The Castle of Tangled Magic

‘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.

Castle Mila is home to Olia and her family, descended from onceroyal ancestors, now living their ordinary lives within the unusual castle walls. Olia dreams of exploring the castle with her baby sister and unlocking the hidden secrets within the dazzling tower domes. Filled with stories of spirits and enchantment from her Babusya, Olia seeks out the magic within her home, held within the great domes atop the castle. Humouring her grandmother, she listens to her tales of magic, and her superstitions, often leaving salt offering for the castle “domovoi” to ask for protection of their home. But on the eve of a great feast to celebrate the castle’s 500th birthday, a terrible storm engulfs her precious home and wreaks unimaginable damage, opening up the secret passageways into the domes that Olia has sought all her life. Babusya warns that unless the magic is unlocked, the storms will return and Castle Mila is sure to fall. What Olia finds in the domes propels her into a desperate world being torn apart, whose inhabitants have all but lost hope of ever escaping their imprisonment. Bravery, belief, and a giant’s sword are the only weapons which could save both her home and her new friends. Belief is the only thing more powerful than magic, but can Olia find it within herself before it’s too late?

Sophie has a unique talent for spinning the threads of beautiful stories which weave together folklore, family and friendship, and this is every bit as spell-binding as her previous work. I was utterly bewitched by the breathtaking descriptions of Castle Mila and the land beyond, and the rich, beguiling characters Olia meets along the way, each one sharing their wisdom and power, but each one seeking her help with their own plight. Olia’s journey through the book sees her grow from a fearful “magicless” child to an audacious heroine who learns from her mistakes, and the mistakes of others, but never loses sight of what is truly important. Sophie’s trademark mythological language adds heart and culture to the storytelling and draws the reader further in to her exceptionally detailed world.

During a time when the winds of change are sweeping through our own world, Sophie has beautifully captured the message that we must accept our mistakes, and those of our ancestors but never forget our history, even if it’s difficult, and think about what we can do to help make things right, to put our efforts into moving forwards and building a better future for everyone. I can’t think of a more pertinent or important message to pass on to the next generation.

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! ‬

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!

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Another stunning book from Sophie Anderson. Olia is a princess, living in a castle - but forget the usual fantasy tropes! There was a revolution years ago and now her family, though still living in the castle, devote themselves to keeping it maintained, and work and celebrate alongside the villagers. There was a really interesting theme of reparation and earning your place in the world in this story, which I loved - it really felt like a modern and worthwhile take on the princess/castle/ chosen one story. It fits within the universe created by Sophie Anderson in "The House with Chicken Legs", and there is even another Baba Yaga house.

The plot is thrilling, with elements of so many traditional stories from Russia and across Europe. There are water spirits and flying horses, giants, wizards and domovoi (hearth spirits) that are linked to the castle. A magical storm threatens the castle (and worse, Olia's family, including her grandma and new baby sister). Olia has to slip through into a magical realm and save the spirits she finds there, and try to save her castle. It was also a refreshing change to have a book where both parents are alive and survive to the end of the book!

In short, this is a future classic.

I LOVED this magical, fairytale story about a young girl Olia who lives in a 500 year old castle with her family. Descended from a long line of royals, Olia loves her family and her home but on the eve of the party, things take a turn for the worse and only Olia can save everything. Travelling through a magical land beyond the castle, she meets spirits trapped here and with their help, magic, belief in herself, resolves to put right the mistakes of her ancestors. She has to make courageous decisions in order to save her family, her home, her friends and her new spirit friends. Who can she trust? How to make the right decision? How to move forward for a better future, instead of living in the past?

The story had me gripped from the start. The wonderful flowing fairytale writing intertwined with Russian folktales, the depth of the characters, combined with loads of magic creates this a wonderfully rich story of bravery, family, friendship and moving forward to live a better life. When I started reading I immediately was brought back to my childhood reading of "The Magic Faraway Tree." The brilliant link to "The House with Chicken Legs" was just a fantastic icing on the cake moment. It reminded my of Roald Dahl's links in his books too.

I would recommend this book for the cover alone! It's just stunning! Anyone who loves a bit of magic and adventure will just love this!

