Reviews

House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones

_lookingforsilber_'s review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bannedfrombookclub's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted

4.5

littlefoot10's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I'm honestly super glad I am finally done this book and this series. Howl's Moving Castle has been one of my favourite movies for it feels like my entire life.

The first novel in this series was INCREDIBLE... and the second and this final novel were just downhill in my opinion. 

Howl is actually present for quite a bit of this book but he's a child named Twinkle that has a lisp. Reading those passages was annoying and difficult. 

The main character Charmain was annoying as well because I understand she just wants to spend her days reading, but she has no life skills...at all. I don't realistically understand what this character did every day before going to take care of this magical house. 

Peter was okay, if not just used the entirety as someone that is clumsy and can't do anything correctly. 

Waif was my favourite part of this entire book. 

And the ending just felt so rushed after the entire book just being the magical house basically. I want more of the conclusion. Once Peter is named the next in line, once Sophie and her family are leaving. Once Charmain begins working for the king and learning magic and the elfgift. That is where the story really is. Not in the stupid magic of the house with laundry and plumbing and all the food that is eaten. I feel like the majority of the book was Charmain and Peter figuring out how to eat each meal every day. 

If I was ever to do a re-read I would honestly just read Howl's Moving Castle and skip book two and three because they were not worth the time it took to read them. I've given this a 3 star only because Waif, Sophie and Calcifer were the only saving graces of this book and maybe the Uncle...but barely. 

yushirou's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

adearen's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

debitoni's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted 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

4.75

agriffin's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted 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? No

3.5

rach_s_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

waymobypauli's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

radina's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

4.0

This is a classic DWJ book - a kid gets into trouble and then gets back out of it. It reminded me of the Chrestomanci series a lot. I enjoyed it, but I still think Howl's Moving Castle was her peak and anything else is just not quite as good. Still, a charming and quick read.