A review by lauren_miller
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

As many others have likely done too, I picked this up b/c I loved the Studio Ghibli movie and wanted to experience the original. To say it is different would be an understatement, but not necessarily in a bad way; I did enjoy it quite a bit. Jenny Sterlin was the perfect narrator, so like Jean Simmons who voiced Grandma Sophie for the movie in English, and the story had the same simple and dreamlike qualities as the movie. There were parts that I didn't necessarily love about the book (i.e., the end of the witch of the waste), overall it was a fun and classic read, very in the vein of Anne of Green Gables. Good comp and reading rec for those with younger kids!