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!

Sophie weaves a world of magic and imagination that is sure to imprint young minds with important life lessons

Olia, the hero in our story, is the chosen one to save her castle, the beloved home of her family for five hundred years, the only problem she hasn't got a clue how she's going to do it? As the story progresses, we learn how the simplistic solution suggested to save her land, helps Olia ask more important questions and see beyond her own pressing concern of saving her Castle Mila.
"You must cut off the beard of the Wizard Chernomor to save your land, says the cat." A large part of The Castle of Tangled magic reminded me of old American classic- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as Olia, our 13-year old protagonist lands in the Land of Forbidden Magic, in the midst of a storm with a fox spirit. An increasing number of curious magical spirits join the party, who travel through a series of hazards, to find the wizard who holds the answers to all their problems. This is a story that leaves the best to the last, and that's why it took me quite some time to warm up to it. But I loved how in the second half , Sophie brings it all together and Olia learns what home really is? It's not the walls or the grand rooms even if you lived in them for five hundred years, it's something more precious.
The story also brings to life the Indian belief of 'Vasudhaiv kutumbkam' - a Sanskrit phrase found in Hindu scriptures to introduce to the world a concept which means 'The World is One Family.' Imagery and visually descriptive language with similes and metaphors are used in abundance to paint the characters inspired from the Slavic folk lore. The Castle of Tangled Magic will be loved by teachers teaching students of 9-11 years of age. Teachers may explore the themes of importance of accepting change, learning from mistakes and failures, doing the best you can and remembering what's really important. The Castle of Tangled Magic, also has many beautiful quotes worth remembering and my favourite one is- ‘Belief is one the few things more powerful than magic.’
The reason the book does not get five stars from me:
First 8 chapters are dedicated to the setting and introduction of the characters, the story flows well with lots in anticipation but real action doesn’t build until Chapter 9 or even beyond. I would have very much enjoyed a prologue with a big bang edge of the seat action scene giving us a peek into the perils that were set to befall the castle or those that happened five hundred years ago, before getting into the setting and character descriptions.
The chapters move linearly with characters explaining what happened in the past. I think use of flashback chapters, going back to five hundred years before, to actually live through the events and meet the evil character of Ludmila rather than simple narration of what happened would have made for a stronger first half. It would have made the story a lot more intriguing, riveting and exciting from the beginning to the end.
I read an advance copy that I believe has not been completely edited for text and illustrations. I think once this is done it will help bring the landscapes and the characters especially those of Felix and the Land of Forbidden Magic to life.The above review is now also available on the Browzly app and blog. A self-marking multimedia quiz will also automatically pop up when the readers will mark this book as read on Browzly.
This review is written by Bhavna Mishra, founder of Browzly, a reading for pleasure focused teaching and learning technology.

The Castle of Tangled Magic
Rating *****

This is the third book from the author who wrote the house with chicken legs and the girl who speaks bear, Sophie Anderson come with the castle of tangled magic. This book follows a girl called Olia who lives in a castle from the royal family. Olia has royal blood in her but her family are no longer royalty, when a storm comes to threaten her home, Olia realises that she is the key to saving her home and her family as well as magic.

Sophie Anderson has a way of writing a variety of characters who you care about like no other the group of characters in this book made me cry and laugh and cheer. The magic comes creeping through all the words and the research that Sophie Anderson has done is so intricate that it makes me want to look more into Slavic mythology.

The cameos in the book made me feel really nostalgic for the other books and the pacing of the book made me feel the tension of how much was at stake throughout the book. I felt every emotion Olia had and the need to protect everyone who she met along her journey as well as her family and when she feels there is only one choice, she begins to look from it from other angles.

This book I could not put down and every time I got up and took a drink, I went back into it. I was ready to delve back in this makes me feel that it marks a good book and when it comes out I am sure I will be recommending this to everyone that I see including my students and my nieces.

I cannot wait for another book from Sophie Anderson because she is able to weave her own narrative into the folklore which makes it accessible and sparks interest to know more. The illustrations in the book are stunning and I cannot wait until October where I will have my hand on this physical copy of this book.

