Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Review

[@dragoniraflameblade]

That opening. Man. I don't know if enough ppl talk about how abused Harry is - I'm happy he has a found family in the wizarding world.

[@merphynapier42]

Me too ❤️

[@urty24]

I agree, but in general, JK tended to go way over the top with child abuse. It's what ends up bothering me the most about Snape's redemption arc at the end. When you look at the way Snape (an adult teacher) treats Harry (a child in his care) I don't think you can have any conclusion other than Snape is a truly awful human being. It's hard to reconcile that with how we are supposed to feel about Snape at the end.

[@merphynapier42]

@@urty24 I very much agree with this

[@dragoniraflameblade]

@@urty24 YES TO THIS.

[@AmeliaOak]

The abuse he suffers stood out a LOT to me because I could relate in a lot of ways

[@ShadowDogProduction]

The movie adaptation features one of the only times I've ever seen where the movie format enables better storytelling. During the bookstore scene, they show us Lucius Malfoy's hand pulling 2 books out of Ginny's basket and then later putting 3 books back in. You can't DO that in a novel. There's just no way to be that subtle and yet show us what's happening at the same time. So what happens in the novel is it feels like the Ginny reveal comes from nowhere. At least in the movie there is a bit of foreshadowing. But back to the novel, I liked how JK made it look like Percy was evil to throw us off the scent. Since I hate Percy I'm into any shade his direction. LOL

[@logansorenssen]

For the most part I liked the books better than the movies overall, but that was indeed one of the things the movie did better. (Also the entirety of Goblet of Fire - the book was a *slog* to finish, the movie held my attention, but that's for different reasons.)

[@MissEasyPeasySleasy]

He-Man ! Or split it into parts 1 and 2

[@Skylerrelyks93]

He-Man ! GoF Part 2!

[@PhoenixLance13]

Wasn't there a throwaway line in the books where Ginny remarked that her cauldron feels heavier? Or am I thinking of the video game?

[@sambull3832]

She does hint at it by it being noted as heavier/heavy

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I wished the Ginny was permanently changed from Riddle pouring his soul into her. I feel like she bounced back too much. I would have loved to see lasting effects show up in the later books.

[@merphynapier42]

Oooo this is a very good point!

[@NicoleFoti]

Oh yes! That is a good point. It's like nothing happened after that.

[@WineRedEchos]

it could be that that is part of the reason she's so good at hexes and just overall is so strong later in the books.

[@aberdeen0107]

Also don’t forget that it’s Harry’s pov not ginnys and he might not have noticed.

[@donsample1002]

coynie3 She also freaks out a bit in _Half Blood Prince_ when she finds out Harry is taking directions from notes written in a book.

[@willprotector]

"Gryffindor is good, Slytherin bad, and Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw exist." So, true.

[@wendywhoisit1819]

No, they are good too, especially Hufflepuff.

[@willprotector]

This was referencing a quote from the review and Rowling presents the story. Not a true statement about the book world’s reality.

[@wendywhoisit1819]

@@willprotector Merphy said it and I disagreed with her. Rowling never even said that. Anything else?

[@willprotector]

Rowling may not have said it but the way Gryfindor was front and center throughout the series and almost ALL of the major characters came from there, relegates the other houses not Slytherin to relative obscurity. Gryfindor is displayed as flawed but generally good, Slytherin is shown as flawed and mostly bad. Ravenclaw is largely inconsequential save a few minor characters and Hufflepuff might as well not matter. That was the point of the joke. If some of the main characters were from differing houses, we could have had a more developed house system. But alas we do not.

[@mrsenik5568]

Haha

[@emmaelizabeth3373]

Honestly, I've never really understood all the hate (or at least apathy) people have for this book. Sure, it's not my favorite, but I really enjoy the central mystery and how all the plot threads come together. For instance (spoilers?), Moaning Myrtle is portrayed as just another quirky side character, yet she ends up giving the kids the last bit of vital information they need. And I still think Ginny's possession is one of the creepiest concepts the series ever explored.

[@xMRxZEROx]

I couldn't agree more. I absolutely LOVE Chamber. I don't get everyone's dislike of this book. Maybe not DISLIKE. But everyone seems to rank it very low. But its top 3 for me. I love Chamber. It's the one I'm always most excited to get to on my audio books cycle. It's a much better story to me than people give it credit for. #HogwartsIsMyHome #ProudSlytherin 🐍⚡

[@starfruit2513]

I wish there was more love for Chamber of Secrets. I think it's great, and the movie is one of my most-watched. How can you not love Dobby and Lockhart?

