A slightly weird novel, especially toward the end. I understand it's by a fantasy author, but even so there was an "off" feel throughout that I never got from LOTR, a constant undertone of surreal-ness. I didn't like that.
But Polly, Nina and Fiona are thoroughly likable, and even Seb has half a character. What really got me was those horrid -- faeries, or whatever they were. By the end of the novel I wanted to see Mr. Leroy flattened by a steamroller and Laurel impaled (and shaken about violently until dead) by an avenging unicorn. The real ending is considerably less satisfying, and it's not even clear to me if Tom is really free or ever will be. I just shrugged and turned it back in to the library... I kept trying other DWJ books in hopes of finding another comparable with Howl's Moving Castle, but I don't think I'll try any more. They're just a little too weird and dark without any compensating radiance at the end.
But Polly, Nina and Fiona are thoroughly likable, and even Seb has half a character. What really got me was those horrid -- faeries, or whatever they were. By the end of the novel I wanted to see Mr. Leroy flattened by a steamroller and Laurel impaled (and shaken about violently until dead) by an avenging unicorn. The real ending is considerably less satisfying, and it's not even clear to me if Tom is really free or ever will be. I just shrugged and turned it back in to the library... I kept trying other DWJ books in hopes of finding another comparable with Howl's Moving Castle, but I don't think I'll try any more. They're just a little too weird and dark without any compensating radiance at the end.
