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crispypaperback's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
4.0
aunesofia1993's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
cstina's review against another edition
0.5
I have a hard time to find anything I liked about this book. The main character were very unlikeable. Howl was arting like a child, where Sofie have to be his mother..
bronwynbooklover's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kikiisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
Spoiler alert!!!
And so it ends. I don't want it to but it did.
I really wish we would have gotten a book about Howl and Sophie, in depth, their life now - a novella or something. But I was glad that they were so deep involved in this story as well, I just ask myself what happened to Michael after the last book?
Charmain (which for a long time turned into Chairman in my head) is a bookworm and was sheltered her whole life, because it made her being more respected. (?) And when her Great-Uncle William falls sick she has to care for his house, which she sees as a chance to be free and read as much as she pleases.
There she soon meets Waif and Peter and the journey begins.
At first it just seems like two teens - I think they are teens - living alone with a dog, learning magic argueing and making mistakes just as every teenager. We also learn that even Charmain can do magic.
As soon as Charmain gets to work in the castle we get down the road, the King's money gets lost and no one knows why and there also seems something wrong with the family tree. Who also makes a comeback here? Right! Sophie, Calcifer, Morgan and How- ah I mean "Twinkle". I think it's kinda sweet that Howl names himself Twinkle, thinking about the fact that Calcifer was a star.
Howl is a child and it's obvious that the Pendragon family, that's staying in the castle, is up to something and sooner than later we get to know that they search for an Elfgift and the reason for the King's riches' disappearance.
Great-Uncle William apparently had the lubbock's eggs in him, that not only wanted to hatch inside of him and would have killed him but also sucked the magic out of him - which is why he got so sick. And surprise, same lubbock that layed those eggs is the parent of Prince Ludovic who is responsible for the disappearance of the money and wants to get on the throne. He also is a total heartless uncaring person.
At some point they all figure it out though, get the money, everyone is happy and safe, Howl turns back and we even find out Peter is of Royal descendent.
I enjoyed the story, loved it just as much as the rest. And here I am going to ignore that from book two on it seemed rather important to declare how fat someone was - no seriously I don't get why that was mentioned so often and, of course, negatively. I know it's probably because of that time but that doesn't mean it was okay or that I have to be okay with it.
I loved to see the Pendragons again and I also loved the house and Charmain's story.
But I also have to say that Charmain is not really a nice person. She can be but she was basically annoyed by everyone around her, that didn't leave her to just read and maybe eat. Although I do like how she and Waif are connected.
Also when Peter vanished and she didn't really know, if it was him she heard back in the house it seemed a little weird, like she really did not care where he was and what condition he may be in. I mean all that time and I wished they would become friends at least but I don't think they did.
Besides this weird uncaring nature, I loved the book as well and am glad I got to this series. I am looking forward to be reading more books from Jones.
Edit: I honestly think some passages and all are a little brutal when thinking about this being for children, if I am correct? I know different age groups exist and you can get more mature but the egg laying and the lubbocks basically always bringing [torturous] deaths and all and things mentioned in the books before... But maybe that's just me and it's actually not that deep.
And so it ends. I don't want it to but it did.
I really wish we would have gotten a book about Howl and Sophie, in depth, their life now - a novella or something. But I was glad that they were so deep involved in this story as well, I just ask myself what happened to Michael after the last book?
Charmain (which for a long time turned into Chairman in my head) is a bookworm and was sheltered her whole life, because it made her being more respected. (?) And when her Great-Uncle William falls sick she has to care for his house, which she sees as a chance to be free and read as much as she pleases.
There she soon meets Waif and Peter and the journey begins.
At first it just seems like two teens - I think they are teens - living alone with a dog, learning magic argueing and making mistakes just as every teenager. We also learn that even Charmain can do magic.
As soon as Charmain gets to work in the castle we get down the road, the King's money gets lost and no one knows why and there also seems something wrong with the family tree. Who also makes a comeback here? Right! Sophie, Calcifer, Morgan and How- ah I mean "Twinkle". I think it's kinda sweet that Howl names himself Twinkle, thinking about the fact that Calcifer was a star.