[@TheTWK70]

Same I've always loved CoS. It's not as good as the later books, sure, but it's still pretty damn great. The central mystery is really fascinating and getting a litttle bit more insight on Voldy and his past.

[@anthonywheeler2082]

I love how Gilderoy Lockhart is the perfect personification of vapid celebrity. It's great.

[@racingfuel28]

“I didn’t get rid of the banned banshee by smiling at her.”😂😂😂

[@fransgreidanus5678]

@@racingfuel28 HAHA

[@ashleyholder2218]

I disagree with Ron being a hufflepuff...but I totally think Percy is a slytherin!

[@merphynapier42]

Oh he def is! 🐍

[@robertgronewold3326]

He has Hufflepuff qualities, mainly loyalty. Really, nearly every character can be slotted into more than one house.

[@kaitlynhenry3008]

Robert Gronewold but it’s supposed to be the quality that you fall into most and while Ron is loyal he has had his points with Harry where he was to jealous or angry to stay loyal but he has never had a point where he was to scared to stick up for what he believes in.

[@jozi2007]

Robert Gronewold agree

[@e-brown]

Agreed! He is really ambitious

[@sebrussell]

I don't think that the Ron belonging in Hufflepuff idea is supposed to mean he doesn't belong in Gryffindor, I think it's just down to the fact that the values of the houses aren't mutually exclusive. All of the main trio are brave as hell, so they get Gryffindor. However, Hermione's also extremely intelligent and focused on learning, Harry is ambitious, and Ron is really empathetic and focused on his friends and family. It's not about them being in the wrong house, it's about each of them representing positive traits from each of the other three houses. It's basically an idea of "If Gryffindor didn't exist, which of the remaining three houses would the trio be in?"

[@Ali-zn6sg]

The first thing you mention about the abuse is something that really fascinates me. I'm so so intrigued by children's stories that can portray heavy, emotional, deep, and nuanced issues in a way children can fully grasp. Harry Potter, Avatar, certain Disney movies, these are stories that revolve around some pretty dark (albeit important) situations and lessons but deliver them in packages that are simple enough for children to get, and I just love that!

[@urty24]

I also love that final scene. Dumbledor is my favorite character in the series. You’re completely right about Ron. It also bothers me when people act like he isn’t good enough for Hermione and that Harry should have gotten the girl. And I knew that was the vanquishing cabinet that Malfoy fixed but it completely went over my head that this is when it was broken.

[@urty24]

@@jpruedag I think I phrased it that way because generally I see this complaint framed as, "Harry should have ended up with Hermione" as opposed to Hermione and Ron don't make a good couple. Ron is completely discounted; ignored. Personally I think it would have been weird if Harry and Hermione hooked up as there was never the slightest hint of romantic feelings between either of them. I loved that we were able to just have a friendship with two main characters. Also, I think the epilogue is the single worst mistake that JK made in the entire series. It should have ended after the final chapter and we should have been left to debate whether or not Ron and Hermione stayed together or whether Harry was able to emotionally recover from his trauma and lead a normal life. I don't think fan service is always a bad thing but in this case I think it is. The epilogue is just feel good, sappy fan service at it's worst. It gave us nothing of substance. It was just JK pandering.

[@sklxx7359]

harry and hermione have zero chemistry to me. they also would make a very boring couple. ron and hermione do not fight all the time, but it is not a lovestory. the story focuses on harry, so we see stuff that he sees more often. for any friend that would be fighting. i think they work well because they challenge each others ideas and tease each other well (after you learn to love someone more and more, the teasing becomes more playful always so i dont reckon its a problem and can make for good sex lmao). they really like each ohers characters because they each have something the other one does not have. time will tell if they can grow together and find a middle ground, but thats real life for you. seems like it did work out well for them so yay. (i am probably biased because me and my husband have vastly different characters and grew up in different cultures, but we have many things and values that are the same in their core and bond over many things too. there is challenging ideas, small fights etc - that is normal. but we are both very happy with each other so i think this is a very realistic approach to relationships)

[@sklxx7359]

"Hermione stops talking to Ron for months and physically attacks him when she is jealous of him and Lavender, while Ron doesn't do that when he is jealous of her and Krum" jealousy is a common problem especially in early stages in relationships. and tbh my grandparents are nagging at eachother allllll the time and love each other dearly, they just don't show it when there is people around, hell they make those two look vanilla. I understand where you are coming from really, but I want to show you why I personally really enjoy them as a couple :)

[@urty24]

@Irrelephant In general I agree with you. I think the dysfunction we see in their relationship is really a combination of factors that don’t necessarily mean they are wrong for one another. 1) we only see then between 11 and 17 years old. They haven’t exactly figured out how to display their affection in healthy ways. 2) we see everything from Harry’s perspective and only rarely catch brief glimpses of how they interact in private. 3) this probably fits in point one but in the last four books in the series almost all of their fights are rooted in jealousy or a misunderstanding caused by not really knowing how to display their affection.

