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quazi44'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? Yes
4.5
latad_books's review against another edition
4.0
2024-05: Howl’s Moving Castle: 4.5 stars.
I had forgotten that Diana Wynne Jones included scenes in our world, when Sophie, Howl and Michael head to Howell Jenkins’ sister’s home in Wales in pursuit of a spell accidentally sent there.
Sophie’s tart responses to Howl’s behaviour and messy home continue to amuse me, and the story delighted me all over again, and everything I enjoyed about it last time I read it (see review below) did it again.
2021-09: Howl’s Moving Castle: 4.5 stars.
Unlike the lush, sweeping and romantic feel of the Studio Ghibli interpretation of this work, Diana Wynne Jones’ Howl has a tartness, and sharpness to the characters statements interactions, as well as to Sophie’s thoughts about the situations and people surrounding her.
The story was fun and amusing, and I loved how unflattering Wynne Jones made Howl’s behaviour, with his “slithering out” of answering questions and of commitments, his moaning and tantrums.
Sophie is all kinds of wonderful, and I loved how no-nonsense curious, and kind she was, no matter whether she was faced with a fire demon, a melodramatic Howl or a door leading to different places, even while gradually becoming aware of her own magical abilities.
I had read his book many years before, and a recent rematch of the movie prompted me to pull this book back off the shelf.
I found the stories and characters delightful, and picked up on Sophie’s magical abilities much earlier and better than I had the first time I read this. Sophie’s wonderfully rendered, feeling incapable of pushing against her sisters and stepmother, and it’s once she’s suddenly made an old woman and faced with a recalcitrant fire demon that she starts to really take charge of her life. It’s wonderful to watch her come alive, sarcasm, inventiveness, and tartness included.
I had forgotten that Diana Wynne Jones included scenes in our world, when Sophie, Howl and Michael head to Howell Jenkins’ sister’s home in Wales in pursuit of a spell accidentally sent there.
Sophie’s tart responses to Howl’s behaviour and messy home continue to amuse me, and the story delighted me all over again, and everything I enjoyed about it last time I read it (see review below) did it again.
2021-09: Howl’s Moving Castle: 4.5 stars.
Unlike the lush, sweeping and romantic feel of the Studio Ghibli interpretation of this work, Diana Wynne Jones’ Howl has a tartness, and sharpness to the characters statements interactions, as well as to Sophie’s thoughts about the situations and people surrounding her.
The story was fun and amusing, and I loved how unflattering Wynne Jones made Howl’s behaviour, with his “slithering out” of answering questions and of commitments, his moaning and tantrums.
Sophie is all kinds of wonderful, and I loved how no-nonsense curious, and kind she was, no matter whether she was faced with a fire demon, a melodramatic Howl or a door leading to different places, even while gradually becoming aware of her own magical abilities.
I had read his book many years before, and a recent rematch of the movie prompted me to pull this book back off the shelf.
I found the stories and characters delightful, and picked up on Sophie’s magical abilities much earlier and better than I had the first time I read this. Sophie’s wonderfully rendered, feeling incapable of pushing against her sisters and stepmother, and it’s once she’s suddenly made an old woman and faced with a recalcitrant fire demon that she starts to really take charge of her life. It’s wonderful to watch her come alive, sarcasm, inventiveness, and tartness included.
klkbayliss's review against another edition
5.0
Fell in love with these books
A friend recommended that I read these books and I was not disappointed. The characters were amazing and engaging. Truthfully, I liked the first and third book the best, but I enjoyed the second one as well. I can easily see myself re reading these books and already have a copy of the first one to a friend because I knew she'd enjoy it too.
Merged review:
Fell in love with these books
A friend recommended that I read these books and I was not disappointed. The characters were amazing and engaging. Truthfully, I liked the first and third book the best, but I enjoyed the second one as well. I can easily see myself re reading these books and already have a copy of the first one to a friend because I knew she'd enjoy it too.
A friend recommended that I read these books and I was not disappointed. The characters were amazing and engaging. Truthfully, I liked the first and third book the best, but I enjoyed the second one as well. I can easily see myself re reading these books and already have a copy of the first one to a friend because I knew she'd enjoy it too.
Merged review:
Fell in love with these books
A friend recommended that I read these books and I was not disappointed. The characters were amazing and engaging. Truthfully, I liked the first and third book the best, but I enjoyed the second one as well. I can easily see myself re reading these books and already have a copy of the first one to a friend because I knew she'd enjoy it too.
hikari2000's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
karenclare's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.75
glddstwmn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I wish I liked this more that I did :(
Loved Howl and Calcifer, but the ending felt rushed.I don't think Sophie would have stayed with Howl in the end? I feel like she would have gone with her sisters or something? Like she doesnt even seem to like him until the very end and even then, she only tolerates him.
I'm glad I read it but I won't reread. This took me nearly 2 months finish and lowkey put me back into a reading slump
Loved Howl and Calcifer, but the ending felt rushed.
I'm glad I read it but I won't reread. This took me nearly 2 months finish and lowkey put me back into a reading slump
siesiss's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
4.0
silenttardis's review against another edition
5.0
it took a month and little bit more to read the three books to my kids at night and it was a very fun ride for all of us, i really recommend this book for all ages, is full of fantasy and in the end true love always wins