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jeseph38hg's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
mika07's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
sfox26'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
3.0
dana14's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
4.75
trinm303'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? Yes
4.25
kairosdreaming's review against another edition
4.0
Well this book was certainly delightful. After the 2nd book, in which I wasn't quite as captivated with Jones' continuation of the Howl saga (well, sorta, Howl & Co are secondary characters in the 2nd and this book), this one actually hit the spot and was really charming.
Our protagonist, Charmain, has grown up rather privileged and has to content with housesitting for a wizard unexpectedly. But she has other aspirations, mainly, dealing with books and helping out in the royal library. But all too quickly, between the wizard's magical house and the intrigue happening at the castle, she finds herself in the midst of adventure she never asked for nor expected.
I liked Charmain. Despite her tendency to be self-centered, she does a lot of self-reflection and honestly, just wants to be left alone with her books (which I completely sympathize with). She's content with her life and that's something that not a lot of people can say. I wasn't fond of the co-protagonist with her, he seemed more an afterthought or a way to cause potential trouble, but he didn't interfere enough to really matter. And of course I delighted in Howl and Sophie's appearances.
My only complaint about this book, and this applies to the others as well, is that the ending is needlessly rushed. So much happens and it is so chaotic that it is hard to follow. This may translate well on screen, but for reading it just makes it more difficult in my opinion. We could have easily gotten a few more chapters with a more drawn out conclusion.
Review by M. Reynard 2021
Our protagonist, Charmain, has grown up rather privileged and has to content with housesitting for a wizard unexpectedly. But she has other aspirations, mainly, dealing with books and helping out in the royal library. But all too quickly, between the wizard's magical house and the intrigue happening at the castle, she finds herself in the midst of adventure she never asked for nor expected.
I liked Charmain. Despite her tendency to be self-centered, she does a lot of self-reflection and honestly, just wants to be left alone with her books (which I completely sympathize with). She's content with her life and that's something that not a lot of people can say. I wasn't fond of the co-protagonist with her, he seemed more an afterthought or a way to cause potential trouble, but he didn't interfere enough to really matter. And of course I delighted in Howl and Sophie's appearances.
My only complaint about this book, and this applies to the others as well, is that the ending is needlessly rushed. So much happens and it is so chaotic that it is hard to follow. This may translate well on screen, but for reading it just makes it more difficult in my opinion. We could have easily gotten a few more chapters with a more drawn out conclusion.
Review by M. Reynard 2021
dronte'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? No
5.0
gothicc_goddess_arie's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
chamyl's review against another edition
5.0
The third book of the Howl's Moving Castle trilogy is set in the reign of one of the princesses that appear in the second book, Princess Hilda, the elderly princess.
Princess Hilda did not want to marry, and only cares about books. But she has to care about other things too, because the royal treasury is empty, and if they don't find a solution soon, they're going to be forced to sell their library or be destitute.
Charmain Baker applies to help sort out the library, and at the same time is whisked away from her house because Wizard Norland, the official wizard of the King, got sick and needs someone to look after his house while he's being treated by the Elves. Charmain happens to be a distant relative of his, and gets this assignment.
The house has many ways, because a single door can lead to several different rooms, depending if you turn left or right, if you open it with your left hand or your right elbow.
Will Charmain figure out how the house works and how to save the royal family from poverty?
There's a little bit more of Sophie and Howl in this book. And Howl is still one of the most powerful, most original characters I've ever seen.
What I was not expecting was his trick to be way less self-centred than this: I had not realised that doubling the toddlers running around meant doubling the targets. When the enemy targets his son, there's a mix-up and he goes after child-Howl instead.
He was trying to protect his son all along, even at his own expenses.
And, obviously, doing it for shit and giggles too while he was it. Because it's still Howl we're talking about.
(Note to self: week 34 of the 2015 reading challenge: a trilogy - the third)
Princess Hilda did not want to marry, and only cares about books. But she has to care about other things too, because the royal treasury is empty, and if they don't find a solution soon, they're going to be forced to sell their library or be destitute.
Charmain Baker applies to help sort out the library, and at the same time is whisked away from her house because Wizard Norland, the official wizard of the King, got sick and needs someone to look after his house while he's being treated by the Elves. Charmain happens to be a distant relative of his, and gets this assignment.
The house has many ways, because a single door can lead to several different rooms, depending if you turn left or right, if you open it with your left hand or your right elbow.
Will Charmain figure out how the house works and how to save the royal family from poverty?
There's a little bit more of Sophie and Howl in this book. And Howl is still one of the most powerful, most original characters I've ever seen.
Spoiler
In House of Many Ways, he transforms into a child the same age as his own son, Morgan. I was thoroughly convinced he was doing it just to mess with people, and have an advantage while investigating in the royal mansion. Obviously, he made himself disgustingly pretty, and even gave himself a lisp.What I was not expecting was his trick to be way less self-centred than this: I had not realised that doubling the toddlers running around meant doubling the targets. When the enemy targets his son, there's a mix-up and he goes after child-Howl instead.
He was trying to protect his son all along, even at his own expenses.
And, obviously, doing it for shit and giggles too while he was it. Because it's still Howl we're talking about.
(Note to self: week 34 of the 2015 reading challenge: a trilogy - the third)