raypaws's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Body horror
Minor: Death of parent
emilywemily6's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I was surprised I didn’t enjoy this more. The writing was well done and immersive, but the story felt aimless and slow for quite a bit, and lots of major plots progression points were glossed over so quickly that I almost missed them. The ending had way to much going on in the last 30 minutes of the audiobook and it felt like a lot of conflict was suddenly resolved without a good explanation. I didn’t really like Howl, though I enjoyed Sophie’s character mostly except for a lot of the dumb things she was doing. Characterization was well written. Overall, it was a good book, but not a very good book, for me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and Bullying
grizzlysnack's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If you're looking for whimsical fantasy, this book is for you!
The writing is wonderfully done and executed (especially for the foreshadowing and clues scattered throughout the book!), and the characters are full of spunk and personality. Just don't expect it to be exactly like the Ghibli movie! :)
The writing is wonderfully done and executed (especially for the foreshadowing and clues scattered throughout the book!), and the characters are full of spunk and personality. Just don't expect it to be exactly like the Ghibli movie! :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Body horror
Moderate: Murder and Death
erebus53's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a book club read that finally came through for me on Libby. I didn't feel like I was missing out on much because I have long been a fan of the movie. As such it's great to finally read the source material, because these things are generally better for having more time to develop the characters and more insight into the motivations.
The book is certainly clearer to understand than the film. It is made clear that Sophie interacts with inanimate objects and respects them more than most people, but because it's her "normal" she doesn't realise that the things she says to the things that she talks to or makes are taken to heart by those items. She is innately magical, but does not see it. This has a subversive, dreamy quality, and I could see how it would be inspirational to a young reader... what if I am magical too, and I just haven't noticed, or figured out the trick of it?
A lot of the little descriptions in the books are rendered in the movie very faithfully. Little things like feeding eggshells to the fire have been faithfully captured in the animated version, though as is always the case, the movie just doesn't have the scope to unpack all the backstory provided in the book.
I am very glad that I got the chance to check this version out, as it fills out a lot more of a story that I already loved. It would be a great read for the 10+ age group.
The book is certainly clearer to understand than the film. It is made clear that Sophie interacts with inanimate objects and respects them more than most people, but because it's her "normal" she doesn't realise that the things she says to the things that she talks to or makes are taken to heart by those items. She is innately magical, but does not see it. This has a subversive, dreamy quality, and I could see how it would be inspirational to a young reader... what if I am magical too, and I just haven't noticed, or figured out the trick of it?
A lot of the little descriptions in the books are rendered in the movie very faithfully. Little things like feeding eggshells to the fire have been faithfully captured in the animated version, though as is always the case, the movie just doesn't have the scope to unpack all the backstory provided in the book.
I am very glad that I got the chance to check this version out, as it fills out a lot more of a story that I already loved. It would be a great read for the 10+ age group.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Body horror, and Confinement
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Mental illness
Minor: War and Death
scrubsandbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I knew the movie existed but I had never watched it. I picked this book as part of a reading challenge for reading a book published in the year I was born.
I'm so glad I did because I have fallen madly in love. (But I was hella disappointed to find out the movie is vastly different.) Every single character is absolutely charming and unique and so damn memorable and I can't remember ever reading a book in which I belly-laughed so hard. The humor was just so perfectly placed without distracting the reader from the seriousness of Sophie's whole predicament. Sophie and Howl's relationship was so touching and I enjoyed how they developed from bickering constantly to... well... read the book and you'll see!
I just loved it. Loved it so so so so much. I can't describe it any more words.
I'm so glad I did because I have fallen madly in love. (But I was hella disappointed to find out the movie is vastly different.) Every single character is absolutely charming and unique and so damn memorable and I can't remember ever reading a book in which I belly-laughed so hard. The humor was just so perfectly placed without distracting the reader from the seriousness of Sophie's whole predicament. Sophie and Howl's relationship was so touching and I enjoyed how they developed from bickering constantly to... well... read the book and you'll see!
I just loved it. Loved it so so so so much. I can't describe it any more words.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Body horror
Moderate: Death
Minor: Violence
shushkeepitdown's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I watched the movie so many times and finally decided to pick up the book and let me tell you this is the best thing ever. It's so good, I lived Sophie in the book so much, she is completely unhinged compared to the movie Sophie. Howl is also a mess. I love it so much please read this.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Death, and Grief
naiu_cs's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
If anyone asked me what my definition of "cosy" is. It would be something along the lines of the way this book made me feel.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror and Death
baearles's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
samchase112's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh, how absolutely lovely! I adored this fantasy adventure book featuring a pragmatic "old woman," a drama-queen wizard, a well-meaning, young assistant, a talking flame, and a whole host of entertaining characters. Sure, some threads became confusing, but that didn't really matter; what's important is the characters' interactions, their little side quests, and the colorful world Diana Wyne Jones placed them in. I flew through it! And I can't wait to rewatch the wonderful, wonderful adaptation — no wonder Hayao Miyazaki thought this would make a delightful animated film.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death
bookish_bry's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a fun, light book. I enjoyed reading it. The plot did get a little convoluted at points and the end was pretty fast and chaotic. I also don't feel like Sophie and Howl's relationship developed in a consistent way. Still, it was fun.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Death