Tomes of Spellcasting--Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Tomes of Spellcasting

Welcome to the land of mystery, where the impossible is possible, and the improbable the reality. Join me as I investigate worlds filled with magic and meet the souls that wield this wondrous powers.

W A R N I N G !

This review does not represent the opinions of the general public. It reflects my personal thoughts and opinions on the book.

That said, on to the review!

Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Author: J. K. Rowling
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Format: Hardcover
Copyright Date: 1998

After a turbulent summer with his detestable Muggle relatives, Harry's only glimmer of happiness is returning to Hogwarts School and his studies into magic and wizardry. Now, however, it seems as that, too, will be taken away from him. First, there's the sprite who, in hopes of protecting Harry, seems bent on completely ruining his life. Even fleeing to spend the remainder of his summer with the Weasleys is a mixed blessing since he's forced to return to Hogwarts--with and only with Ron Weasley--via Mr. Weasley's special car. And once back at Hogwarts everything seems to be going wrong. First there's the strange whispering speech that Harry--and only Harry--hears here and there in the main building. Then there's the way people keep turning up stiff and frozen--even a ghost, who shouldn't be able to be frozen like that--without any apparent cause. And of course, no year at Hogwarts would ever be normal without Draco Malfoy and his cronies there to torment him and cause all manner of troubles. Still, no one and nothing could ever compare to the terrible knowledge that Headmaster Dumbledore has been removed from his position by a envious, malicious, former follower of Voldemort. Will life at Hogwarts ever be the same again?

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is an excellent sequel to its predecessor, and the author has done a good job of differentiating the two books. This is not simply a continuation of Harry's life at Hogwarts, which had been--except for Voldemort's try for the Sorceror's Stone--rather idyllic when compared to his life with his Muggle relations. This time Harry's one hope for refuge in an increasingly miserable world has been taken away from him, and there's nothing to do but try to endure it.

One thing that has remained consistent from the first book to the second is Harry's good nature. After having lived--and suffered--for so long with his relatives, it would be only natural for Harry to be rather vindictive about the whole thing, and he does actually mention something about a curse. However, he remained a likeable fellow throughout the book. Even when he could be downright mean it was less because of ill will than just being a boy with a boy's feelings and views on things like girls and especially girls who are constantly studying and answering questions correctly and making the rest of the class look bad even if her hard work does make things better overall for their house. In this second book Harry shows that his goodness is still there in the way he puts up with hero worship, deals with a enslaved sprite, and copes with the suspicion and distrust of the entire school when everyone believes him responsible for all the frozen people. Now is that a good guy or what?

Well, I can't say much more without giving the entire story away, and you'd all hate it if I did that, right? Well, Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone was outstanding, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a worthy successor and sequel to it. So readers of the world unite! And give yourselves a terrific reading experience that you can share with others of all ages!

Rating: Thumbs up! If you thought year 1 with all its ups and downs and ups was great, wait until you see the downs and downs and ups of year 2!

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