[@dhruvbharija172]

But Harry Hermione should have ended together

[@jonathankoan]

Chamber of Secrets is one of my favorites in the series. The character of Harry is some of the best writing I've ever seen. I love how he knows that it is his moral duty to go and save Ginny, whom he barely knows. He perseveres alone even with Ron and Lockhart incapacitated because he knows its the right thing to do, not because he loves Ginny(yet). The climax scene here validates why I was happy that Harry ended up with Ginny because if he's going to sacrifice to help her under these circumstances, then he is very honorable and just imagine what he'd go through to save her later when they are in love.

[@gatsharon6011]

The chamber of secret's the movie was the ultimate thriller when I was younger, it gave me goosebumps.

[@driger_9007]

Still is

[@rachaelbaker6864]

We’re also told that Harry is a horcrux in this book at the end. “Voldemort put a bit of himself in me?” he says to dumbledore in the last chapter

[@nga88nguyen]

I actually like Chamber of secret alot. My top 3 HP books with HBP and OOP. I just love the mystery and how everyone suspect Harry in this book, it was intense and so fun to read. (Harry was blamed, Hermione was attacked, Hagrid was imprison and Tom Riddle...)

[@tutto9197]

First time i see someone that have the same top 3 as me. Yessss

[@nga88nguyen]

Yeah, and while GOF seem to be everyone favorite, I just didnt very fond of it :)). I just think many events in that book just not relevant in the other books (Quiddict worldcup, The Triwizard Tournament, Durmstrang, Beauxbatons...) So Book 4 just feels very exclude to me. I also feel that the way Harry escaped dozen of Death Eaters without any help in the end of the book was too unrealistic.

[@edmontonboy99]

Nga Nguyễn Nga Nguyễn In defence, without the Quidditch World Cup, we wouldn’t know who Victor Krum is. The Triwizard Tournament was fixed by Voldemort and his followers so they could get Harry.

[@vikings612]

This book is way darker than people realize. Everyone points to PoA as the starting point of darkness but this book is pretty dark as well.

[@aceash459]

True, in fact I think the least dark 3 books in the series are Philosophical Stone, Prisoner of Azkaban and Order of the Phoenix. Sure, Pettigrew killed 13 people in book 3, but it was only mentioned in a backstory, not shown directly, and Sirius died in book 5, but it was in a pretty censored, non-violent way. He literally fell through some sort of portal, not even a dead body left behind - like in Cedric's case in book 4. But the mystery behind Tom Riddle and Slytherin's monster was truly creepy. The way Myrtle died and then pretty much became a depressed little ghost with actual suicidal thoughts, the muggle-wizard persecution that clearly goes both ways, Dobbie's cruel self-punishment ways, Harry being accused by the same people who valued him as a hero, the men eating spiders, Hagrid going to Azkaban for a crime he didn't commit, Ginny's soul being sucked out of her arguably in a more terrifying way than through the Dementors - this are all highlights of book 2.

[@joakimfredriksen4956]

This is probably my second favorite of the series, but I see why it's some people's least favorite. I just think all the new characters and the ones who gets more focus here than in other books are executed really well for their purpose. It's nice to see the charismatic side of Voldemort that's still driven by lust for power, and comparing him with Harry as the book does, I think is brilliant. Gilderoy is probably my favorite character in the series, there's never a weak spot in the writing with him, he's a perfect doofus.

[@lucaleone4331]

You made so many points I dont think about often. Like how brutal Harry's life was. How amazing him going to the burrow would have felt. I still like Ginny and Harry getting together after he saved her and it's cute for Ginny to admire him for it. I usually dont care for ron so I like how you pointed out how brave he has been :] Good review!

[@timkinney8719]

Harry's abuse bothers me SO much. It's really hard to read... That scene where Dumbledore, I think, finally meets Petunia and Vernon and tells them basically you guys have treated Harry like shit his whole life because you're miserable, disgusting nightmare people, that scene gets me every time.

[@FincentVan]

I just finished the book and I don’t remember where Dumbledore meets The Dursleys.

