A review by ravalyn
Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones

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

3.0

Castle in the Air was to me a let-down compared to the brilliant previous book, Howl's Moving Castle. It started off as basically Aladdin. While Abdullah's dialogues were humorous, the story was only mildly entertaining. At some point, the story transports to the country of Ingary and some well-known characters are introduced. There are babies, because that's what we expect after people marry - so yay? From here onwards, the story did get more enjoyable. I enjoyed the grand reveal, although it it all felt a bit sudden. Things get wrapped up pretty quickly, but not before some poor girls are sent off to marry the villain on some distant island (they are characterized as being fat and stupid, and have been used by a relative, and that somehow makes it okay), and the protagonists getting their princesses in the end. It is very much a children's book with the expected happy ending. I missed Jones' witty ability to turn around stereotypes and expectations in this one. To me, the exchanges between Abdullah and his carpet were the most enjoyable parts of this book.
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