This content material accommodates affiliate hyperlinks. When you purchase by means of these hyperlinks, we might earn an affiliate fee.
Falling in love with fictional characters is considered one of my favourite pastimes, and there are few characters over time I’ve fallen tougher for than Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle. I’ve rewatched Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli movie adaptation of Howl’s Moving Castle extra instances than I can rely, and my copy of the unique e book written by Diana Wynne Jones boasts a lot of these tell-tale crinkles alongside its backbone that reveal my love of rereading it. As Howl is wont to do inside his personal story, each the movie and the e book have stolen my coronary heart.
The Wizard Howl is a personality you may’t assist however gravitate in the direction of. While, sure, the good-looking and charismatic wizard persona does maintain loads of enchantment, various different nuances flesh him out. I like that he’s not excellent; he’s suave, nonchalant, grouchy, egocentric, useless, fickle, misunderstood, good, hilarious, but additionally fairly loving below all of that exterior. His character arc over the course of the story is sort of swoon-worthy, too, and he does change into an unlikely hero ultimately.
Before I die on that hill about how a lot I like Howl, let’s not neglect how badass Sophie is as a protagonist. For starters, I recognize that Sophie describes herself as plain-looking. The bookish world is saturated with unrealistically stunning protagonists, and I like how Sophie feels extra relatable. When she will get hit with a curse that ages her right into a 90-year-old lady, she doesn’t crumple up and throw within the towel both. Her fortitude and power of character are admirable. She units her thoughts on breaking her curse, and she or he does all in her energy to take action. I like dwelling inside Sophie’s head on her many escapades in Howl’s Moving Castle.
On high of how distinctive the characters in Howl’s Moving Castle are, the premise and world-building are atmospheric and awe-inspiring. The journey takes place in a transferring fortress with a portal door that opens up at completely different cities and countryside areas. It’s considered one of my favourite fantasy settings.
If you’re like me and need to immerse your self in related tales, take a look at these fantastical books like Howl’s Moving Castle. Which e book reminds you probably the most of Howl’s?
Books Like HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
This pleasant e book by Heather Fawcett guarantees one of many closest Sophie/Howl vibes I’ve come throughout in a e book. Cambridge professor Emily Wilde may be very no-nonsense with dry humor and relatable woes, very like how we see Sophie develop into throughout her previous age curse. Emily’s good-looking colleague Wendell Bambley, then again, casts such a charismatic and foolish character, very very like Howl. Like Howl’s Moving Castle, the plot additionally entails our protagonists venturing into harmful magical territory and undoing difficult enchantments. When Emily Wilde travels to the small northern city of Hrafnsvik to check an elusive Fair Folk, she’s fairly perturbed to search out Bambley becoming a member of her. Despite being her tutorial rival, she additionally considers him her solely buddy too, so there may be that.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Speaking of Howl and Sophie vibes, Holly Black’s iconic characters Jude and Prince Cardan promise an identical dynamic, too. While Jude is a hardworking and decided lead like Sophie, Cardan makes for fairly the dapper and frivolous counterpart like Howl. In the aftermath of her dad and mom’ homicide, a younger Jude and her two sisters are taken to dwell within the glamorous but harmful world of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude will discover herself thrust into cutthroat political intrigue as heirs combat for the Blood Crown, and Prince Cardan infuriates her in the very best manner at each flip.
Inuyasha, VizBig Edition, Volume 1: Pulled Through Time! by Rumiko Takahashi
This fantasy manga collection by Rumiko Takahashi will draw you into one other pleasant Sophie/Howl dynamic with the relatable teen Kagome and the feisty cursed demon Inu-Yasha. When Kagome will get pulled right into a effectively and lands in feudal Japan, she releases a demon named Inu-Yasha from his imprisonment by mistake. Yet Kagome is nothing if not resourceful, and earlier than lengthy, she’ll discover a strategy to hold Inu-Yasha by her aspect as the 2 get drawn on a dangerous journey.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
This darkish and romantic fantasy by Naomi Novik is considered one of my favorites, most likely as a result of it offers off a Howl and Sophie really feel as effectively. Think of this story as Howl’s Moving Castle meets Birdbox. Agnieszka’s village stays secure from the haunted wooden because the sorcerer named the Dragon holds again its darkish forces. The solely catch? The Dragon requires a younger lady to assist serve him in his tower each 10 years. While Agnieszka is certain her stunning buddy Kasia might be chosen subsequent, she’s in for fairly a shock on the subsequent selecting.
