Book: Howl's Moving Castle Diana Wynne Jones

★★★★★/★★★★★

“In the land of Ingary, where such things as seven-league boots and cloaks of invisibility really exist, it is quite a misfortune to be born the eldest of three.”

Oh my god this book is amazing! I loved the movie then loved the book as much! I've watched the movie a hundred times before and finishing the book just made me love it even more. The book is actually very different from the movie but both are brilliant and charming and entertaining! :)

 Sophie Hatter is the eldest of three sisters and always blames it for her misfortune. Their family owns a hat shop and when her father dies, being the oldest, the shop automatically becomes hers to manage while her sisters get send away to do what they've always wanted to do. Sophie doesn't really mind making hats, at first, but at some point she realizes that interesting things always happen to someone else but not to her. Again, she blames it to being the oldest and it doesn't really help when she attracts the attention of the Witch of the Waste who puts her under a nasty spell of turning her into an old woman. It leaves her no choice but to go and seek out her own fortune in hopes of breaking the Witch's spell. It then leads her to Howl's ever-moving castle. Everyone fears Howl because he's a wizard who collects young girls' hearts. But Sophie, being an old grumpy woman now, doesn't fear Howl anymore. So she insists her way into Howl's castle and soon finds herself bargaining with a fire demon to break her curse.

 I really enjoyed Sophie and Howl's story! Everything in this book is brilliant and the characters are all charming and mysterious in their own way. Howl is sooo adorable! He's conceited and powerful yet he's very sweet and funny. And it's sad that people think of him as evil when in truth he's just a fine young man who's trying to get away from the real-evil Witch of the Waste. Sophie, on the other hand, is bossy, stubborn and at times grumpy, which I think is because she's now old (and we know how old people can be sometimes). I loved how she can boss around Howl and Calcifer! Lol.

Calcifer and Michael are both endearing. They grow to love Sophie as she spends time with them and Calcifer and Sophie's relationship is funny! It's said that only Howl can make Calcifer do things but with Sophie, Calcifer cowers down. I guess it has something to do with Sophie always threatening and bullying Calficer. Hahaha. But really, Sophie only has to bribe Calcifer for him to obey. Tsk. Calcifer is a fire demon who has some contract with Howl that he thinks Sophie can break. In return of breaking his contract, Calcifer promises to break Sophie's spell. Michael is sweet. Movie-Michael is extra sweet (and younger) but novel-Michael is lovable just the same.

Howl and Sophie make a good pair. While Howl likes it dirty, Sophie likes it clean. Hahaha. Their interactions always cracked me up especially when Howl complains how Sophie likes to clean. It's also funny how Howl can be sooo dramatic at times especially when it comes to his appearance. And I feel like Howl actually enjoys teasing Sophie sometimes.

“Annoyed?” said Sophie. “Why should I be annoyed? Someone only filled the castle with rotten aspic, and deafened everyone in Porthaven, and scared Calcifer to a cinder, and broke a few hundred hearts. Why should that annoy me?”

And Howl might be vain and conceited but he has conscience, you guys!

“I didn't mention the matter before.” said Howl. “because the king might have thought you should have had the sense to sell him another dud. I had a conscience about it. Conscience. Notice that word, Mrs. Longnose. I had a conscience.”

Howl also reminds me of Kell from Shades of Magic series. Or rather, when I read ADSoM, Kell reminded me of Howl. I pictured Kell to be like Howl, a mysterious, powerful Wizard who everyone fears. And, and! They're both my favorites! ♥

Howl's Moving Castle is probably one of the best fantasies I've ever read (and watched)! It's just so beautiful and whimsical and entertaining that I'll read it again and again until I turn 90! You wouldn't help but love it as the story unravels and it's really a magical and fun read that will surely entertain you!

Howl said, "I think we ought to live a happily ever after." and she thought he meant it.
"And you'll exploit me," Sophie said.
"And then you'll cut up all my suits to teach me," said Howl.

