Abdullah was a young and not very prosperous carpet dealer. His father, who had been disappointed in him, had left him only enough money to open... read full description
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Sep 05, 2011
Emma
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"Castle in the Air" is Diana Wynne Jones' sequel to her amazingly awesome novel "Howl's Moving Castle." It was originally published in 1990 (four years after "Howl's Moving Castle"). At first glance, this novel doesn't sound like a sequel--it sounds more like a companion book at best--but I promise it does explain more about Howl and Sophie, just not right away and not, perhaps, in the most obvious way.
That said, this story is set in the Sultanates of Rash More...
That said, this story is set in the Sultanates of Rash More...
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Feb 27, 2008
Elizabeth
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A sequel, of sorts, to Howl's Moving Castle, with a Middle Eastern flavor. Even funnier, and guest-starring some familiar characters from the first book.
I particularly like these two novels because nothing in them is ever as it seems, and the twist endings are really amusing. Although this is a children's book I think many adults would enjoy it well.
I particularly like these two novels because nothing in them is ever as it seems, and the twist endings are really amusing. Although this is a children's book I think many adults would enjoy it well.
Dec 21, 2008
Barky
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Oct 17, 2011
Myles
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DWJ Book Toast, #7
Diana Wynne Jones is one of my favorite fantasy authors, growing up and now, and I was saddened by the news of her death. I can't say I'm overcome with emotion - as personal as some of her work is to me, its not like I knew her after all - but I wish I could put into words how I feel about her no longer being out there, writing new adventures and laughing at all of us serious fans thinking so hard about her words when we should simply get on with the business of enj More...
Diana Wynne Jones is one of my favorite fantasy authors, growing up and now, and I was saddened by the news of her death. I can't say I'm overcome with emotion - as personal as some of her work is to me, its not like I knew her after all - but I wish I could put into words how I feel about her no longer being out there, writing new adventures and laughing at all of us serious fans thinking so hard about her words when we should simply get on with the business of enj More...
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Jul 28, 2010
Suzanne the Mighty ~Satin Seductress~
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Abdullah is a carpet merchant in the lands south of Ingary, in the city Zanzib. And although he is a humble carpet merchant he day dreams constantly about being a prince. One day his dreams start becoming a reality when he finds himself in the garden of Flower-in-the-Night, a princess, by way of a magic carpet. However, his princess is kidnapped by a djinn and it is up to Abdullah to save her with the help of a moody magic carpet and a wicked genie.
This book was a really fun read, it More...
This book was a really fun read, it More...
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Sep 26, 2007
iamtedae
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This sequel to Howl's Moving Castle a little more exotic, with its placement in an Aladdin-esque country populated with merchants, camels, carpets (flying and otherwise), genie, djinn, and mysterious princesses. It's a terrific adventure, although probably more appreciated by the under-13 crowd. On the downside, while you can certainly read it without the pleasure of the first story, the references aren't explained and, as my memory isn't always too sharp, I had to go look up some of the names
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May 24, 2011
Julie
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Lent by a friend, this sequel to Howl's Moving Castle actually can stand well on its own (or so I would imagine) as the entire thing is told from the point of view of Abdullah who knows nothing of any of the events from the previous book (which, to be fair, figure but lightly in this tale).
A daydreamer who lives the ordinary life of a modest carpet seller in the Bazaar, Abdullah longs for a princess to marry and wishes he came from royalty. One day a mysterious wanderer sells Abdullah More...
A daydreamer who lives the ordinary life of a modest carpet seller in the Bazaar, Abdullah longs for a princess to marry and wishes he came from royalty. One day a mysterious wanderer sells Abdullah More...
