Howls Moving Castle

Howl’s Moving Castle by Dianne Wynne Jones
I’ve been craving something like Harry Potter that isn’t, and came across this recommendation from the girl who wrote Demon’s Lexicon. It may be my new favorite thing ever. Nice to have that fangirly feeling back; I was worried, after reading and disliking City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, that I had officially lost that lovin’ feeling, but this is not so. It just takes the right story to bring it out.

So what’s to squee about? How about a heroine who is turned into a little (but spry) old lady at the start of the book? A whiny wizard with a vain, cowardly exterior and a soft and squishy heart? A fire demon that you just want to hug ‘til he’s blue in the face (except he already is). And, of course, a castle that is a character unto itself.

This is one of the most original and altogether charming fantasy stories I’ve read in ages. It compares favorably to Neil Gaiman (particularly his YA stuff, but what came to mind in particular was Starfall). It’s worth a read for yourself, and kids can read it too. What’s not to love.

Oh, and there’s a movie too :).