Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones

The "Howl's Moving Castle" trilogy is really a loose definition of a series. Each novel develops around a different protagonist and has a unique story line with definitive conclusion. They do not need to be read together. So far I think it would be a travesty not to continue with the series, though. What makes them a series would be Sophie and Howl playing a part in each of the stories, even if only second fiddle. 

Now, to the second novel at hand. We have progressed several years and a continent away from the moving castle. The story opens in Zanzib--a Sultanate in Rashpuht--with daydreamer Abdullah, the carpet merchant, romanticizing his life's backstory. Born to the second wife, Abdullah is not well loved by his father's first wife's family. Though he inherited the carpet business, there are a multitude of other fortunes he wishes to have.

A suspiciously good deal lands Abdullah with a flying carpet, though perhaps a little worse for the wear. He soon finds the love of his life and has an incredibly short lived romance. Flower-in-the-Night is whisked away by a djinn, and Abdullah is unable to stop the incident. No matter the circumstances, he will rescue his fine maiden, though. This is an overly optimistic goal, which becomes increasingly apparent as he is burdened with a Strangian soldier with a feral love of stray cats and an obstinate genie.

The journey is filled with incredibly exacerbating challenges. Abdullah's patience is tested at every turn. Despite the heavy emotions and unceasing twists and turns of bad fortune, the humor is top notch and keeps interest in the story moving at a whimsical pace. I truly enjoy the classic feel of a children's moral tale and am anticipating House of Many Ways with great excitement.

Sophie, Howl, Calcifer, and the moving castle are all back by the end of the tale. Can you spot them before their big reveal, though?

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