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

There is often a heated debate about whether you like or loathe book five of the Harry Potter series. From memory, I really enjoyed The Order of the Phoenix.

For me, the one that makes me go 'meh' is this one.

To my mind, The Chamber of Secrets falls flat on it's face after the thrill and promise of The Philosopher's Stone.

The Chamber of Secrets annoys me from the get-go with it's lengthy recap of the first book.

It's the one thing I truly loathe about reading a series. I feel that the loyal readers of a series, in order, should be rewarded by the author launching straight into the new story. Anyone coming in late, should feel like they're missing out on something....and go back and read the books in order to find out what it all means!

But maybe it's just me?

The Chamber of Secrets feels a bit like a history lesson - we get the history of Hogwarts and Voldemorts back story as well. We learn a few more spells and charms like polyjuice potion. It feels like a set-up to get us to the rest of the stories - where the real action and drama will be.

If I'd been reading these books as they were published, I probably wouldn't have felt a huge anticipation about the next book.

The humour often felt contrived or forced,

Ron's old shooting star was often outstripped by passing butterflies.

But I did LOVE that a little bit of my story featured in this book. Really!

At the beginning of chapter ten Professor Lockhart has Harry helping him to act out his capture of a werewolf - officially named the Wagga Wagga werewolf.

Wagga Wagga is a large inland city in NSW. It was my home for four years whilst I attended uni (& co-incidentally, it's where I met Mr Books - be still my beating heart!)

Have you discovered the origins of any of the other names used by Rowling in her books?

I'm also re-watching the movies as I finish each book. Part of the fun is annoying my family with the "that wasn't in the book" or "they left this bit out" comments all the way through!
We all agreed that the Chamber of Secrets is not our favourite HP movie. The young actors were just at that awkward age when their acting abilities hadn't quite got there yet. Some of the scenes were over-acted and lacked subtlety, but maybe that was the Director's fault?

Don't get me wrong. I didn't hate this book.
I just didn't love it as much as the others.

Leave the URL for your review of The Chamber of Secrets below - I'd love to see what you think too.

Amy @Lost in a Good Book's review with fun facts is here.
This post is part of #PotterBinge and my #Xmas in Summer challenge