Scan barcode
grace_astudentreading's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
This book was much more in line with my expectations than the last one. And while I did not enjoy it quite as much as the first book in the series, I still definitely loved it! For starters I loved Charmain. She is a bookworm, which is automatic green flag in a character. She also shares my affection for pastries. But aside from our similarities, I also loved her for her character development. She begins the book incredibly sheltered, and has to learn how to be her own person and stand for herself. And of course I loved the other characters, especially Sophie, Howl, and Calcifer. I was thrilled to be back with them for a whole book, and it was so funny to read them an outsider’s perspective. As for the setting, this was probably one of my favorite parts of the book. The house was absolutely fascinating, and I wish we had gotten more time in it with Charmain exploring it. As for the plot, it was as complex, clever, and fun as I have come to expect from Diana Wynne Jones. Overall I loved this book and highly recommend!
assam_athenaeum's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bethlee'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? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
kayzo's review against another edition
3.0
I found Charmaine to be disappointing, but once the story began to progress it outweighed my dislike for her.
sepptb's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.25
ponyoplant's review against another edition
2.5
Objectively a 3 stars but maybe not for me? I think i just want to reread howls moving castle
vforvalensa's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
It's bonkers that central conflict in this children's book from Two Thousand and Eight AD is basically a racist/antisemitic conspiracy theory, presented with no complication. When the book introduced the race of human/creature hybrid people that are prerty much ontologically evil, I kept waiting for a twist where it's revealed that its a misunderstanding or there's a sympathetic element going on. But nope, the subhuman lubbockin have infiltrated society and are stealing tax money to take over the government. Wack.
oxlabyrinthxo's review against another edition
4.0
I liked it but the same thing goes for this as I said for the second book. I would like to have seen more of Sophie and Howl.
caoimhemia's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
javablue's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5