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Castle in the Air  By  cover art

Castle in the Air

By: Diana Wynne Jones
Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin
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Publisher's summary

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)

What listeners say about Castle in the Air

Average customer ratings
Overall
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

What Eddie thinks about this book (Eddie is 11)

This is a really fun book. This is book two of "Howl's Moving Castle," it might not seem like it at first, but it is! This is about the adventures of a boy and a flying carpet and you see the characters from Howl's Moving castle again. I also really liked the narrator. I just really liked this book.

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29 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Howl's Moving Castle trilogy book 2

NOTE: This is #2 of the Howl's Castle trilogy, so if you don't want to ruin Howl, the you should read it(Howl) first.
This is a GREAT BOOK!!! If you like magic, wizards, and other like things, you will ADORE this audiobook. Coupled with Narrator Jenny Sterlin (who also narrates "The Hollow Kingdon" by Clare B. Dunkle, which is a similar masterpiece to Howl), this book will export you. The author is riotously funny in several places which I love. All star rating!!!!!! How can anyone NOT love it???:) -Adoring Fan

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Oof. Skip this one.

Howl's Moving Castle is by no means a feminist book. However, Castle in the Air takes the misogyny to a new level. It also spends half a chapter waxing poetic about how fat two women are (these women never get names. they are only referred to as "the Fat Brides.") Most of the tale is pulled from the Arabian Nights story and many racist tropes are heavily leaned on. This is an extremely disappointing sequel to one of my favorite books.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Wonderful, creative modern fairytale

I loved this book. The reader is the best. Her voices are distinctive and embody the characters. My only quibble, and the reason I didn't give it a 5 overall, is that in order for the ending to make sense, the listener must have read Howl's Moving Castle first. And in a way, that was disappointing because I loved the Djin, the genie, and the carpet.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A very pleasant surprise!

I was nervous to listen to this book because the first book was so amazing and this seemed to start in a completely different world. I couldn't understand how the 2 could be related. However, this book is amazing! Slowly the two stories come together so cleverly I found myself smiling and laughing quite often. The plot is beautiful and Jenny Sterlin made it come to life. I am looking forward to listening to them again and again.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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!!

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

a bit sophomoric

I enjoyed the story for the most part but do believe this is for the 10 and under age group. ah well can't like everything I read .

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

A let down after "Moving Castle"

After I enjoyed "Howl's Moving Castle" so much I couldn't wait to download this book which is the second in the World of Howl novels. Of the entire series though this is a purchase I regret making. I found the story to be hard to get into and never really felt it engaged me as a reader. I prefer to leave "Moving Castle" as a standalone novel in my mind and forget about this book and the third in the series.

Jenny Sterlin's narration is just as wonderful as it was for the rest of the World of Howl novels though and was the bright point of the whole experience.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

a fanciful Arabian twist

I was a bit sceptical at first. howl is my all time favorite and I wasn't sure she could top it.
this book is defiantly worthy. an extremely charming Arabian nights take with of course the ingery flavor.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I'd really like to recommend this book but...

This is one of my favorite reads and i enjoyed listening to it all the way till almost the end. The author used a very high squeaky voice for one of the characters in the book and it sounded awful! It has the effect of scratching nails on a chalkboard and makes the end of the book almost intolerable.

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3 people found this helpful