If you’ve ever watched Howl’s Moving Castle, you know just how irresistable Howl is, and how different he is from your typical male fantasy characters. He’s a mix of charming, mysterious, vain, and a little selfish, but in a way that makes you love him even more. Howl’s not your typical fantasy hero, he’s more complicated – sometimes reckless, very often dramatic, and always fascinating. He makes mistakes, runs away from responsibility, and spends way too much time worrying about his hair.
But as readers, we LOVE a Howl-coded character because they’re flawed but loveable. If you’re obsessed with Howl, and looking for some more Howl-coded male lead characters in fantasy books, I’ve got you covered!
What makes a character Howl-coded? Here’s a short, but incomplete list:
- Charming and Mysterious: Like Howl, they exude confidence and allure, often captivating others with their enigmatic nature. Their charm makes them magnetic, but their elusive behavior keeps people guessing.
- Powerful but Reckless: These characters possess great abilities or talents, but they tend to avoid responsibility or confrontations. They might be seen running from their past or obligations, preferring to live on their own terms.
- Vain, Dramatic, and Sometimes Pathetic: Their vanity makes them prone to exaggerated emotional outbursts over seemingly trivial matters. In moments of self-pity, they can come across as almost pathetic, especially when they feel they’ve lost control or aren’t living up to their own standards.
- Kind and Compassionate: Beneath their aloof exterior, they genuinely care for the people close to them. They may hide their kindness behind a tough or indifferent front, but their true nature shines through in moments of vulnerability.
- Reluctant Hero: These characters start out avoiding responsibility but ultimately evolve into protectors. Their journey often involves overcoming personal fears and taking on challenges to save those they love, revealing unexpected depths of bravery.
This post may contain affiliate links at no additional cost to you.
Fantasy Books with Howl-Coded Male Main Characters
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
Cambridge professor Emily Wilde excels in faerie lore and is crafting the world’s first encyclopedia on the subject. Though brilliant and dedicated, she struggles with social interactions and prefers the company of her books, dog, and faeries. When she arrives in the remote village of Hrafnsvik, she avoids making friends and is irritated by her charming rival, Wendell Bambleby, who complicates her research.
As Emily delves into the secrets of the elusive Hidden Ones in the forest, she also confronts the mystery of Wendell and discovers more about her own heart.
Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
Cursed by a faerie, Theodora Ettings is devoid of fear and embarrassment, leading to frequent scandals. She aims to blend into London Society as a quiet wallflower, but her life takes a turn when Elias Wilder, the enigmatic and ill-mannered Lord Sorcier, uncovers her curse.
Drawn into dangerous faerie affairs, Dora must navigate the challenges of her reputation and her unexpected connection with Elias. As she spends more time with him, Dora begins to wonder if love can flourish even with half a soul.
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
Elisabeth has always believed sorcerers are evil, growing up as a foundling in Austermeer’s Great Libraries, surrounded by menacing magical grimoires. When sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire and implicates her, Elisabeth must ally with her enemy, sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his demonic servant.
As she becomes entangled in a dangerous conspiracy threatening the libraries and the world, Elisabeth begins to question her beliefs and uncover her own hidden powers. Her growing alliance with Nathaniel reveals a future she never imagined.
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Evangeline Fox has always believed in true love and happy endings until she discovers her beloved is marrying someone else. To stop the wedding and mend her heart, she makes a deal with the charming but wicked Prince of Hearts, who demands three kisses at his discretion in exchange for his help.
After giving the first kiss, Evangeline realizes that dealing with an immortal is perilous and that the Prince has far grander plans for her—plans that could lead to either a perfect happily ever after or a devastating tragedy.
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton
Cecilia Bassingwaite epitomizes the ideal Victorian lady, but she’s secretly a thief with the Wisteria Society, a crime sorority traveling England, engaging in tea, blackmail, and treasure hunting. Despite her troubled past and overbearing aunt, her life is manageable—until Ned Lightbourne arrives.
A sometimes assassin, Ned falls for Cecilia when he’s ordered to kill her. His employer, Captain Morvath, plans to eradicate the Wisteria Society and all outspoken women from England. With Morvath threatening her friends, Cecilia must ally with Ned to save her sisters and prove she’s as daring as they are.
