Diana Wynne Jones
Greenwillow Books (2008)
ISBN 9780061477959
Reviewed by Avni Gupta (age 15) for Reader Views (7/08)
Once I had finished “Howl’s MovingCastle,” I was really excited about reading one of the sequels — “House of Many Ways” by Diana Wynne Jones. It didn’t really continue the story of Sophie and Howl, which I was slightly disappointed about, but they were in it, so everything turned out okay.
This book is about 14-year-old Charmain Baker. Her Great Uncle William is sick and is going with the elves to get better. While he is away, he needs someone to take care of his house and dog, Waif. Charmain’s aunt volunteers her and so, a day later, Charmain is at Uncle William’s house. Everything there is spelled and she doesn’t really have to do much. Therefore, she sends in a letter to the king and his daughter telling them that she would like to help them in their library. They accept, much to Charmain’s surprise. Before she hears back from them, a boy comes into her Uncle William’s house and says that he is Peter, Uncle William’s new apprentice. Charmain lets him in and he stays there with her. When Charmain goes to the King’s palace, she meets Sophie and Sophie’s son Morgan, along with another little boy whose name is Twinkle.
This book was almost as good as the first one. I think that if you have read the first book, then you definitely should read this one as well because it was just as much fun. You see some of the same characters along with many new ones, creating an array of personalities running through out the book. This is another one of those fantasy books that you should read even if you do not normally read fantasy. It is extremely well-written and keeps you completely engrossed in the book.
I recommend “House of Many Ways” by Diana Wynne Jones to anyone who has ever wanted to be in a different place in a different time. It has a bit of mystery in it, making it all the more interesting. This is a book that I would recommend to my 12-year-old cousin, who is a boy, and I know that he would love it, and I can’t say that about very many of my books. Al in all, this is an amazing book for anyone to read!
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