Castle in the Air

A sequel to Howl's Moving Castle, this novel is heavily based off of stories from the Arabian Nights. So if you liked Aladdin and you liked Howl then you're going to love this book! It is a great combination of old world superstitions and customs of two very different cultures. Plus Diana Wynne Jones takes you through many different vivid landscapes from a desert oasis to a marshy countryside. She even gets some food into the picture by describing how difficult it can be for someone to adjust to a new menu when you're used to something very different. It touches on many subjects such as arranged marriage, warring empires, over protective fathers, and what would you wish for if you had a wish a day for the rest of your life? Speaking of over protective fathers, I will say that the physical description of the Sultan met all of my expectations and was worth a good chuckle.

This story starts out in the stall of a humble carpet salesman named Abdullah and quickly turns into an adventure when, mysteriously, all of his day dreams start coming true. And when I say all I mean the good and the bad. Along the way Abdullah makes new friends and grows into manhood while somehow managing to snag the girl of his dreams. I could tell you where Sophie and Howl pop up but where's the fun in that? You'll just have to read it to find out and I promise you won't be disappointed. Featuring some of everyone's favourite Aladdin character such as the genie of the lamp and the magic carpet Castle in the Air is a must read for all children and children at heart.

For a sequel I found that Diana Wynne Jones did an excellent job in integrating new characters with the old lovable ones as well as giving us plot twists that leave you laughing all the way to the end. Now I can't wait to read the last novel in the series, House of Many Ways, and find out what shenanigans Howl and co. get up to next.
Diana Wynne Jones