BOOK REVIEW : HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS BY J.K.ROWLING
It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.
-HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS (J.K.Rowling)
TITLE : Harry Potter And The Chamber of Secrets
AUTHOR : J.K.Rowling
GENRE : Middle Grade, YA, Fantasy
FBRC RATING : 5 stars
BLURB:
“There is a plot, Harry Potter. A plot to make most terrible things happen at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year.”
Harry Potter’s summer has included the worst birthday ever, doomy warnings from a house-elf called Dobby, and rescue from the Dursleys by his friend Ron Weasley in a magical flying car! Back at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for his second year, Harry hears strange whispers echo through empty corridors – and then the attacks start. Students are found as though turned to stone… Dobby’s sinister predictions seem to be coming true.
FBRC REVIEW :
Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets is a great follow-up to the Philosopher’s stone. The book was exquisite. The story was extremely entertaining and engaging from the very beginning till the end. Harry starts off his journey with adventures and his join him on each of them.
Dobby is a great character with a lot of quirks. I loved how he wanted to keep safe but at the same time seem to do things that ultimately ended with Harry getting into one trouble or the other. I liked Dobby and how despite his loyalty and duty is to serve his Master he feels the need to warn Potter of the dangers awaiting him at Hogwarts.
Dursleys seem to be even more difficult. They are full-on making Harry’s life miserable. There is no way out for Harry out of his prison-like life at Dursleys.
Flying cars, missing Hogwarts train, monster trees, broken wand, puking slugs, never a dull moment for the Harry-Ron duo.
The entire school year is even more interesting this time around with the new Defence Against Dark Arts Teacher, Professor Lockhart. Man, was he a great character. He was so full of himself and every time he opened his mouth, I wanted to roll my eyes at whatever he had to say.
Malfoy was his annoying self. He definitely hates Harry Potter. He is so jealous of him and kind of wants what Potter has. He was such a brat on most of the occasions. Snape supporting him or ignoring his bullying definitely didn’t help the matters.
I liked Snape much more in this book than the Philosopher’s stone. He was great when it came to Lockhart shading him at times. His attitude towards Harry hasn’t improved much, but at least we know he is not out to kill Harry.
Hermione is less of a pain-in-butt for Harry and Ron and often participates willingly in their adventures. She comes with plans to help Harry out. Their dynamics as friends are definitely improving.
Hagrid, as usual, is a great character. He is so good to the trio and always is the one to bring home dangerous creatures. He is such a softie. I love Hagrid so much.
Dumbledore is being Dumbledore. He knows things but refuses to tell them. It’s almost as if he wants Harry to be equipped to fight things on his own. I guess it could be a strategy to shaping him into the Greatest Wizard who will ultimately have the courage and confidence to deal with Voldemort.
Moaning Myrtle was interesting, to say the least. Her character was definitely colorful. I loved the Ghost party scene as well. A lot of it was funny.
We get to see different kinds of magic at play here in this book. The new monsters introduced in the book give us entertaining moments. The history of the school is introduced in more detail. We see Voldemort trying to finish Harry off forever.
Overall the book was definitely better in my opinion than the first book in the series. I loved how everything came together bringing us another adventure-filled action packed plot. I gave it a 5 stars. Definitely check it out if you haven’t read it already. Let me know in the comment section below, out of the first 2 books in the series, which one did you enjoy the most??