I heard a lot about this book and I'm happy I got this ARC because it's an excellent fairy tales.
I loved this story, how the author deals with topics like believing in yourself and friendship. It' enjoyable and engrossing, the world building and character development are excellent.
The author is a good storyteller and the plot flows keeping you hooked.
I think this story will be loved by children and adults.
The illustrations are really nice and I liked them.
It's strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I have heard so many good things about Sophie Anderson's books so I was so excited to receive an advanced copy through Net Galley!
The book follows Olia, a decedent of royalty but other than living in the castle, is not considered to be anything like her ancestors. as she tries to see the magic in the castle that her Granny encourages her is there and works to discover what is most important.
The descriptions throughout are wonderful and definitely allow you as the reader to feel the magic! The story-line is gripping and I didn't want to stop reading so I am sure children will be the same!

I was so excited to be approved to read this ARC having already enjoyed 'The House with Chicken Legs:' I was not disappointed - this is even better!!

Anderson's writing is truly wonderful and I cannot wait to share this title with the children in my school. It would work fabulously as a whole class reader, it can be used in so many ways for English lessons or simply enjoyed as a reading book by an individual child.

The story is easy to follow - Olia has to go on a quest across magical lands to save her family home which is a beautiful, breath-taking wooden castle with numerous domes which shimmer 'like quicksilver'. It is clear from the start that Olia loves her home and family in equal measures: fiercely and passionately. The castle has hidden staircases and doors which she longs to find and explore; who wouldn't? Olia is encouraged by Babusya (grandmother) to believe and trust in magic, which is where the story takes off. A terrible storm threatens the existence of her home and Olia must learn to believe in more than just magic to restore order in the land which exists in 'Aurora Dome' as she is guided on her adventure with Feliks the house 'spirit' (domovoi).

This magic world is strange and unfamiliar and yet as Olia's adventures unfold, many of the decisions she makes have enduring messages. Olia has to learn to trust her instincts, be brave, develop new friendships and work together. This books explores concepts of loyalty and balancing the needs of one to those of the masses. Olia is presented with many challenges which allow her to develop and recognise the value of what really matters in life.

Do not miss reading this book! It is perfect in every way.

✨“We talk to the cat. She will know what to do.”✨
— Sophie Anderson, The Castle of Tangled Magic

Olia and her family live in their crumbling yet magical castle in a land where their royal status has lost its weight. But when she follows a mysterious cat, Olia finds herself thrust into a magical land where things are not what they seem.

Can Olia save the land from ruin? And will she be able to protect her home?

A wonderful middle grade read with amazing world building! Sophie Anderson is definitely an author to watch and I will be needing to add The House with Chicken Legs to my tbr!🥰

Olia is a great and inspiring young character who has a great love for her family and her home. She also has a great set of morals and makes wonderful, magical friends!

A joy to read. Thanks so much Netgallery and Usborne Publishing for sending me this advanced readers copy!

I had fallen deeply in love with Sophie Anderson's writing after The House With Chicken Legs and 'The Girl Who Speaks Bear' and I feel very privileged to have been given the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the much anticipated 'The Castle of Tangled Magic' in advance of publication.

Sophie Anderson has triumphed again with another Slavic fairy tale that will capture both your imagination and your heart. Richly influenced by Russian folklore and I was once again delighted to discover spirits and mythical creatures. The books is brimming with magic, adventure and friendship, loyalty and love. Although a stand-alone novel, I enjoyed the little cameos and nods to the other stories. The wonderful references to food that I have come to enjoy in her work featured again too and the beautiful illustrations we have become accustomed to by Saara Sodurlund make the book even more captivating by adding that extra magic and sparkle. I feel The Castle of Tangled Magic is accessible to slightly younger readers than Sophie's previous two novels, perhaps from Year 4 onwards.

Once again we meet a strong female protagonist, 13 yer old Olia (short for Magnolia) who must embark on a quest to save Castle Mila, her ancestral home. The castle has been passed down through the generations and is tangled in magic and secrets. When a terrible storm hits and threatens to destroy the Castle and the lives of everyone in it, Olia must travel to The Land of Forbidden Magic in order to save her home and family.

