Genre: Fantasy Age Range: MG/YA/Adult Star Rating: 5/5 Stars Series: yes - book 2
*SPOILER ALERT: contains SPOILERS for HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE*
Synopsis:
“There is a plot, Harry Potter. A plot to make most terrible things happen at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year.”
HARRY POTTER’S summer has included the worst birthday ever, DOOMY warnings from a HOUSE-ELF called Dobby, and RESCUE from the Dursleys by his friend Ron Weasley in a magical FLYING car! Back at HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY for his second year, Harry hears strange WHISPERS echo through empty corridors – and then the ATTACKS start. Students are found as though turned to stone… Dobby’s SINISTER predictions seem to be coming TRUE.
Think the capitalisations are odd? This is EXACTLY as written on the back of my copy, and I find it rather fun!
Thoughts:
I feel like my pre-existing Goodreads review sums this books up
Again, a gorgeous read, with a nice mystery to join up the clues in retrospect.
Of course, I wouldn’t be writing this if I didn’t have more to say! I love this book more than #1. CoS really embraces the mystery element of HP with it’s creepy ‘people are being petrified’ element that suffuses the book with a tense, eerie atmosphere. However, the magical feeling of #1 isn’t lost either as we venture deeper into the Wizarding World (WW). I won’t go into detail about the mystery here, as I think I summed most of my feelings up in my previous HP review (and in the tiny review above!).
The book starts to explore the prejudices of the WW concerning Muggles. Malfoy’s comtempt for Hermione’s lack of magical blood and his father’s belief that Muggles are inferior. It’s a gentle way to approach topics about societal prejudices against ‘the Other’. Yes, it’s not delved into, but as a starting point for discussion with children about why we shouldn’t judge others based on their difference to us, it’s brilliant. I know it came up in conversation with my mother when I was little.
I love how Harry wrestles with insecurity and the fickleness of fortune and friends. The insecurities of everyone talking about him is something I can relate too. Hermione isn’t in the final act, which throws the dynamic a little, but it shows just how vital she is to their friendship.
The Weasleys, particularly Fred and George, are brilliant comic relief. They are Harry’s family, and they love they have for each other and Harry shines through. I love books where the central family is loving and has each other’s backs despite their imperfections.
We get another glimpse at Voldemort, and the first hints of his backstory. He’s so chilling, and yet he’s not really Voldemort, is he?
Gilderoy Lockhart is such a great addition to the cast. He’s a bumbling, transparent idiot you can’t believe anyone would appoint to be a teacher. Some of the best comedic moments are with him trying to claim he knows how to teach every subject or seeing others reactions to him (Valentine’s day!).
This book allows us our first glimpse of the political forces in the WW. It’s a very brief glimpse – hints of Arthur Weasley’s job, the school governors and Minister for Magic Fudge. As an avid fan of political fantasy, I adore it. It shows just how much Rowling knows her creation and gives a sense of the many cogs turning in the WW at large.
Read my reviews of other books by J. K. Rowling:
Harry Potter (this series):
Sifa Elizabeth Reads 