Product ReviewsHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling (1999, Hardcover)

Great book!

I love the whole Harry Potter series. Love this book particularly. Got it as a replacement, as my original one was just worn out. Book was everything that was stated. New/Almost new condition. A tiny bit of shelf wear. Otherwise, it was perfect. Fairly fast ship. Well packaged. Well worth the money. Read full review...

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Fun and light fantasy read

I grew up reading these books. Now I'm getting to read them with my son. The story is great for kids. Lots of imagery and descriptions so it allows your mind to wander into the world of Harry Potter. We can all use a mental vacation away from the current reality we live in. The movies are good but the books provide a rich world of description and imagination. There are also a lot of things in the books that you don't know happen in from the films. Read full review...

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Voldemort Strikes Again

In the second book of the series, Harry eagerly returns to Hogwarts and his friends. But the school is shocked as cats, students and ghosts become petrified. Teachers nervously explain to their students how similar attacks happened years ago. The attacks back then ended when Hagrid was forced to part with his familiar, a giant spider, and was forbidden to ever use magic again. Unfortunately, a student died before Hagrid was brought to "justice". If a student dies this time, the school will certainly close.

When Jinny, Ron's sister, comes up missing, the Ministry finally acts and takes Hagrid to Azkaban Prison. Ron, Hermione and Harry don't believe it is him, and they set off to clear his name and rescue Jinny before it is too late.

I believe anyone who enjoyed The Sorcerer's Stone will also enjoy Chamber of Secrets and for the same reasons. The only thing that changed is the mystery that has to be solved. It is otherwise the same people doing the same things in the same setting. I don't fault Rowling for this. Hogwarts is an overwhelming place, there are lots of secrets that are yet to be revealed even now that the seventh book is complete. To leave the school grounds during the second book would have certainly given the reader a sense of missing something. The same could be said for the characters. They were so charming and fresh that the reader won't grow tired of them after only two books. The time for them to grow up comes all too quickly.

This is the first time JK really begins to prepare the reader for the mega plot that is the whole series. She introduces items and themes that will grow in importance later on. Some of them include learning to rely on themselves instead of adults (thanks to the vain Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher), the introduction of a horcrux (the diary of Tom Riddle), the Womping Willow, Aragog the Giant Spider and the Ministry's habit of trying to look like they are doing something instead of actually doing anything (arresting Hagrid on circumstantial evidence). All these and more will have special meaning in later books, but for right now they do just fine as part of the stand alone story.

The Chamber of Secrets is a true stand-alone story. A reader can enjoy it without reading any other book in the series. I think JK Rowling's greatest genius is shown by being able to introduce items that are interesting enough in their original context, yet have even greater significance later on.

John Holland-author of The Necklace of TerrersylvanousRead full review...

Full sized book is great. Avoid smaller cardboard bound versions.

Great for fans. Do be aware that there are several issues of the Potter books. The small ones are hard to read and have cardboard covers. For example, the better Scholastic versions are often 100 pages longer with bigger, well-spaced type. Check the book size before ordering.Read full review...

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Mandrakes, Mudbloods and Mysteries

The book Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets, is a story with many different characters. These characters are unusually easy to remember. The capability to recall the role, personality, and part in each of the harry potter books is due to the way Ms. Rowling can write a story that keeps a persons undivided attention do to its thrilling story line and plot. The story takes you on a magical adventure into some of the darker areas in the magical realm. This book being somewhat of a contrast to the first book that Ms. Rowling wrote, Harry Potter and The Sorcerers Stone. The contrast makes the book even more enticing. I would give this book a rating of, 9/10 for its visible action and the ability it has to keep a readers interest threw many hours of pure reading. I also gave it that rating do to the books capability to paint very precise pictures of what is going on in the story due to the great job that Ms. Rowling dose in describing the events that take place in the story.Read full review...

Between the new spirit spooking his school and the mysterious forces that turn students into stone, Harry has a lot on his mind as he begins his secon

You can really get into the book and its hard to put it down because you always want to know whats gonna happen next

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Just a good the 2nd time around!

I had previously owned the whole series and gave them away. In trying to replace the set, this is in as great a shape as what I let go of. No rips, dog-eared corners, and clean as a whistle. Reading it the 2nd time around, I'm picking up on what I didn't the 1st time (probably due to watching the movie).Read full review...

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Can't follow directions

Don't follow direction very well. Bought it for my mother's 90th birthday and asked to be mailed to her ( reply no ) received at my home
Book was great will buy from them again

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It's worth buying it

After reading the original of the recent hits and chart-topping Harry Potter series, I just had to read the second. It once again begins over summer vacation and takes Harry to his second year at Hogwarts, the best wizarding school of the day. But for some reason, people begin to be attacked by someone - or something. Harry, Ron, and Hermione start on another slew of detective work to find out what's going on, and how to save the students of Hogwarts...it's hard to give a plot summary without exposing the secrets of the ending, which, by the way, was a total surprise!

This book is truly engrossing, more intense and frightening than the first. I loved it! It was both fun and funny, much like the other two in the series. It is interesting to read, and I honestly think it appeals to all ages. Even older readers will enjoy being taken back to the days when the line between fantasy and reality was blurred, and all the books would keep any modern teenager enthralled. Harry Potter No. 2 actually kept me laughing throughout. At some points in the middle, the story may get slightly bland, but don't worry: the best part is yet to come. I love children's stories, have read many, and these are the best, most modern works out there. There's a reason they are so hot right now, and all these other 5-star reviews are deserved! This series breaks the ordinary mold of children's books which are not always written with the same flair J.K. Rowling successfully incorporates into the plot, and they each possess their own sense of magic, not allowing the reader to put the book down! The Harry Potter books are highly recommended! Other children's authors I enjoy are Roald Dahl, Louis Sachar, Mark Twain, C.S. Lewis, and E.B. White.Read full review...

Great Book

Exceptional book at a great value. Arrived sooner than expected

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