Sophie Hatter is the eldest of three sisters and is set for a dull life once she inherits her family's hat shop.

After losing her temper and insulting a rude customer, Sophie is turned into an old woman. Unable to tell anyone of the spell, Sophie sets out to find an answer and comes face-to-face with a fire demon and Wizard Howl, who is said to eat the hearts of young girls.

Sophie strikes a bargain that will lead her on a journey back to youth and discover what an adventure it is to truly live.

The characters and intricate weaving of the plot are what makes Howl's Moving Castle a favourite of mine.

Sophie is a driven character, with sewing talents and temper flaws. She grows into a daring woman in the progress of the story and goes through experiences - aching bones and riddlesome spells - that strengthen her and give her the courage to seek out her dreams.

Howl is a charismatic drama queen. Full of quirks and cowardice, he is the stealer of hearts and the most-wanted wizard in the land of Ingary.

I read this book for the first time years ago when I learned of the then-to-be-released film adaptation. Once I realised that the book was written by Diana Wynne Jones, whose Chrestomanci books (Charmed Life and sequels) I adored, I purchased a copy and devoured it.

From the first chapter I was hooked by the lyrical prose. I was intrigued and captivated by the constant turn of events and the developing complexity of the story.

This has since become one of my favourite books and Howl one of my favourite fictional characters. I never tire of the cleverness of the story and how it shows the way in which the characters' perspectives change for the better.

I know that plenty of people have seen Hayao Miyazaki's animated film adaptation and loved it. I know I did but I implore you to read the novel as the film is only based on the book, which reveal marvelous aspects of the story that you never knew existed.

Howl's Moving Castle is a favourite of mine that will remain on my shelf and in my imagination. I recommend it to anyone who is looking to be swept up in a world of magic and a journey of self.

In accordance with the FTC, I would like to disclose that I purchased this book. The opinions expressed are mine and no monetary compensation was offered to me by the author or publisher.

If you find this book, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Please read it and share your thoughts here. Then, pass it on to others so that it can be experienced far and wide. ♥

This book was registered in MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY, NY, USA.

Sending this book on a trip around the world in a book ring.

The rules of the book ring are:

1. PM the next person on the list to get their mailing details ahead of time.

2. Read and journal the book when you get it.

3. Try not to keep it for too long. A month tops if you can manage it.

Then, send it on its way to the next person in the ring!

The order of the ring is:

1. BMVCOE - US (PA) to US
2. ToXiCKiTTiKiSS - US (California) to US
3. EthlArnold - US (Texas) to Int’l
4. dark-draco - UK to UK
5. disneyfreaksam – UK to Int’l
6. bookmaniac70 - Bulgaria to Europe
7. Kiki66 - Germany to Europe
8. footymadgill - UK to Int’l
9. vedranaster - Croatia to Int’l
10. discoverylover - NZ to Int'l
11. Jonniboi - UK to Int’l
12. cinnamon-quill - US (NY)

I look forward to hearing about this book's journey and I hope you enjoy it!

This book was a nice surprise in a frustrating week at work, especially with the Doctor Who bookplate. The way the castle is tilted on the cover also reminds me of the robot on the cover of the book Orvis by H.M. Hoover, a childhood favorite (see cover here: http://www.amazon.com/Orvis-Puffin-story-books-Hoover/dp/0140321136/ref=reader_auth_dp)

I loved the matter-of-factness with which Jones presents the fact that this is a world where fairy tales and magic exist, and just launches you into Sophie's mindset that as the eldest, she will be doomed to failure if she leaves to find her fortune. Each of the characters are likeable, yet frustrating because of their faults. I was amused at Jones' comment in the extras about the number of girls who want to marry Howl, because I am of Jones' opinion that I wouldn't want to deal with the dramatics! I am looking forward to seeing Miyazaki's movie adaptation, which is currently in my Netflix queue.

I believe this was part of a bookring, so I shall go looking for the next person to send it to. Thanks for starting this, cinnamon-quill!

I forgot to journal this when I received it. Sorry! School quarter just ended yesterday. So, now I will have time to read it. Hoping to read it quick and get it out to the next person. :)

Sent to dark-draco since EthlArnold did not respond to numerous messages. Enjoy!

