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bhnmt61's review against another edition
3.0
This third in the Wizard Howl series starts well. Charmaine, a somewhat spoiled, bookish teen, is prevailed upon by her Great Aunt Sempronia to watch over her Great Uncle William’s house while he is away. Since William is a wizard, the house is magical, and magical creatures pop up when least expected. But Charmaine is often a whiny brat with a disappointing lack of curiosity about the situation she finds herself in. It’s difficult to understand her and her unreasonable reactions to things and people.
Howl and Sophie eventually show up, but the story isn’t really about them. Eventually Charmaine gets involved in the search for the lost treasure of the kingdom and things become increasingly complicated until everything turns out happily in the end. Good enough to finish, but not really recommended.
Howl and Sophie eventually show up, but the story isn’t really about them. Eventually Charmaine gets involved in the search for the lost treasure of the kingdom and things become increasingly complicated until everything turns out happily in the end. Good enough to finish, but not really recommended.
tatibri's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
traciereads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Murder, and Violence
dewygal's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
dani_hart1864's review against another edition
3.0
I appreciated the Howl and company cameo again and I'm glad this story had a different plot line than the last 2.
My reason for rating this the way I did is because the main character Charmain was so irritating to me. The ignorance and laziness was driving me crazy. Also the complete lack of a sense of urgency about anything was very frustrating. Like oh the house is a mess? I'll just lay down a read a book. Oh Calcifer might have blown himself up? I'll just try to sleep and read a book rather than going to check on him. Or Peter disappears and again she doesn't go to look for him?!?!
Also I get that the Lubbockin are evil and all that but dang that seemed like a pretty savage way to end them.
My reason for rating this the way I did is because the main character Charmain was so irritating to me. The ignorance and laziness was driving me crazy. Also the complete lack of a sense of urgency about anything was very frustrating. Like oh the house is a mess? I'll just lay down a read a book. Oh Calcifer might have blown himself up? I'll just try to sleep and read a book rather than going to check on him. Or Peter disappears and again she doesn't go to look for him?!?!
Also I get that the Lubbockin are evil and all that but dang that seemed like a pretty savage way to end them.
lebishop13's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
_lookingforsilber_'s review against another edition
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
littlefoot10's review against another edition
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.
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
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