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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this before watching the movie. As much as I love it, I give it 4 stars because some plot points are confusing, especially near the end.
I was a little disappointed at first when some things in this book aren't included in the movie (like about Howl opening a door into modern times Wales!), but then I realise that movies and books are two different creatures. The movie was still a great adaptation as well as being a great movie in it's own right.
I was a little disappointed at first when some things in this book aren't included in the movie (like about Howl opening a door into modern times Wales!), but then I realise that movies and books are two different creatures. The movie was still a great adaptation as well as being a great movie in it's own right.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s almost just like the movie. Most of the parts are in the movie, but there are a few more pages to the book that works well with the story. Howl’s moving castle is my favorite movie, so when I saw this book I had to read it. It is somewhat similar, but don’t think it’ll be exactly as the movie. It is really easy to read and gives you that cozy sweet reading feeling. It was a nice book to read to change up my palate.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
During the middle, it was hard for me to focus on the story sometimes. It felt like the plot wasn't moving fast enough. There is a lot happening in the last four or five chapters, and I just had to read on. I wish the ending would explain things a little bit more. But overall, I enjoyed the story!
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Having watched Miyazaki's Howl's Moving Castle (2004) I was always curious to read the book behind it. What I liked most about Jones' writing is the humour she brings to her characters, with the extravagance of Howl's melodrama and Sophie's dry acceptance of her fate to live as an old woman, and the rendering of Ingary. What I believe Jones does well is merge the mystic lands of Ingary with the more tangible and recognisable 'Wales', where Howl comes from. The plot was good, and advanced quickly. One criticism would be that I feel towards the end the 'plot solution' came around slightly too fast, with a host of characters such as Sophie's entire family being described in the final scenes which took focus away from the main characters - Calcifer, Michael, Sophie and Howl. I was slightly disappointed with the ending of the Witch of the Waste, and the lack of resolution for such issues as Michael believing Martha to be Lettie, and how Suliman came to be in Ingary, etc. Perhaps these will be covered in the next book 'House of Many Ways'. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this. I thought it was a really strong piece of fantasy writing for a younger audience and would recommend for someone looking for a light-hearted and amusing read; particularly as a fan of writing 'tropes'. Sophie's acknowledgement of the conventions of fairytale writing was a truly interesting part of this, and sets out an understanding of what readers might believe will happen being disregarded.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No