Label/Receipt Number: LJ361134653US

Received yesterday morning. Thank you. I have read a few other books by the author and am looking forward to this. I also have the film ready to watch as well, but knowing I was signed up for this ring, I've been waiting to read the book first. I have one other book to finish before starting this, but it will travel on as soon as I've finished.

I enjoyed reading this very much - I like this author's books and this story was no different. I too don't realluy 'get' Howl's attraction to women, espcially if it is Sophie's spelled clothes that are helping, but then, it is a book aimed at teenagers and love was soooo much easier and soooo much more complicated then!! Thanks for sharing this - I have the next address and this will trave on soon. I am now off to watch the film, which I have saved on my recorder for after the book was finished.

off to the next bookcrosser on the list

Thank you so much. I will read this and get it on its way.

Enjoyable and fun. Will send off shortly.

On to the next reader. Enjoy

Received. Thanks for sending and sharing!

A charming book, I enjoyed it so much! It`s different from the other YA fantasy novels I have read so far. The good humor and unforgettable characters make it a delightful read. I liked the way Sophie`s mistakes turned out to be exactly the right thing to do. Also, I liked the way how the writer gives you some hints which lead you to wrong conclusions, then masterly switches the plot to another direction. I would be reading more novels by this writer in future. Thanks for sharing this wonderful book, I really really enjoyed it very much.

Sent to kiki66.

Howl and his castle arrived in Bavaria!

thanks - will read asap...

I loved this book so much that I bought my own copy ;-)
and the sequels, too...

I know the movie quite well and love it. It is close to the book but still delightfully different!

asked footymadgill for her address now...

Edit: this book went to the Uk Sept. 16th - Happy Travelling!

The book has arrived. It looks like it has been off on its own little travelling adventure!

I have already read the first few pages and am hooked so will now doubt ignore the book I am reading to finish it ;-)

I was hooked on this book straight away. The characters were fun, quirky and loveable. It is a great adventure with great humour.

Thank you for sharing Cinnamon-quill!

Arrived safe and sound this morning.

Putting the other two books I'm reading on hold now, as they are not rings/rays.
Plus, this looks like a fun and quick read. Looking forward to it! :)

I liked this lovely book, but at times I found it a bit confusing. Glad there was somewhat of an explanation of the events at the end. I guess the child-part of my imagination is a bit rusty. :)

Having seen the animated film some years back helped as it brought to life many of the scenes described, though the plot of the film and the book do differ quite a bit.

Discoverylover is moving soonish, and we weren't sure the book would make it to New Zealand in time, so we took the liberty of switching the last two participants.
The book will travel to Jonniboi now, and he'll send it on to discoverylover when she's settled in. :)

Received this book today, I can't wait to read it, but I have a few bookrings/rays in front of this one. Why do they all come at once I will never know!

Loved this book lots, it captured me into a world I never could've thought up of, and as I was nearing the end, I didn't want it to stop, I didn't want the end to come, and I wasn't sure if I wanted a good ending or a bad ending.

I connected with Sophie the most, mainly because I'm also the oldest, and was set to fail, but just like Sophie tried to do, I have proven I'm not a failure, and managed to get into uni, and I hope I'm able to follow my dreams, and if that doesn't happen, at least I'll know I've tried and I'll end up where I need to be, pretty much exactly like Sophie.

I liked Howl, but there was something about him that just felt different, I find him pretty mysterious, which is always a good thing.

My love has to go out to Calcifer, I wish he was in the story a lot more, I was incredibly intrigued about the fire demon, and just wished I had a Calcifer in my life, it would be pretty amazing.

Some bits were rushed to an extent, but then again we were following Sophie and the rushed bits were seen quickly in her eyes, if we were following Howl instead, it would've been a different story.

Overall a great book, that I may just end up reading again in the future, and I also got excited to find out that there are 2 sequels after this book :D I shall definitely be reading them.

Hopefully I'll send this out next week, and I'm sorry for how long I've kept a hold of this book!

Sent this book off, it's now in the post!

Off it goes to cinnamon-quill shouldn't take too long :)

Howl's moving novel has arrived back in my clutches but this will not be the end of its journey. I'm glad so many of you enjoyed it! Thank you for participating in the book ring. ♥