Why Follow the Spiders?

“You will also find that help will always be given at 

Hogwarts to those who ask for it.” ~ Albus Dumbledore

It was over a year ago that I promised to review Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and this seems like the perfect week to do it. I'm reviewing the books out of order, but since it's my favorite series of all time, I will eventually get them all done!

Harry has had a terrible summer, which is no surprise since he is back with his aunt, uncle, and cousin. To make matters worse he didn’t hear from any of his friends from Hogwarts, not even on his birthday. When Dobby, a house elf, shows up unexpectedly, Harry is warned not to go back to Hogwarts or bad things will happen. Unfortunately, right after that things get a little out of control and end with Uncle Vernon locking Harry in his room for the whole summer. Thank goodness he gets sprung by the wild Weasley boys in their flying car! They take Harry to the Burrow (their house), which is one of my favorite places. Getting back to Hogwarts is rough, but it sets the reader up for year two at the magical school. Soon after classes start, Harry, Ron, and Hermione attend a Deathday party, which isn’t nearly as fun as a Halloween party, but still very interesting. It's also when Harry starts hearing something that no one else seems to be able to hear, and they find Mrs. Norris (Filch’s cat) petrified and dangling from the ceiling. As they search for clues they find out a lot about past incidents at Hogwarts, and they are given a mysterious clue by Hagrid to follow the spiders. What will they find when they follow the spiders into the Forbidden Forest? Who is behind the dangers at Hogwarts? Why does Harry hear something that no one else can hear? Is there really a chamber of secrets, and has it been opened? You will turn the pages faster than Harry can fly to find out how everything turns out, even if you have read it before!

I fell in love with the Harry Potter series as soon as I began the first book. I grabbed book two right away and finished it in a day. Since then I have read and reread each book many times. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was an excellent follow-up to The Sorcerer’s Stone. I was so entertained by Harry’s adventures, and I grew to love the characters even more. It was fun watching the friendship between Ron, Harry, and Hermione grow, and I had a blast getting to know the new characters that were introduced. I can still hear Gilderoy Lockhart in my head, and I would love to try Polyjuice Potion- at least once. This book was full of adventure, and I never knew who or what would be around each corner. I especially liked learning more about Voldemort and his early life. While book two is not my favorite out of the series, it did make me more enchanted with the story and characters, and it made me pick up the next book right away. This is a series I cannot say enough about. I wish I could be a part of these books, and I cannot recommend them enough to others. If there is anyone that has missed them, get yourself a copy today! If you have read and enjoyed them, you may want to try listening to them read by the master, Jim Dale. He is so talented and makes each story come alive. Once you turn the last page you will feel satisfied with Harry’s second year at Hogwarts, but you will need book three at your fingertips. 

Has anyone else read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets? Or have you read any other books by J.K. Rowling? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading and Happy Halloween! ~L

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