* * *

More about Howl? Sophie thought desperately. I have to blacken his name! Her mind was such a blank that for a second it actually seemed to her that Howl had no faults at all. How stupid! “Well, he's fickle, careless, selfish, and hysterical,” she said. “Half the time I think he doesn't care what happens to anyone as long as he's all right—but then I find out how awfully kind he's been to someone. Then I think he's kind just when it suits him-only then I find out he undercharges poor people. I don't know, Your Majesty. He's a mess.”

Book: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

 ★★★★/★★★★★

“People see what they wish to see. And in most cases, what they are told that they see.” 

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it, no paper notices plastered on lampposts and billboards. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.

There are so many ways to describe this book but now that I am writing this all I can seem to tell you is that it was beautiful. And magical!! Honestly, there were times when I didn't know what to make of this book but as I read on I began to realize how much I was loving it. Yes, it was lengthy and slow-paced but when you get to know more of what was happening you'll start to get into it and I don't really mind lengthy books as long as I'm enjoying it. And those descriptions were just too hard not to love! I loved how the black and white circus was described as if I was inside myself, each tent would give you a surreal experience of what was happening inside and the characters were all lovely and unique. And oh, that clock at the very entrance! That being said, Morgenstern truly knew how to give the readers the pleasure of experiencing the circus itself by writing us wonderful descriptions and igniting our imaginations.

“Everything was magical. And it seemed to go on forever.”

I usually write a lot when I make reviews but I admit I'm having a hard time writing one for this book. The plot actually confused me because Celia and Marco were supposed to be playing a game or having a fierce competition but there wasn't really a game played or a fierce competition that was fought. I was expecting something else and I think a real competition (like showing off magic) would be more interesting and exciting. But, but, but! The descriptions and all were enough to make up for the other issues I have with this book. It was really the circus that win me over! 

There was also romance between Celia and Marco and that was mainly the reason why the game was suddenly stopped. It didn't really end but Cecelia decided she didn't want to play anymore especially when she knew how the game was supposed to end. And then there were Poppet and Widget also my favorites!

“When all of this is over, no matter which one of us wins, I will not let you go so easily. Agreed?” 

“Agreed.”

I get that this book is not for everyone (as I've seen on the reviews) but if you're one of those who really loved this, I can understand why. Though it's not perfect, it was wonderful and magical and I think some people just really love wonderful and magical stories like this one. 

“They are enthusiasts, devotees. Addicts. Something about the circus stirs their souls, and they ache for it when it is absent.”

Book: A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

 ★★★★★/★★★★★

 “Everyone thinks I have a death wish, you know? But I don't want to die-dying is easy. No, I want to live, but getting close to death is the only way to feel alive. And once you do, it makes you realize that everything you were doing  before wasn't actually living. It was just making do. Call me crazy, but I think we do the best living when the stakes are high.”

I don't even know where to start! I've been trying to write a review since I finished the book and until now I'm still trying because there's just too many things to say! Well, for starters, this book, without a doubt, was brilliant and amazing and... magical. And I loved it! I've been hooked the moment I read the first book of the Shades of Magic series, A Darker Shade of Magic (review here) and finishing A Gathering of Shadows just made me love it even more. Now I'm patiently waiting for the third book and I believe it's going to be epic! 

The second book picks up four months after Kell and Lila have dethroned the Dane twins of White London. Four months since Rhy almost died (well, he did but Kell brought him back to life), four months since Holland was thrown to the Black London together with the mysterious black stone and four months since Lila walked away from Kell. It's been four months since the Black Night that changed a lot of things. Since then Kell had to stop smuggling things from different Londons and the King had made it clear that he wanted Rhy and Kell protected all the time. And being protected meant Kell can't really go around freely doing things without the King knowing. Kell tried to understand but somehow he felt like a prisoner. Like he was trapped. It was bad enough that he felt responsible for what happened during the Black Night but it was worse when he felt like he lost the King and Queen's trust. Now he was trying to be okay with all of it but it was consuming him. He needed a release, a way to feel alive again. And that was when Rhy thought of an idea; Kell participating in the upcoming Element Games, an international competition where magicians gather to compete. Kell reluctantly agreed because he knew it was bad for both of them but as the competition came close, he actually felt excited. Lila, on the other hand, has found her dream of being a pirate. Well, she didn't really become a pirate but she's found the ship of her liking. She initially planned to kill the captain of the Night Spire, Alucard Emery, but things started to change when she just suddenly grew fond of the captain and his crew. Meanwhile, in White London, a new King has claimed the throne and he wanted his London to flourish with magic again. But he can't quite do that with someone inside him trying to control him.

