Reviewed by Elly for TeensReadToo.com
When book lover Charmain Baker has to go and take care of Great Uncle William Norland's (a wizard) house while he is away, she is in for a surprise.
Soon after arriving, she discovers that the letter she sent to the King was answered, and he wants her to work with him in the Royal Library. Then Sophie Pendragon, Wizard Howl, and Morgan arrive, making the palace almost a nursery.
The Wizard Howl and Sophie ask Charmain to help them look for the King's disappearing gold by looking for any mention of debts or loans in the records she is reviewing for the King.
With help from new characters Waif and Peter Charmain, the plot gets thrown into a confusing mystery. Diana Wynne Jones's sequel to HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE will keep readers breathless as they follow Charmain through her never-ending surprises and encounters with kobolds, lubbocks and elves.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who enjoys Diana Wynne Jones's writing or wants a fascinating fantasy mystery. Although this book is a sequel, it can be read without any prior knowledge of the first book.
When book lover Charmain Baker has to go and take care of Great Uncle William Norland's (a wizard) house while he is away, she is in for a surprise.
Soon after arriving, she discovers that the letter she sent to the King was answered, and he wants her to work with him in the Royal Library. Then Sophie Pendragon, Wizard Howl, and Morgan arrive, making the palace almost a nursery.
The Wizard Howl and Sophie ask Charmain to help them look for the King's disappearing gold by looking for any mention of debts or loans in the records she is reviewing for the King.
With help from new characters Waif and Peter Charmain, the plot gets thrown into a confusing mystery. Diana Wynne Jones's sequel to HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE will keep readers breathless as they follow Charmain through her never-ending surprises and encounters with kobolds, lubbocks and elves.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who enjoys Diana Wynne Jones's writing or wants a fascinating fantasy mystery. Although this book is a sequel, it can be read without any prior knowledge of the first book.
A charming book, no pun intended. I really, really wanted to see more of Howl and Sophie, though, and not necessarily from Charmain's viewpoint. This I did not get, though the glimpses here are more satisfying than those in the unsatisfactory Castle in the Air. Again,
it's more of a companion book than a sequel in a series. However, Charmain is a likable character, and the titular "House of Many Ways" felt like a wonderfully original concept, in the order of moving castles.
I have a bit of a problem with the 'evil by descent' idea. Other than that it was a fun read. I don't think I'll be adding it to my library though.
it's more of a companion book than a sequel in a series. However, Charmain is a likable character, and the titular "House of Many Ways" felt like a wonderfully original concept, in the order of moving castles.
I have a bit of a problem with the 'evil by descent' idea. Other than that it was a fun read. I don't think I'll be adding it to my library though.
Quirky and charming, this is a fitting sequel to Howl's Moving Castle (ie much better than Castle in the Air!).
Charmain Baker is an occasionally annoyingly self-centred heroine, but there is enough going on in the rest of the plot to overlook this. She certainly has plenty to do coping with Wizard Norland's amazing house which exists in several dimensions at once, finding the missing Royal treasure, a kobold rebellion and an enraged lubbock, all of which she does somewhat haphazardly but in true Diana Wynne Jones style.
Although the book is mostly about Charmain, Howl, Sophie and Calcifer are here too, and they are present enough for the book to be satisfying as a sequel.
Charmain Baker is an occasionally annoyingly self-centred heroine, but there is enough going on in the rest of the plot to overlook this. She certainly has plenty to do coping with Wizard Norland's amazing house which exists in several dimensions at once, finding the missing Royal treasure, a kobold rebellion and an enraged lubbock, all of which she does somewhat haphazardly but in true Diana Wynne Jones style.
Although the book is mostly about Charmain, Howl, Sophie and Calcifer are here too, and they are present enough for the book to be satisfying as a sequel.