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Oct 25, 2011
"Casi veinte años después de su aparición en el Reino Unido nos llega por fin esta secuela de una de las obras más admiradas de Diana Wynne Jones: Howl"s moving castle, publicado en España primero como El castillo viajero (en la antigua edición de SM) y después como El castillo ambulante (en la nueva edición de Berenice). Los aficionados al anime recordarán la historia de la joven Sophie y del extravagante mago Howl en la versión animada del maestro Miyazaki, y los amantes de la buena
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Aug 02, 2011
Wonderful book! It reminded me very much of Arabian Nights, but only if Scheherazade had help from the Brothers Grimm and Mother Goose, and with a very British sense of humor. It had a bit of a slow start, and was set so far removed from the events of Howl's Moving Castle that it was hard to fathom from the outset how this book would be related. However, Jones's writing style rescued the story from being dismissed, as otherwise might have happened, and I was slowly yet inexorably absorbed into
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Nov 06, 2011
Mara
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One should definitely read Howl's Moving Castle before you read this one. I admit, I was disappointed that Howl, Calcifer, and Sophie were not much in this book. But the genie easily replaces Howl in every respect, as does the black cat Sophie. And while the carpet never speaks, its attitude is strikingly like Calcifer's - sulky if it doesn't receive praise (rather reminds me of the old copier at the library, which I had to constantly wheedle before it printed). These, along with a few new chara
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Nov 04, 2011
Elizabeth
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This book, like all of Jones', was hysterically funny and had characters that practically walked off the page. Readers get to again meet Sophie, Howl, Calcifer, and some other old friends--sometimes looking different than they usually do!--but get to experience it through another, equally worthy protagonist, and get to travel through the entire magical world, not just Howl and Sophie's Ingary.
Abdullah is a fanciful fibber with a penchant for flattering everyone, and this left me rolling wi More...
Abdullah is a fanciful fibber with a penchant for flattering everyone, and this left me rolling wi More...
Aug 19, 2011
Bella
rated it:
Finally got my hand on this one a few weeks ago! AND it was the only copy left on the shelf. Yay me.
Anyway. I think any books by Diana Wynne Jones are great and this one's no exception to that. I loved the characters in this one and this story involved a different kind of magic than Howl's Moving Castle that's just as gripping and entertaining. More Arabian night, with Abdullah dealing with things such as a flying carpet, djinns and a genie on his way to find the abducted princess he More...
Anyway. I think any books by Diana Wynne Jones are great and this one's no exception to that. I loved the characters in this one and this story involved a different kind of magic than Howl's Moving Castle that's just as gripping and entertaining. More Arabian night, with Abdullah dealing with things such as a flying carpet, djinns and a genie on his way to find the abducted princess he More...
Jun 07, 2011
Merrie
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Apr 24, 2011
Jen
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Castle in the Air is the sequel to Howl's Moving Castle, but unlike its predecessor, it starts off in a slow moving way that makes you wonder how the two are related. Despite being exposed to many "flowery language"d tales from the middle east, I found the dialogue in the start of the book to be obnoxious, tedious and did not add to any sense of character development. I honestly expected a better hook from Diana Wynne Jones.
However, once the protagonist leaves his home town - More...
However, once the protagonist leaves his home town - More...
Nov 22, 2010
Amanda
rated it:
Diana Wynne Jones has been and still is, my favorite author. In the Companion to Howl's Moving Castle new characters are introduced and old ones are brought back, mostly towards the end. Although the story was slightly spoiled for me because I accidentially read the Sequel "House of Many Ways" before I read this book. It was still very well written and entertaining although this series is definietly geared towards younger children. The main reason that I like Diana Wynne Jones so muc
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Aug 18, 2010
Jami
rated it:
(warning: this book maybe the second in the series but does not focus on the characters of the first. i liked that aspect.)
i picked this book up because i enjoyed (surprising, because I'm not a huge fan of fantasy)the first book she wrote in this series, which was Howls Moving Castle. Loved that but Castle in the Air was LAME. Only recommend if you enjoy romance.
I still really love the way this author writes. on par with the first one in the manner that she always co More...
i picked this book up because i enjoyed (surprising, because I'm not a huge fan of fantasy)the first book she wrote in this series, which was Howls Moving Castle. Loved that but Castle in the Air was LAME. Only recommend if you enjoy romance.
I still really love the way this author writes. on par with the first one in the manner that she always co More...
