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

Murderous giant snakes with Medusa-like powers and Slytherin heirs? Hell, yeah! Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second installment in the Harry Potter series.

After seemingly defeating Voldemort at the end of the first book, Harry goes back to his aunt and uncle, who decides that he has had enough “wacky” business for a lifetime and lock him up to prevent him from returning to Hogwarts.

Enter the Weasleys, Ron’s family, an arrogant new professor who doesn’t care about his students’ safety, a well-meaning yet dangerous house-elf, and the impending doom of Hogwarts and you’ll get Harry Potter and the Chamber of secrets.

More is revealed about the enigmatic Voldemort, while students are attacked by a giant snake with a blood-purity complex. Halfway through this book, Harry once again finds himself responsible for saving his fellow students, who don’t even trust him anymore.

The superb aspect of this book is that it departs from the jovial, almost childish tone of book 1. Here, more is at stake, and we find that Voldemort wasn’t always the scary demon-faced evil wizard we know. One of the greatest feats Rowling achieves in this book is the way she showcases how evil people can be charismatic and charming, fooling everyone.

We’re also introduced to some well fleshed-out side characters like Ginny, Professor Lockhart, and Dobby. Everyone seems to have a hidden agenda, and the red herring style Rowling uses, will throw subsequent surprises at you and keep you interested until the final reveal.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a great second entry that continues building and developing the world and characters established in book 1 without compromising its entertainment or accessibility. If you are a fan of book 1, you’ll love this book, and if you liked book 1 but felt it was too childish, then you’ll find this book to be your cup of tea.