House of Many Ways

I just got done reading House of Many Ways and I would just like to say that I have been a HUGE fan of Howl's Moving Castle for a very long time, and when I heard that Diana Wynne Jones wrote a "sequel" to it; I freaked out!

Finally, I might get my Howl fix that I've been dying for and was so horribly deprived of in Castle in the Air a "companion" I think it was called of Howl's Moving Castle. Sadly, I was once again left deprived, disappointed, and ultimately feeling depressed and wanting more at the end of the book!

While this book is no way near as good as Howl's Moving Castle I must say it was definitely much better than Castle in the Air. The main story which was about a girl called Charmain (When it SHOULD have been about Howl, Sophie, and Calcifer; this is a sequel for crying out loud!) was much more interesting and entertaining than the story about Abdullah from Castle in the Air. But, like I said, I found myself desperately wanting more of Howl!

Every time the characters from Howl's Moving Castle entered the story it was hilarious, enjoyable, and brought me back to the characters I love so much! They delivered in every appearance they made (which was very few) reminding me why I loved it in the first place.

But just as you were getting into their characters you were torn away from them just as quickly and abruptly as in Castle in the Air.

So, all in all, it was a relatively good book; Charmain, Waif, and Peter's stories were relatively interesting, and the plots were relatively good as well. I would recommend this book if you are also starving for more Howl & Sophie; you will get your appetite fed SLIGHTLY, but in the end feel completely empty and wanting more!

Nonetheless, It was very nice to see Sophie and Howl again, and I'm falling in love with their mischievous son Morgan! (he's definitely taking after Howl) Calcifer also made a wonderful appearance in the book as well, and Sophie is still headstrong, beautiful, and as irritated with Howl as ever! and I'm going to take all that I can get!

I suppose I should describe a bit of the actual story instead of ranting on and on...

Charmain is basically the main character of the story. She grew up sheltered and protected from bad things in the world; essentially anything having to do with magic. Charmain goes to stay at her Great Uncle's house who is actually the Royal Wizard Norland. Wizard Norland isn't doing too well, fyi, so Charmain has to house sit for him while some elves take him away.

Of course all sorts of ridiculously crazy things ensue; she meets Peter who is supposed to be Wizard Norland's apprentice, becomes great friends with a magical little dog named Waif, lands a job at the Royal Mansion working in the library there, and helps Sophie and Howl (who is actually disguised as a 6-year-old boy named, Twinkle. Did I mention he has a lisp?) find whatever it is that they're looking for.

By the way, Howl is perfectly hilarious here as "Twinkle" Sophie's "nephew" the way he talks with the lisp is just great, and annoys Sophie half to death. One particular quote made me laugh embarrassingly, when Sophie is talking to Howl/Twinkle,

"Charmain was forced to pick Waif up and back away, out of Morgan's reach, so that all she heard next of the strange conversation behind the sofa was Mrs. Pendragon (I love hearing Sophie referred to as Mrs. Pendragon!) saying something about sending Twinkle (or was his name Howl?) to bed without supper and Twinkle daring her to 'jutht try it.'

As Waif quieted down, Twinkle said wistfully, 'don't you fink I'm pwetty at all?'

There was a strange hollow thump then, as if Mrs. Pendragon had so far forgotten good behavior as to stamp her foot. 'Yes,' Charmain heard her say. 'Disgustingly pretty!'"

Although, I was of course disappointed that he only turned back into his usual, gorgeous self only two pages from the end of the book. A lot like in Castle in the Air when he spent the entirety of the book as a genie.

In the end, I just have ONE thing to request of Diana Wynne Jones; Please, PLEASE, I beg! Write a REAL sequel to Howl's Moving Castle that is ALL about Howl, Sophie, Calcifer, (and gosh, don't forget!) Michael!, and of course their son Morgan!!

Now excuse me while I go read Howl's Moving Castle fervently and then continue to watch Howl's Moving Castle the movie by Hayao Miyazaki.

I need to heal...

"Sophie said a bad word. In the dim light, she had stubbed her toe on one of the many dusty bricks piled around the place.
'Naughty-naughty,' Twinkle said.
'Oh, shut up!' Sophie said, standing on one leg to hold her toe. 'Why don't you grow up?'
'Not yet. I told you,' Twinkle said. 'We thtill have Pwinthe Ludovic to detheive. Ah, look! Thith happened when I wath here jutht now too.'

A golden light was spreading over the largest pile of bricks. The bricks picked up the light and glowed golden as well, under the dust. Charmain realized that they were not bricks at all but ingots of solid gold. To make this quite clear, a golden banner appeared, floating in front of the ingots. Old fashioned letters on it said:

Praife the Wifzard Melicot who hidde the Kinge hif gold.

'Huh!' Sophie snorted, letting go of her toe. 'Melicot must have lisped just like you. Proper soulmates, you and he would have been! Same size in swelled heads. He couldn't resist having his name up in lights, could he?'
'I don't need my name up in lighth,' Twinkle said, with great dignity.
'Doh!' said Sophie."

Sorry, I just couldn't resist.