Reviews

Although it's aimed at children, it's no less enjoyable to read as an adult. The Folio edition is complete with amazing illustrations as well, which helps.

notonlyreading's review against another edition

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4.0

Último libro de la trilogía iniciada por El castillo ambulante.

De nuevo los personajes protagonistas de la primera entrega aparecen a mitad del libro, de modo que la historia se plantea en un contexto conocido pero diferente a la vez, que da lugar a sus propias aventuras.

Mismo tono entrañable y juvenil.

estea's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

mschrokosch's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ciphertextx's review against another edition

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5.0

Okay, I really loved this book. The beginning dragged a little and I found it kind of boring. I can't remember when I started really enjoying it, but I think it was around when we learned about this big ole magical bug that goes around making women and men pregnant with its bug eggs. Diana Wynne Jones didn't give one single fuck about what content she chose to include in her children's fantasy novel.

Charmain was a pretty relatable main character - only wants to sit and read books and literally can't be bothered with anything or anyone else. Sounds like someone I know. It's me. Anyway, she goes to look after her uncle's cottage because her uncle is really unwell and the elves are taking him to elf hospital to help him. Now, I kinda thought Great Uncle William had cancer or something, or maybe was just dying of old age.

But no. I was a fool. I was so naive. Do you want to know why Great Uncle William was so sick? Well, if not, I suggest you skip the next paragraph. For those who do want to know, prepare yourselves.

Great Uncle William was

Spoiler

pregnant with big ole magical bug eggs.

Honestly, the clues were there.

Spoiler

The fact that the lubbock was described seemingly out of nowhere early on in the book, the symptoms of the insemination for men.

But I could never have even imagined Jones would go there. What reason did I have to believe that she would include

Spoiler

MPreg (that's male pregnancy for those of you fortunate enough to have never come across the term)

in her book? So when I learned the truth, I screamed a bit and had to put the book down and immediately tell all my closest friends.

Spoiler

Egg-pregnancy (eggnancy, you might say)

aside, the lubbocks were a lot more involved in the book than I could have anticipated. It's nice to have a scary villain about.

And of course Sophie, Howl, and Calcifer showing up midway through the book again was a nice plus. Howl remains an annoying yet charming asshole, and Sophie remains frustrated with his antics. They're so in love.

I'm out of steam. One day I'll learn to review a book immediately after I've finished it instead of waiting two months. Or maybe I'll start keeping notes. I liked this book. A great finale to a great trilogy!

nuricurry's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

pamjohnson01's review against another edition

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