Olia is joined on her adventure by a cast of magical characters, who help her to find true courage within herself. My favourites were the loyal Feliks, the castle's domovoi (house spirit) who takes on the form of a fox and Babusya, Olia's wise old grandmother, who teaches Olia to look at things from all angles and trust her judgement. Belief is a central theme to the story and Olia must learn to 'See with her heart and believe in herself.' I adore the idea that 'belief is one of the few things more powerful than magic.'

This is an enchanting and exciting tale with exciting twists and turns, perfect for cuddling up with as weather changes and the nights draw in this Autumn.

With thanks to Usborne and NetGalley for allowing me to access a digital copy of the book to review in advance of publication.

"Magic is everywhere you believe it to be."

Free ARC from NetGalley, thanks a lot.

Our main character Olia lives with her parents in an old castle, filled with secret doorways and secret rooms. One day she follows a mysterious cat to one of the castle's roof domes and finds herself stepping through one such doorway into a magical land filled with wonders...
But of course everything is not quite as it seems: the land is under threat from a scheming magician and the magic is fading away.

Can Olia find a way to save both her own home, and the land of forbidden magic?

It's my second time reading a middle grade book written by Sophie Anderson and I was completely blown away by this gorgeous adventure. It was so easy to fall in love with all the characters and you were rooting for Olia to succeed in her quest.

For fans of Winternight trilogy or anyone who loves a little Russian folktale magic, I am sure my 11 year old will absolutely love this too.

Thank you Sophie for writing another gorgeous tale and I cannot wait to read more of your work

Olia has always lived in Castle Mila, a gorgeous castle rich in ancestral history that has been passed down through the generations. The castle holds secrets upon secrets, and Olia is determined to uncover every secret room and passageway. When a storm rocks the castle, it's up to Olia to find out why a world bigger than her own is in danger, and when she steps into a magical new world, it's up to her to save everyone.

One of my most anticipated novels of 2020 did not disappoint as I devoured this masterpiece in one day. A huge thank you to Usborne and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Considering Anderson is one of my favourite writers, it's easy to conclude that, honestly, this is her best work yet.

Olia is a worthy heroine to join the ranks of the heroines in Anderson's other works, proving that characters are a true highlight in the worlds that Anderson creates. They are strong and relatable, and from the very beginning of 'The Castle of Tangled Magic', you feel as though Olia is a real person. Her love for her family and curiosity towards adventure is enough to propel her as a 400-page leading lady without us ever feeling disconnected from her. She learns so much on her journey about herself that informs her decisions so that she is constantly entertaining to read. And nobody writes side characters better than Anderson (shout-out to Mousetrap from 'The Girl Who Speaks Bear'), with Feliks and even Koshka being standout favourites of mine, but there are still so many I could list and rave about.

The plot is constantly in motion as there is a heavy narrative of pending doom, and Olia must face certain challenges that will push her to her limits. Because the stakes are constantly high and we have no idea how things will play out (and believe me, I thought things were going to go a certain way, but I was pleasantly surprised on more than one occasion), the excitement factor will keep you reading to the very end. You'll have this read in a day with no regrets because you will not want to turn your back on Olia for even a minute!

'The Castle of Tangled Magic' is gorgeously written, and you can tell that so much love and attention was given to this novel, just as much as 'The House With Chicken Legs' and 'The Girl Who Speaks Bear'. The detail is rich and the descriptions are lush, and this world that Anderson has created gets bigger with every piece of dialogue and description, and no doubt you will feel the same. When I finished, I couldn't stop smiling while wiping tears from my eyes, and that's all thanks to the evocative writing and attachment I felt for these characters.

And the illustrations by Saara Soderlund? STUNNING! My word, they add to the beauty of the prose and embodies the world so well. There's a fairytale quality to them which is perfect for the Russian folktale inspired settings of Anderson's novel. It's truly a case of a book having it all.

All in all, I loved 'The Castle of Tangled Magic' so much. It is a novel filled with beautiful lessons for all ages, and you do learn that sometimes believing is one of the few things more powerful than magic, so in that case, I think that you will also love this incredible middle-grade masterpiece.

Sophie Anderson, author of The Girl Who Speaks Bear, has another enchanting tale – The Castle of Tangled Magic. It enchants with its richly depicted castle and magical land that provides excellent escapism.

