caffeinatedkindlegirl's review against another edition
Book has a better plot than the movie. Made me go delulu over Howl and Sophie.
ottiedottie's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
Oh my god. Such a treat. A delight. A fun fun fun time.
I have pages and pages of highlights from this book. Sophie is so hilarious, I adore how she adapts to her curse of being an old lady, her control issues, how irritable and grumpy and feisty she is and just ahhh everything about her. I love how she laments being the eldest sibling like it's a literal disease it's literally so fucking funny.
I LOVE HOWL. I was simping for this man the moment he showed up and watched endeared as he revealed himself to be a childish and dramatic and petulant and pouty. I love his fickleness and his vanity and the goodness of heart that he hides under all that veneer.
Mr. Howl, PLEASE just have my hand in marriage.
Also, the Howl Sophie dynamic here was so much fun. Their bickering and back and forth gave me so much life. The ending scene where they're just grinning at each other unable to stop with the other characters pulling their sleeves and trying to get their attention.... melted my heart into a puddle of goo.
Also, most of my highlights and notes are just writing different variants of baby, honey, cutie, etc.. at everything my darling child Calcifer says. I adore that grumpy little ball of flame from the bottom of my heart.
I think this is the kind of warmth, magic and atmosphere that something like House on the Cerulean Sea was trying to go for but Dianna Wynn Jones does it so well. The language is accessible, playful and fun. I can see the sprawling gorgeous world and colorful magic with piercing vividness. I was kind of surprised at how much more of an ominous presence the scarecrow was in this book compared to the ghibli film but I found that difference charming as well.
I will hold this book very close to my heart. It feels like a warm cup of cocoa with marshmallows.
Oh my god. Such a treat. A delight. A fun fun fun time.
I have pages and pages of highlights from this book. Sophie is so hilarious, I adore how she adapts to her curse of being an old lady, her control issues, how irritable and grumpy and feisty she is and just ahhh everything about her. I love how she laments being the eldest sibling like it's a literal disease it's literally so fucking funny.
I LOVE HOWL. I was simping for this man the moment he showed up and watched endeared as he revealed himself to be a childish and dramatic and petulant and pouty. I love his fickleness and his vanity and the goodness of heart that he hides under all that veneer.
Howl laughed. "No, just simple spiders," he said and went dreamily.
Howl's voice was presently heard shouting weakly. "Help me, someone! I'm dying from neglect up here!
Mr. Howl, PLEASE just have my hand in marriage.
Also, the Howl Sophie dynamic here was so much fun. Their bickering and back and forth gave me so much life. The ending scene where they're just grinning at each other unable to stop with the other characters pulling their sleeves and trying to get their attention.... melted my heart into a puddle of goo.
Also, most of my highlights and notes are just writing different variants of baby, honey, cutie, etc.. at everything my darling child Calcifer says. I adore that grumpy little ball of flame from the bottom of my heart.
I think this is the kind of warmth, magic and atmosphere that something like House on the Cerulean Sea was trying to go for but Dianna Wynn Jones does it so well. The language is accessible, playful and fun. I can see the sprawling gorgeous world and colorful magic with piercing vividness. I was kind of surprised at how much more of an ominous presence the scarecrow was in this book compared to the ghibli film but I found that difference charming as well.
I will hold this book very close to my heart. It feels like a warm cup of cocoa with marshmallows.
margaret_kaus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
witchwaste's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
aburnham01's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
thebookemperor's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
5.0
stephlovesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
emmamendez7's review against another edition
4.5
Easy read and pretty different from the movie. ❤️ howl
miki_fourinterests's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5