Wow...this is very good, especially as your first fan-fic piece. I loved reading from Howl's point of view; I think you did a great job of keeping him (and everyone else) in character. The closing sentence was a bit abrupt, but all in all this was well worth the read, particularly as its my first HMC fic. Thank you for sharing, and I hope you keep up the good work. I look forward to reading more of your stories :-)

Whoaaa, rather abrupt ending. I like it. :D And I love how you wrote the characters-especially Howl. I also like how you wrote about Howl from the beginning. It fits in quite well too. I found myself really sad for Howl when Octavius died since...he's such a great character and well, it would have been nice for Howl to have a father-figure in his life.

The attention-seeking Howl makes a lot more sense with this kind of background though. As well as his er, womanizing ways. I loved his reaction to Markl. Suliman, well, I can't say much about her, really. But getting to the point: your fic is awesome. It was extremely nice to see things from his point of view and I love your writing style and how everything fits it so perfectly.

aww, this is a very touching chapter. in the canon, did Howl know that old-sophie was his sophie? it's been so long since i watched it that i can't remember

Oh wow, this is so wonderfully written! (says she who has only read one chapter but impulsively decided to review anyway :P)

The beginning of this piece was so evocative and smoothly written - it brought back a lot of the details of the book/film that I'd forgotten. I did feel that the introduction to Howl's history was a bit abrupt, but you integrated it so well into the chapter that it didn't seem out of place. Whee, *favourites!*

A sequel? Excellent!

As always, this particular insomniac cannot go to sleep - simply, much too addicted to the stories that you concoct to dose off. Thank you for writing and I wish you the best of luck. I do apologize for not offering much besides the generic "Thanks" "Amazing work" "Keep it up" sort of jazz.

Interesting.

I finally got around to watching "Howl's Moving Castle." I've read most of your other (KakaSaku) stories, but I wanted to wait until after I saw the movie before reading this fanfic since I knew nothing about the story. It's been a pleasure to read one of your earlier works. The way you describe the details, the setting and expressions are all so wonderful. You truly are a talented writer!

That was PERFECT! Admittedly, I did find the ending a bit abrupt (oddly enough, every good HOWL story I read and the book all seem to end very suddenly). I still love the entire story. I mean, I was absolutely hooked from beginning to end. I felt like I was physically incapable of moving away from the computer. I had to read it all in one sitting without even reviewing individual chapters. Thank you SO much for writing, you definitely captured the essence of the movie and added depth to a rather mysterious character. That was a beautifully written and touching story.

I am not fond of sequels (especially in fanfiction), so I'm going to ignore the one you've written for "Waiting". No offense, truly, I just can't stand to read an incomplete story and I'll be extremely disappointed if it isn't finished or if it doesn't have a happy ending.

I just would like to say one last time that I LOVE your story and that it is incontestably the best HOWL fic I've read. THANK YOU AGAIN, you are The Master of HOWL fanfiction. I hope your current and future projects are just as magnificent and, if possible, better. :)

P.S. Suliman was creepy...!

This...is a master piece. I mean, I adored Howl's Moving Castle-the way it was so randomly magic in places-the symbolism, the message-it was done in a way that wasn't really explained letting YOU, the audience, figure it out and create your own meaning. Plus the animation was flawless and it was one of those shows that was like,: "Hey, that was cool-I don't really know why it happened but I can guess." And you accept it because that is the style of the movie.

You totally filled in the holes of the movie from Howl's perspective. You've given such detail for motives-everyone’s'-and reasoning and I love it. This is expertly executed as well. Your writing style is lovely to read and refreshing compared to all of the other Howl's Moving Castle FF I've read so far. I was thinking about giving up-'this FF genre has nothing interesting or remotely good to offer.'

And then I found you.

This was such a good and thrilling read-and you didn't go into all of the little details like mad-crazy. You didn't rewrite the movie into your tale, which I also loved. It was as if you could only really get your fic if you had previously watched Howl's Moving Castle. It made me feel gratified. 'I watched that. So I get this.' A little stupid, yeah, but it added to my reading experience.

God, this was wonderful. You have a talent for writing. Stick with it, my friend. I wish you luck, bye!

-The Hemlock

Loving it!

Very sensible and pretty chapter. Like the words of the kind, wise woman that tells stories at Christmas and is liked by all the kids.

I loved the first paragraph's ending. "And yet, what a beautiful way to die." Indeed. Very graphic, I love the imagery and imagination, you must have had to make up a lot of things, but they seem so real, so right.

One thing bothers me about this chapter though.

I'm not the type that tells authors what's wrong with their story, I just grin and bear and lie, usually. Why? Because they will argue, and they will be right, because in the end, they are the writers and in charge of their story. They don't know that as writers, you write FOR readers, and as writers, you listen to your characters speak, move, tell their own story.

But somehow, I feel if I don't tell you, something bad will happen.

(Have you seen the movie Nanny Diaries?)

"It takes time and patience for a child to learn to love in return, unconditionally, whole-heartedly. Howl was no exception to this."

In the movie Nanny Diaries, the little boy completely contradicts this theory. His parents, his very rich parents that hardly have any time and hardly care to pay attention to him, hire a nanny to replace them, to tend to him. It's rather sad, because in the end, the nanny learns about this and feels sorry for the little boy. She tells the mother "Soon he will grow up, and he won't love you as unconditionally. Grayer is an amazing kid."

I'm just pointing this out.

While that theory contradicts yours on the idea of a child's view on love, Howl may be different. He may be just very mature, and very independent. So that he is growing up backwards, almost.

I'm not saying your theory is wrong - just that there is another out there contradicting yours.

What I'll put in is, a child WILL love. He will feel it in his heart, a desire to be with someone all the time. It's still a fresh love, a type that is still slowly learning. He will not know HOW to love. He will not know just yet you protect and care and wish for the happiness of your loved one.

That was freaking amazing ... I can TOTALLY imagine all this to be true in the movie. o_o

Beautifully done. You have done my favorite movie of all time justice. Have you ever written original work?

I look forward to the next chapter of "A Year in the Life":) So don't keep me waiting for that story:D

EJ

you said it wrong in chap 9 he didnt say "darling" he said "there

you are sweetheart" watch the first part of the movie if you dont

believe me thx just wanted to let you know its good to be at least

kinda accurate if ur gunna quote them ya know? but then its your

fanfic so u do wat u want btw love the story so far