Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets — J.K. Rowling

July 18, 2019

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

TITLE: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)
AUTHOR: J.K. Rowling
GENRE: Fantasy
AGE RANGE: MG

SYNOPSIS:
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?

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| book 1 |

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

I believe I got most of my incoherent, rambling gushing out of the way with my review of the first book, so I’ll just talk about why I like Chamber of Secrets even better than The Sorcerer’s Stone. To be fair, I actually enjoy the plot of the first book a little bit more thoroughly, but I love the progressions made with the characters and world in this installment.

“Of all the trees we could’ve hit, we had to get one that hits back.”

Now that Rowling’s built up things enough for us to get a feel for the series—she’s pretty well set the stage by the time you start the second book, if you will—the humor absolutely shines in this book. I read this entire book in one sitting and laughed my way through the entire thing. I had honestly forgotten how hilarious the quips and one-liners are, and maybe that’s partially nostalgia talking, but I just think these kids are precious.

“Because that’s what Hermione does,” said Ron, shrugging. “When in doubt, go to the library.”

If I had to pick any one thing that stood out to me about this reread experience, it’s how much my views have shifted on little Ron Weasley. As a kid, I never liked him much—blasphemy, I know! I loved Harry and Hermione (and still adore them both), but Ron always struck me as the whiny, vaguely rude sidekick. As an adult, I’m seeing him in a whole new light. I found him so much more adorable than I ever had before, and I’ve just now begun to really recognize how absolute his affections are for his loved ones. (Sorry, someone’s cutting onions around here…)

“You will find that I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me.”

If you, like me, haven’t reread this series in a long time, let me urge you to pick it up again, because as you can see, going through this journey again now is showing me so many new things I can’t believe I didn’t value enough to begin with.

5stars

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More about Destiny @ Howling Libraries

Just a horror aficionado/geek girl trying to juggle motherhood, reading, blogging, gaming, and everyday life.

Leave a comment
    1. I agree with you about Ron. I really didn’t like him much my first couple of read throughs of the series.I used to make it a tradition to read the series every year but that hasn’t happened in a while. I may need to schedule a reread soon :]
      For now, I am really enjoying seeing it through your eyes :]

      1. Thank you love! 🙂 I’m glad I’m not alone about Ron haha. I feel like so many people are stunned when I tell them I didn’t care much for him in the past! Oh well… I hope you get to reread the books soon. <3

    1. SAKLJDKLASJDLKA SAME ABOUT RON. Like, I never disliked him??? But my latest reread made him one of my absolute favorite characters in the series!

    1. Lovely review, Destiny! Ah, you’re making me want to reread the books now! Haha! I was never very fond of Ron the first time I read the books, but I have begun to see him in a different light whenever I revisit the books from time to time. I still do prefer Harry and Hermione over him tho! ?

    1. I need to reread HP but will I ever find time? That is to be decided… Great review though, I love hearing the thoughts of a reread, especially from a blogger/reviewer because I feel like the hobby certainly shifts how you view books, even old favourites and staples.

      1. Ugh, rereads are so hard to justify sometimes, aren’t they?! I reread this back in Feb or March and still haven’t picked up Azkaban for a reread. I’m hoping to soon though. And thank you <3 <3

    1. I loved this, you got me in my feels about Ron and I’m not even mad about it! I’m planning on talking more about the HP series next year and I’m sure there are gonna be more than one rant about the Weasley family because I have a lot of thoughts!
      As far as CoS goes, it’s one of my favourites in the series which I know is pretty controversial because most people skip it BUT I love it! It shows the trio working more as a team and Gilderoy Lockhart never fails to make me crack a smile even though he’s an absolutely dreadful guy!

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