Howl is a child and it's obvious that the Pendragon family, that's staying in the castle, is up to something and sooner than later we get to know that they search for an Elfgift and the reason for the King's riches' disappearance.
Great-Uncle William apparently had the lubbock's eggs in him, that not only wanted to hatch inside of him and would have killed him but also sucked the magic out of him - which is why he got so sick. And surprise, same lubbock that layed those eggs is the parent of Prince Ludovic who is responsible for the disappearance of the money and wants to get on the throne. He also is a total heartless uncaring person.
At some point they all figure it out though, get the money, everyone is happy and safe, Howl turns back and we even find out Peter is of Royal descendent.
I enjoyed the story, loved it just as much as the rest. And here I am going to ignore that from book two on it seemed rather important to declare how fat someone was - no seriously I don't get why that was mentioned so often and, of course, negatively. I know it's probably because of that time but that doesn't mean it was okay or that I have to be okay with it.
I loved to see the Pendragons again and I also loved the house and Charmain's story.
But I also have to say that Charmain is not really a nice person. She can be but she was basically annoyed by everyone around her, that didn't leave her to just read and maybe eat. Although I do like how she and Waif are connected.
Also when Peter vanished and she didn't really know, if it was him she heard back in the house it seemed a little weird, like she really did not care where he was and what condition he may be in. I mean all that time and I wished they would become friends at least but I don't think they did.
Besides this weird uncaring nature, I loved the book as well and am glad I got to this series. I am looking forward to be reading more books from Jones.
Edit: I honestly think some passages and all are a little brutal when thinking about this being for children, if I am correct? I know different age groups exist and you can get more mature but the egg laying and the lubbocks basically always bringing [torturous] deaths and all and things mentioned in the books before... But maybe that's just me and it's actually not that deep.
kaitlinthern's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
helloakosisam's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
remilauren's review against another edition
3.0
House of Many Ways is based in High Norland and revolves around Charmain, a sheltered girl with zero self-preservation skills. Her life is turned upside down when she's forced to look after her Great Uncle William's magical household.
The initial few chapters are dull and annoying, what with Charmain being extremely clueless and messing things up. Then comes along Peter and it gets even more irritable with these two kids trying to butt their heads into some kind of nonsense.
Only when Charmain goes to the Royal Mansion to help with the Library that things get interesting. Now that's because our dear Wizard has decided to grace us with his presence. Being his dramatic self, he appears as a lovely child named Twinkle. He's at the Palace along with Sophie, Calcifer and Morgan to help solve the wealth crisis of this country.
We encounter magical creatures, spells, monsters and what not. But the climax is pretty dull and concludes the plot in a very decidedly expected way. I loved that this time Howl and Sophie were in the picture much earlier and that they were active participants in the story. But this reduced Charmain and Peter to simply exist and watch Howl deal with the monsters. These two characters didn't really add any value to the book. Again, if you go into this book hoping for a true sequel to Howl's, you are bound to be disappointed.
The initial few chapters are dull and annoying, what with Charmain being extremely clueless and messing things up. Then comes along Peter and it gets even more irritable with these two kids trying to butt their heads into some kind of nonsense.
Only when Charmain goes to the Royal Mansion to help with the Library that things get interesting. Now that's because our dear Wizard has decided to grace us with his presence. Being his dramatic self, he appears as a lovely child named Twinkle. He's at the Palace along with Sophie, Calcifer and Morgan to help solve the wealth crisis of this country.
We encounter magical creatures, spells, monsters and what not. But the climax is pretty dull and concludes the plot in a very decidedly expected way. I loved that this time Howl and Sophie were in the picture much earlier and that they were active participants in the story. But this reduced Charmain and Peter to simply exist and watch Howl deal with the monsters. These two characters didn't really add any value to the book. Again, if you go into this book hoping for a true sequel to Howl's, you are bound to be disappointed.