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clowdywings's review against another edition
5.0
A spectacular book about magic. I love Jones's world that she carefully created. If I couldn't read Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, I would read this.
Sophie is a precise character. She likes cleanliness and order but doesn't quite think things through all the way. In 98% of the book, exceptions being the start and finish, she has a nasty curse casted on her. She's new to magic, but that doesn't stop her from doing what she set out to do.
Howl is such a flamboyant person. Sophie described his magic as "slap-dash" which also matches his personality. He is a fun character, but is cowardly, falls in love too quickly, and throws tantrums like a diva would.
I really enjoyed the overall story. It was deep and complex but it was laid out in such a enjoyable way. I can tell that Jones perfected her writing and really likes writing. It says in the dedication she was inspired by a boy's suggestion of a moving castle. She created a splendid magical world that is sure to charm you.
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The Studio Ghibli adaptation of this is similar but doesn't quite match. It takes a few elements from the book and uses it in the movie. The beginning is very similar to the book's, which is fun. It really is its own thing though so the comparison is going to be limited. I suggest it though! If you haven't read the book, I suggest watching the movie. If you haven't seen the movie but read the book, I suggest the movie.
Sophie is a precise character. She likes cleanliness and order but doesn't quite think things through all the way. In 98% of the book, exceptions being the start and finish, she has a nasty curse casted on her. She's new to magic, but that doesn't stop her from doing what she set out to do.
Howl is such a flamboyant person. Sophie described his magic as "slap-dash" which also matches his personality. He is a fun character, but is cowardly, falls in love too quickly, and throws tantrums like a diva would.
I really enjoyed the overall story. It was deep and complex but it was laid out in such a enjoyable way. I can tell that Jones perfected her writing and really likes writing. It says in the dedication she was inspired by a boy's suggestion of a moving castle. She created a splendid magical world that is sure to charm you.
---
The Studio Ghibli adaptation of this is similar but doesn't quite match. It takes a few elements from the book and uses it in the movie. The beginning is very similar to the book's, which is fun. It really is its own thing though so the comparison is going to be limited. I suggest it though! If you haven't read the book, I suggest watching the movie. If you haven't seen the movie but read the book, I suggest the movie.
blackangel's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
brisingr's review against another edition
5.0
To quote the author herself on adaptations: A book can give you the inside of a person: all other media can only give you the outside.
And yes, the book was a thousand times better, because it is held together by more than vibes. It has a wonderfully complicated plot, it re-twists SO many fairytales (and there's something so magical and chidlishly joyful in reading an anti-fairytale, where you can recognize the tropes and patterns, but they're challenged or laughed at or used in an entirely new way), and the characters are horrendous and so loveable. I had an absolute blast reading this book, and I'm only sorry I didn't do it any sooner!
(I do not like Ghibli movies as a rule, and yes that is my most unpopular opinion. Considering most of my fav books, what makes you think I enjoy happiness?)
And yes, the book was a thousand times better, because it is held together by more than vibes. It has a wonderfully complicated plot, it re-twists SO many fairytales (and there's something so magical and chidlishly joyful in reading an anti-fairytale, where you can recognize the tropes and patterns, but they're challenged or laughed at or used in an entirely new way), and the characters are horrendous and so loveable. I had an absolute blast reading this book, and I'm only sorry I didn't do it any sooner!
(I do not like Ghibli movies as a rule, and yes that is my most unpopular opinion. Considering most of my fav books, what makes you think I enjoy happiness?)
spookyoh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Funny and cozy and fun
Critical score: 4
Fun score: 4
Critical score: 4
Fun score: 4
oncemorewithreading's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
soooohjaun's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
HOWLHIHIHIHIH
babysharkade's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
grace_astudentreading's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Is is really any surprise that the book the one of my all time favorite movies is based on is a five star read? Of course not. Is it a surprise that I loved the book even more than the movie? Nope. But what is a surprise is that this book is actually quite different from the movie and that was the biggest reason I enjoyed it as much as I did. Which was so very much. This book was an instant favorite. First of all, I adored all the characters. Sophie is the character of my heart and soul. I love how much we see her grow over this book. She becomes fierce and fearless and confident and absolutely amazing. I love her with every fiber of my being. Of course, I also adored Michael and Calcifer. Calcifer is absolutely hysterical and Michael is so sweet. All together with Howl they make the cutest found family ever. Of course, I loved Sophie’s bio family as well. Martha and Lettie were both so amazing and had absolutely amazing relationships with each other and Sophie. Lastly for characters, the Witch of the Wastes was an amazing villain. The plot and world were just as amazing as the characters. I loved the magic so much and had a blast reading about it, especially the fight scenes. As for the plot, it seemed slow until the end when everything came together so cleverly and you fully understood what all had been happening the entire time. So overall this book was everything to me and I loved it so much and I cannot recommend it enough!
weightless's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sophie del libro>>>>>
amato particolarmente la coppia sposata vibes però devo dire che mi aspettavo, dal film, che venisse sviluppato molto di più romanticamente. suppongo che se avrò tempo recupererò i sequel
amato particolarmente la coppia sposata vibes però devo dire che mi aspettavo, dal film, che venisse sviluppato molto di più romanticamente. suppongo che se avrò tempo recupererò i sequel
meagand's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This story is so cute! A cozy, chill read. I wanted to see how the book compares to the movie. Howl is less charming and more dramatic and Sophie is tougher and more impulsive in the book. Some reviews said they felt the romance came out of left field at the end, but I disagree. Yes it’s more subtle than the movie but it’s still there. There are other plot differences too but I’m glad for that - who would want to read something exactly like the movie?