2025 Reading Challenge discussion

Tell us what you thought of the book! You can leave your review here. Even if you read the book outside of the group, please feel free to let us know what you thought of it.

Please make sure to mark your spoilers by typing [spoiler] at the start and [/spoiler] at the end but replacing the [] with <>.

I ended up reading this in few days. I wasn't really sure what to expect when I decided to read this. After reading it, I thought there was going to be more to it, maybe it was written for a younger audience. (view spoiler)[ I found the characters to be immature and a little annoying at times. While this could be because it was for a younger audience and I didn't know what to expect. I did expect more to happen and almost good versus evil. (hide spoiler)]

This could have definitely been more interesting and had more that happened. I thought this was okay, but it wasn't something I will read again.

I finished a couple days ago and I liked it but I wasn't blown away.


Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Rating: 3 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finiiiiished!!!!

I still love it just as much. I probably love it more because of nostalgia, but I'm peacefully okay with that.
The main cast of characters are a lot of fun. Calcifer is such a lively, quirky fellow, and I love him more for how Miyazaki portrayed him in the movie. Howl intelligence does a lovely way of revealing itself at the end. (view spoiler)[I forgot how much of a foppish fool he was not, lol. (hide spoiler)]
I do remember the book being more confusing and dramatic but looking back I chalked those feelings due to me having been quite young when having first read it.
I rated it 5 stars then and I'm keeping the rating.

Keri wrote: "I finiiiiished!!!!

I still love it just as much. I probably love it more because of nostalgia, but I'm peacefully okay with that.
The main cast of characters are a lot of fun. Calcifer is such a..."

Honestly, this was my first time reading this book and I still found it quite confusing at times but it might just be because English is not my first language. I had to look up quite a few words lol. I enjoyed it so much nonetheless.

This was my review/thoughts:

I love magic. And I absolutely loved this. It's quirky and cute, funny and lightfooted. The characters were an absute bliss too. (view spoiler)[ I fell for Howl much faster than Sophie did hahaha. (hide spoiler)] I enjoyed how no matter how many weird otherworldly new characters were introduced with every new page of this book, they all felt believable and soooo soooo cute.

The only thing I might have wished different was the pace, because everything happened so fast I was a bit dizzy at times! Although I guess this whirlwind of adventure kind of plot is part of the charm too, especially if it's written for kids. Is it written for kids?

Lina wrote: "Keri wrote: "I finiiiiished!!!!

I still love it just as much. I probably love it more because of nostalgia, but I'm peacefully okay with that.
The main cast of characters are a lot of fun. Calci..."

To be honest, I do feel that this is a bit of a confusing story-English being first language or not. I almost believe that it needs ro be read twice (time in between to allow for story to sink in) to better follow what it was truly going on.

Right! Particularly the ending. I wished the ending would have paced itself a little more. The reader barely gets to enjoy the accepted romance between Sophie and Howl and it's already the end.

I believe it's written for children. I don't think it was even in the YA section at my local library when I was a child. It may depend on the library, but this book was more in the pre-teen area vs the teen.

Hi! This is my first foray into group reading . I read Howl’s Moving Castle and I really enjoyed it. I watched the a few years ago with family and enjoyed it although now I know that the book was much better.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

A modern fairy tale in the grand tradition of Perrault and Baum, written in a tight and practical voice, as much about self-actualization and found family as it is seven-league boots and witches.

Full review.

Keri wrote: "Lina wrote: "Keri wrote: "I finiiiiished!!!!

I still love it just as much. I probably love it more because of nostalgia, but I'm peacefully okay with that.
The main cast of characters are a lot ..."

I agree wholeheartedly that we, as readers, were not given enough time to enjoy the romance at the end. Although, if, like you say, it's written for children/pre-teens, I guess, that makes sense. Greater focus on romance usually starts with YA, or at least that's what I've noticed so far.

I finally finished, and it was such a struggle to do so. I was excited when I started reading...and it was like trying not to sink in quicksand...or fall down an abyss of despair. I couldn't relate to any of the characters in the story...and I didn't care enough to try.

I really like the story, kinda childish, but there was no real drama and it was unfolding peacefully, so it was pleasant. Definitely going to watch the movie. I saw there are more books, continuing the story, but not going to read them. Nice resting read :-)

It was a cute book.