Howl's Moving Castle

It actually took my best friend gifting me a gorgeous FairyLoot edition to finally read this—and I’m glad I did. The edition was too pretty to risk damaging, so I grabbed the ebook instead.

I have to admit, the characters drove me a little nuts. Sophie and Howl are both exasperating in their own ways. Their romance in the book felt a bit rushed.

But the world-building? Absolutely enchanting. The moving castle with its doors to different places and dimensions is the kind of home I wish I could live in. And Calcifer—whether on the page or on screen—remains my favorite: fiery, witty, and oddly lovable.

At its core, though, the story is a beautiful reminder that people aren’t always what they seem. Beneath the quirks, flaws, and frustrations, there’s often just someone longing to be loved and understood. Now I’m tempted to rewatch the film all over again.