Dec 12, 2009
Zoe
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This is the "sequel" to Howl's Moving Castle, though the characters from the first book don't appear until pretty close to the end (there is a third book that's apparently a sequel in the more traditional sense).
I'd heard from a lot of people that Castle in the Air wasn't as good as Howl's Moving Castle, but I actually enjoyed it more. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that this book renewed my faith in Diana Wynne Jones. She was one of my favourite authors as a child, but r More...
I'd heard from a lot of people that Castle in the Air wasn't as good as Howl's Moving Castle, but I actually enjoyed it more. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that this book renewed my faith in Diana Wynne Jones. She was one of my favourite authors as a child, but r More...
Dec 02, 2009
Douglas
rated it:
I must admit I read this book for entertainment only. My critical analysis was parked in the back of the lot while I was up front with the crowds enjoying the show. Castle wasn't as good a novel for me as its prequel, Howl's Moving Castle, but it was a good read nonetheless.
Fans of the prequel might not initially like the vastly different setting and main character, Abdullah of Zanzib. Going from medieval Europe to medieval Persia could be a bit jarring, but once preconceived notions More...
Fans of the prequel might not initially like the vastly different setting and main character, Abdullah of Zanzib. Going from medieval Europe to medieval Persia could be a bit jarring, but once preconceived notions More...
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Aug 10, 2011
Paula
rated it:
El castillo en el aire puede considerarse una continuación de Howl's Moving Castle hasta cierto punto, ya que volvemos a Ingary, ampliando nuestro conocimiento de ese mundo y encontraremos a viejos conocidos. No cuando los protagonistas principales ya no son los de El castillo ambulante sino que se transforman –algunos- en secundarios de lujo. Sin embargo, el libro sigue lleno del humor y un estilo que puede resultar infantil pero no exento de encanto.
En El castillo en el aire nos en More...
En El castillo en el aire nos en More...
Feb 17, 2011
Andrew
rated it:
3.5 STARS
Things wrap themselves up a little too neatly in this follow-up to "Howl's Moving Castle." Beyond a couple of geographic overlaps in the world, and a whirlwind of identity revelations in the final 50 pages, it's not even clear how this can be honestly termed a sequel, as it were.
Still, the magic system is interesting, and the way that inanimate objects (read: carpets) are imbued with a personality is quite original. Abdullah is a little bit of a schizophr More...
Things wrap themselves up a little too neatly in this follow-up to "Howl's Moving Castle." Beyond a couple of geographic overlaps in the world, and a whirlwind of identity revelations in the final 50 pages, it's not even clear how this can be honestly termed a sequel, as it were.
Still, the magic system is interesting, and the way that inanimate objects (read: carpets) are imbued with a personality is quite original. Abdullah is a little bit of a schizophr More...
Apr 13, 2011
Marilyn
rated it:
http://www.marilynmuniz.com/2011/04/cast...
Summary
Because of his disappointment in Abdullah, his father only gave enough money to open a modest booth in the Bazaar after his death. Abdullah daydreams of being a son of a prince and betrothed to princess when he is not selling carpets. On an ordinary day, a stranger visits Abdullah’s booth to sell him a magic carpet. After some hesitation, Abdullah purchases the carpet from the stranger. The night Abdullah sleeps on the carpets ch More...
Summary
Because of his disappointment in Abdullah, his father only gave enough money to open a modest booth in the Bazaar after his death. Abdullah daydreams of being a son of a prince and betrothed to princess when he is not selling carpets. On an ordinary day, a stranger visits Abdullah’s booth to sell him a magic carpet. After some hesitation, Abdullah purchases the carpet from the stranger. The night Abdullah sleeps on the carpets ch More...
