Howl’s Moving Castle (World of Howl, #1)

by Diana Wynne Jones

A classic fairytale-esque fantasy story. Sophie, the eldest of three sisters, crosses the (wicked) Witch of the Waste and finds herself taking on the appearance of a cranky old lady. With her sisters chasing after their dreams of finding love and having ten children and becoming an apprentice witch and making a fortune, Sophie decides to pack up and set out on her own to either find a cure or die trying.

Along the way she meets the Wizard Howl, his apprentice Michael and his fire demon, Calcifer who live in a Moving Castle and are on the run from the Witch of the Waste as well. When Sophie sees the state of their castle, she takes on the position of housekeeper, all the while looking for how she can break the spell.

I really liked Sophie. She was hilarious. She was cranky and fierce and it was perfect. I loved the way she bosses Michael and Howl and Calcifer around. I enjoyed the magical elements of the story, the seven league boots and the idea of a whole moving castle that has one door that opens to many different places. Howl was vain and petty and spoiled but he was also sweet and kind at times and it was hilarious watching him try to outstubborn Sophie. I liked the friendship between them but I can't really say I understood the romance between them. Or the perception of the romance between them by everyone else. It wasn't particularly romantic in my opinion.

I liked Calcifer and how he kept getting bullied into laying down his head so Sophie or Howl could cook over him. And I liked all the other characters Michael and Martha and Lettie.

An enjoyable fantasy story with imaginative world-building and an interesting cast of characters. 4 stars.