Thanks to Usborne and Sophie Anderson for allowing me to write a review and for providing an e-copy of the book.

Full Review
Castle Mila, built from wood around 500 years ago near the shore of a lake, sounds like so many children’s dream of a castle with it’s majestic stature and hidden passageways and secrets. The writing is amazingly imaginative, in the way Sophie Anderson has captured the castle and takes readers on a tour around it, up each of the stairs to the different rooms and domes, along with Olia. There is so much to feast the eyes upon and to delight and bring a touch of magic to children’s imaginations. It’s all rather splendid. She is also wanting to find some magic, so seeks out an older member of the family – Babusya, who informs about the mysterious Sun Dome that could have magic, but is locked. The mysteriousness that builds is fascinating and enchanting.

There’s great charm and excitement that captures the heart. The ideas of olde of leaving salt as offerings for spirits, such as domovoi (a spirit, in this case a fox who protects) and of the changes of the wind are explored through Babusya. As other family members appear, there is a lovely family cosyiness element, which is heartwarming, as is the talk of ancestry.

There’s a storm, which seems to make looking for a key even more pressing, a gripping, treacherous adventure ensues and there is a lot at stake – the family and the castle to protect from the ferociousness of the weather.

The story continues onwards with Feliks, the domovoi, into a mystical, rather surreal land – The Land of Forbidden Magic, where there the descriptions add to the surrealism as Koshka, a gorgeous cat, is met and a conversation ensues about the witch Nania and Chenomor’s magic. Another unexpected quest occurs as the land and spirits need to be saved. With lots of danger and many different encounters and riddles to solve, it pulls readers further in deeper as the quest becomes increasingly treacherous and on top of that Castle Mila itself needs saving.
Sophie Anderson creates so much for readers to grasp onto and root for in this pacy adventure, that also has an almighty twist.

Throughout, there are lovely illustrations, depicting the story well. At the end there is also “Olia’s Glossary”, which children will benefit well from, to enhance their understanding of the story as there are some words, that may be unfamiliar.

This is a lovely fairytale from Sophie Anderson. A story filled with magic, adventure and surprise.
Olia lives in a castle with her family and has always had that feeling there is something special, maybe something magical about her ancestral home. She discovers more than she bargains for, and embarks on a journey that will change her life forever.
I’d definitely recommend this story to children and adults alike. It is a delightful return to what I remember childhood fairytales being about, with a twist of magic, a drop of adventure and this one has folklore added in too! Coincidentally, we are reading Sophie’s The House with Chicken Legs at school, and there is a lovely link to the story within this one.

I kinda feel bad for saying this, but I didn’t like «The Castle of Tangled Magic»… I was going into it 100% sure that it will be an amazing book, that I will fall in love with the characters, especially after hearing so many incredible things about it.

Besides, it has all the elements I LOVE in books: (1) fantasy middle grade, (2) adventures, (3) friendship, (4) inspired by Russian folklore that is so dear to me. Even with all of these, I still didn’t fall in love with Olia, the main character. To be completely honest, I was bored for the most part of the story…

I still think that this book has great potential and see why other people enjoyed it, so don’t let my review get in your way of picking up «The Castle of Tangled Magic». In fact, I feel very apprehensive about giving feedback on it, since I was so sure that after reading this one book by Sophie Anderson I’d immediately become her biggest fan. I even own her other two books that I was dying to read! [«The House With Chicken Legs» and «The Girl Who Speaks Bear»]

So to actually give some constructive feedback, other than “I didn’t like it” and “I was bored”, let’s actually talk about the things that didn’t work for me (but might work perfectly for you!).

1 – After reading almost 600 books (according to my Goodreads), I can say that I’ve read many different writing styles and don’t consider myself a picky reader. I’m open to anything and everything, as long as it’s not overly confusing and gets the message through. I still can’t put my finger on why I didn’t like Sophie Anderson’s writing style. It fits perfectly the age group. It’s not overly descriptive, and actually quite simple and straightforward, which is exactly what you want in children’s and middle-grade books.

However, after reading quite a few of middle-grade this year, I think that Sophie Anderson’s writing was a little bit too simple. Almost bare, and it made it difficult for me to properly connect to the story.