Everything in this book was perfect! The plot, the characters, the magic, the world-building, the writing style, everything! I'm a big fan of fantasy novels so I'm really really glad I picked up this series. And I knew when I started reading the first book that I'd found my new favorite series.

I can give you a lot of reasons why I love this book and let me start with Kell. An Antari, a loyal brother, a good man, and everything a powerful magician can be! Saints, I adore him and don't get me started with how good of a brother he was. But with his bond with Rhy, it somehow made him feel trapped inside his own body. He was extra careful because with Rhy's life at stake, he couldn't take any chances. He mostly stayed in the Basin, some sort of a practice room, where he found some release when he trained. Some days he still thought of Lila, wondering where she could be, if she was still thieving.

 “I know it's mad, but for a second I though it was...”
 “Saints, you're seeing her in everyone and everything now, Kell? There's a word for that.”
 “Hallucination?”
 “Infatuation.”
Kell snorted. “I'm not infatuated,” he said.  “I just..." He just wanted to see her.  “Our paths crossed one time. Months ago. It happens.”

I can't help but love Kell's character because man, he was perfect! I mean, sure he had his dark side but his good side make up for that. He though of Rhy's safety above all, he tried to do the best for his country, he stopped smuggling things from other London and he stayed in the palace even when it felt like a prison. He felt frustrated and lonely but the kingdom and Rhy's safety were his priorities.

Lila, I loved since the first book. She was headstrong, smart and she always got what she wanted. Man, she was a badass! She was at the Night Spire the first part of the book, earning her place by robbing and killing Alucard's best thief. When she found out that Alucard could use magic, she was determined to make him teach her. So then she became a part of Alucard's crew--privateering and learning magic. We saw more of Lila in this book and I wasn't surprised that she became more ambitious. She's always been dreaming of big and impossible things but now she was flirting with death by joining the Element Games.

 “I am Delilah Bard, she thought. Pirate, thief, magician. Her fingertips began to thrum. 
I have crossed worlds and taken ships. Fought queens and saved cities. Her bones shuddered and her blood raced. I am one of a kind.”

Rhy was still our adorable prince. We got to see a lot of him in the book and I loved seeing more of him! He still had his charms, always bickering with Kell and always winning his brother's heart. But Rhy also struggled with his new magical bond with Kell. Sure, he was grateful to Kell but it was still a borrowed life. With the thought of burdening Kell or Kell always restraining himself to do things because he was thinking of him, it made Rhy felt bad. And though Kell didn't say anything, Rhy could feel how hard it was for him.

“Rhy knew Kell's true hesitation, and it wasn't getting caught, or starting trouble; it was the fear of causing him pain. Every day Kell moved like Rhy was made of glass, and it was driving them both mad. But once the tournament started, once he saw that Rhy was fine, that he could take it, survive it--hell, could survive anything, wasn't that the point?--then maybe Kell would finally let go, stop holding his breath, stop trying to protect him, and just live.”

The bond between Rhy and Kell had always been strong even before Kell shared his life with Rhy. They cared and loved each other so much they were willing to do anything, everything for each other and I think that's what made me love them even more.

The prince took a step forward, and swayed, but Kell caught him and kept him upright. “There you go again,” murmured Rhy, leaning his head on Kell's shoulder. “You never let me fall.”

