When an author writes an epic series of books you gotta expect that some stuff maybe recycled and that the beginning of each book will be similar as you get a recap of what happened and the characters are introduced again, for those who forget easily or maybe for those who like to read a series in random order. What I wasn't expecting was Rowling to just rehash the first potter book, I don't understand why nobody has complained more about this. Everything that happened in this book is just slightly tweaked from the last book. Here's a run-down of both books.

1. Harry has horrible foster parents and they lock him away because they don't want him going to wizard school (it looked like they had learnt their lesson in book 1 but conveniently forgot all that for book 2)
2. They go to Diagon ally to buy some stuff.
3. They go to school, lessons are tough, Ron moans about something, One possibly evil teacher is in a bad mood and takes it out on harry.
4. Something bad is happening at the school, in this instance kids are ending up long term in medical, where the hell is OFSTED or social services? Why aren't the parents there worried for their kids? Magic! That's why.
5. Hagrid has a strange pet.
6. The boys go into the woods and meet a strange creature
7. The teachers are completely oblivious to what is going on, all their years of experience and training are out the window at this point. IMHO the only teacher with an excuse is the amazing Gilderoy Lockhart. What a guy!
8. Oh Hermione is a goody goody two shoes who likes to learn.
9. Harry figures it out
10. There is a battle under the school
11. Harry wings it like a pro.
12. Bad guys get what's coming to them.

And repeat for book 3?

Given it 2 stars as the writing has improved from book 1.