Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
reviewed by Joie
Magic in a world parallel to ours. Full of movement and suspense as a heartless man seeks some one who could make him whole. A lady, wrinkled with age, yet remains the teenage girl inside. The castle forever moving under the influence of a demon. A witch that caused misery every time she was angered or annoyed. This is Howl's Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne Jones.
When Sophie is stuck at home because she is the eldest, while her younger sisters went to seek out their fortunes, a rather nasty witch pays a visit. The Witch of the Waste seeks information and she turns Sophie into an old lady. And her only course for help, in the magical land of Ingary, is to seek out the infamous Howl. When she reaches the moving castle, however, she gets much more than she bargained for, including fire demons, tackling suspicious doors, learning magic, and trying to keep Howl as happy as possible to avoid the green slime he can produce.
This book is an excellent book for any occasion. Both girls and boys would enjoy the details, hilarious parts, and the tension when the climax reaches a breaking point. They might hold their breath when Howl is moving the entrances, or when the prophecy of the Witch of the Waste catches up to them. Unfortunately, it can be a bit slow sometimes, but I think that adds to the charm of such a magical world. This a read for anyone who wants to be known as a fantasy reader!