[@mohammedaldalan359]

@@FincentVan he means half blood prince the sixth book in the series

[@MaryAmongStories]

I feel like it's most people's least favourite! it's my favourite movie though 🤗 love your shirt btw 💙

[@xMRxZEROx]

ME TOO! Chamber is easily in my Top 3 favorite HP books. Honestly, Philosopher's Stone is my first, just becuase it's what started it all, Chamber would be second, then Goblet of Fire. I love them ALL though. I listen to the audio books on a constant loop in order. I've done this so many times I can't even guess how many times I've read the books. I always look forward to Chamber when it cycles back around. #StephenFryIsTheBestNarrator #HogwartsIsMyHome #ProudSlytherin 🐍⚡

[@sinedie7]

I discovered your channel this morning and I LOVE YOU. Your content, how you articulate it, your critical thinking and passion for the subject, your love for the series and the thorough analysis and knowledge of the books you have harvested to pour in each video. From one ravenclaw (from Spain) to another, congratulations!

[@merphynapier42]

This is really sweet, thank you!

[@maconroxthetown]

It's interesting how you feel about the plot conveniences in this one! I just started reading the books for the first time -- though I've seen the films many times -- and in this one, I didn't see them so much as plot conveniences, more-so as a really good set-up! The entire book, for me, felt like dangling loose ends of idiosyncratic detail until the very end, where all those loose ends came together and knotted the end. I love your thoughts, though, I'm looking forward to watching the rest as I finish them!

[@ncphloridis4074]

I recently just finished Chamber of Secrets for the first time and since I watched the movies first I kinda know the story already. My favorite part is when they are talking about what Tom Riddle could’ve done to get an award and Ron says something about killing Moaning Myrtle because that would get anyone an award. WHAT!!! I was literally like “omg foreshadowing”

[@michaellovegrove9467]

And Ron doesn’t realise how wrong he actually was - by Voldemort killing Myrtle as a miserable teenager, her miserable teenage persona was immortalised to linger morosely in the girls toilet for all eternity. At least if she’d survived the basilisk, she might’ve had the opportunity to mature out of her mopey angsty teenage headspace and become a more tolerable person!

[@brenda0006]

I’m so keen for the next video, this is also my least fave in the series, my faves are 3 and 6. I can’t really put my finger on why it’s my least favourite though, I’m reading it right now with my boyfriend, we’re taking turns reading out loud. And I am enjoying it more this time, mostly because he tends to laugh at the funny parts, and it makes me realise it is pretty hilarious in some sections. Actually, maybe it’s my least favourite because as a kid, and even an adult, the idea of people I thought were my friends turning on me, believing lies about me or secretly hating me is actually my biggest fear... that would also explain why 5 is my second least favourite too 😅

[@HarryPotter-jb8pc]

when i reread this series i realized just how early on jk rowling had been setting up ron and hermione. I know she later said she would have preferred harry and hermione and that some fans agree but i personally love ron and her. The fact that little things like ron hinting jealousy of lockeheart because of how smitten hermione is is so cute

[@s.storumus8620]

I love the opening shot of the movie. The sunset looks so cool

[@BookswithBrittany]

This video series is making me so happy! You’re doing such a great job with it and the points you make and I totally agree 😊

[@skijumpnose]

The Prisoner Of Azkaban is my favorite in the series

[@jameslyon2338]

preach - also my favourite movie in the series

[@j.reesebradley4771]

Mine too!!

[@johnsumner6593]

Who was that female ghost who wanted the password for griffindoor in the movie

[@Sohiawrites]

Same

[@jameslyon2338]

@@johnsumner6593 Dawn French. I don't know her in cannon name.

[@sethhale235]

Rowling wrote some good books but clearly doesn't understand how scoring works in anything. Quidditch? Nope. House stuff? Nope. A bajillion points to Hufflepuff, I guess. Math is for muggles.

[@niki_bbb]

Merphy, it's so awesome that you are rereading HP books right now! I am reading them in english for the first time (previously I only read them in Russian, but then I lost my old books, and the new edition has THE MOST HORRIBLE TRANSLATION EVER, so I decided to finally buy english edition instead). When I was a kid, this one was my fav book in the series, but now I think that books one and two are too "children's" and short for my tastes. Can't wait for your next review ❤️❤️❤️

[@VampwolfWarrior]

Funnily enough this has always been one of my favorite books in the series. It's so surprisingly dark, yet still lighthearted and fun. It honestly shocked me when I found out how many people find it to be the weakest link, lol! That's what so good about this series. Everyone's ranking of the books is different.

[@NicoleFoti]

I also LOVE the beginning of these books. She does do a brilliant job of setting the scene but not bringing it down too much for a child.

[@Drowfan]

I love Gilderoy, he's hilarious and fun. I also love Lucius, mainly because of his great one liners, and the way his personality changes at the end.

