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logicalstroopwafel's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
redvelveties's review against another edition
5.0
5/5
Oh man where do I begin with this books? Let me just say as a Studio Ghibli Howl's Moving Castle enthusiast, I knew that the movie changed quite a bit from the book but I didn't know how much they did change. I LOVED THIS BOOK. The book version of Howl was almost more enjoyable to me because he was much more fleshed out and had so much more personality (even if it was negative) compared to his movie portrayal.
I also loved Sophie so much, along with how much more she did in the book. She was so badass even as an old granny. Sophie didn't take any shit from anyone, including Howl and Calcifer. I also loved her relationship with Michael, he was basically like her little brother. I definitely think that there could have been more of a romantic build up between Howl and Sophie, BUT I also saw Sophie's feelings for Howl unintentionally peek through in the second half of the book. You could also tell that Howl was softer towards Sophie, and not because she was an old woman because he knew she was under a spell. So it made sense in the end that they'd end up together, but I was hoping for a little bit more.
Also, the Witch of the Waste was so much more EVIL? She literally k*lled people and glued them together it was so crazy. I understand why Howl was so scared of her because I would be too if she was coming after me. I loved the fighting parts with magic because I can only picture how crazy it would look.
Overall: I loved this book, it was better than the Ghibli movie imo because every character had so much more personality and I was much more attached to them and each of their story lines. I loved the inclusion of Sophie's family all the way to the end of the story and I loved being proved wrong about certain plot points (Fanny betraying Sophie like she did in the movie, Howl and Michael fighting for the same Lettie Hatter, etc.). I would definitely reread this one because I fell in love with the world.
Oh man where do I begin with this books? Let me just say as a Studio Ghibli Howl's Moving Castle enthusiast, I knew that the movie changed quite a bit from the book but I didn't know how much they did change. I LOVED THIS BOOK. The book version of Howl was almost more enjoyable to me because he was much more fleshed out and had so much more personality (even if it was negative) compared to his movie portrayal.
I also loved Sophie so much, along with how much more she did in the book. She was so badass even as an old granny. Sophie didn't take any shit from anyone, including Howl and Calcifer. I also loved her relationship with Michael, he was basically like her little brother. I definitely think that there could have been more of a romantic build up between Howl and Sophie, BUT I also saw Sophie's feelings for Howl unintentionally peek through in the second half of the book. You could also tell that Howl was softer towards Sophie, and not because she was an old woman because he knew she was under a spell. So it made sense in the end that they'd end up together, but I was hoping for a little bit more.
Also, the Witch of the Waste was so much more EVIL? She literally k*lled people and glued them together it was so crazy. I understand why Howl was so scared of her because I would be too if she was coming after me. I loved the fighting parts with magic because I can only picture how crazy it would look.
Overall: I loved this book, it was better than the Ghibli movie imo because every character had so much more personality and I was much more attached to them and each of their story lines. I loved the inclusion of Sophie's family all the way to the end of the story and I loved being proved wrong about certain plot points (Fanny betraying Sophie like she did in the movie, Howl and Michael fighting for the same Lettie Hatter, etc.). I would definitely reread this one because I fell in love with the world.
stacieh's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
amelrose's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
turtleraces's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
oliviasantioni's review against another edition
4.5
Super cute! I love the movie so my rating might be higher because of that. There were still enough differences between the two so I didn’t feel bored. I can see why some details were left out from the movie but I did think that the book makes way more sense and is far more cohesive. I enjoyed learning about Sophie’s sisters and seeing how they tie things together with the missing prince and sorcerer. Also learning more about the witche’s own fire demon and the details of her curse feels essential to the overall plot. Also, the fact that howl is from wales and he is moving between worlds is very interesting. My only disappointment is that I was hoping for more of a slow burn romance to develop between howl and Sophie and there was some hinting towards the end when Sophie finds out that howl knew about her having a curse on her but like not really nothing really comes of anything until the very end when her curse comes off. I also wasn’t sure what the objective of the wirche’s curse on howl was and why he was so worried about it. It’s a very cozy fantasy which I enjoyed. I’m looking forward to reading the other two books.
jazmine27's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
aprettyqueerbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5