Castle in the Air

By: Diana Wynne Jones

Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin

A companion to Howl's Moving Castle, Diana Wynne Jones' Castle in the Air was named an ALA Notable Book and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults.

In this sparkling tale, young merchant Abdullah purchases a magic carpet - and soon finds that the enchanted rug is none too agreeable. But despite the carpet's cranky demeanor, Abdullah must rely on its help to rescue a princess from a wicked djinn.

©1990 Diana Wynne Jones (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"A bewitching romp, gratifying to mind, imagination, and funny bone." ( Kirkus Reviews)

Oh my!

I loved the first book with all my heart, so it worried me to read the 2nd.

So many readers before me, told me that it was good but said "oh, the mc's from the first book are not in it much."


First off (without spoilers) the book is too good on it's own to worry about who's in it- and I don't think the people who told me that were right on, because the parts with them in it are too good to be upset that it's not that long a part.

This book made my heart leap with joy. I only wish I could write like her. What a book!!

Great story with some problems

Lovely fun adventure story as always, however there is some pretty problematic stereotyping around race and fat shaming. You created a beautiful world with magic and djinns, why would you keep these things from this world in it?
I still enjoyed the story and it's continuation of the further adventures of Howl and Sophie.

Jones Works Her Magic

Abdullah, a carpet seller in Zanzib, purchases a flying carpet which transports him to the garden of a lovely girl, Flower-in-the-Night. They fall in love, but before Abdullah can elope with her, a djinn kidnaps Flower-in-the-Night. With the aid of his magic carpet, a genie in a bottle, and an old cat-fancying soldier, Abdullah sets off on an adventure to rescue his beloved.

Jones was a gifted storyteller, and this is a fun adventure. Her characters become real as the reader gets deeper into the story, and even the most bizarre situations make sense after Jones works her magic tying up the ends. Humorous and well-written, Castle in the Air is a satisfying read.

Note: This sequel to Howl's Moving Castle seems like a stand-alone novel at the beginning, but as it reaches the final third, the reader must be familiar with the characters from the previous book for the situations to make sense.

Jenny Sterlin gives a good performance as narrator, imbuing the characters with life.

Excellent!

As always, I enjoyed Jenny Sterlin's narration very much. The story drags on a bit in places, but stays interesting enough that you don't get bored.
Like Howl's Moving Castle and House of Many Ways, the story seems like a random mush of happenings that all somehow mesh in the end to include every character showing up in the strangest of places. Sometimes predictable, but not quite predictable enough to see how your prediction will come true. All in all, a very good book with a superb narrator.

Simply Marvelous

I will never tire of the way Jenny Sterling brings to life the characters who have become my friends— and that’s just what they are now! I feel transported to another life in this masterpiece by Diana Wynn Jones, and it’s as though I am a member of the group of witches, princesses and carpet merchants who get mixed up in unexpected adventures.

Ten out of ten, would recommend taking this journey where a young merchant’s day dreams are brought to reality, involving a thieving djinn, an old cat loving soldier, a cowardly genie, and some familiar characters from the beloved tale Howl’s Moving Castle.