Castle of Tangled Magic is a beautiful story full of fantasy, folklore and magic. It sweeps you along with Olia as she encounters a mysterious magical land and it’s inhabitants and endeavours to save the glorious castle which is her ancestral home as well as unlock it’s secrets and protect her family.

I loved it and we could all use a Feliks in our lives!

This book is incredible and I was slightly bereft when I finished reading. Olia’s journey of self-belief is fascinating as she learns the secrets of her home and enters a gateway to another world, in need of saving.
There are dramatic cliffhangers and plot twists which keep you enthralled but for me, the language was just beautiful. This world was so vivid in my imagination from Sophie’s descriptions.

I love folklore and fairy tales and previously loved Sophie Anderson’s The House with Chicken Legs, so reading this was like coming home to a comforting and familiar world full of intriguing and wonder filled magic. The magic that filled this story was so utterly compelling and it’s what I wish everywhere was. I raced through this book, needing to read more and more just to find out what happened.

The plot was perfectly paced with tons of beautiful and imaginative description weaving through an utterly bewitching story. Olia, the narrator, was extremely likeable and I urged for her to succeed in her task. Similarly, the side characters were an absolute joy to read and I can’t see how anyone could not feel completely emotional, especially towards the end! A particular favourite was Felix (I love an animal companion) and I really enjoyed the support he gave to Olia.

A firm favourite and extremely compelling read!

This book held me from the first page. I loved the adventurous spirit of Olia, and the relationship she had with her Grandmother and the rest of her family. The challenges she faces throughout the storyline are constantly putting her at odds with her compassion for those around her, but considering her family - such a tough line to walk! The supporting characters - in particular, Feliks - had my heart in the way they helped her, but also placed her in difficult situations that she needed to see 'from a different point of view'. I would heartily recommend this book to my students, as it really explores the choices that you make. The exploration of the feelings of guilt, and how that feels is wonderful. I was honestly in tears at the end of the story - especially with the revisit of someone 'special'! Thank you Sophie - such a wonderful novel, embedded in the most fabulous (and explained) folklore.

I loved this book from start to end. A rollercoaster of adventure, magic and myth all steeped in the power of family, friendship and the power of self belief. Sophie Anderson weaves in stories and characters from previous books. This book was unputdownable and had me in tears - a true emotional journey for both the character and reader that had me in tears. I would highly recommend it as a class read or for individual readers.

The Castle of Tangled Magic was a beautifully written story, not only perfect for children but adults as well. Thankyou to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reading copy.

Olia has to show real bravery to save her families ancestral castle home , and the friends she meets along the way that help and encourage her are really heartwarming, and reminds us all that scary situations seem easier when someone believes in us, and that it's okay to be scared- this, i think, is a brilliant notion to plant in children's minds and just one of the reasons i loved this book so so much.

There is a heavy narrative of impending doom, and the story races us through trial and tribulation to reach the main event, and because it's so interestingly fast paced i found it really hard to put down when i needed to get up and get things done! I did not want to leave Olia for a second while reading this, i felt that i was completely connected to her throughout the book.

I shall definitely be recommending this to all customers when it's published.

Having read both previous books by Sophie Anderson, I had a feeling I was going to enjoy this one. However, I hadn't anticipated just how much I would get swept up in this story. Sophie's writing style is captivating and the glorious descriptions of the castle and it's domes created such a vivid image in my mind.
Olia and her family are making preparations for the harvest feast but the castle holds many secrets that Olia must uncover.
The events of the story move at pace as new (and old) characters are introduced. This was completely 'unputdownable'.
The girl who speaks bear was my favourite book of last year and I wasn't sure this could be as good, but it may even have been better. A tremendous, magical adventure.
A huge thanks to netgalley and usbourne for this preview of a highly anticipated read.

This is the first time I have reviewed a book before it has been released, and what an honour it has been!
During lockdown, I rekindled my love of reading. My first choice was The Girl Who Speaks Bear - a book that I had been itching to read, but just hadn’t found the time to do so - it didn’t disappoint. When I had the opportunity to ask to review Sophie’s new book The Castle of Tangled Magic, I took it; hoping that it would be just as beautiful as the last two books.
Wow!
As a school librarian, I am always researching and looking out for new and engaging books - ones that will draw the reader into the story and let their imagination take them to the places they read about. Sophie’s astonishing ability to describe both her characters and the places they live in, do just that. This beautiful, enchanting book whizzed me straight into Olia’s world - I was literally right there - at Castle Mila and in The Land of Forbidden Magic.
The book also shows children how to be resilient, to have belief, to show love and kindness - something that we all want children to understand.
I shall, without doubt, be ordering copies of this fantastic book for our little school library. Thank you #NetGalley for allowing me to read this gorgeous book. Thank you to @sophieinspace for rekindling my love of reading again.

