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

All aboard the Hogwarts Express for another journey through a magical, dark, thrilling and hilarious Harry Potter book! Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is just as good as it’s predecessor, if not better, in my opinion. It’s always been one of my favourite films, so I was excited to read the book, and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s another enchanting journey through the wizarding world and I was excited to enter it. Again, on the long dark days, it was a treat to look forward to. An idyllic escape from the recent horrific world events involving Paris.

At the beginning of this book, Harry is back at the Dursley’s family home on Privet Drive, wishing away the holidays in his impatience to be back at Hogwarts. He is paid a visit by a strange house-elf called Dobby, who forbids him to return to the school, and gets him into all sorts of trouble, resulting in Harry’s bedroom being turned into a highly secure prison cell. Yep, bars on his window and everything.

Which leads to the excitement involving a flying car belonging to Ron’s father – Mr Weasley, featured on the front cover of the book. Harry and Ron’s form of transport to Hogwarts.

But before term starts, Harry is treated to a couple of weeks staying in Ron’s house which was fantastic to read about! It was great to get a bit of background in how witches and wizards live outside of school. We read about de-gnoming gardens, unusual wizardry furnishings, and another magical visit to Diagon Alley!

Before term even starts, Ron and Harry are plunged into deep trouble when six or seven Muggles see them flying the magical car. As underaged magic is forbidden outside of school, the situation is addressed severely, and at one point, Harry and Ron think that they might be expelled! Thankfully, they aren’t, but Ron does receive a letter called a Howler from his Mother, which makes great reading!

So the story centres around the focal-point in the title – the Chamber of Secrets, a mysterious, untraceable hideout located somewhere in Hogwarts, only known to have been opened once before. When it is opened again, pandemonium descends on Hogwarts, which is nolonger considered to be a safe place to be. As always, Harry, Ron and Hermione embark on a quest to uncover the truth, resulting in Harry facing his worst fear – yet again…

A phenomenal read. Such great fun, yet creepy and frightening. I can’t wait to read and review the third book in the series Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban. Thanks for reading. 🙂