House of Many Ways is a very satisfying story. It's just too bad I've now come to the end of the Castle series!

Charmain Baker has no idea what she's in for when an imperious Great Aunt volunteers her to mind a wizard's abode. Completely uninitiated in the ways of magic, Charmain quickly finds herself in a fine mess - terribly frustrating, because all the girl really wants to do is read. (It's probably a bad thing that I see a lot of myself in the persnickity bibliophile.)

The wizard's house was fascinating, and rather unappreciated by Charmain. Much like a TARDIS, it was bigger on the inside and provided endless surprises. I almost wish more of the story had been spent exploring its twisted pathways and unpredictable portals. But alas, that would have weighed down the story.

And what an incredibly fun tale it is. Having just read the previous two installments, I loved how the author interconnected them all. Past characters kept popping up and references to the events of previous books made for subtle in-jokes.

Charmain is a relatively good child but she's also willful and bossy, reminding me of both Howl and Sophie - in other words, don't expect all obedience, sweetness and light. She manages to learn that ignorance is not something to hide behind, plus she begrudgingly admits that chores serve their purpose. At the same time, she foists most of her duties onto an apprentice who doesn't object much, so the overall progress is rather slim!

Taken another way though, she and Peter could be seen as a reversal of gender roles. Charmain goes off to work, while the apprentice is left at home to handle the cooking and cleaning. Interesting now that I think about it...

Of the three books, this one sports the best pacing and the least frenetic activity. Still, the series trademarks are there: new magic user bungling things up, hidden items that must be found, people both good and bad in disguise, and of course chapters and chapters of amusing madness until the big wrap-up arrives. It's a fitting addition, while the series as a whole makes me eager to dive into DWJ's backlist for more magical mayhem.