Another masterpiece from Sophie Anderson! The Castle of Tangled Magic is a sumptuously woven story with the threads of folklore and magic that Sophie Anderson does so well. This is classical storytelling, that draws you in alongside the cast of mythical characters. Young readers will be entranced and enthralled by The Castle of Tangled Magic.

Sophie’s latest tale is one so expertly designed and intricately woven to keep the reader engaged, hopeful and immersed in Slavic and Russian folklore.
Olia loves in Castle Mira and dreams of exploring each of the 33 domes with her new baby sister Rosa. Many of the domes have secret entrances and hidden stairwells making it an adventurous home to live in. This year, the castle is celebrating its 500th year and there are plenty of celebrations to be had together with family and the local community. When a storm damages one of the largest domes the night before the celebrations, Olia takes the opportunity to climb up to explore, Falling through the ceiling, she feels cushioned by the castle and no harm comes to her.
Here begins the true adventure, Olia, being descended from the royal ancestors is being given an opportunity to make amends for past mistakes. Guided by her Babusya (Grandmother), and the castle Domovei, Olia takes a leap of faith into a new world.
Belief is stronger than magic is the overriding theme throughout the journey in this utterly compelling tale, which proves that Sophie Anderson gets better with every book. Olia must believe! In herself, he friends and in the magic holding the castle together.
Familiar magical characters appear in this story, as you would come to expect from Sophie’s other books and they are all there to help guide Olia to save all she knows and loves!
A spoiler free review is essential but difficult as there is so so much wonder and beauty in the pages of this book.
Anyone who is a fan of folklore, traditional tales and brave adventurers will find a home within the Castle of Tangled Magic!

This book is a must read, as are all the Sophie Anderson books! The introduction immerses the reader into the setting of the castle and sets up the mystical intrigue surrounding its early development. The narrator, a strong female child, and other important characters are introduced including mum, dad, grandma and baby sister who the narrator wishes to be the 'best big sister' to-setting up the idea of strong family relationships.The introduction hooks the reader in through the imaginative descriptions and makes the reader feel an element of 'magic and wonder' towards the castle and characters.
The book then moves to incidents which highlight the relationship between the protagonist and her grandma (who, although struggles to walk, is still adventurous and full of life).One of my favourite lines in the whole book is here 'If you believe you can do it, then you will. Belief is everything Olia. You can never have enough of it'. This, in amongst other related lines, provides an excellent link to growth mindset, resilience and perseverance which can be utilised within the classroom in addition to the effect of the children reading these words in the book (from a character who sometimes struggles) and then applying it to their own lives.
The book is peppered with similes evoking fantastic images in the mind of the reader-it was incredibly simple to feel like I was in the environment with the characters and also to understand the character's personalities which again enables the reader to invest in the book.Lines such as 'He says Mama and I are the kind of people who make rainbows out of rain' provide the perfect opportunity to open up class discussion about literary devices and meanings to understand character personalities.
The book has pace and manages to interweave moments of drama, especially ones placing the well developed main characters in 'danger' which hooks the reader in further as we have come to feel they are our friends/family as their thoughts and feelings are so relatable. As the book moves forward,Olia is given a very special task which requires her to really embrace who she is. She is supported through this task by a range of characters, all of whom need her help as much as she needs theirs. Readers of other Sophie Anderson books will be excited to discover that two significant characters from a previous book are within this story which provides a great link-however the book would be able to be read as a stand alone as no prior character knowledge is required. The question is, will she complete the challenge?! What lessons will she learn?
For me, the book covers the following areas which are useful to bring into the classroom:
1) Growth mindset, resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity
2) Recognising the value of friendships and relationships (especially over material items)
3) The ability to 'look deeper' to get to know people and be able to understand their motivations
4) The need to understand your past in order to change the future (links with so many current incidents-Windrush/BLM etc)
A wonderful book!

Magic awaits, all you have to do is believe.' This is the story to reignite any child's or adult's love of reading. Travel to another world as magic ebbs and flows from Anderson's pen weaving gold threads like stiches securing a patchwork quilt.

