belles_bookishlife's review against another edition
3.0
Read for a children’s lit class
2.5 rounded up.
I’m sorry, I know this book has a massive following but I just didn’t like any of the characters other than Michael. Sophie was too grumpy and Howl was insufferable.
I will say the world building was fun though
2.5 rounded up.
I’m sorry, I know this book has a massive following but I just didn’t like any of the characters other than Michael. Sophie was too grumpy and Howl was insufferable.
I will say the world building was fun though
tomokizu's review against another edition
5.0
Even though the story of this book was different than the movie version I knew before that, I still have to say that it blew me away. This is a very fun and exciting story with magic, budding romance and the discovery of bravery and faith.
I really can recommend this book for all that still love stories for children and everyone else too!
I really can recommend this book for all that still love stories for children and everyone else too!
sunsess's review against another edition
4.0
I am so bitter. If I didn't think the rest of the book was an ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE this would be sitting with Splintered Light at a spiteful 1 cow, but you know I love fairytales. And goofy, nonsencial things. Fire demons that are just little grumblies and love shooting every which way but right. There's a REASON I stayed up to read this. The dynamic between the characters was simply incredible. It had charm. It had heart.
IT DID NOT HAVE A DEATHLY DRAMATIC LOVE CONFESSION SCENE.
*Throws book at wall*
Honestly the whole relationship was botched. The one relationship that was soooooooo easy to get right, that was built up from page one. I knew it was going to happen, I was dyingggggg for it to happen, and then it DID happen and... It's like when you go to a five star restuarant, order a dish, only to find out it was cooked in the microwave. There's nothing wrong with microwaved food, but you teaseddddddd me with gourmet delicacies and then didn't deliver!
So bitter.
I'm watching the movie. Surely it's more satisfying there. Right? Right??? Oh, my heart. I feel like old Sophie. And to think, I'm actually relying on a MOVIE is better than the BOOK scenario to save me... I think I'm in trouble.
Four cows. I can not drag you down into rating oblivion, but I can at least take away a cow. I think that much is fair.
So
BITTERRRRRRRRR 3
IT DID NOT HAVE A DEATHLY DRAMATIC LOVE CONFESSION SCENE.
*Throws book at wall*
Honestly the whole relationship was botched. The one relationship that was soooooooo easy to get right, that was built up from page one. I knew it was going to happen, I was dyingggggg for it to happen, and then it DID happen and... It's like when you go to a five star restuarant, order a dish, only to find out it was cooked in the microwave. There's nothing wrong with microwaved food, but you teaseddddddd me with gourmet delicacies and then didn't deliver!
So bitter.
I'm watching the movie. Surely it's more satisfying there. Right? Right??? Oh, my heart. I feel like old Sophie. And to think, I'm actually relying on a MOVIE is better than the BOOK scenario to save me... I think I'm in trouble.
Four cows. I can not drag you down into rating oblivion, but I can at least take away a cow. I think that much is fair.
So
BITTERRRRRRRRR 3
writeronherway's review against another edition
4.0
I’m not entirely sure what I was expecting but this was so much more fun! An imaginative fantasy blend. Sophie is hilarious, lovable and pragmatic. A witch puts a spell on her and she simply up and leaves quite irritated by the inconvenience of the whole thing. I love how she becomes more outspoken as an old lady and how she terrorises Howl’s Moving Castle and it’s inhabitants with her cleaning. The scene with the seven league boots makes me laugh every time I think about it! I loved the tenderness in the growing relationships between the characters, the bonkers magic and that brilliant ending where everything came together beautifully. I’m looking forward to reading the next two books in the series.
mmparker's review against another edition
4.0
I've loved the movie for years, but this is so much better! The characters and plot all make more sense.
prettyguardian's review against another edition
3.0
The book is nicely written, but I like Hayao Miyazaki’s version more!! Studio Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle is one of my favorite movies ever and I think that book can’t compete with it. But if you haven’t watched the movie I think that you’ll really like this book!
yosita's review against another edition
4.0
When people say this is better than the movie, it’s true. Howl is very different here than how he’s shown in the movie.
swon's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0