This book was suggested to me by one of our readers, Terresa.  I’m really not one for the fantasy genre, but I do love YA/J fiction so I thought I’d give it a shot.  I thought the concept and the story was fascinating, and to be honest, that’s the only reason I kept reading.  That, and the fact that Jones totally had me in the beginning with her witty and sarcastic tone.

The book begins really strong with Sophie, the eldest of three daughters sent into the world to make their fortunes, and this interesting world of moving buildings owned by wizards.  The book took a downward spike for me when I started to realize how much I actually disliked Sophie, who carries the entire book on her back.  She starts out meek and timid, then moves on to pushy and rude, and then ends with completely clueless.  I absolutely hate it when I’m reading a book and feel smarter than the main character.  I actually put the book down in disgust a few times because I was so annoyed with the way things were going.

The book felt a little like an extended Grimm’s Fairy Tale, and I’m not talking about the Disney version.  If you like this sort of thing, you will like this book.

Then we get to the ending, and if you’re going to read this book, skip this paragraph.  I really, really did not want Sophie to be with Howl.  I wanted her to walk away, strong on her own- I hated how the whole book moved in the direction of tricking her into being in love with him.  Then when she realizes it, they both live happily ever after.  What the?  There was no moment in the book for me where Howl really redeemed himself, so why would I want him with Sophie(even if I do find her annoying)?

My only other big issue was a completely personal one.  I don’t read the fantasy genre, so a lot of the terms were really confusing to me.  It was also difficult for me to keep up with the confusion of a world where scarecrows stalk people, magic just suddenly reveals itself, and pieces(literally) of people and dogs and men are confusingly intertwined.  Basically the book wasn’t “commercial” enough for me; it didn’t stretch itself to include those of us that just want a quick fantasy fix.

It absolutely made me realize why this genre is just not for me.

I am going to include the link to Amazon’s reviews and description though, since I seem to be fighting a tidal wave of love for this one.

Howls Moving Castle is written by Dianna Wynn Jones