A story of bravery, trust, belief, friendship and hidden strength within like a tapestry woven together.

Olia, born into royalty, finds herself in the middle of a disaster; he castle, her family home for generations is crumbling before her eyes. Can she find enough inner strength and belief to travel to another land where hope is lost and untangle the magic, where an evil wizard holds all the power, to save both worlds before it's too late?

Unexpectes twists and turns keep the reader engaged right until the end. Links bring Anderson's previous books together to create a sense of belonging and familiarity.

A magical story that transports you. Beautiful illustrations that really add to the Russian folklore themes and add to the world building. A lovely, classic fairytale feel the whole way through.

This book was a magical delight and I devoured it in 2 sittings.

It is typical Sophie Anderson - a strong willed female character and steeped in Russian folklore. Olia is on a mission to save Castle Mila. Guided by her Babusya and then the house's domovoi, she goes on a quest to do just that. She meets some wonderful people and spirits who are instantly relatable and makes friends along the way. Olia is just as enchanting as Anderson's previous female leads - Marinka (The House With Chicken Legs) and Yanka (The Girl Who Speaks Bear).

Although the story itself is about the quest and saving Olia's family home, the true meaning lies deeper. Themes of family, friendship, forgiveness and belonging are expertly threaded throughout the entire story which means, even if Russian folklore doesn't interest you, this is a book that will resonate with all.

My favourite character was Felicks. He was just written perfectly and I would love to meet a domovoi like him.

A comment must also be made about the artwork. As with Anderson's previous books, the artwork is exquisite. The drawings of Castle Mila and the illustrations were just beautiful. I cannot wait to buy the physical book just to take a closer look at them. Simply beautiful.

There are some authors who, when you hear of their latest work being published, you think: ‘Oh, they’ve got a new book coming out.’ And then there are those authors whose news makes you think: ‘ OH MY GOD!!! THEY’VE GOT A NEW BOOK COMING OUT!!!’ with Sophie Anderson falling very squarely into the latter category.

My attention was initially drawn to her first book, The House with Chicken Legs, just over a year ago. I had a child in my Year 5 class who we teachers would euphemistically describe as ‘lively’. Every day, during quiet reading, this child would sit utterly spellbound by their book and, as it was so very out of character, I was intrigued as to what the story was about. After reading it, I understood fully the appeal and went on to read The Girl Who Speaks Bear earlier this year before very excitedly pre-ordering this read as soon as it was announced on Twitter.

Despite what the general public believes, there are few ‘perks’ to being a teacher but accessing this title early through Net Galley is an enormous one. Although I am itching to spill the beans here and shout very loudly about this book, the third title from this wonderful author, I am very aware that Sophie Anderson has requested that there should be no spoilers in any reviews so I will endeavour not to include any here.

In common with The House with Chicken Legs and The Girl Who Speaks Bear, this middle grade book features another fabulous female protagonist: 13-year-old Olia, who lives in a beautiful castle which has belonged to her family for 500 years. After unexpected events reveal a hidden doorway, Olia enters a magical land where all is not well and there discovers that she is the only one who can make things right.

As she travels through this strange and magical land and encounters some of its residents, Olia is forced to make a series of decisions and solve the problems she comes up against, including facing the wizard whose powerful magic has wound its way throughout the land, in her efforts to save both her new friends and those she has left behind.

Magic and an other-worldly quality run through this story in abundance as they did in Sophie Anderson’s other books and although I have seen all three books described as fairy-tales, anyone thinking of something ‘fluffy’ aimed at a very young audience or expecting something Disneyesque is way off the mark because this is such a sophisticated multi-layered story – one which I found myself falling head-over-heels in love with from the opening sentence.

In common with Marinka and Yanka from the author’s earlier books, Olia is a very credible main character – one in this case who wants to ‘do the right thing’, is unsure as to what that is and who makes mistakes in her haste to try to put things right both at home and in the land in which she finds herself. She is brave and shows perseverance throughout and if I were a child of the age at which this read is aimed, I would most definitely aspire to be just like her.

If you have read the tales of Marinka and Yanka (and if you haven’t, why haven’t you?) then you will recognise echoes of those stories here but although there is a thread which binds them all together, the three stories all stand equally well by themselves. If this is your first encounter with Sophie Anderson’s work then without doubt you will want to read the other books and you will not miss out in any way by reading this first.

