Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2) in The Dusty Bookshelf

Apr 24, 2008 Jessica (Books: A true story) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: hardcover, own, paperback, amazon, kindle, blog, 5-stars, ebook-challenge-2012, re-read-2012, content-mild

My favorite thing about this book is how we get to see that wizards and Muggles are much the same. Mr. Weasley actually thinks that Muggles are fasinating and even "magical" in their own way. It's a nice little theme that I only picked up since it was my third time reading it. It's a subtle contrast to the "Muggle-born" hate the goes along with the opening of the Chamber of Secrets.

And enter Lockhart - the fun, semi-villain. He's fun to make fun of and laugh at but I think he represents a villan My favorite thing about this book is how we get to see that wizards and Muggles are much the same. Mr. Weasley actually thinks that Muggles are fasinating and even "magical" in their own way. It's a nice little theme that I only picked up since it was my third time reading it. It's a subtle contrast to the "Muggle-born" hate the goes along with the opening of the Chamber of Secrets.

And enter Lockhart - the fun, semi-villain. He's fun to make fun of and laugh at but I think he represents a villan that we are more likely to encounter in real life or even become ourselves if we're not careful. He's selfish, vain and will do anything to get ahead including hurting others.

Honestly, this book gave me chills when I first read it. I was not expecting what I considered to be a "kids" book to be scary. I had to finish it in one night so I could sleep. If I didn't find out how Harry got rid of the voices talking about blood and killing, my subconscious would have no way to fight back in my nightmares. I have nightmares about everything.

The magical world J.K. Rowling has built is so fantastic and unbelievably real that it makes me ask questions like, "Why is Peeves physical when ghosts are not and why is he afraid of the Bloody Baron?" And I seriously want an answer. There is no level of detail that is too much in my mind. I must know all the things about Hogwarts. And oh how I love Professor Binns. He's the ultimate old and boring teacher (another thing that Muggles sadly have, too).

I really can't get over how very relatable this book is to kids. It deals with the big and small struggles that kids go through every day. It shows how the characters deal with unfairness and how tedious and boring school can be. And Harry really acts like a kid - he doesn't tell Dumbledore important things in the fashion of any kid who is afraid. Who as a kid didn't tell their parents something even though they knew they should?

After reading it for the third time, it's fun to pick up on the foreshadowing that I missed. I'm noticing that Ms. Rowling often disguises important things as jokes or just another detail to make the world more interesting and colorful. Ooh I just get chills when they figure out who Moaning Myrtle is. See? She's important although at first she appeared to just be a colorful character to annoy them in the bathroom.

I can't end this review without the best quote of the book:

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

- J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (p. 333)

This book is also reviewed on my blog Books: A true story

Read to kids March 19, 2016-may 14, 2016 ...more

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Sep 09, 2007 Casey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: love-for-reading-starts-at-birth, approved-for-future-progeny, hic-sunt-dracones

My 2014 reread of Harry Potter continues with the second book in the series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Again, I don’t think it will be particularly effective for me to actually attempt to review the book, both because almost everyone has read it, and I’m far too biased anyway. So, as with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, I’ll just type until I feel done typing, and the consider that my review.

The Chamber of Secrets has never been my favorite Harry Potter book: in fact, it be ...more

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Aug 21, 2007 Avanders rated it really liked it

Shelves: young_adult, sci-fi-fantasy

Interestingly, the second book was not as good as the first (on a re-read, years later). The first book introduces the reader and Harry to a whole new world at the same time; the second book has frustrating moments where the reader thinks things like **SPOILER ALERT** [for those RARE souls who have not read the series but are somehow still interested in reading a review so many years after the book has come out ;)]

(view spoiler) Interestingly, the second book was not as good as the first (on a re-read, years later). The first book introduces the reader and Harry to a whole new world at the same time; the second book has frustrating moments where the reader thinks things like **SPOILER ALERT** [for those RARE souls who have not read the series but are somehow still interested in reading a review so many years after the book has come out ;)]

(view spoiler)

It wasn't terribly surprising that the first book, written so many years ago, was weak, or even that the first two were weaker than the rest of the series... what was surprising was that the 2nd was so much weaker than the 1st. Fortunately for me then and now, and fortunately for all the other HP readers, the 3rd is right there at your fingertips, so no need to dwell on the weaknesses of the 2nd (despite the fact that I just have in this review).

Don't get me wrong. I love these books. I thoroughly enjoyed re-reading 1 and 2, but I was reminded why this is, to me, the weakest book in the series. Still, a 4 star, but not magically delicious like the rest of 'em. ...more

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Apr 19, 2008 Celeste rated it really liked it

This is not my personal favorite of the seven book, but you have to love Professor Lockhart and those pesky pixies. Lockhart gave the book such comic fare and as alway Harry had quite an adventure. I think this may be the weak book in the series, but it is my daughter's favorite. I've yet to review my personal favorite. ...more

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