Howl's Moving Castle

Warning! Spoilers ahead

Howl's Moving Castle is a story that I first discovered in the movie. I've enjoyed the movie many times, but I did not learn it was based on a book till one of my reader friends suggested it to me. After checking the book out at my local library I was glad she had. After reading the first paragraph I was hooked.

Like all books with a movie adaption I was curious to see how similar the story was to the movie. Though I could see the similarities I was pleased that the two stories were very different. The biggest surprise was that Howl was originally from Wales, England and that he some how journeyed to this other dimension. Though it was surprising I did enjoy seeing how Sophie reacted to things common in our world but don't exist in hers.

I felt that this story was a more intellectual read. I had the impression that I was reading an epic fantasy told in an older style. The story was about the eldest daughter of three, Sophie, who believes that since she is the eldest she will be unable to make her fortune. Believing its her fate she is resigned to live her life as a hat maker till she is cursed by the Witch of the Wastes into an old woman. There she sets out and ends up living with Howel, his apprentice Michael, and the fire demon Calcifer.

Though I usually do not like to watch the movie before reading the book, this book was so complicated with its plot that knowing the movie story line helped me understand what was going on; however, this set me up to constantly comparing the two. I was surprised at how much Sophie's sisters played a roll in this book. I was also surprised that the Witch of the Waste does not become good but dies in the end. In the movie I was very happy about this fact, but in the book the death was fitting. The biggest surprise was the fact that Sophie was a witch in her own right. This seemed fitting and made much more sense to the story.

While the movie was fast paced the book took its time telling the story. I got to enjoy watching the character's lives unfold. Not only was the story slow paced but so was the romance between Howel and Sophie. If I had not seen the movie I would not have expected the two to come together. Even knowing this I still was surprised when in the end it is revealed they love each other. It surprised me but yet I found that it made perfect sense that they loved each other. Their's was a romance that took its time to unfold. By the time the reader realizes they love each other the characters realize it their selves.

In my eyes this book is an epic fantasy and should be held next to stories such as The Hobbit. I give this book a 8.8/10.

Image source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a4/Howl's_Moving_Castle_(Book_Cover).jpg

Hidden Deep

Warning! Spoilers ahead. 

Hidden Deep came to my life in a unique way. Unlike other books that end up on my reading list this book just showed up on my news feed on Facebook. At first I ignored it, as I do other advertisements, but I kept seeing it. After checking it out I discovered that this book was free on Amazon, so I bought it and read it many months later. 

This book surprised me at how much I enjoyed it. The book is about the budding relationship with Ryann, a human, and Lad, an elf. Ryann had met Lad when she was a little girl. Having wandered out too far into the woods she is in danger of dying in the cold when the elf comes to her. He helps her and soon she is discovered by her human family. Though her family insists that Lad was imaginary she never truly forgets him and eventually she meets him again. 

I found the plot to be refreshing in that it portrayed elves in a new light, yet predictable. I figured out long before it is revealed that Ryann's grandmother is an elf or that Lad was nobility among elf kind. Despite this I still enjoyed the read and look forward to reading the rest in the series. I give this book a 6.5/10. 

Image source: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51B9PBDpPiL.jpg

Sarah, Plain and Tall

Back in the days of my youth I attended an elementary school that required the students to do selected readings. Though this book, Sarah, Plain and Tall, was one of them I did not read this book, or rather I did not finish it. I tried my best to finish it. Perhaps it was because I was only allowed to read during class time, the fact I had to read out loud instead of silently in my head, or that I was required to read in a group. Whatever the reason I did not read this book in grade school, and it has remained on my reading list since.

Fast forward in time. I have just graduated college and I see this book at my local library. I remember that it is on my to read list and so I check it out. This book was a quick read. Simple, and like Sarah her self a bit plain. Despite all this I loved the book all the more for it. The simple read really helped me see the world from a child's simple perspective. The simplicity also helped make the little scenes of love that much more meaningful.

Though this book is not the most intellectual read I found this book quite enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this story for readers of all ages. I give it a 6.3/10.



Image Source: http://100scopenotes.com/files/2012/07/Sarah-Plain-and-Tall.jpg