I think it is fair to say that I loved this book and, unlike some of the books I have been fortunate enough to have received ‘temporary’ copies to read electronically in advance, cannot wait for my ‘proper’ copy to come so that I will be able to revisit it in the future. Until then, a glorious 5 out of 5 stars and enormous thanks to Net Galley and Usborne for allowing me to read this ahead of publication on 1st October.

Wow, wow, wow! Sophie Anderson has done it again! The Castle of Tangled Magic is a beautifully told story with important key messages: the strength of family and friendship and always believing in yourself. The protagonist, Olia, is a character that you really root for, especially on her adventure in the Land of Forbidden Magic, which is engaging and entrancing. The world of magic is also brought to life with Sophie's beautiful, vivid descriptions. There are some small, clever references to her other books too. The Castle of Tangled Magic will be one that stays with me for a while and it will definitely be one that I recommend.

Where to start - Sophie Anderson has literally smashed it out of the bag with the Castle of Tangled Magic Olia (Magnolia), her mum, dad and baby sister (Rosa), along with her Babusya (grandmother) reside in Castle Mila with its many domes. Olia is fascinated with the domes as most of them are impenetrable and she think they hold secrets. The castle slowly starts to fall apart and Babusya implores Olia to use her magic to save it. Olia has never used magic (that she is aware of) until one stormy day - one of the domes falls into the great hall where the village were due to celebrate with a feast.
This is where Olias journey begins.
A tale interwoven with mythical creatures , Sophie weaves the most wonderful story, richly described and her characters jump straight out of the page - my favourite was Feliks - the castle's Domovoi.
I will definitely purchase this for my class - to go along side The House with Chicken Legs and The Girl who Speaks Bear.
Congratulations Sophie - what a beautiful novel.

Sophie Anderson does yet again what she absolutely does best: enchanting, beautiful storytelling with gorgeous characters and a wonderful plot. This is a story FILLED with awe, magic, righting past wrongs and the true power of believing in yourself. Olia is an absolutely incredible main character: she’s brave and bold. I loved Feliks and Olia’s grandmother too. This is one of those stories that gripped me from the first page and that I can’t wait for everyone to fall deeply in love with. It was SO LOVELY to see a familiar face in this too! ‬

‘The Castle of Tangled Magic’ by Sophie Anderson is my first ever book review and this went to the top of my pile as soon as I got it. Previous books by Sophie have always been a delight to read and I couldn’t wait to start!

First of all I think it’s important to discuss the front cover. The front cover of a book is a deal breaker for me. I’m not a fan of hardbacks, I’m a paperback lover so I’m already picky! A front cover has to entice me, it’s the physical element of the joy of reading for me. I fell in love with this book straight away because of the cover. Like ‘The House with the Chicken Legs’ and ‘The Girl who speaks Bear’; I was enthralled by the colours and illustrations. Even within the story, the illustrations are a beautiful addition to the story.

Castle Mila is full of mystery and magic and as I started the journey, the wonderful description reminded me a little of Beauty and the Beast when Belle goes exploring the castle. Sophie introduces the setting of the story magnificently and the imagery made me as desperate as Olia (our protagonist) to explore the castle to find out more.

Olia descends from ancestors who were once royal; the castle is now a loving family home. She has just become a sister and the relationship she dreams of with her newborn sister is heart warming; I adore the relationships Sophie depicts in her work.

Another relationship which warms the cockles of your heart is with her grandmother Babusya; another great name like Baba Yaga in ‘The House with the Chicken Legs.’ Even though the story is fantasy, these relationships are so relatable and affecting to the reader.

Olia is determined to explore her family home and figure out the mystery that surrounds it, especially the magic that hides in the domes of the castle. Her grandmother inspires and motivates Olia to protect her family and home from a terrible storm that could destroy this 500 year old castle.

Travelling into another world of desperation with a ‘domovoi’ as company, the fate of her home and family are in her hands.

Sophie’s work has raised the game for children’s fiction but adults fall in love with her work too. The spectacular way Sophie tells a story makes her work even more enchanting and alluring. The mythical world she throws us into is profoundly meticulous with every aspect and every detail covered beautifully.

Her stories themselves should form a moral compass for all children and I’ve enjoyed introducing my students to her stories these past few years. Even now in our world of uncertainty, this story brings calmness and I would recommend it to all.

'The Castle of Tangled Magic' by Sophie Anderson is a true triumph of middle grade magic and imagination.

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 are 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 really 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. This is 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 really do learn that sometimes believing is one of the few things more powerful than magic, so in that case, I believe that you will also love this wonderful middle grade masterpiece.