House of Many Ways                                 416 pp.
Dianna Wynne Jones                                 Reviewed by Erica

Imagine having to take care of a house, when its one door, leads to hundreds of rooms. Imagine this door can go through time. Imagine never going through the same door twice. Charmain, who is an average book-loving girl, is forced into this strange predicament.

In House of Many Ways, Charmain, instead of getting a relaxed stay, meets a stray dog, who is unusually helpful, and a gawky apprentice Wizard. Together they roam the house, and find out that Charmain’s uncle, who happens to be a wizard, has more trouble than meets the eye. Then Charmain, who isn't what I'd call brave, turns out to be the only one who can help.  She has to face a monster who can plant eggs in people without noticing. Eventually they will die. She's up against a lot and she'll have to become as brave as the heroes in her books.  

This book is filled with magical mystery, and is set in a land where witches live and there are real fire demons. Although this book is the third book to Howl’s Moving Castle, there is no such need to read the first two because you won’t be missing anything important in the plot. I believe that this is a book that will appeal to both girls and boys.  That is because the setting of the world is fascinating. It has a light hearted feel, that soothes. The house also draws people in.  I personally loved this book because it was an interesting fantasy. This is one of the few books that I not only wolfed down but was willing to read it a second and third time.