2 – As a result of the simpler writing style, the execution of the plot was also very straightforward. There was an attempt of intrigue, but it didn’t quite work and every single character got their redemptions way too quickly, in my opinion. Everything, from action to emotion, was explained almost immediately. I know that this book was written with a younger audience in mind, but I think Sophie Anderson didn’t give her readers enough credit that they have the possibility to figure things out on their own, and a couple of hints would have been more than enough.

These were definitely two of my main concerns. I don’t know if the above contributed to my detachment to the story or not, but I just didn’t have any emotional connection to Olia, who was a very kind and likable protagonist. I was supposed to love her, to care about her, but… I didn’t. 🤷‍♀️

The ending did bring a little bit more emotions and the relationships Olia built throughout the story seemed genuine and tender, but they just weren’t enough to make up for the rest of the book.

The Castle of Tangled Magic is a really beautiful story that is bursting with adventure, magic, friendship and love. It follows Olia, who lives in a 500 year old castle with secret domes and passageways, as she embarks on a quest into a magical land to find a way to stop a storm threatening to destroy her home.

The story felt like a fairy tale and was filled with heaps of weird and wonderful magical creatures- my favourite was Feliks, the castle's domovoi (house spirit) shaped like a fox- I'd love him to be the domovoi for my house!

Aside from being a beautifully written fairy tale, the story also has strong themes of love, friendship, bravery and 'doing the right thing'. I will definitely be recommending this to borrowers at the library I work at!

What an amazing read! I love how Sophie brings in threads from previous books but this book is standalone. Enjoyed it from start to finish. Children will really enjoy the visits that they make on this journey.

I probably preferred the House With Chicken Legs but this is still a really good story with plenty of magic, adventure and heroism to make a really good story.

I liked that she thought of the magical creatures and not just her own selfish needs in the end and went out of her way to save them. The story just seemed a little more staggered compared with her other stories but it was still enjoyable to read.

This follows Olia, a 13 year old girl as she journeys through a magical land to help save her home – Castle Mila. The story is full of Slavic spirits and folklore.
I loved Sophie Anderson’s previous books – The House with Chicken Legs and The Girl Who Speaks Bear – so I had very high hopes for this one. I was not disappointed. The story (like those previously) has a strong female main character –Olia. She is determined to believe what her grandma – Babusya - has always told her about magic, and travels to The Land of Forbidden Magic in order to save the place, which has always been her ancestral home.
Strong themes run through the book – bravery, everyone makes mistakes but not everyone learns from them, feelings of guilt. Themes that most people will encounter throughout their lives. As the story progresses, Olia meets many unusual characters on her travels, including Chernmor the magician.
As usual from Sophie Andeson, she provides vivid images and excellent descriptive writing. She raises the bar once again!

Wow, just wow! This book was a stunning read. It had all of the ingredients that make an amazing story - adventure, magic, interesting and different characters, beautiful descriptions... It was the kind of book that you can get lost in and as an adult it reminded me of my favourite reads from childhood. The kind of book that you want to disappear under the bed covers and read with a torch after you're supposed to have switched the lights off. Thank you for the opportunity to read it!

This was a really sweet middle grade book. I wanted to read this as I had previously read and enjoyed The House with Chicken Legs.

The main character Olia, was likeable, and she had a really adventurous side to her. I liked how we followed her on her journey to find out more about the castles magic, and the characters that she met on her way.

This book read a bit younger than her previous books, so I felt I wasn't as invested and couldn't connect as well but I think younger readers would definitely enjoy this.

I liked the references to The House with Chicken Legs and Babayaga and didn't expect the ending. Overall, enjoyable but I don't think I'd rush to get my own copy.

This much-anticipated third novel by Sophie Anderson is a triumph, standing up to its predecessors The House with Chicken Legs and The Girl Who Speaks Bear in the richness of its story weaving and scope of imagination.