[@DomeVen]

Am I weird for liking chamber of secrets more than philosophers stone? I remember as a kid how much I loved the mystery and how it felt like a detective novel where we were getting clues as the book moved forward, but at the same time there was a lot of friendship and magic . It’s one of my favorite books to reread

[@justcosmika7843]

I loved this review and that the whole HP universe really does grow with you as you grow. you pick up on meanings of things you wouldn't have when you were younger and certain scenes may have much more of an impact! Man I love this world! :)

[@lea6385]

I really love these reviews!! I am planning on rereading HP myself , I just have to get my grades sorted out first. But these videos really make me more excited about it and wil ldefinetly make me pay attention to some details while reading

[@triasha3790]

I've been loving these videos. I remember a few years ago you were confused about your house and said you thought you were hufflepuff, I'm glad you figured it out (and to have a fellow Ravenclaw among us). In a future video, can you talk about the reasons you ship Hermione and Neville? No hate, just curiosity 😊

[@merphynapier42]

I may have to make a video on that someday!

[@sinedie7]

@@merphynapier42 Please do!

[@andrewmcdonald5900]

The climax of Chamber is SO good. After Chapter 15, the book really becomes a page turner

[@sinedie7]

I have my own set of memories attached to this book of the series. I remember I was reading it during recess (break? recess?) in a corner and some kids grabbed it and started throwing it around in the air so I couldn't reach it. I wend MAD worried for the integrity of the book, that eventually ended up flat opened on the floor, spilling some pages out. That hurt. It never happened again, but I still have that particular copy, with the damage and the loose pages. But memories apart, I do think it's the weakest book of the series and I can't wait for your next video. I'm sure I will enjoy it very, very much. Thank you!!

[@dancemomzzaudioswaps5785]

Least favorite book But FAVORITE movie I feel like a lot of things in the book just weren’t very interesting to describe with words but were really dynamic when actually put on a screen. Like the basilisk and Aragog and the whole forest scene and Fawkes and the dueling scene and just EVERYTHING.

[@rudicci]

I have a lot of love for Chamber of Secrets because it was the last book i had available (Spanish version) and read before the first movie came out. The whole idea and scope of HP's world that opened up with it and the whole witch-hunt (pun intended) that came after the movie was released made me hold on tighter to this book for a while. It is not my favorite, but it is certainly special. Also... Ravenclaw's animal is an Eagle... Yes, I'm being that guy :p Love these videos Merph!

[@adhunikmanav2638]

Molly weasley is the best! I choke up everytime she shows motherly love to Harry. So many times I wished that harry would just go on and give molly weasley a hug as he would've hugged his own mother and they both just burst into tears. I know it would be cheesy to see, but still it would be a cheese i could and would live by. crying myself along with them

[@benclawson821]

This is my favorite Harry Potter book!

[@Abhi_0893]

The first two books feel like real kids books! And I loved them as a kid!

[@AkashKunalGunputhNGU]

I've just started reading the books, i've reach book 3. The only two things I find that makes the book so much better in the Chamber Of Secrets, is Lockhart and Dobby.

[@shahana909]

I think Hagrid deserves to be talked about. I love his character, he's such a soft hearted person. And that man has been wrongly accused, expelled and forbidden to do magic! Unfair. Also loved the part when he comes to defend Harry & Dumbledore in this book.

[@pinkhornet8737]

The other thing I realised is that both Ginny and Harry have personal experience with Voldemort's Horcruxes.

[@breezy3392]

The broken vanishing cabinet was also mentioned in book 5 when Fred and George said that they stuffed a Slytherin prefect in there to stop him from taking points from them. the prefect was missing for a few weeks I think

[@rekameszaros]

I saw the second film in the cinema when I was only 4 and I am terrified of slugs because of it. But it was definitely a fav film of mine when I was little, it was scary and mysterious so I could never hate it. But I see why others don't like it as much. Also I'm rereading as you do these videos, I think I'm gonna finish the 3rd by the time you post your review about it ♡

[@Me-wk3ix]

There was also the Peruvian darkness powder in the shop :-) It also gets used in book 6.

[@caseyc2497]

Need that shirt, as a fellow Ravenclaw!!!

[@paulallen8304]

Me too!

[@maxbaugh9372]

I have a similar one which says "Ravenclaw Quidditch Team Captain", and it's super soft too

[@paulallen8304]

@@maxbaugh9372 I am jealous!

[@caseyc2497]

@@maxbaugh9372 I've a hoodie like that. One of my faves

[@PHSDM104]

@@maxbaugh9372 I got that shirt too. My friend bought it for me at Universal.

