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

Disclaimer: This review is all over the place. Perhaps it will only make sense if you have read the book/are currently reading it.

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Is it just me or did Dudley sound briefly nice when going to Harry to tell him he knows it was his birthday? I mean, his tone was definitely not nice, but I couldn't help but feel like the small talk hinted a little at him being...idk...caring? I doubt that's the right word, but something along those lines.

Or it's probably just my overly-empathetic side trying to see the good in everyone and everything (Jk, I more often than not do the opposite).

Thought Snippets:

Errol, the Weasley family's old owl is adorable. Why they so mean to him pft. And why didn't we see more of him in the movies? They left out so much that every Potterhead who didn't read the books definitely missed out.

I really love how Hermione says of course each time she mentions something academic she's done, as if of course, everyone else is doing that too.

Ginny is cute. I didn't really like her in the movies. Thought she was too fangirl and ugh why did she end up with Harry when there was zero chemistry there. But clearly the producers just sucked out all her personality from the films. I think her little crush on Harry is very like kids her age. I don't know what to do with Harry's reaction to her though. Or should I say, his non-reaction. Because, though he notices, his thoughts are kept private by the narrator. Does he think she's cute? Annoying? Weird? Does he realise she has a crush on him? How does he feel about it? Is it the tiniest bit reciprocated?

Ugh, so many questions.

About Hagrid, I feel it’s rather unfair how he got expelled if he had nothing to do with the Chamber of Secrets. Poor Hagrid.

Also. Question. For Joanne. Why had no one before ever thought to ask Moaning Myrtle about what had happened and who had killed her? For fifty years?

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Can we talk about Rowling's ingenuity for a moment? Where does one come up with such fascinating creativity? Mandrakes - like newborn babies just popped out of the amniotic sac when pulled out of earth. Who would've thought of that?

As critical as I am of most writers, I just couldn't bring myself to dislike the books at all. It's already my new favourite series, even though there is the looming fear of...oh, this is also so many other people's favourite. I don't know why, but when something so good is popular, I tend to steer away from it. Like the joy of having something precious for you and you only is now robbed. It is selfishness. To want all the best things the world can procure for yourself. I feel a bit like that with Harry Potter. This series is in loads of people's God Tiers, and because I'm late to it, I can't help but feel like it isn't my place to fangirl although I so desperately want to. It's different when you're among the first to discover a treasure. But when you're just joining the crowd, no matter how precious the treasure is, you're just one among the mass. But I’m here to tell you, no matter where you are in life, no matter how old, it’s not too late. You deserve the joys of treasure just like everyone else.

This is by far the best series I have EVER read and I'm not even halfway through Book 2. I will cherish this story and buy every edition of every collection there is. Because here's the thing. People say it was part of their childhood or adolescence because they're adults now and they're reminiscing on what is the past for them. I just happen to be lucky to discover the world of wizardry and magic as a young adult and one day I'll grow even older and I'll say with soft nostalgia how this was part of my formative adult years. I'm just saying that, no matter how old you start something, it will always end up being something you look back on at some point later on. So there's no point being scared or hesitant to just go for it now.

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The ending. I cannot believe Rowling's GENIUS!!! All the littlest unanswered questions I had throughout the book, all answered in one simple paragraph. I am mind-blown. Stunned. Shooketh.

I’ll let the little blips slide. Because oh of course Riddle forgot that Phoenix tears had healing powers.

I'm not going to be too harsh on this series. It's my favourite and so devour-worthy. Added to comfort book series list. Christmas-time worthy. 

Toodles lovelies x