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crosswarrior7's review against another edition
4.0
I won't lie -- I was probably bias while reading this book. I have watched the Ghibli movie, and I adored it. Not only that, but I read this book right after another book I hated reading, but I read because I do not DNF books.
But dang, reading this book was just... It was relaxing. It was smooth. I was a child just sitting back and enjoying the adventure of this girl cursed to be an old woman and joining the craziness of life in Howl's castle.
I will say this though: for anyone who has watched the movie, do not go into this book expecting the same things. The movie was Miyazaki taking Dianne Wynne Jones' world and characters and twisting them to a degree to promote his own anit-war message. Imagine it as if two writers were given the same overall outline, but went two different focuses and added their own details mixed in.
Because where Miyazaki did this, Jones focused on Sophie. Sophie was an oldest child of three who had really let that rule her life, and only by suffering as an old lady did she learn to appreciate who she was.
This isn't an overly fantastical story. It is very controlled and focused. There is a lot of magical things that I would love to see explored, but it is mentioned in passing or with Sophie as a distant viewer. And if anything, that is my main gripe about this story. It does feel too centered on Sophie, but I came into the book with different expectations and beliefs of what the story would be, as well as most of my experiences with books being very modern.
But when I took that into account and distanced myself from these two factors, I could just enjoy the character focus. This is a whimsical, silly, enjoyable story of very imperfect characters growing into a family who genuinely cares about each other.
One other complaint I did have is the plot seemed unfocused, and I dismissed that as just being part of the story, but... Jones pulled a fast one on me and had everything tie together in an amazing way. I was the moron who didn't trust her, and she sucker punched me in a great way for it.
As I said before, the characters are very imperfect. Sophie is very grumpy and snappy and sometimes petter. Howl is vain and fickle. Calcifer is a fire demon who has his own agenda. Michael enables Howl and can be childish (though in his defense, he is a child). But they all are united by this just... This silent care they seem to have. None of them seem to admit it, but they do care deeply for people, especially Howl and Sophie. Howl I would want to beat over the head with a broom, but he is one of my favorite characters simply because of how much he silently cares for people.
I do wish we had spent more time with the characters at the end because I wanted to see where things went for them, especially in regards to a certain ship I have. I won't say which one in case the story is unknown to you. The ending had this weird way of feeling completely but not, but that may have been me expecting more and not reading between the lines enough. There are sequels though which, although not about Sophie or her new family, may expand a bit on what I'm wanting to see. I may pick them up when I have the chance.
Overall, strongly recommend for anyone who enjoys these kind of whimsical journeys of self discovery and family creation.
But dang, reading this book was just... It was relaxing. It was smooth. I was a child just sitting back and enjoying the adventure of this girl cursed to be an old woman and joining the craziness of life in Howl's castle.
I will say this though: for anyone who has watched the movie, do not go into this book expecting the same things. The movie was Miyazaki taking Dianne Wynne Jones' world and characters and twisting them to a degree to promote his own anit-war message. Imagine it as if two writers were given the same overall outline, but went two different focuses and added their own details mixed in.
Because where Miyazaki did this, Jones focused on Sophie. Sophie was an oldest child of three who had really let that rule her life, and only by suffering as an old lady did she learn to appreciate who she was.
This isn't an overly fantastical story. It is very controlled and focused. There is a lot of magical things that I would love to see explored, but it is mentioned in passing or with Sophie as a distant viewer. And if anything, that is my main gripe about this story. It does feel too centered on Sophie, but I came into the book with different expectations and beliefs of what the story would be, as well as most of my experiences with books being very modern.
But when I took that into account and distanced myself from these two factors, I could just enjoy the character focus. This is a whimsical, silly, enjoyable story of very imperfect characters growing into a family who genuinely cares about each other.
One other complaint I did have is the plot seemed unfocused, and I dismissed that as just being part of the story, but... Jones pulled a fast one on me and had everything tie together in an amazing way. I was the moron who didn't trust her, and she sucker punched me in a great way for it.
As I said before, the characters are very imperfect. Sophie is very grumpy and snappy and sometimes petter. Howl is vain and fickle. Calcifer is a fire demon who has his own agenda. Michael enables Howl and can be childish (though in his defense, he is a child). But they all are united by this just... This silent care they seem to have. None of them seem to admit it, but they do care deeply for people, especially Howl and Sophie. Howl I would want to beat over the head with a broom, but he is one of my favorite characters simply because of how much he silently cares for people.
I do wish we had spent more time with the characters at the end because I wanted to see where things went for them, especially in regards to a certain ship I have. I won't say which one in case the story is unknown to you. The ending had this weird way of feeling completely but not, but that may have been me expecting more and not reading between the lines enough. There are sequels though which, although not about Sophie or her new family, may expand a bit on what I'm wanting to see. I may pick them up when I have the chance.
Overall, strongly recommend for anyone who enjoys these kind of whimsical journeys of self discovery and family creation.
islandofgreen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
littlefoot10's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
This book has been on my list of want to reads for YEARS !!! I finally decided it was time!
Howl's Moving Castle is one of my favourite movies of all time. I was coming into this novel thinking it would have the exact same story as the movie. And boy, was I wrong. I'm so glad that it was different in all the right ways.
This book is imaginative at its core. If you're looking for a book that is just fantastical in every way but is still humble with its characters and their flaws; this is it. Look no further.
Seeing so much of Sophie's daily life and sisters was super nice. Sophie is charming and just seeing her become this older version of herself and how she sees herself on the inside because of her likes and hobbies. I enjoyed seeing Calcifer totally different than the movie but still somehow the same.
This novel even had twists that I didn't see coming at all; like Howl's family and a bit of his upbringing. It was like the best sneak peak into these characters I have loved for years and years and seeing more beneath the movie layers.
Howl's Moving Castle really is a love story for the ages. I was laughing out loud at all the shenanigans within these pages. I highly suggest reading this novel (especially if you loved the movie).
Howl's Moving Castle is one of my favourite movies of all time. I was coming into this novel thinking it would have the exact same story as the movie. And boy, was I wrong. I'm so glad that it was different in all the right ways.
This book is imaginative at its core. If you're looking for a book that is just fantastical in every way but is still humble with its characters and their flaws; this is it. Look no further.
Seeing so much of Sophie's daily life and sisters was super nice. Sophie is charming and just seeing her become this older version of herself and how she sees herself on the inside because of her likes and hobbies. I enjoyed seeing Calcifer totally different than the movie but still somehow the same.
This novel even had twists that I didn't see coming at all; like Howl's family and a bit of his upbringing. It was like the best sneak peak into these characters I have loved for years and years and seeing more beneath the movie layers.
Howl's Moving Castle really is a love story for the ages. I was laughing out loud at all the shenanigans within these pages. I highly suggest reading this novel (especially if you loved the movie).
kiyomi33's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
5.0
laikabaika's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
izzypeazzy's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
solveiiig's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.5
timewriter's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Who doesn’t love a slow burn with magic and a moving castle? Or a fire that talks?
donsar's review against another edition
1.0
I watched the movie "Howl's Moving Castle" by Hayao Miyazaki before I read the book but I have to say I was pretty disappointed. Compared to DWJ's other books I thought this was all over the place and had uninteresting characters. I particularly disliked the character Howl, I just found him really annoying! I loved DWJ's series Chrestomanci but I think this book was a let-down. Maybe I'm being to harsh though, because a lot of people here seem to find it much better second time 'round. Might give it another shot in the future!
mbelle97's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75