I joined NetGalley specifically to read this book and wasn't disappointed! Sophie Anderson is a magical storyteller who sews and joins stories as expertly as the generations of Olia's family have crafted their family quilt. The themes of Anderson's other stories feature just as strongly here and it leaves you with a powerful reminder of some of the realities of life we all forget from time to time. Wonderful. I will definitely be recommending it to all my pupils (and their families!).

Sophie Anderson has done it again! When The Castle of Tangled Magic was offered via NetGalley, I couldn't pass up the chance to read it. Having read and loved both of Sophie's previous books, I was expecting great things and wasn't disappointed.

Olia has grown up in Castle Mila with her Papa, Mama, baby sister Rosa and Babusya (grandmother). She has always been fascinated with the castle and, in particular, its domes. When she finds a way into one of the domes, Olia must find the strength and courage to save her home, her family and a land full of magical spirits.

This was a story of family and friendship, and of working out what is important. Olia is a strong but caring character and the supporting characters around her bring out the best in her.

I cannot recommend this highly enough. Will be adding to my class bookshelf and school library once it is published.

Thank you to Usborne and Net Galley for this advance copy.

Sophie Anderson has shown yet again what a majestically clever storyteller she is. The Castle of Tangled Magic follows Olia on a journey to discover what really matters. She meets surprising new friends along the way and friends new and old work together to try and save her family home. Slavic folklore is woven within the story. It has the feel of a traditional tale. Definitely a modern classic.

I always come away from Sophie's books feeling hungry. Her descriptions of the food throughout are sublime.

Would recommend to anyone who has enjoyed The House with Chicken Legs and the Girl who speaks Bear.

The Castle of Tangled Magic is a book full of the anticipation of something truly special. The wisdom of the elderly, ancient magic and Russian folklore flows off the page in language full of wonder and enchantment. Sophie Anderson is a master storyteller with a richness unparalleled and an ability to draw readers into gloriously magical worlds, making them feel as if they are the ones on a great adventure.

Castle Mila is full of secrets: hidden doorways, secret passageways and long-forgotten chambers. Olio’s once-royal ancestors built this unique family home long ago. Now, as they approach its five hundredth anniversary, a fierce storm is brewing and the magic of the castle seems unsettled – somehow tangled. With the help of her grandmother, Olio believes magic is everywhere and is determined to find it. Sensing the winds of change, Olio must set off on a dangerous quest to free the magic and try to save her family, her heritage and her home.

Along the way, Olio must rely on her friends, both old and new. She questions whether or not she can trust them and, through this, learns that above all else, she must trust her own instincts and believe in herself. Her bravery, intelligence, sense of justice and kindness serve her well as she battles against mystical spirits in an unknown land. When tempted to give up or go another way, the love of her family spurs her onwards.

This is a story of selflessness and sacrifice. The winds of change are hard to cope with but sometimes so necessary to move on to the next stage of life. Olio is a wonderful example of someone who reflects on the past, makes amends, and strives to move forward in loyalty, friendship and love.

“If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you.”
A.A. Milne

Thank you to Usborne Publishing and NetGalley for this beautiful book!

Olia is technically a princess. Although it's been many hundreds of years since her royal ancestors ruled, she still lives in their castle. It is a castle with history. Five hundred years of history to be exact.
Olia loves her home. It is a castle of domed roofs, endless corridors, hidden passageways. She loves her grandmother, her Babusya, who believes in the old ways and sees the magic in their home. And she loves her baby sister Rosa and she cannot wait to show her all of the castle's secrets and discover new ones together. She loves exploring and adventuring and she can't wait to add her patch to her family's blanket at the Harvest Moon celebration in the 500 year tradition of her family.

When a strange wind begins to blow through Castle Mila, Olia investigates with the help of Feliks and his Mary Poppins pockets, a magic hat and a lots of magical friends that she meets along the way.

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.

The Castle of Tangled Magic is the third in a series of stunning books based on Russian folklore and featuring a strong, female protagonist. Sophie Anderson weaves magic and with every word immerses you in the magical, mysterious world of Castle Mila.

Just like the moment when, as a child, you ran your hand across the back of your wardrobe feeling, no, yearning for the entry to Narnia, Sophie Anderson's The Castle of Tangled Magic takes your hand and pulls you into a world of magic and your belief in magic is restored. This novel is an excellent addition to the two previous novels by the same author and deserves to be our Wonderland, Neverland, Oz and much more.

From the very first page, we are welcomed to Castle Mila, once the ancestral home of Russian royalty and now the home of a family living with the aftermath of the revolution. Our heroine, Olia, embodies the sense of curiosity and wonder that bursts out of every single page as she speaks of secret passageways and of the secrets waiting to be uncovered in each of Castle Mila's colourful domes.
However, we soon find out that Olia's home and family are in danger, a storm is brewing and her Babusya's enchanting fairy tales are about to become a reality. Faced with what seems an insurmountable task, Olia bravely enters a magical world where the winds of change force her to face up to her past, present and future.

Anderson's storytelling is captivating and effortlessly compels you to root for each of the characters you encounter and just like all of our favourite stories, the themes of friendship, courage, hope and belief are the threads that endure. The visual tapestry of Castle Mila would be incomplete without Saara Söderlund's captivating illustrations, each detailed image matches Anderson's descriptions beautifully and on more than one occasion, matched my own picture of the scene.

As a teacher, I cannot wait for the opportunity to share this story with the children and I just know it will be passed around and devoured as quickly as The House with Chicken Legs and The Girl who Speaks Bear. These stories express the importance of belief and remind us that there really is more than one way to see the world. The author encourages us to reflect on our own beliefs with the childlike curiosity we thought we had left behind.

Olia is every bit the worthy heroine of this story and her bravery, gratitude and selfless acts make her a fantastic role model for all. I would just like to express my gratitude to Sophie Anderson, Saara Söderlund, Usborne Books and NetGalley for this opportunity.

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.