It was a pleasure to return to the ‘tangled’ magic of another one of Sophie Anderson’s stories. The golden threads of magic weave through each and every one of her books, casting a spell over her readers and The Castle of Tangled Magic is no exception.

Olia lives in a much-loved castle. When the winds of change threaten to destroy everything she holds dear, she must embark on a magical adventure in a quest to save the castle home of her past, her present and her future.

I loved entering Olia’s world and being immersed in another one of Anderson’s Slavic fairytales. The story feels like a modern classic, like the traditional tales and fairy stories of my childhood. The style of writing is beautiful: the descriptions are evocative and the characters become real people.

The themes of family, friendship and the power of love are all evident within this book and the reader learns some important lessons alongside the protagonist. I know it will be enjoyed by my Year 5 class. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a pre-release copy of this book to review.

Sophie Anderson has done it again! What a fantastic book! I couldn’t put it down. She is a master storyteller and each of her books just gets better! I can’t recommend this book enough. Without giving anything away, this book is destined to become a classic!

Another amazing book from this author. She creates such colourful and creative worlds full of imagination and feeling. Once again old traditions/myths/ folklore play a part and the magic is everywhere. It is an tangled adventure that slowly but slowly, begins to unwind and lead Olia in a new direction with a new perspective.

Olia is a likeable character who has many faults and needs to listen to her new found friends as well as deciding what it truly right. She makes lots of discoveries during her adventure and not all are as she expected.. Her compassion for her new friends and her longing to get back to her family and home are often at odds and she needs to dig deep and make some hard. Hooves.

You will be swept along with this adventure and if you have read Sophie Anderson’s other books may even recognise a character or two.

Absolutely loved this! Yet another wonderful fantasy novel inspired by Russian fairy stories and legends, which starts as a straightforward adventure but soon develops into a more complex story. As Olia enters the land of tangled magic she soon finds her plan to save her home complicated by the past actions of her ancestors and this becomes a clever tale about accepting and dealing with the wrongdoing in our past and putting things right regardless of the possible cost. I found this both meaningful and magical, a hard trick to pull off. Truly wonderful writing!

This book is absolutely incredible. The imagery and description were beautiful and I really could see myself in the scene. I fell in love with every single character and thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in the Slavic mythology. This was such a warm cosy book to read that was also full of excitement, I will definitely be ensuring a copy makes it way into my library!

A beautiful and heart warming book. Superbly written with twists and turn, adventure, mystery and wonder. Yet, through the book are woven strands of hope, love, family and what it means to be at home.

Another stunning offering from Sophie Anderson. This book is full of beautiful description that paints the most vivid images in your mind. Our heroine, Olia, is a kind and sweet girl who I loved instantly. You feel everything she feels, the highs and the lows, the love for her family. The story is laden with magic and it’s just an absolute triumph. Read it now!

Another Anderson classic with wondrous worldbuilding on the level of Diana Wynne Jones. Sumptuous, spellbinding, self-believing storytelling that I couldn’t stop reading. The queen of magical middle grade; I’ve never read a book by her I haven’t loved.

O and I are big fans of Sophie Anderson's books and we've been waiting with much anticipation for her latest book so we were hugely excited to receive an e-copy of The Castle of Tangled Magic last week and, oh boy, we most certainly weren't disappointed!

Olia and her family live on the edge of the village in Castle Mila that has been in their family for 500 years. Its sprawling hallways and many towers are a huge source of enjoyment for Olia who spends much of her time exploring the hidden parts of her home, intent on discovering every last secret and hidden room, and dreams of being able to show her baby sister the castle as she grows up. However, one day, a storm erupts over the castle which damages one of the towers and Olia's investigating reveals that there is much more to this tower and indeed the entire castle than she had ever realised, and it's up to her to save her family and their home.

K's opinion:
From the very beginning, the images created within this book are enticing and vivid, enhanced by the rich and beautiful language and description that Sophie weaves through every page - the castle sounds enchanting and I was desperate to climb into the book and explore with Olia. There's a sense of anticipation that tantalises and builds as the story progresses and you are lead willingly along with Olia and her friends (I'm not going to say too much as I don't want to spoil anything but it's safe to say that the setting is truly an immersive experience).

