Sophie thinks of herself as plain and boring, especially compared to her vivacious younger sister Lettie. Sophie expects to spend the rest of her life quietly making hats in the back room of her family's shop, but as her country prepares for war, she is forced to set out on an extraordinary adventure!

With the Royal Sorcerer hot on their heels, Howl moves house, and Sophie finds herself back where she started, in her family's hat shop. But she isn't the same plain and timid Sophie - she's been cursed, chased, and even fallen in love with an infamous wizard! Now her new strength will be tested as the war breaks out in the skies above town and Howl's life is threatened by mysterious magic!