Scan barcode
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Book 2 with my son and his interest and enthusiasm only grows...
We moved straight on from the first to the second Harry Potter, and once again moved between our paperback (and a library illustrated copy) in bed and Stephen Fry's audio reading in the car. We got the best of both worlds here, I got to enjoy reading this aloud and discussing the scenes as we went along, and I also got a break and let Mr Fry take over reading all those voices!
Book two builds on the world of the first, and continues the structure of the school year, the start with the Dursleys, the routines and ceremonies of Hogwarts that my son was already frighteningly familiar with. It's a more complicated plot, with clues throughout that lead to the finale, I had to remind my son of a few occurrences so he could see how it all fed into the conclusion.
We both like the flying car, Myrtle, the duelling club, polyjuice potion. He's seven, and I had to hint very heavily that Gilderoy Lockhart was not as he saw himself, he took a long time to realise the subtleties of his portrayal (it's much more obvious for younger readers in the film).
Dobby seemed to flummox my son a little too - the self-flagellation and servitude, the portrayal of a 'slave' was not something I think he's ever seen before, and I look forward to the future books and being able to show Dobby again in better circumstances and in greater depth - he's only in this for three scenes.
Personally, I took great delight in the opening scenes with the Dursleys, they are deliciously, obtusely Muggle-ish, pompous, supercilious and vicious towards their nephew/cousin.
As with the first book, there is too much exposition in the final chapters, both with villain and with Dumbledore afterwards, giving what is essentially a debrief. It's clunky and wordy, I remember noticing this even on my first read nearly two decades ago. But then as now, I'll always overlook it for the imagination, excitement and pure joy of the books.
So much is added in this book, so many more wonderful wizarding terms and words, a broadening of the wizarding world with foreshadows of both a certain prison, a Ministry and a newspaper...
My guy already wants to move onto book three but I'm aware I'm going to need ot slow him down as I intend only to read books 3 and 4 this summer and then letting him mature a little more before the emotional darkness of the final three instalments.
The world of Hogwarts has definitely taken a hold of my son's imagination now, he keeps coming out with comments and thoughts based on the books, and clearly took a great deal in. I'm looking forward to seeing what he makes of the gradually darkening book three...
We moved straight on from the first to the second Harry Potter, and once again moved between our paperback (and a library illustrated copy) in bed and Stephen Fry's audio reading in the car. We got the best of both worlds here, I got to enjoy reading this aloud and discussing the scenes as we went along, and I also got a break and let Mr Fry take over reading all those voices!
Book two builds on the world of the first, and continues the structure of the school year, the start with the Dursleys, the routines and ceremonies of Hogwarts that my son was already frighteningly familiar with. It's a more complicated plot, with clues throughout that lead to the finale, I had to remind my son of a few occurrences so he could see how it all fed into the conclusion.
We both like the flying car, Myrtle, the duelling club, polyjuice potion. He's seven, and I had to hint very heavily that Gilderoy Lockhart was not as he saw himself, he took a long time to realise the subtleties of his portrayal (it's much more obvious for younger readers in the film).
Dobby seemed to flummox my son a little too - the self-flagellation and servitude, the portrayal of a 'slave' was not something I think he's ever seen before, and I look forward to the future books and being able to show Dobby again in better circumstances and in greater depth - he's only in this for three scenes.
Personally, I took great delight in the opening scenes with the Dursleys, they are deliciously, obtusely Muggle-ish, pompous, supercilious and vicious towards their nephew/cousin.
As with the first book, there is too much exposition in the final chapters, both with villain and with Dumbledore afterwards, giving what is essentially a debrief. It's clunky and wordy, I remember noticing this even on my first read nearly two decades ago. But then as now, I'll always overlook it for the imagination, excitement and pure joy of the books.
So much is added in this book, so many more wonderful wizarding terms and words, a broadening of the wizarding world with foreshadows of both a certain prison, a Ministry and a newspaper...
My guy already wants to move onto book three but I'm aware I'm going to need ot slow him down as I intend only to read books 3 and 4 this summer and then letting him mature a little more before the emotional darkness of the final three instalments.
The world of Hogwarts has definitely taken a hold of my son's imagination now, he keeps coming out with comments and thoughts based on the books, and clearly took a great deal in. I'm looking forward to seeing what he makes of the gradually darkening book three...
midici's review against another edition
4.0
Currently re-reading the one and only Harry Potter. I forgot how much more light-hearted the first few were which is saying something considering this book contains murder, dangerous beasts and the possessing spirit of a dark lord.
cedric_callnight's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
hyukadune's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jonathemm's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
toffeebox's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The first book built the world and this book mainly introduced us to the back story of voldermort and how voldie is tied to malfoy, dumbledore and the various teachers at hogwarts.
This is also the book that affirms the goodness in Harry by saying he's a true gryfindor.
I appreciate its purpose in the lore but the pacing is slower than I would've liked.
This is also the book that affirms the goodness in Harry by saying he's a true gryfindor.
I appreciate its purpose in the lore but the pacing is slower than I would've liked.
lilith1501's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
i forgot that i don’t actually like this one
slushysands's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
riikkam's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5