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 Sarima89

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 Taylor J

I found this installment in the Harry Potter series was not the best. I have read the whole series and this was definitly my least favourite. I found it a slow read and not really intriguing. However, the whole concept seemed quite interesting at first. The whole Tom Riddle being a memory was quite interesting but I found it strange when a bunch of Mudbloods became petrified, however I do realize it was explained, and it was obvious that J.K. Rowling was trying to make it even more interesting when Hermione was petrified but it was obvious she was going to be ok.

Reader reviewed by ANNIE

It is an awsome book and as compared to the other harry potter books it is one of the best if you read J.K.Rowling you must read this.It has a few scenes that the movie din't haveand they are very imaginative.J.K.R has an amazing imagination.It's a great book and a must!!(though the philosopher's stone was better).

Reader reviewed by lulabell0513

The idea of an ancient monster silently stalking and mysteriously killing students who are not of pure blood at Hogwarts, on the orders of the memory the young man who grew up to be HeWhoMustNotBeNamed, that came out of the diary of a young innocent girl is kind of creepy but very exciting and a great idea for a book. I loved it! One more masterpiece from the mind of the legendary J.K. Rowling!

Reader reviewed by SNooGaNZ

this book is the definition of awesome if u like magic adventure and action then read!!! read it i say!!!u will love getting excited over the turn of every page... harry and his friends go further into hogwarts and discover about what happened many years ago in the chamber of secrets...read on...