Dec 06, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
Abdullah is caught up in a life of daydreams; they're the one upside to selling carpets in his stall at the market. He imagines that he's the son of a king, stolen away at birth by ruffians, and eventually found by his father, the carpet-seller. He imagines that he's betrothed to the most beautiful princess in the world, and that they will live in a grand palace. Then, a shifty man stops by the stall, wanting to sell his magic carpet, and all Abdullah's daydreams start to come true. Even the bad
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Sep 03, 2011
Chia-Yi
rated it:
The buildup was a little slower for me than the first book, and it definitely has a different flavor to it. Eventually I warmed up to the characters, but I never really felt like this was Abdullah's story like I felt the first book was Sophie's. The characters from Ingary do appear, but it does carry a different feel than the first book. I can't really explain it except by saying I never felt like I got really deep into the story or characters.
I am less convinced of the romance between More...
I am less convinced of the romance between More...
Jul 27, 2011
Ubalstecha
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Abdullah is a humble carpet merchant who dreams of having more. When a stranger ppears in his shop to sell him a flying carpet, Abdullah's world is trown into confusion as he find himself mysteriously transported to the Sultan's night garden, where he falls in love with Flower-in-the-Night, who also happpens to be the Sultan's daughter. When Flower-in-the-Night is kidnapped by a djinn, Abdullah finds himself thrust into a series of harrowing adventures as he tries to win her back.
Often billed More...
Often billed More...
Apr 04, 2011
Brittany
rated it:
When I found out about Diana Wynne Jones' death, I knew there was no better time to read the second installment in the story of Howl. You can tell just by the cover that this isn't going to be a story quite like Howl's Moving Castle. A majority of it takes place in a different country all together than Ingary. Perhaps if you read it immediately after Howl you wouldn't like this book as much. But, as it is, it's been years since I read Howl's Moving Castle, and while I have a strong sense of lovi
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Sep 08, 2011
Cherie
rated it:
My ratings system is as follows. One star is GOOD. The book is entertaining, easy to read and you don't want to stop reading because something about the book is compelling you not to. Two stars is GREAT! This time the story is not only entertaining, but highly creative, unique, easy to read and hard to put down. Three stars is EXCELLENT. Here the book has all aspects of one and two stars, but now the book is thought and emotionally provoking. Four is AWESOME. This is the read that is not onl
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Jun 21, 2011
Isabel
rated it:
Not as good as Howl's Moving Castle, but for fans of Diana Wynne Jones's work this is worth a read. :)
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Dec 29, 2007
Michelle
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I loved this book! It's the sequel to Howl's Moving Castle, but it doesn't really feel like a sequel until the end. I love how Abdullah talks and how the people in the south call Ingary Octinstan. (I probably spelled that wrong). Read this book, but read Howl's Moving Castle first. And then go see the movie. :-)
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Oct 30, 2011
Христо
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Замъците можели и да летят сред света на Деян Уейн Джоунс
http://www.knigolandia.info/2011/04/blog...
В първия роман – “Подвижният замък на Хоул” – трябваше да гоним замък сред хълмовете. В “Замък в небето” тази възможност я няма. Светът е различен и градчетата от западен тип са заменени с такива от източен. Или по-просто казано, попадане в един шехерезадов свят. Почти до края този факт ме хвърляше в леко недоумение, защото на корицата изрично пише, че книгата е продължение на пър More...
http://www.knigolandia.info/2011/04/blog...
В първия роман – “Подвижният замък на Хоул” – трябваше да гоним замък сред хълмовете. В “Замък в небето” тази възможност я няма. Светът е различен и градчетата от западен тип са заменени с такива от източен. Или по-просто казано, попадане в един шехерезадов свят. Почти до края този факт ме хвърляше в леко недоумение, защото на корицата изрично пише, че книгата е продължение на пър More...
Aug 30, 2011
Andrea
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Abdullah, a young carpet seller, lives in his small stall in the bazaar of Zhanzib. A disappointment to his deceased father, he daydreams himself another life, in which he is really a lost prince from a distant land destined to marry a princess. He is content with his simple life and these daydreams, when a stranger sells him a flying carpet.
In his sleep, the carpet carried Abdullah off to the gardens of a beautiful woman. He falls in love with the girl, but she is carried off in th More...
In his sleep, the carpet carried Abdullah off to the gardens of a beautiful woman. He falls in love with the girl, but she is carried off in th More...