Castle Mila is Olia’s family home - a majestic castle passed down in her family history from generation to generation. The castle is as mysterious as it is impressive - with secret rooms, impenetrable domes and hidden passageways that long to be explored - and is the perfect abode for a curious and adventurous protagonist like Olia, who wishes to leave no stone unturned when it comes to seeking out magic and who can’t wait to share it all with her baby sister Rosa once she is old enough. The castle has stood for 500 years, so when a storm threatens, Olia is sure that the castle should be able to withstand it even if it may mean cancelling the special feast planned in the great hall. But wise old Babusya - who is always well-tuned in to the world of magic and spirits - isn’t so sure, feeling that there is something different about the nature of this impending storm.

After the storm passes, part of the top of the castle has partially collapsed down into the great hall, revealing a hidden staircase that leads to one of the castles domes. The Aurora Dome has always fascinated Olia, believing it be a place of hidden magic. Allured by its potential and confused by Babusya’s mysterious instructions about unlocking the castle’s magic, Olia is soon swept away on an adventure through a magical door in the dome that leads to a whole new land of forbidden magic.

What ensues is a thrilling quest introducing a host of magical characters, as Olia finds true courage within herself and a new conviction in her own agency to pursue what she believes is important. The cast of characters is delightful, and pleasingly there is even an appearance from a particular house that is fondly familiar to fans of Sophie’s previous books. An interesting and topical theme emerges gently through the story, as Olia explores the concept of how to deal with the shameful actions of ancestors from generations before - actions that have caused long-lasting consequences for the individual liberties of a whole group of characters. Should we cut off things of the past and remove all memories of them, wonders Olia, or embrace our history while looking for ways to put things right?

Sophie Anderson masterfully introduces Russian folklore to new readership while exploring themes with true relevance to the modern middle-grade readers - identify, social justice, conviction of belief, what it means to find a home and the role individuals play in make the world a better place for others.

With beautiful illustrations by Saara Sodurlund bringing its magic to life, this is an enchanting and exciting tale is not to be missed.
Many thanks to the publisher for our review copy. This features on our Autumn 2020 Ones to Watch list.

Sophie Anderson is such a deft and accomplished storyteller—her books all seem to spring forth as fully formed modern-classics. I loved 'The House with Chicken Legs' and 'The Girl Who Speaks Bear', so I was anticipating great things from 'The Castle of Tangled Magic' and it didn’t disappoint. Olia lives in an old castle full of secret ways and fantastical domes. She’s sure there is magic in the castle and can’t wait to share it with her baby sister. But one day there is a terrible storm and the castle is damaged. Olia follows a magical guide through the castle’s domes to a land beyond, where a host of magical creatures have been trapped by a cruel wizard. Olia must defeat the wizard to save her castle and free the magic, but she must also make some difficult decisions and some sacrifices along the way. A spellbinding, heart-warming story about growing up and taking responsibility. (There’s also a lovely link to one of the other books that I particularly enjoyed.)

Twists and turns and a shared mission leads to adventure and excitement.
Deda Yaga who lives in the house with chicken legs is good and kind to Olia after her house is endangered . They journey to the magical land to save Olia’s house
A tale of ancient spirits, beliefs, strong magic and true friendship. This is a brilliant story which I would well recommend to children and adults from 8-99
I will be reading this to my class.

I was thrilled to get this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, as I loved The House With Chicken Legs , And this is FANTASTIC. Well done Sophie Anderson on writing another winner which had my ten year old gripped from beginning to end.

Reading a book written by Sophie Anderson is like wrapping yourself up in an enormous hug. Sophie is a word weaver extraordinaire and you know that she will set your heart a glow and provide nourishment for your soul.
The Castle of Tangled Magic is brilliantly written. From the very beginning the imagery is vivid, enticing and magical. Throughout the story there is a constant sense of anticipation which twists and turns like the hidden passage ways of Olia's ancestral home. Olia is the perfect character choice for this story. Whilst she is determined to do the right thing, it is the love of family that drives her inner strength and determination. Family and a sense of belonging is a theme inherent in Sophie's books and it is clearly evident here too; from Olia's love of her Babusya to her loyalty to Feliks. The Castle of Tangled Magic is a wondrous and magical tale and the tapestry of its words will fill you with a warm glow long after the final full stop.
This is a must read.
A magical tale of friendship, loyalty, love and family.
Thank you to Usborne Publishing and Net Galley for the early opportunity to read this book.