true home away from home, Harry is met with far more obstacles than anticipated.  From wild flying cars, to the Whomping Willow, to frightening new abilities....maybe Harry should have heeded Dobby's warning?  Will Harry be able to save the school from the newest evil unleashed?  Will he survive the encounter?

I'm not one to spoil the ending for potential readers and so I will close my review (spoilers are lurking in my text!).  All I can say is that if you were a fan of the first book, you will love the second and anticipate the third.....happy reading!

Reader reviewed by HoopsGirl27

Reader reviewed by Nicki

Harry Potter is starting his second year at Hogwarts along with his two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, and Ron's little sister is beginning her fi rst year. Not long after school started, Harry began to hear an odd whispering moving through the school. As he followed the sound with Hermione and Ron on his heels they came across a wall with the words "The Chamber of Secrets is Opened. Enemies of the heir; beware" along with the wheezy old caretakers cat hung by it's tail petrified. Sparking a series of odd events and petrified students. After Hermione is found petrified, with a note curlded in her fist reading only one word "basilisk", it is up to Harry and Ron to find the elusive Chamber of Secrets and stop whatever is within..

Reader reviewed by Shelby

I have to say that all of the Harry Potter books are good. What I liked about this book is that it's always a whole new adventure. I also liked that in the end Harry saves Rons sister Jenny from the evil voldermont. Theres nothing that I can say that I don't like about this book. This book is just great, if you haven't read the Harry Potter books go and read them. I like how Harry faces problems but eventually overcomes it and accoplishes whatever needs to be accomplished. To me these books would be a good read for both girls, boys and adults because they just seem so relateable. There not really kids books but there not really adult books either there sort of in between.

Reader reviewed by Kath

if you are looking for a book that is easy to read, fun, exciting and magic, this is the book for you.
Harry potter is a great serie. All the books are great!!!One you Started you just cant stop.
This book is the begening of Harry potter the wisard. He discovers that he's a wisard and goes to a wisard school, where he fianly makes friends. Together they discover that Poulard (the school) is protecting something verry important, witch is in danger and they decide to  take matters in their own hands by puting their new wisard skils to the test...  
a easy book to read filled with magic, fun, adventure, etc.
if you are one of the few that has not read it...do it!!!
Kath

Reader reviewed by emmynoodle

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second chilling novel of J.K Rowlings seven book series. In this book, yet another event happens to Harry that is unexpected, and could possibly put him in grave danger. He has to seek help of his best friends Ron Weasly and Hermione Granger to get him past obstacles that will change his life forever.