[@veronique5199]

I love Lockhart and what stood out yo me on this reread that the first time we meet Lockhart he is described to wear forget-me-not blue robes

[@Kiklo854]

Strangely it was always one of my favorites!

[@g.chatterjee2296]

You are wearing a raven claw shirt😋 Half blood prince is my favorite.

[@clarkkentnaruto4322]

Hey there Murphy. How are you doing? That is awesome that you and I are in the same house. I love the rescue scene with Harry and Ron and Fred and George. I love books and anime with lots of rescue scenes. That and magic schools are a must in my fantasy reads. I am now a few chapters into the audio book the Dragon Reborn. Since I am doing a re listen I feel like I understand way more of the characters frustrations and worries. Everybody is struggling with something, and I think that gets overlooked as just being annoying, when it goes much deeper than that. Thanks for making my hunger grow to re listen to that series.

[@daniel_arevalo_6490]

Great video, as always. Keep them coming! (Gryffindor for life!)

[@ninjasteph9561]

So I come from the weird perspective where I watched the first 5 movies before reading the books. I actually have always really enjoyed Chamber of Secrets. Not my favorite but I have some fun memories with it. 😃

[@urty24]

Same here. I saw all 8 movies before picking the books up for the first time.

[@shadowofdancingleaf]

Chamber of Secrets is my favorite HP book. I really like the more focused plot compared to Philosopher's Stone while still keeping the more lighthearted charm, and I love the way the mystery develops and fleshes out Hogwarts lore and history. I also love every minute of Gilderoy Lockhart. He's wildly entertaining and one of my favorite characters in the series.

[@avekatumba4794]

Great review! Merphy: I'm a Ravenclaw *later ...chess mash- Tongue: I'mma about to end her whole career

[@kpag3030]

You’re right about Ron belonging in Gryffindor. For sure. I don’t think any one house is better or more important than another. They just help the students to bring out their natural strong traits or bring out traits they didn’t know they had.

[@opsatr]

CoS was my least favorite before HBP. I don't know. It felt a little out of place among the books, maybe? It just had a different feel compared to the others. However, I learned to appreciate it more after HBP, after we learned about Horcruxes. That bumped it up a little higher on my ranking, at least. 😜

[@MtJensen18]

Just rereading the series now, while watching your vids after each book. About Ron: beside being brave in the foresh, he is also the one pushing Harry to go to Lockhart with what they know about the Chamber, ending up with them going there.

[@Gator657]

It’s crazy you said this is your least favorite yet this one has such a good review on it! 😅

[@pannonia77]

I only miss one thing in your review, because I think it's so cute. It's Ginny's crush on Harry. Indeed, already in Book 1. First when she learnt from the twins that the black haired boy they met at King's Cross was the famous Harry Potter, she wanted to get on the train to have a look at him. Then at the end of Book 1 also on King's Cross: 'There he is, Mum, there he is, look!' It was Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister, but she wasn't pointing at Ron. 'Harry Potter!' she squealed. 'Look, Mum! I can see - ' 'Be quiet, Ginny, and it's rude to point.'

[@harrypotteroftherings5242]

I started reading Harry Potter books for the first time, and I'm currently at the half of the Chamber of Secrets. I'm goddamn enjoying the book and if this one is the weakest in the series, I don't know what to expect from the sequels... So excited :)

[@mohammedaldalan359]

So? Are you done ? What do you think

[@harrypotteroftherings5242]

@@mohammedaldalan359 Yeh I'm far away done... Halfblood prince my fav, Chamber still very good

[@midnight_purple5461]

I always loved the bits with the flying cars

[@jordansmith4412]

This book and the Goblet of Fire have always been my favourite.

[@xXSnowflak3f12Xx]

One thing I thought would’ve been really cool example of foreshadowing in this book would be in the chamber if Harry would’ve communicated somehow with the basilisk. We know only the heir of slytherin can speak or order the basilisk around and that any old parselmouth can’t do that. But technically speaking, the only reason Harry is a parselmouth is because he has a fragment of Voldemort’s soul inside him so his ability to speak to snakes in theory comes from the heir of slytherin. So what if there’s a moment for a fraction of a second the basilisk hesitates or recognizes Harry as the heir of skytherin for a second or something along those lines where and its subtle enough that we just brush it off as Harry being able to do spectacular things at random in the moment or some part of parseltongue we don’t understand yet to where we don’t dwell too long as the battle continues and as the series continues we forget about it but our mind are completely blown upon a reread, just a thought but I always love foreshadowing moments.