And I have a new favorite! Alucard Emery, captain of the Night Spire, magician and a flirt. Well, he had a right to be one. I wasn't sure about him at first but as the story went on I found him intriguing. He was mysterious, he can see magic (literally) and the twist in his part (why Kell loathed him) was oh my god! It was unpredictable and perfect. I mean, oh my god! I was swooning while reading that part (and I might've reread it a couple of times, or more!) and I can't help but love Schwab even more!

“Fix your crown, my prince,” he called back as he reached the door. “It's crooked.”

Okay, moving on... another thing I loved about Alucard (among other million things) was that he let Lila be a part of his crew and grew fond of her. I knew he saw something in Lila and somehow was intrigued because of her unique personality but nonetheless he welcomed her. And I admit that there were times I felt like there was something between him and Lila. But nah, Alucard already belonged to someone else. Lol.

“Alucard sighed, and closed his eyes, tipping his head back against the plush chair. He had a nice face, soft and sharp at the same time. She had the strangest urge to reach out and trace the lines of it with her fingers, Lila really should have killed him, back when they first met. Back before she could know him. Back before she could like him so much.”

 This book is really brilliant! With the characters, plot, world-building, writing style and its magic, it was perfect! And I know we didn't see much of romance in the first book but I was happy there were some in this book. Because I'm a sucker for romance, didn't I tell you? And Kell + Lila was asdfghjklskhffgh :")

They danced in silence for several long moments, spinning together and apart, a slower version of their cadence in the ring. And then, out of nowhere, Lila asked, “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why didn you ask me to dance?”
He almost smiled. A ghost. A trick of the light. “So you couldn't run away again before I said hello.”
“Hello,” said Lila.
“Hello,” said Kell. “Where have you been?”
Lila smirked. “Why, did you miss me?”
Kell opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again before finally managing to answer, “Yes.”

So, I gave this book a perfect shining 5-star because I really loved it. And I know I'll probably spoil you if I talk more so I'll stop here. In a nutshell, you should read this book because it's brilliant!

Book: A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

★★★★★/★★★★★

"He would see her again. He knew he would. Magic bent the world. Pulled it into shape. There were fixed points. Most of the time those points were places. But sometimes, rarely, they were people. For someone who never stood still, Lila still felt like a pin in Kell’s world. One he was sure to snag on."

I loved this book for so many reasons and let me start with Kell and his magic and his multi-sided coat and the London-with s- and Rhy and Lila with her dream of becoming a pirate and MAGIC! Have I mentioned that I always fall in love with fantasy books? And ADSoM just topped my list of favorites. 

Kell is an Antari, a rare kind of magician and one of the only two remaining who can travel between worlds. There are four different Londons-Red (wealthy and filled with magic), Grey (dull and magic is forgotten), White (poor and deprived of magic) and Black (destroyed by magic)-and except Black London, Kell can travel to and from the other Londons using a door which he creates with the help of an object which belonged to the London he's going to and his blood which is the source of his magic. He usually travels as the ambassador of the king of Red London, delivering and getting messages for the royals of each London. With his every visit to a different London, he smuggles things (which is forbidden) to anyone who is willing enough to give anything in exchange of something they would never see in their world. Kell doesn't really see the danger of collecting things from another Londons but his brother, Prince Rhy, insists he should stop it. And even though he and Rhy are not really brothers (Kell was adopted by the King and Queen when he was five), he loves Rhy very much and considers stopping it. But when the King tells him to go to the White London to deliver a message to the Danes twins and a woman pleads to him to take a letter to someone in a differen London with a payment, Kell doesn't have a choice but to deliver it. But it turns out that there's no really letter and the payment is actually a stone from the Black London. Next thing he knew, cut-throats are after him and a girl just robbed him. 

The plot of the story was unique and well written. It was clever enough to make four different Londons but Schwab had to put doors and magic too. As for the the world-building, it was simple yet it gave you splendid ideas of each London and  I loved how the different Londons came to life.

The characters were amazing as well! It wasn't hard to love them especially when they were all strong characters. Kell was the kind of character you'd love even though he wasn't perfect. Well, for me he was perfect enough! He was loyal, kind, caring and what made him powerful was his belief that he and his magic should be equal. That he shouldn't abuse or control it so it wouldn't control him too. 

