Rating: 
Summary: Great story, with one troubling flaw
Review: Rowling's books are great fun and I would heartily recommend them to anyone. However, there is one grating flaw in the first two books I've read that troubles me and disrupts the "willing suspension of disbelief." This is the author's sad lack of knowledge about snake anatomy. It wouldn't be that important, except that snakes play such an important part in the second book. First of all, snakes DO NOT have eyelids; secondly, they DO NOT have ears, and therefore can't hear. The former fact makes it impossible for the Brazilian snake to wink at Harry in Sorcerer's Stone; the second fact makes the entire notion of Harry's "Parsletongue" abilities completely ridiculous. Now, I realize that this is a fantasy book, and I'm all for believing in witches, werewolves, and the like, but when you take a real-life animal such as a snake and, without explanation, make terrible anatomical mistakes, then there's a problem. The author should be more careful with such matters in the future. However, let me say again that these books are a joy to read, and the characters are all great fun! Highly recommended
Rating: 
Summary: A SPECTACULAR SEQUEL!!!!!
Review: Rowling's series is just so wonderful, I can't begin to offer enough praise. Sorceror's Stone is a fantastic read, and the sequel is just as good, if not better. It has more mystery and suspense than the first. I'm a children's librarian and the response we get from our patrons for these books is just remarkable. The kids and I have wonderful discussions about Harry. I cannot wait until the third one. Ms. Rowlings is such a gifted writer.
Rating:
Summary: Harry Potter is outstanding
Review: Rowlings book Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was not only very well written, but quite entertaining. An audience of any age or background can enjoy this book. The way Rowling uses the characterization of Harry is quite impressive. She has developed a well-rounded character who brings life to an otherwise ordinary boy. The way she uses so many well-developed characters helps keep the story going. Ron and Hermoine, although playing the sidekicks, are very developed and play such a great role in Harry's adventures. Also her static characters add so much intrigue and at times comic relief. The pace of the plot is very quick so you never loose interest in the story line. She uses such great twists in the plot that it is almost impossible to lose interest in this book. Although at times a little juvenile, the writing style holds your attention with her use of imagery. This use of imagery painted graphic pictures at every moment in the book. This is one of the most entertaining books I have read. As a person not interested in magic or any type of science fiction, the magical influence was most intriguing. She must have one of the most interesting imaginations of most of the authors in this genre. I would give this book a 9.5 out of 10 because of its superb writing and its entertainment value. The only aspect of the book I did not like was the way the book focused on the Polyjuice Potion but it did not really affect the plot all that much.
Rating:
Summary: Better than the movie
Review: Saw the movie before reading the book. Bad move. The book is a lot richer than the movie. It is such a wonderful and hard to put down book. Went through the whole series (what is available) in record time. Cannot wait for the next book to come out.
Rating:
Summary: Is Harry Harmless or Horrible?
Review: Shrinking keys, pumpkin juice, and phoenix teardrops...Wow!Rowling grabs on to an imaginative whirlwind and invites us to comealong! There's no doubt this lady can write. The story, thoughwell-plotted, never overwhelms us. Even as a sequel, it manages tostand on its own two feet. The characters, old and new, range fromvibrant to moody, likeable to despicable. Above all, the scenes arememorable and enchanting. Enchanting? Hmm. Now this is where theChristian armada fearfully fires its cannons. Is Harry harmless orhorrible? That is the question. And a fair one for parents wishing toguide their children on any sort of moral path. Harry Potter is anorphan, raised by spiteful relatives, and he's sorely neglected untilhe discovers his wizard heritage. Each book follows a year of hisschooling at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy, and, along theway, he battles jealous children, vicious Quidditch opponents(Quidditch is a magical ballgame played on flying broomsticks), andthe followers of the Dark Arts. In particular,He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named (shhh...the name's Voldemort), stands as hisrecurring nemesis. Rowling cleverly pieces together her stories,wittily drawing her imaginary world, carefully placing clues andhints, and speeding us toward a satisfying climax. As aparent--and a Bible-believing one, at that--should I base my decisionson the paranoid public's opinion? No, I've trod that path one toomany times. (And no, I never did believe Saddam Hussein was theAnti-Christ!) So, having finished the second Harry Potter book--yes,I read the first as well--here I sit, attempting to set forth myopinion... Harmless or horrible? Harry is a little of both. Ifyou are a concerned, but somewhat open-minded and reasonable parent,read these for yourself and decide if they're age appropriate for yourchild. Is Harry the pied piper of children's fiction, leading themasses toward dark and evil hobbies? Certainly not. This is the typeof ridiculous hysteria that labels most of us Christians as "thelunatic fringe." Will some children be nudged toward an interestin witchcraft and wizardry? Even its supporters can't, with anopen-mind, deny that it's a good possibility. I do believe a certainsort of kid, alienated and insecure, might be drawn into these booksand wander, even unintentionally, into the real world of the occult.(Check for relating subjects under this books listing here at Amazonand you'll see what I mean.) Ultimately, each parent--and/or eachchild--must make a choice if they decide to read these books...achoice to recognize them as fun and harmless entertainment, ratherthan enpowering them with horrible rumors and exaggeratedcomments. No, I don't believe that good and evil draw their powerfrom the same source, and that is the underlying quarrel I have withRowling's philosophy here. As the Bible says, Can a spring produceboth sweet and bitter water? Personally, I would allow my daughter toread this book and use it as an opportunity to explain thisdifference, an opportunity for her to learn to recognize thedifference between "sweet and bitter water." For those whoare horrified by this series, spend your energy encouraging the nextC.S. Lewis to rise up instead of fueling the fires of Harry's growingpopularity. If imagination is a God-given gift (I believe it is),then where are those who'll put the gift to use? Rowling, no doubt,is putting her gift to use. Whether or not you appreciate her messageis for you to decide.