The Left-Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix
In an alternate London of 1983, Susan Arkshaw searches for her long-lost father. Her quest takes a turn when crime boss Frank Thringley, who might hold answers, is reduced to dust by a silver hatpin wielded by the dashing Merlin. Merlin, a left-handed bookseller from a magical family, helps police mythic intrusions into the modern world.
As Susan starts with her mother’s possibly misspelt surnames and a mysterious silver cigarette case, she discovers her search intertwines with Merlin’s quest for vengeance against the Old World entity that killed his mother. Together with Merlin’s sister Vivien, they must unravel the truth as the Old World threatens to collide with the New.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Agnieszka cherishes her peaceful village and its vibrant surroundings, but the malevolent Wood on the border casts a dark shadow over her life. The village depends on the enigmatic Dragon, a wizard who demands a steep price: one young woman to serve him for ten years.
As the next choosing nears, Agnieszka dreads that her dear friend Kasia—beautiful and brave—will be selected. But when the Dragon arrives, it is Agnieszka who is chosen, thrusting her into a fate she never expected.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Jude was only seven when her parents were killed, and she and her sisters were taken to the High Court of Faerie. Now, ten years later, she craves acceptance in this perilous world, despite being human. But Prince Cardan, the cruel son of the High King, despises her.
To earn her place at the Court, Jude must stand against him, risking everything. As palace intrigues unfold and war looms, Jude discovers her own ruthlessness and must form a dangerous alliance to protect her sisters and the Faerie realm.
Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek
Liska has always feared magic, seeing it as monstrous, and fights to suppress her own powers. Desperate for freedom, she ventures into the dangerous spirit-wood to steal a fern flower that grants one wish to banish her magic. Caught by the demon warden, The Leszy, Liska bargains for a year of servitude. But past bargainers have mysteriously vanished.
To survive, Liska must unravel The Leszy’s secrets and confront the deadly force haunting the woods—forcing her to embrace the magic she’s always feared.
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
In The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner, Gen, a skilled thief, is imprisoned after boasting about his talents. Soon, he’s offered a deal by the king’s magus: steal a legendary object in exchange for his freedom. Gen, alongside the magus and a small party, embarks on a perilous journey across treacherous landscapes to retrieve the hidden artifact. Along the way, alliances are tested and secrets unfold.
With wit and cunning, Gen navigates dangerous obstacles, but his true motives remain hidden until the thrilling conclusion reveals unexpected twists.
Modern Divination by Isabel Agajanian
Aurelia Schwartz has spent 23 years balancing her normal life with the secret of her fading green magic. With top grades and a loyal best friend, she seems to have it all—until a dangerous witch threatens everything. Forced into an uneasy alliance with her arrogant classmate, Aurelia goes into hiding with a strange family of witches.
There, she discovers that to stay safe, she must break the very rules she’s lived by: make no promises, reveal nothing, and never, ever stay the night.
Spindle by W.R. Gingell
Polyhymnia awakens from a magical slumber with a kiss, but nothing goes as planned. Haunted by a mysterious spindle and unable to recall key memories, Poly is determined to uncover who cursed her into endless sleep. The wizard who keeps waking her, though, is frustratingly tight-lipped and equally infuriating.
Poly vows two things: she will find out who meddled with her memories, and she absolutely won’t fall for the wizard who annoyingly insists on kissing her back to reality each time. But love, like magic, often defies logic.
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Sophie, the eldest of three daughters, believes she’s doomed to fail if she ever seeks adventure. But when the Witch of the Waste curses her, turning her into an old woman, Sophie’s only hope for breaking the spell lies in the mysterious, moving castle of the wizard Howl.
To undo the enchantment, Sophie must confront the heartless Howl, make a deal with a fire demon, and face the Witch herself. Along the way, she uncovers hidden truths about Howl, her own destiny, and the tangled web of magic surrounding them both.
P.S. Book Howl is different enough from movie Howl to make reading the book (and its sequels!) worth it!
Want to read more? Check out these related blog posts: