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Howl's Moving Castle (Howl's Moving Castle #1) by Dianna Wynne Jones.

"A fun, imaginative and meaningful story about how important the connections we make in life are. That you shouldn't judge a book by its covers. People aren't always what they seem and that if we're kind and honest to one another, life might seem a little easier."

4 Stars

Pros: Has a slight, sardonic hint of humor in the narrative/A fun and imaginative story. 

Cons: I kept getting the sisters confused and the strange love quadrangle between Sophie and Howl, Howl and Lettie, Miss Angorian and Howl, Michael and Martha, I was really rather confused at times. 

Full Review: 

Sophie, as the oldest is doomed to inherit her deceased fathers' hat shop. Her two sisters get to go off and learn witchcraft, baking etc and Sophie is simply left to tend the family business. Since she's alone most of the time, she keeps herself company by talking to the hats. And strangely enough, the hats she sells usually give their wearer a surprising turn of luck. 

 When Sophie tries to sell a hat to the Witch of the Waste (not knowing who she is), the Witch takes offense and puts a curse on Sophie. She instantly turns into a wrinkled, stooped, weathered old woman. Knowing no one will believe what's happened and deciding she's had just about enough of all this nonsense, Sophie simply leaves the hat shop and goes off to seek her fortune. 

It's been rumored that Wizard Howl is lurking nearby. His infamous moving castle has been spotted in the distance. Sophie doesn't much care, she just concentrates on moving.  As she walks, she talks to a stick that she's been using for a walking stick and also to a Scarecrow she happens to sit nearby while eating her lunch. She ambles along with no real plan in mind until Howl's Moving Castle comes into view. She's tired and achy from walking all day and so she manages to catch up to the Castle and gets inside. 

She's met by Michael, a nervous, young apprentice to Wizard Howl who knows Howl won't like this one bit at all. And though he tries to get Sophie to leave, with the help of the fire demon who lives in the fireplace (Calcifer) Sophie manages to convince Michael to let her stay. They'll think of something to tell Howl when he gets back. And so Sophie begins living with Michael and Howl, acting as their housekeeper while they tend to Wizardly business. 

Howl is a petulant, immature, arrogant, self-obsessed man child and for the most part, Sophie can't stand to be near him. Michael is eager, dedicated and studious, a wonderful student and a good friend to Sophie. Calcifer has only agreed to help Sophie keep her place in the Castle if she agrees to help break the contract that binds him to Howl. He can't tell her anything about what the contract entails but desperate for a place to stay, Sophie agrees. 

So she starts to try and learn more about Howl. 

And not surprisingly, appearances aren't always what they seem. Though sometimes they are and that's okay too. 

This was a quaint, fun and entertaining read, that had a little bit of mystery, a little bit of adventure and a little bit of tongue in cheek humor for the adults. This book can be enjoyed by all ages. There's no blood, gore, death or any other "adult" themes. I could easily see myself letting my niece borrow this and not worrying that it's going to upset her. This was a "good time" read and with the somewhat silly but still happy ending that made me smile, I enjoyed this book for what it was, and I hope others will too. 

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