I didn't know there was a book until after I saw the anime, so I was expecting it to be exactly like the movie and was surprised when it wasn't. Although it was similar, it was not identical. There were a few differences in the book, for example, Micheal, Howl's apprentice, was Sophie's youngest sister's age, about 15, it seemed like he was much younger in the movie. 
 Sophie, the oldest of three girls is appointed apprentice to her stepmother, Franny, at her hat shop. She is left alone to attend the shop when the Witch of the Waste stops by and puts a curse on Sophie. Not knowing what else to do she sets off the find the Wizard Howl, thinking that she'll be safe from him because he's only interested in young pretty girls. When she stumbles into his moving castle she makes a deal with the demon, Calcifer, in exchange to break the demon's contract with the wizard, he will break her curse. In the process she learns new things about herself and finds out that the Wizard Howl is not all thats he's made out to be. 
 This is one of the few times the movie is better than the book, for me, that don't happen very often. This book was a fantasy that had adventure, humor, and a little romance. Will I read the next book, probably if I can find it, finding this one was hard for me.