[@amandawheeler539]

Gilderoy Lockhart is my favorite part of this book! I remember when I was a kid and I thought nothing of him and then when I reread the series when I was older, I thought he was the best thing ever

[@helmisumarno]

I always liked the flying car when I was a kid. I even imagined myself driving a flying blue Ford Anglia to my grandfather’s house on holidays (we lived overseas from each other) so I didn’t have to get in an airplane LOL.

[@muhammadsraiti8280]

I rlly love the mystery the book haves being the descendants of the slytherin first assuming Draco then Harry

[@raelogan]

You have to admit, tho, that the comedic timing of "Harry was just thinking all he needed now was for Dumbledore pet bird to die right when he was alone in the office with it, when suddenly the bird burst into flames." followed by Harry scrambling to find a cup of water to douse Fawkes, and Dumbledore just being "About time, too.", was just a perfect moment of hilarity in all that chaos. 😆 Even if this had happened to 4th Year Harry when he learns Accio or Harry after learning to summon water, he still would have hoped to find a glass of water or bucket before remembering "... Oh, right, I'm magic."

[@dorcaswinter8296]

Unpopular opinion - but this book was one of my favourites. Yeah there are definitely issues but overall I really enjoyed the storyline, I enjoyed the slight mystery-aspect to it, where you went along with the characters trying to solve what’s going on. And I love Gilderoys character, he is such an idiot but written so well.

[@WineRedEchos]

I'd like to know what you think about the theory for the movie of this one, where, idr who it was that proposed it, but they suggested that malfoy was the one who lead hermionie to the basalisk revelation, because you see him rip a page out of a book in the bookstore. and the paper she has with the basalisk information they pull from her petrified hand later is clearly ripped from a book and not notes she took, she would NEVER rip a page out of a book. idk that theory always kinda stuck with me, that he was secretly trying to help them because he knew about his dads plan or something.

[@theinspiredwordsmith5166]

I loved this a bit more than I probally usually would have at the time because I got the picture book version. And the art made me too happy

[@tomato2108]

I think that HP is the 1st series in which we can say that we belong to such and such community or group inside the book's world and people see that as completely normal instead of thinking that the person is a geek. I mean in casual conversation we can say that "oh by the way I am a Slytherin" and it is completely normal

[@alexcalder2224]

Stop making me want to re read these books! I have so many other books I need to read! Great review though 😂

[@tilhanab6307]

Wow, I NEVER realized that Peeves threw the vanishing cabinet and that was how it got broken! This is what I get for skiping over the first 3 books in my latest reread because I'd already read them about a thousand times. Details! I love it! Never heard that claim that Ron should have been in Hufflepuff. I don't buy it. He's a Gryffindor through and through. He and Hermione both, they've stuck with Harry through every adventure he's had (to the extent that they were physically able) and are both super brave. Incidentally, JKR has said that all 4 houses are important, that Slytherins are not all Death Eaters, it just seems that way because we see it from Harry's perspective and he's in Gryffindor. She also said that she meant the 4 houses to correspond to the 4 elements, so Gryffindor is fire, Slytherin is water, Hufflepuff is earth, and Ravenclaw is air. So they are all important and all have good qualities to contribute. This was in response to people saying, essentially, "Why don't they just chuck all the Slytherins out, since they're clearly where all the baddies are coming from?" Which I always thought was a terrible thing to say. I mean JKR's whole thing, like one of the main themes in her series, is being anti-prejudice. She goes to such lengths to show that hating on Muggles and Muggle-borns is wrong, and that people shouldn't be judged by things like their background which they have no control over, and further that someone's birth or blood status has nothing to do with their worth as a person. So to suggest that anyone put into Slytherin should be branded as essentially a Voldemort sympathizer or pure blood maniac, and should be thrown out of school because they're at risk of becoming a dark wizard, is really just a kind of almost racial profiling. I mean yeah maybe there needs to be something of a culture shift in Slytherin to make the bigotry a little less tolerated than it has been, but I'm sure there were plenty of Slytherins who didn't care about blood status or hate Muggles. It's just that all we ever see are Malfoy's crew of Death Eater offspring so we have a warped view. But I digress. And yes, the points system is all over the place. I feel like I just checked out on the House Cup after the first book because it seemed so rigged at the end. And also the way that Snape takes points from Gryffindor over literally NOTHING, it's almost like, 5 points from Gryffindor because I don't like your face. And god knows how many points he's granting to Slytherin all the time in the background. Meanwhile McGonnagall almost never gives points, but seems to take them away in giant chunks of 50 points at a time, even when it's her own house. It just feels like there's no consistency, it's just a way for teachers to wield carrots and sticks in front of young students and make them think it means something. But I get the sense that most of the older students have already figured out that it doesn't really matter and sort of stop caring.

