I really enjoyed this book. I love most of Diana Wynne Jones' works, but only recently discovered "Howl's Moving Castle" and this, the sequel. 
 I was expecting it to be more "sequel-y" but it was so well-written that I didn't mind the influx of new characters. By the time I got to the end (view spoiler)[ and Howl, Sophie, and various other characters from the first book finally showed up, (hide spoiler)] it was a pleasant surprise - as I had forgotten I was reading a sequel! 
 An Aladdin-type adventure, complete with wicked Djinn, flying carpets, and a genie in a bottle, this story was completely enchanting.