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Summary: Would you believe there are sites all over the web...
Review: ...which warn that Harry Potter books are part of a satanic plot to capture the minds of our children? The point they all raise is the obvious one, of course--the central theme of Potter books is sorcery and witchcraft: "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live", and so on. ...But Rowling gives her books a family dimension. Her important characters all have families, even if they are lousy ones--Harry's, for example. In this book in particular, we get to meet the large, wacky and loving family of Harry's friend Ron. We already met Ron's brothers as upperclassmen in "Sorcerer's Stone"--now we meet his parents and kid sister. We meet Draco Malfoy's father and discover why he's so mean-spirited--he's a "chip off the old block". We get a look backwards in time at "dropout" Hagrid as a difficult student and Dumbledore as an young professor trying to bring him round, which includes an insight as to why Hagrid failed. Issues like bigotry are addressed--such as the disdain "pure-blooded" wizards have for those with "muggle" (non-sorcery people) or mixed (one wizard and one "muggle") parentage. Purebloods such as Malfoy & Son call them "mud-bloods"...In truth, this series is in keeping with a lot of other youth-readership fiction. It sends a great message about human dignity--what sort of behavior and attitudes are consistent with it, as well as what sort harm it. When a writer can do that and still tell an enjoyable story, that writer is going to be a big success in the "kid book" genre...
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Summary: Getting better all the time
Review: .Even though I missed the quidditch matches and the more intricate look at Harry's friendships that were in book 1, this book still far surpasses it in overall draw and excitement. I now longer wish I was still a kid, because now I can fully enjoy the books at my age. No wonder they're so beloved!
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Summary: Disappointing, but still not bad
Review: 3 1/2 stars would probably be more accurate, but 4 is what it gets. I'll dispense with plot description, as I'm sure it's covered in at least a hundred other reviews, and limit myself to comments. First, where does this book stand in the series? It reads like an expository work, with a great deal of explanatory information. However, Rowling already did that in the first book, and more explicitly. Nor does it make a dweeper sweep into the plot, especially compared to the next two books. So, it's a misfit, and a book that reads almost as though it's just meant to get you through to the next year and book. Second, the characters introduced aren't particularly interesting or imaginative. Halfway through the book, I was ready to grab a black marker and destroy all of Lockhart's appearances, I was so aggravated. Dobby's character was only slightly less annoying to me. I presumed those mannerisms were given for comic relief, but they failed in my eyes. Okay, that's enough of why I disliked the book. Now for why you should read it. First, it's entertaining. Not as much as the others, in my eyes, but still an enjoyable way to spend a few hours. Second, it's part of the series. I know what this implies, that it wouldn't be as good a book on its own, but that's what I mean. As I said earlier, it contains key plot information, and, well, it's Harry Potter, the new Narnia chronicles, absent Lewis's religious piety.
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Summary: Even More Impressive Than the First.
Review: When I started the second book, I was wondering wether or not J.K. Rowling was a one trick pony. Could she duplicate the same kind of magic that inticed me to the first Harry Pooter book? The answer, is yes. Not only does the book get more intelligent, but the situations thrown at the characters are even more intense. And the whole story has a very dark tone to it that made it a very creepy but fun read. The introduction of Dobby the house-elf is wonderful, and the reader ends up wanting to care about him, even though he may not seem on the up-and-up. The new teacher at the school is also fun to read. His "Focus on me attitude" makes it seem like I'm reading some sort of auto-biography of a Hollywood actor turned drama teacher. The darker theme of the book is a pleasant surprise, and further supports what I've been saying about how kids today can handle more dramatic pieces of work, while still wanting to support the heros of the story.
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Summary: The 2nd is much better than the first. A must read!
Review: @nd book is a thriller, Much better than the first
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Summary: This is one of the best books I have ever read!
Review: A brilliant book, I loved it. Even my sister and brother love it. We talk about it all the time. My brother, who is 4, even made me start playing games with him about it
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Summary: I hope this series never ends
Review: A excellent book. I read it in one day. Every page was fullof mystery ,excitment, and adventure. J.K. Rowling, keep'em coming.
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Summary: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is da bomb!
Review: A flying car came to Harry Potter's window and flew him away saving him from his evil aunt, uncle, and cousin Dudley. This is the opening of the book "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" by J.K. Rowling.In Harry's second year of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry, wierd stuff has been happening. Someone or something is petrifing the students at Hogwarts, Harry keeps on hearing strange noises, and he gets chased by a bludger in a wild quidditch game. All these events are mysteriously connected to the opening of the Chamber of Secrets. With the help of his friends Ron and Hermoine Harry tries to figure out if his enemy Malfoy is the heir of Slytherin, the one predicted long ago to open the Chamber.
I liked this book because it was exciting and unpredictable. I think that if you want a good exciting book then you should read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
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Summary: Magnetizing, but too dark for kids.
Review: A friend bought my children the first three books in the series, so I previewed them. I had a hard time putting them down, I must admit. However, the violence level is horrifying. In Prisoner of Azkaban, the lead evil wizard kills thirteen people while laughing maniacally. Not kids stuff.
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Summary: These books Rock!
Review: A friend lent me the first book to read. I couldn't put it down! I went out and bought this (the 2nd) book and it was greatness all over again. The characters are unbelievable! The magic and wonders of Hogwarts School and everybody in it (especially Harry) is fabulous reading for the whole family.
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