by Diana Wynne Jones
HarperCollins, 1990
Source: public library
Read it because . . . I love Howl’s Moving Castle
Many moons ago,* I read this review over at things mean a lot and learned that Diana Wynne Jones wrote two companion books to Howl’s Moving Castle. Since I completely love and adore Howl’s Moving Castle, I decided I absolutely had to read Castle in the Air and I was going to do it for the Once Upon a Time Challenge and it was going to be Awesome.
Well, I read it. But folks – and this pains me to say this – it was not awesome.
I know. It doesn’t seem possible. Diana Wynne Jones not be awesome? After I finished reading Castle in the Air, I had the hardest time admitting out loud that I didn’t like it. It’s been a few months since I read it so most of the specifics have already left my brain, (and I don’t even want to skim the book to refresh my memory), but from what I remember the book felt not like the carefully work I’ve come to expect from Jones but like it was haphazardly thrown together. I never connected with any of the main characters. When Sophie, Howl and Calcifer arrived on the scene, it felt like a last-minute decision, like Jones suddenly remembered that this was a companion to Howl’s Moving Castle and she better find a way to tie the books together.
Did anyone else feel this way about Castle in the Air, or am I alone in my disappointment? I haven’t given up on Jones, but I don’t think I’m going to read the third book in the series, either.
Other reviews: BookLust, Chachic’s Book Nook, Dogear Diary, things mean a lot,
Did you write a review? Let me know and I’ll add it to the list!
*I just realized that I started this review the exact same way I started the Howl’s Moving Castle review I wrote two years ago. Weird.
Oh, I loved the movie of HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE. I had no idea there were more books.
I haven’t seen the movie yet. I’m almost afraid to, I love the book so much!