Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Katya

You might have seen the recent anime film that was based on this book. I simply can't stress enough how much you should try and forget what happened in the film, and go and read this, straight away.

Sophie Hatter is, for no apparent reason, placed under a horrible curse by an evil witch. Sophie, being practical, realises that the only way to get rid of the curse is to go to the best wizard around - which, unfortunately, happens to be the wicked Howl, who eats young girls hearts.

While it's perhaps not Diana Wynne Jones' best book, it's still excellent. She has a real talent for making her characters real; Sophie is unbearably meek, whilst Howl is ridiculously selfish, yet you end up liking them both immensely. The plot is really good, and it'll make you want to laugh out loud at times. Definitely worth a look, and please, please, please - read the book before you see the film!