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lapeace_24's review against another edition
4.0
It has a different beauty from its predecessor with new characters you'll love. It can be a hit or miss if you still expect Sophie and Howl as leads but I still love Abdullah's adventure with The Genie.
mschrokosch's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
I listen to the audio book, I do like the person who narrates the story.
The story is a well written Arabian Nights type tail, but sadly I didn't like it as much as the first book.
I don't believe the story aged as well as Howls Moving Castle.
The story is a well written Arabian Nights type tail, but sadly I didn't like it as much as the first book.
I don't believe the story aged as well as Howls Moving Castle.
ciphertextx's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed all of this book, but some of it really dragged for me, and considering how short a book it is, that's not so good.
I enjoyed Abdullah as male character who appreciated and admired strong women, and that he only fell more in love with Flower as her strength flourished. I will say that I enjoyed the story more when Sophie and Howl made their appearances. Before that, it read like a very fickle fairytale love story, and the whole quest to rescue Flower from the djinn was just...eehhh. Likeable, but lacking.
Abdullah, a carpet merchant, acquires a flying carpet which will only obey him in his sleep (reasons for which are never really explained from what I remember). And it basically makes his dreams come true by whisking him off to a palace to meet a pretty princess whom he teaches about men (she's very sheltered) and deigns to marry. Some drama happens and Flower (the princess) gets kidnapped by this demon, Abdullah goes on a quest to save her, and literally all his dreams wind up coming true in some way. I quite liked how it all fit together to be honest :P
Maybe I'm just dense, but I didn't see any of the twists coming at all, so they were a pleasant surprise for me!
In his quest, Abdullah comes across this foreign soldier and two cats in the west who help him, and Sophie and Howl are there as well as an entire floating castle full of other princesses. Not really a sequel to the first book, more like a companion in the same universe. It was good, but I'm not crazy about it which is evidenced by the fact that I can't write a decent review.
I enjoyed Abdullah as male character who appreciated and admired strong women, and that he only fell more in love with Flower as her strength flourished. I will say that I enjoyed the story more when Sophie and Howl made their appearances. Before that, it read like a very fickle fairytale love story, and the whole quest to rescue Flower from the djinn was just...eehhh. Likeable, but lacking.
Abdullah, a carpet merchant, acquires a flying carpet which will only obey him in his sleep (reasons for which are never really explained from what I remember). And it basically makes his dreams come true by whisking him off to a palace to meet a pretty princess whom he teaches about men (she's very sheltered) and deigns to marry. Some drama happens and Flower (the princess) gets kidnapped by this demon, Abdullah goes on a quest to save her, and literally all his dreams wind up coming true in some way. I quite liked how it all fit together to be honest :P
Maybe I'm just dense, but I didn't see any of the twists coming at all, so they were a pleasant surprise for me!
In his quest, Abdullah comes across this foreign soldier and two cats in the west who help him, and Sophie and Howl are there as well as an entire floating castle full of other princesses. Not really a sequel to the first book, more like a companion in the same universe. It was good, but I'm not crazy about it which is evidenced by the fact that I can't write a decent review.
stephis97's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
nuricurry's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-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
3.5
jasminehere's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
ladybiblio's review against another edition
3.0
Coming off Howl's Moving Castle (a childhood movie I loved and a book I enjoyed even more) this one was a let down for me. It didn't carry the same charm or draw. It plays a lot off of Aladdin. I personally couldn't get behind the main character nor his drive to save the princess. I finished the book and was alright with it but it hasn't become a favourite.
vnika's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
aurorasky2025's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5! This book def didn’t hit as much as the first and I ended up rating it completely different from what I originally thought! That’s to say that it really didn’t get interesting till halfway, the first half I would’ve rated 2.5-2.75 stars and the last half is a good ol 4 stars, because the plot actually started to pick up the pace