Howls Moving Castle

Diana Wynne Jones

1986

3.8
⚠️Content Warnings
Mild Violence
Sophie has the great misfortune of being the eldest of three daughters, destined to fail miserably should she ever leave home to seek her fate. But when she unwittingly attracts the ire of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds herself under a horrid spell that transforms her into an old lady. Her only chance at breaking it lies in the ever-moving castle in the hills: the Wizard Howl’s castle. To untangle the enchantment, Sophie must handle the heartless Howl, strike a bargain with a fire demon, and meet the Witch of the Waste head-on. Along the way, she discovers that there’s far more to Howl–and herself–than first meets the eye. What will happen to Sophie Hatter when she enters Howl’s castle? In this giant jigsaw puzzle of a fantasy, people and things are never quite what they seem. Destinies are intertwined, identities exchanged, lovers confused. All fans of classic fantasy books deserve the pleasure of reading those by Diana Wynne Jones, whose acclaim included the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement.
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Tonight’s fit

Best for readers who enjoy:  Humourous · Fantasy Fiction · Steady

Humourous The Moors POV: Third-Person Omniscient Published by Greenwillow Books of New York
Characters
Children Elderly Witches
Sub-genre
Fantasy Fiction Magic Romance
Experience
Humourous Immersive Transformative
Pace
Gentle Adrenaline
Balanced
Tone
Light Dark
Light
Book length
Short Epic
Balanced
More nuance
Violence
Soft Graphic
Soft
Romance
Background Front and centre
Balanced
Worldbuilding
Light touch Deep & dense
Deep & dense
Readability
Breezy Dense
Breezy
Humour
Serious Very funny
Balanced
Target audience
Younger Adult
Younger
Diana Wynne Jones

Diana Wynne Jones

Sci-fi, Fantasy

Diana Wynne Jones was a British novelist, poet, academic, literary critic, and short story writer. She principally wrote fantasy and speculative fiction novels for children and young adults. Although usually described as fantasy, some of her work also incorporates science fiction themes and elements of realism.

Books By This Author

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Reader Reviews

3.80
10 ratings
10 reviews
5 stars
4 (40%)
4 stars
1 (10%)
3 stars
4 (40%)
2 stars
1 (10%)
1 stars
0 (0%)
6 January 2026
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Loved it: Howls Moving Castle

Howls Moving Castle is the kind of book that hooks you early if you like its vibe. Characters feel distinct, and the dialogue reads naturally. I’d still read more from this author even with the flaws.
0
6 January 2026
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Loved it: Howls Moving Castle

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6 January 2026
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Loved it: Howls Moving Castle

Mixed feelings on Howls Moving Castle, but I can see why people love it. There are a few scenes that genuinely hit emotionally. If you’re on the fence, try a sample — you’ll know quickly.
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6 January 2026
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Mixed feelings: Howls Moving Castle

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6 January 2026
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Mixed feelings: Howls Moving Castle

I went into Howls Moving Castle with pretty normal expectations and it surprised me. The pacing stays moving and the chapters end on good beats. The ending resolves fast compared to how much it builds up. If you’re on the fence, try a sample — you’ll know quickly.
0
6 January 2026
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Mixed feelings: Howls Moving Castle

Mixed feelings on Howls Moving Castle, but I can see why people love it. The pacing stays moving and the chapters end on good beats. The ending resolves fast compared to how much it builds up. Not perfect, but it did enough to keep me turning pages.
0
6 January 2026
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Mixed feelings: Howls Moving Castle

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6 January 2026
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Didn’t work for me: Howls Moving Castle

Mixed feelings on Howls Moving Castle, but I can see why people love it. The ending resolves fast compared to how much it builds up. Overall, I’d recommend it to the right reader.
0
6 January 2026
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Really enjoyed: Howls Moving Castle

Howls Moving Castle is the kind of book that hooks you early if you like its vibe. Characters feel distinct, and the dialogue reads naturally. I’d still read more from this author even with the flaws.
0
6 January 2026
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Loved it: Howls Moving Castle

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