Althea M. (althea) reviewed Castle in the Air (Howl's Moving Castle, Bk 2) on + 774 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is marketed as 'a sequel to 'Howl's Moving Castle', but the familiar characters from that book don't make an appearance (well, that we know of) till the very end of the book - so readers who are not familiar with that book will equally enjoy this. It's just sort of that for fans of 'Howl's Moving Castle', there's a bonus at the end!
It's an Arabian-Nights-flavored story of a young Middle Eastern carpet dealer who, against his better judgement, is convinced to buy an allegedly magic carpet. But when he falls asleep on the rug, he wakes to find himself transported to a garden inhabited by a beautiful young woman. At first, he believes it's only a dream - but the carpet's powers of flight are real, and soon he finds himself with an enraged Sultan to deal with, not to mention assorted bandits, a temperamental genie, and more... Familiar elements, but Wynne Jones' wit and style make the story fresh and entertaining.
It's an Arabian-Nights-flavored story of a young Middle Eastern carpet dealer who, against his better judgement, is convinced to buy an allegedly magic carpet. But when he falls asleep on the rug, he wakes to find himself transported to a garden inhabited by a beautiful young woman. At first, he believes it's only a dream - but the carpet's powers of flight are real, and soon he finds himself with an enraged Sultan to deal with, not to mention assorted bandits, a temperamental genie, and more... Familiar elements, but Wynne Jones' wit and style make the story fresh and entertaining.
Naomi B. (tripleguess) reviewed Castle in the Air (Howl's Moving Castle, Bk 2) on + 48 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is my least favorite of the HMC books. It's basically an Aladinn re-telling with Howl and Calcifer jammed into the corners. It's nicely told, and to my surprise I re-read it all the way through, but I don't think it's fair to bill it as a "Sequel" to Howl's Moving Castle. It's a companion book at best, and it's really not about Howl and his gang. Nor does it have the wonderful all-original feel of the first novel, for the reason mentioned above.
That's not to say it's a bad book. The author simply did a good job of getting me to like the original bunch and I wanted to see more of them, not Flower-in-the-Night.
That's not to say it's a bad book. The author simply did a good job of getting me to like the original bunch and I wanted to see more of them, not Flower-in-the-Night.
Laura P. (sfreadergrl) - , reviewed Castle in the Air (Howl's Moving Castle, Bk 2) on + 146 more book reviews
"This ebullient follow-up to Howl's Moving Csatle lives up to its predecessor's wacky humor and mysterious goings-on. Jones maintains both suspense and wit throughout, demostrating once again that frequently nothing is what it seems to be. Readers of the first book will welcome the sequel with glee." ALA Booklist
A story which begins far to the south of Ingary with a lovely yet fairly traditional genie and magic carpet beginning, but later on we do revisit Sophie and Howl and the cast of Howl's Moving Castle and the story gets just as wonderfully twisted as before...
Emily G. (wiltinglilly) reviewed Castle in the Air (Howl's Moving Castle, Bk 2) on + 33 more book reviews
Another awesome story by Diana Wynne Jones. I loved her little connections in this book that ties this story to another one of her's. It was such a good read, definitely recommended!