That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming
Something I like most about Howl’s Moving Castle is the comfy fantasy romance feels, together with a pleasant dose of humor and banter between the characters. This romantasy by Kimberly Lemming checks off all of these packing containers with the added bonus of some attractive spice. Switch out the phrase “drunk” for “cursed” within the title, and it’d be aptly named for Howl’s Moving Castle, too. When Cinnamon saves a drunk demon named Fallon, she will get caught up in a completely surprising quest to avoid wasting his individuals.
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
I believe we will all agree that the magic of Howl’s Moving Castle wouldn’t be the identical with out the enigmatic fireplace demon Calcifer. His quote, “May all your bacon burn,” is iconic. This enchanting journey by Margaret Rogerson stars a sorcerer and demon companion duo harking back to Howl and Calcifer. Elisabeth has grown up in one of many Great Libraries of Austermeer and loves the magical grimoires regardless of their occasional monstrous tendencies. When Elisabeth will get framed for the discharge of a harmful grimoire, although, she’ll set off for the capital with a sorcerer named Nathaniel Thorn and his demon Silas.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
With its portal door, Howl’s Moving Castle appears like such a particular place because it permits Sophie, Howl, and their crew to step into completely different areas by means of it. In each the e book and movie variations of Howl’s Moving Castle, Sophie is even in a position to go to Howl’s previous by means of the fortress door. This sense of an enchanted place with the capability for time journey impressed me to select this subsequent book-in-translation by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. The story options an out-of-sight Tokyo café, the place patrons who order a particular espresso can journey again in time however should return earlier than their espresso will get chilly. I’m perpetually reheating my mug of tea, so I’m positive this is able to really feel onerous for me.
Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott
Of course, we will’t neglect the enduring component of Howl’s Moving Castle: having the ability to transfer round. This eerie fantasy novel by GennaRose Nethercott guarantees a transferring home, too. Despite their estrangement, Yaga siblings Bellatine and Isaac reunite after studying they’ve inherited a sentient, transferring home. As the pair embark on a closing tour of the nation with their household’s theater present, a darkish presence trails behind them.
The Enchanted Hacienda By J.C. Cervantes
If you like the enchanted home vibes, cozy fantasy feels, and romance of Howl’s Moving Castle, take a look at this charming story by J.C. Cervantes. Plus, this story options enchanted flowers harking back to the flower gardens Howl creates by means of the portal door for Sophie to promote. In between dropping her job and a breakup along with her boyfriend, Harlow Estrada decides she wants the consolation of her magical household farm in Mexico.
Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono, Translated by Emily Balistrieri
I made a decision to wrap up this listing of books like Howl’s Moving Castle with this basic novel-in-translation by Eiko Kadono. Like Howl’s, Kiki’s Delivery Service has additionally been tailored right into a Studio Ghibli movie, and these two share extremely cozy fantasy feels. This candy, slice-of-life story following younger witch Kiki’s coming of age in a brand new metropolis brings me as a lot consolation as Howl’s. While the Howl’s movie hints at Sophie having magic, the e book digs into her secret witch talents a bit extra, too. Plus, Kiki’s sassy cat companion Jiji offers off some critical Calcifer vibes as effectively.
More Magical Reads
I hope these books will carry you as a lot pleasure as Howl’s Moving Castle does. Can’t get sufficient of Howl’s? Me neither! For additional studying, take a look at these articles beneath.
Discussion about this post