Back to Hogwarts for year 2
The Second Book of the Harry Potter Saga picks up basically where the first ends and is again fast and accessible and is again very linear. Overall, this book is creepier than the first but not radically different. It is definitely cut from the same cloth and I still feel like the series is trying to find a voice.

Some observations about this book, from the series perspective.

• Plot - this book, in it’s core, is very similar to the first. No - not the beginning (she gave this volume a much better beginning), but it’s core actions are very similar. I guess I found that disappointing as it set up just like the first once we get to Hogwarts. The end, personally, I found disappointling because of the similarity to the first book. I get that Voldemort is the arch-villain but I feel like it was like a “boss level” at the end.
• Writing - Her writing is better in this book, and the beginning is vastly superior (the car is cool).
• Characters - the Characters continue to flesh out and Hermione and Ron get more flesh on their bones. I like the Weasleys as a family quite a bit. For some reason, they remind me of my family at times (or a BIGGER version, but mine - and I am not sure why).

I also think this volume has some plot convience playhouse toward the end. I know, Young Adult, but don’t forget the word adult is in there along with young. At times the plot does need to work, not just be jumped over.

I mentioned this about the first book, and Brian talked about it in the comments, but this also feels like it has to stand alone verses the over arching series voice that books achieve (yes, I am aware that starts to happen - I have finished Book 3 already). The “Year” markings on the volumes did not show up until after the reprints of Vol 1 & 2 when Vol 3 was released. I think the success of this volume combined with the first solidified her 7 book deal and allowed the writing to expand to over arching themes.

This book has sophomore effort all over it. Always hard as you have to break away from the success of the first but not alienate anyone by doing anything too different.