“Some thought magic came from the mind, others the soul, or the heart, or the will. But Kell knew it came from the blood.

Blood was magic made manifest. There it thrived. And there it poisoned. Kell had seen what happened when power warred with the body, watched it darken in the veins of corrupted men, turning their blood from crimson to black. If red was the color of magic in balance—of harmony between power and humanity—then black was the color of magic without balance, without order, without restraint.

As an Antari, Kell was made of both, balance and chaos; the blood in his veins, like the Isle of Red London, ran a shimmering, healthy crimson, while his right eye was the color of spilled ink, a glistening black.”

Delilah "Lila" Bard was reckless but I liked that she was optimistic, independent and a bad-ass. She loved adventures and she always took chances even though it could turn out bad and that's what made me love her more.

Kell looked her in the eyes. “You will be trapped there,” he said. “When it is over.” Lila shivered. “Perhaps,” she said, “or perhaps I will go with you to the end of the world. After all, you’ve made me curious.”

And she was confident, too.

She kicked a loose stone. “Well, I mean, it’s another world, isn’t it? Another version of London? Is there another version of me?” Kell frowned. “I’ve never met anyone like you.” He hadn’t meant it as a compliment, but Lila took it that way, flashing him a grin. “What can I say,” she said, “I’m one of a kind.”

 I also loved Rhy Myresh because he was so charming. He was the next king of Red London, goofy but kind-hearted. I admired his relationship with Kell because they loved each other too much! They were hilarious together and I really enjoyed those parts they were together.

Rhy frowned. “I love you, Kell, but I had no interest in matching tattoos.”

And did I mention that Rhy was also flirty? 

“Will I see more of you, Delilah Bard?” called the prince. “Perhaps our paths will cross again.” Rhy’s smile went crooked. “If I have any say in it, they will.

My heart broke for Holland. He could've been a good Antari like Kell but Anthos took that chance away when he bounded him to him. What a cruel, nasty man Athos was! Holland didn't have his freedom, just doing whatever Athos told him to do. I was actually waiting for a twist on his part but too bad it didn't happen.

Now let's talk about the romance in the book. Wait... was there any? Of course, there was! The first time Kell and Lila met, I knew  there would be one. It may not be the romance I expected but still, their connection was enough romance for me! I actually liked that it didn't focus too much, or at all, on the romance because I think it could've gone a different way if it did. But who knew? Tsk.  

Kell threw his arms around her. And for a second, only a second, she didn’t pull away, didn’t threaten to stab him. For a second, and only a second, she hugged him back. They stood there a moment, leaning on each other, one keeping the other on their feet, though neither was sure which needed more supporting. Both knew only that they were happy to be here, to be alive.

You may or may not agree with me but overall this book was perfect! Really! I could actually write a review using only a word and it would be: "Perfect!"

 This book also reminded me of Howl's Moving Castle with Kell's multi-sided coat and his ability to make doors using magic which made it easier for me to love it because I loved Howl very much! Now I'm in love with Kell, too, and Howl should be okay with that! Ha! 

♥  

“Hey, Lila,” he said softly into the space between them. “Yeah?” He pressed his mouth to hers for one brief moment, the warmth there and then gone. She frowned up at him, but did not pull away. “What was that for?” she asked. “For luck,” he said. “Not that you need it.” 

Book: A Stolen Kiss (Stolen Royals #1) by Kelsey Keating

 ★★★½ /★★★★★

Before she could protest, he leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers in a gentle caress. As he pulled away, he whispered here release. "Maria, I set you free."

What made me read A Stolen Kiss:
1. The cover. Who wouldn't fall for a cover like this? Really?
2. I always ALWAYS love fairy tales (and retelling)!
3. The reviews are mostly positive.
4. Magic.