Rating:
Summary: The Prisoner of Rowling's Every Word
Review: Since everything I could possibly say about this book has probably been said by the preceding 1750 reviewers, let me make this as quick as possible: 1) All the humor from the first book is still here. 2) This is the textbook definition of a perfect sequel. Keep in mind that there aren't too many of these (think of Star Wars and Godfather). Perfect sequel: in the style of the predecessor; moves grand plot forward; new characters do not detract/distract the old ones. 3) Gilderoy Lockhart is the reincarnation of Gaston in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Did I feel slighted? Not in the least. Not when it's done this well. 4) Do I want to read the next one? You better believe it. About the only bad part was the last scene with the Head Evil Dude (inevitable, like that big boss you fight at the end of each level in a godzillion video games), which, again like the end of the first book, was just too...childish. That's about the only word that fits. I had the same complaint with the first book, so at least she's consistent (and I am, too). The more I think about this, the more I believe that this is an inherent, unavoidable feature for this type of a story. So take my diss with a grain of salt. - SJW
Rating:
Summary: My least favorite of the series, but still great
Review: Since I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone after seeing the movie, I was very excited to read this book as it would be the first time I would get to read J.K. Rowling's wonderful story about the most famous wizard since Merlin without knowing what was going to happen next. That fact alone kept me turning pages even faster than the first book, but when I finished, I didn't feel that same sense of greatness that the first book posessed. Back is Rowling's masterful storytelling and ingenious plot stucturing. So too are her marvelous characters and witty dialogue. Gone is the long set up as we already know who Harry Potter is and his place in the story, but in it's place is a bit frustrating introduction to the most annoying character in all her books, a pathetic creature -- the house elf, Dobby. The kids have all been to Hogwarts the previous year, so some of the splendid detailing and discovery of the school seems missing. Fortunately that leaves room for more focus on the action of the story. In the first book, I was amazed at how skillfully Rowling was able to conceal the true nature of the plot while keeping the characters and the readers right in the middle of it. In the end, everything fits together. After seeing how she crafted her mystery and the way she used red herrings, I was confident that I would not be so fooled the second time around. This time I knew what to expect, but like a good magician, Rowling doesn't show you the same illusion twice. Again, everything fits in the end, but what you thought might be happening wasn't even close. Rowling introduces several new supporting characters as well as continuing to develop the returning characters. Some of these characters are there only to add flavor to this book, while others actually have important rolls in the overall saga (as discovered in later books). Their existence helps to keep the book fresh and new. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a worthy continuation of the saga of Harry Potter that has everything the reader has come to expect after reading the first book. It doesn't feel complete, however. Where the first books was the story of an unlikely boy turned hero, complete and of it's own, this book feels more like the first chapter of a bigger story. Indeed, this feeling is confirmed by the time you have read book four. Even though I didn't rate this book five stars, to the Harry Potter fan, this will likely be just as enjoyable as any five star book out there.
Rating:
Summary: CAN WE SAY, GOOD BOOK?
Review: so awesome. this book is just so darn awesome!!!!! Harry is the most ingenious little character, the plot is original, the style is cute, the ending is extremely likable. PLEASE, MISS ROWLING, CAN I HAVE SOME MORE????/
Rating:
Summary: harry potter and the chamber of secrets
Review: So far i have read all three book from harry potter and let me tell you that since i was born i had been looking for books like this ones that could transport my imagination to a magic and wisdom kingdom. I higly recommend all the three books and i look forward for the next at least 4 books. And i say at least 4 books due to the fact that harry potter got to stay at hogwarts to finish his schooling, total 7 years.
Rating:
Summary: Magical Harry Potter
Review: So far this is a great book. I haven't finished this book, but it is great. So far Harry has gone to Hogwarts school for Witchcraft and Wizardy, now for his second yeear. This time it's just a little different. Now the Chamber of Secrets has been opened somewhere in the school. The question is by who? What is attacking the kids? How do you stop the attacks? The only way to find out is to read the book. This is the kind of book that is so suspenseful that you can't put the book down. I know I can't. This is also a book that cheers you up. That is why I recommend you to read this great book: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
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