[@gaber.24]

I

[@pat7504]

The points system is a bit all over the place but I don't think it's the point bonanza at the end of year feasts that's the problem. Hermione regularly gets 10 points here and there for correct answers in class. Why don't Ravenclaw win the House Cup every year?

[@xnet_cascade6257]

I love this book so much because you learn a lot more about Slytherin in it. You learn about Slytherin’s history and his affect in Hogwarts, and why most of his students have a hatred toward Muggleborns.

[@stephaniefaypage8028]

Could harry be a descendants of godric gryffindor through lily side of family because j.k say maybe I suppose you just have to guess ?

[@s.storumus8620]

I thought that Harry was hiding in the Crushing Cabinet, not the Vanishing Cabinet

[@bonus778]

Wait, is today Thursday? Nope. We got a Merphy video a day early? Bonus!

[@AlexB-dg9vv]

It's funny that Voldemort tells Harry exactly what's up with the diary containing his soul in this book but you think he's talking figuratively so you only notice on subsequent re-reads.

[@Abhi_0893]

I think Slytherin was not done good. It was supposed to be ambition. All it turned out to be was evil

[@ame_thyst_99]

I also thought that this one was My least favourite, but after the re read I enjoyed it very Much. I liked it better then the first one!

[@kvan8046]

I've almost finished GOF and I'm trying to read the books slower to keep up with your re read.

[@narata1541]

A fellow Ravenclaw! You're like, my classmate, haha. Great review as always! Number 2 is also my least favorite but I still enjoy it

[@LauraDeFeh]

I just love the way you pronounce Lucius😂

[@stephaniepage4334]

Was it foreshadowing that harry might be related to voldemort when tom jr say we even look kind like?

[@Giulorma1121]

I think Ron's bravery stems from his fierce loyalty to Harry.

[@WtJah]

As an author where are some places I can post/publish a book online. I'm afraid wattpad has a little too much young adult fan fic for me to really draw a crowd unless i have some elements in my own story. Just looking for recommendations

[@Jsman525]

I think my favorite part is Ginny's love song to Harry! I'm a hufflepuff myself and think Hermione should have been a Ravenclaw.

[@jessi4894]

Order of the Phoenix is my least favorite out of all of them. However, while there are a lot of really great things in this book, especially the Tom Riddle reveal, the diary, the mystery and clues about the basilisk, the entire existence of Gilderoy Lockhart (I thought he was great), spending time in The Burrow... so many great things in this book, but somehow the story just didn't come together quite right, I'm not sure how to explain how so many great things just didn't quite gel into something cohesive.

[@FincentVan]

I know what you mean. I feel the plot points or interesting settings are largely glanced over. The flow in the book is slightly off. Aragog, Opening of The Chamber and other plot moments happen so to move the story, but they don’t move me the way it’s supposed to.

[@traptinseid8577]

I really thought I was going to get sorted in Ravenclaw and I was kinda shocked when I got in Slytherin. Twice. I did the quiz in Pottermore 5 years ago and then I did it again 2 months ago and got in Slytherin again. I think the Sorting Hat is trying to tell me something...

[@BroagysClub]

With regards to Ron. While I agree that he belongs in gryffindor, I do believe that he belongs equally in Hufflepuff. The reason being is that the motivation for his bravery is his pure loyalty to his friends. In every scenario that I can recall; the chess scene, the spider scene and the scene with Sirius in the next book, his bravery is born out of his will to do right by his friends. I don't feel like I'm explaining this very well... But I know in my life, where I've not been able to do things for myself, I'll more than happily do them for my friends. I feel like Ron exemplifies this Hufflepuff trait the most. So if gryffindor did not exist, I would agree that Hufflepuff would be where he belongs.

[@jedshere]

I'm finally reading the series for the first time and just finished the second. And I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. So when you say it's the weakest in the series I'm looking forward to the rest. But besides that this is a great review video, agree with everything you said.

[@ferransilves907]

I agree that Chamber of Secrets is my least favourite, but actually on my recent re-read I really enjoyed it more than expected, but the other ones are just really good. My fav is book 4. P.S: Dumbledore MVP just for that scene. Hufflepuff pride💛🖤💛🖤

[@sambull3832]

Don't they say the vashish cabinet is shattered?

[@Roxy6369.]

Is it bad that my least favorite book is book one, and they got better later. My Fav is a tie between 3&4, then 2 is my second favorite