It's the first book of the Stolen Royals series by Kelsey Keating and I had high expectations when I first started reading it. It's lighthearted and magical and it somehow reminded me of the series Once Upon A Time where they also retell the stories of fairy tales. The premise was good and it started out right but as the story continued, I found it quite juvenile and the pacing slow. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it and the characters were lovely but sometimes they were shallow and I didn't get enough emotion from them. That, being said, it was still a fun read filled with magic, likeable characters and an exciting adventure where they meet magical creatures and new friends. And the plot twists, oh, the plot twists!

It tells the story of Maria, Princess of Ophea, who was cursed by a sorceress named Gilda when she was young. Her curse: she turns into a swan by sun down (or so she says) and it somehow forbids her on saying yes to the proposal of her betrothed Prince Humphrey. Seeing it's a problem because Maria must marry Humphrey, Sarah, a lady's maid to Maria, suggests they seek help from Derric, her brother, who knows something about magic. Derric tells them that the only way to remove the curse is to find the sorceress who casted it and make her undo the curse. And so begin the lies, the friendship, the feelings and their adventure to find Gilda so Maria can marry Humphrey though they don't really love each other.

Stories with magic always appeal to me because I enjoy reading about spells, curses, flying carpets, invisible cloaks, enchanted forests, magical creatures and of course sorcerer/sorceress. Because how exciting are those?! Anyway, this book will entertain you if you love fairy tales like me.

"I can't be king. I can't rule for you. You can't keep hiding from your responsibilities. You're strong enough to be the queen of Ophea without any help."

"Then don't be king. Come back and just be mine." she hated how desperate she sounded, but she couldn't let him go.

*I received a copy of this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

TV Series: Once Upon A Time (2011) Season 1

I always love fairy tales and I instantly loved this series because the story revolves around the classic fairy tales and magic. The show tells us that there is an alternate world where every classic fairy tale character exists but without magic. The main characters are Snow White, Prince Charming, The Evil Queen, Rumplestiltskin, Henry and his mother, Emma Swan. 

It's actually good and how they've written the story is impressive. They've threaded every story together making it connected with each other. I love how every princess is friends with one another and that Snow White and Prince Charming have a daughter, who will be their savior in the future. 

Emma Swan played by Jennifer Morrison
Emma is a bail bonds collector who was abandoned by the side of a road as a new born. Twenty eight years later, she is found by Henry, who she gave up for adoption 10 years prior, and the boy insists that she's the one who can break the curse of his town, Storybrooke, Maine, where time has stopped until her arrival.

 Prince Charming played by Josh Dallas / Snow White played by Ginnifer Goodwin
Our Prince Charming and Snow White who always find each other. They are the parents of Emma Swan who put her in a wardrobe to save her from the curse of the Evil Queen. Snow White is Mary Margaret Blanchard in our world, a teacher who is close with Henry because she thinks he's special. Prince Charming is a John Doe who went into a coma until Mary Margaret woken him up.

Evil Queen played by Lana Parrilla 
 Goes by the name of Regina, the Evil Queen was the one who cast the spell who put everyone in Storybrooke frozen in time with no memory of their past selves. She adopted Henry in our world and is sincere in loving him but Henry doesn't quite trust her because of her secrets. 

Rumplestiltskin played by Robert Carlyle
It's not until Season 2 that I learn his name. Tsk. But anyway, Rumplestiltskin or Mr. Gold, is the bad guy of the story. He has dark magic and anyone who asks for his help needs to give him something in return. He's kinda scary but he has his share of story. He's the one who told Snow and Charming that their child would be the one who will save them from the curse of the Evil Queen.

Henry Mills played by Jared Gilmore
Henry was adopted by Regina but his birth mother is Emma. He's the one who brought back Emma to Storybrooke and since then they unravel the truth about their town. 

I also love Ruby (Red Riding Hood) because she's friends with Snow and she's a bad ass. Hihi :")

I give it 4/5 stars and I suggest you watch it too especially if you love fairy tales like me. It will make you miss those classic fairy tales we've seen when we were kids. I'm only on the 2nd Season so I have a lot of catching up to do because Season 5 will be aired later this September.

Watch it here. Enjoy! :)