Castle in the Air (Howl's Moving Castle, #2)

by Diana Wynne Jones

he first ordered me to steal a certain moving castle belonging to a wizard in this land of Ingary in which to house his brides, and then he ordered me to commence stealing princesses.

I can’t abide people who go soft over animals and then cheat every human they come across!

“He’s the best wizard in Ingary or anywhere else. If he’d only had time, he would have defeated that djinn. And he’s sly and selfish and vain as a peacock and cowardly, and you can’t pin him down to anything.”

“Fullest moons of Zanzib, pray forgive me that unfortunate vow which prevents me forever from enjoying your largeness.

“Sorry if I gave you a fright.” Howl seemed more used to holding babies than Sophie was. He rocked Morgan soothingly and stared at him. Morgan stared, rather balefully, back. “My word, he’s ugly!” Howl said. “Chip off the old block.”