The House of Many Ways (Howl's Moving Castle #3) by Diana Wynne Jones
Fantasy/Humor
Summary: Charmain Baker is in over her head. Looking after Great-Uncle William's tiny cottage while he's ill should have been easy. But Great-Uncle William is better known as the Royal Wizard Norland, and his house bends space and time.
404 pages.
My rating: B+
I loved the Ghibli film of Howl's Moving Castle, so I've been slowly working my way through this short series. I know that Ghibli doesn't do sequels (and Miyazaki is retired now, so he wouldn't be involved), but I wish he'd done this book as well. It is at least as good as the first, and I absolutely love Howl and Calcifer in this one. Like in the second, they are not the main characters, but they are more involved then they were in the second book. Also, this book feels more like the fairy tale world of the first, like they could absolutely be the same world. The second does feel very fairy tale, but the fact that it's arabian nights style makes it feel like a totally different world until Howl and his family show up.
This one is perfect for middle-grade readers, no romance involved, and it left me grinning several times. I highly recommend it for anyone who is a fan of the movie, or of the first book. You definitely won't regret reading it.
To see my rating system, go here.
