(no subject)

[skygiants]

I have seen several BSG-flaily posts on my flist, but between packing and parents and parties and other such graduation enterprises, I think odds are slim that I will be able to see the final episode before Monday or Tuesday. More importantly, the little time I have been able to steal for private entertainment enterprises I have spent finishing HOUSE OF MANY WAYS OMG!!!

I cannot speak coherently about it as a book yet really because HOWL AND SOPHIE AND MORGAN AND CALCIFER. Gwynne, I am in total awe about the way in which you called Howl's penchant for a second childhood. Also DEAD OF LAUGHTER. POOR SOPHIE. TWINKLE.

Meanwhile Calcifer utterly melted my heart with his comment about having to deserve the life Sophie gave him - the lubbock vs. fire demon Ultimate Rivalry might have been a little deus ex machina-y, but honestly, I didn't care a bit, because oh Calcifer. And Jamal's dog found love with a transsexual gift of the elves! I am dead of laughter again.

The lubbock was incredibly creepy, and I am not sure about the whole evil-lubbockin-children concept, but I was also deeply thrilled that the characters who became accidental hosts for lubbock eggs in the story were all male. Take note, Angel! And, although I have never been as cranky as Charmain, I totally sympathized with her habit of going 'what laundry? PRIVATE READING TIEM.' Also I want her job tooooo. Also also, though I love DWJ's cranky relationships, I kind of like the fact that there is no implication that Charmain and Peter will End Up Together this time - I have this mental image of them grumpily running the country in tandem as constantly-arguing colleagues. And the FOOD MAGIC. I fell in love with DWJ all over again for that. OH MAN.

Okay, I need to stop gleeing and go back to packing, and will conclude only by saying that once again Diana Wynne Jones reinforces her occupation of the Ultimate Fandomy Place in my heart, also that I need to reread for details as soon as possible.

Comments

[shati.livejournal.com]

but I was also deeply thrilled that the characters who became accidental hosts for lubbock eggs in the story were all male. Take note, Angel!

I just had to say "ZING!"

[skygiants]

*gigglefits*

Seriously, Parasitically Impregnated Wise Old Wizard SO MUCH > Parasitically Impregnated Ingenue!

[in-the-blue.livejournal.com]

HOW DID I MISS THIS POST.

I'm just sitting here beaming. Still Royal Wizard. Two Royal Wizards, just like we said.

(This is not the way I would have picked for Howl to express his desire for a second childhood, but it works. Of course it works; DWJ wrote it. It's ridiculous in the extreme, but when does he do anything by half? Never. He's such an opportunist.)

I actually didn't mind the evil lubbockin children concept too much. Her world and its inhabitants are so succinctly drawn for the most part that I don't mind. Her bad characters are bad; her good ones are good. Howl, terrible penmanship and all (and no wonder I couldn't make his handwriting better on that card he sent to Sophie), is still good despite having a penchant for being bad, but that goes along with the whole wizardry thing. Mrs. Pentstemmon said so, and did you catch her book in the beginning? I'm rereading with Hannah now and if as they say the devil is in the details, then DWJ wins the prize for best detail inserts in any book series ever written, and she does it consistently with every series she creates.

[skygiants]

I KNOW RIGHT? It's so perfect! And Ingary is so spoiled. *giggling*

(I just - the golden curls. Oh HOWL. And his total abuse of the way Charmain runs about trying to protect him! It's an excellent tool, and he knows it, and it drives Sophie INSANE and he knows that too. *giggling*)

I was cracking up from the instant I read about the penmanship on the card; it's so Howl. And yes, I totally caught it, and let out a ridiculously loud shriek of glee, because DUDE.

It was the 'almost invariably evil' that I was eyeing there - I wonder if she will ever do anything with that. I did like that the Nine Terrible Cousins were mostly victims of bad press. Also, I bet you anything that Howl and Peter's mother do not get along AT ALL. She is such a Megan-type!

So much word, on the details thing. This is one of the many reasons why I love her.

[adiva_calandia]

Lubbocks and lubbockins are the CREEPIEST FREAKING THINGS. FOR SERIOUS.

Also I really love King Adolphus.

ALSO, I want Charmain to become Sophie's apprentice in bullying-magic.

[skygiants]

SO CREEPY oh my god I was going to say DWJ has never written a villain that creepy and then I remembered Aunt Maria. BUT STILL.

Also so true! And Sophie has long experience with the more frustrating kind of teenaged girl due to being a Professional Older Sister, so she will know how to get Charmain to actually pay attention!

(ALSO ADIVA did you know that her new one coming out in 2010 is apparently based a little on Midsummer? :D :D :D)