Olia is a character that people will undoubtedly fall in love with and is a true heroine. Full of life and enthusiasm, determined to do the right thing yet not without her doubts and fears, it is the love for her family that drives her on. She is definitely somebody that readers will want to emulate. And it would be remiss of me not to mention some of the other characters, namely Babusya, Olia's grandma, who emits a sense of calm and whose belief in magic is instrumental in the story, and also Feliks who is the truest of friends.

Sophie has a way of writing timeless stories that incorporate traditional values in a way that is both appealing and relevant to the world today and The Castle of Tangled Magic is no exception: there's very much a fairytale feel to the plot yet woven into it are messages about it being ok to make mistakes and that it's important to believe in yourself; she also touches upon the fact that we shouldn't forget what our ancestors did but should learn from that - hugely poignant at the minute. Family and a sense of belonging have been strong themes in Sophie's first two books and they resonate again strongly here in The Castle of Tangled Magic: it's clear that this is something that is strong in Sophie's life and the love and attention that is paid to the writing throughout this book shows how much this means to her.

Magic is woven into this book from the very beginning and it's the magic that draws you in. The Castle of Tangled Magic is undoubtedly Sophie's best book yet. It's a delicious journey through magical lands that will leave you with a warm glow in your heart (and, in my case, a tear in my eye!)

O's opinion:
When I was told we had access to a proof copy of The Castle of Tangled Magic, I stopped everything to read it, and I was not disappointed when I opened it! Olia is a brave character who just wants to save her home and family, and I loved how courageous she was, especially when she left her Babusya to enter the other world. Feliks is an amazing character, helping Olia along the journey, however, my favourite character has to be Babusya: she is full of wisdom and stories, and I adored her. I always like Sophie's books, and this one is her best yet. This is a must read, and I loved it.

I've read and loved all of Sophie Anderson's books so far - she has a beautiful way of writing that wraps you up in a blanket and transports you to another world. I was so excited to read The Castle of Tangled Magic and was not disappointed at all.

I was torn between wanting to read it in one sitting or slowly devour it and savour every moment spent reading this wonderfully magical book filled with mythology and folklore!

The characters feel like your friends as well as Olia's and you find yourself cheering and crying for them as you walk alongside them on their adventure to save her home and more than she ever thought she would - and could!

A book I cannot wait to share with my year 6 class when we go back to school!

Make this into a film immediately! The description is so clear I’m pretty confident I could do the set design, how hard could it be? From the very start it’s easy to picture the castle with its magical domes glittering in the sunlight, the hidden doors and staircases winding around the towers, and Olia, our unsuspecting hero, hurtling through her home trying to catch her grandmother in record time.

Sophie Anderson has, once again, created a story that will be sure to engage young and adult readers alike. We quickly begin to learn about Olia and her family and the special castle she calls home. I found myself desperate to find out more about it, wondering where the magic could be and how it might be found. Her journey begins because she wants to save her home, but along the way it becomes about much more than that, and, thanks to the excellent writing, we understand and can relate to Olia the whole way. The world we find ourselves in is a brilliant but fragile world that is in need of saving. It is full of entertaining and carefully described characters whose own stories become entwined with Olia’s.

Like the silvery threads of magic in the book, Anderson weaves in many important themes that would make excellent discussion points in a classroom and could be had several times over as the story develops. Among them are the ideas of being confident and trusting in yourself, friendship, family and, essential to the story, the importance of belief. There is also the idea of making amends for the mistakes of your ancestors - something that has rightly been an important topic recently and would also make for fascinating discussion in class.

This book is certainly going to be added to my class library, I’ll be reading it to my class and I’ll be recommending it to my colleagues too. I think children from the age of 7 or 8 (Year 3 & 4) would enjoy listening to this story and children from 9-12 upwards (Year 5, 6 and 7) could read and enjoy independently.

A great middle grade full of magic and adventure. A fantastic female main characters and some well developed side characters too.

A fast paced plot which is sure to engage the children I tutor so will be recommending this to them.

Thanks to NetGalley for this review copy.

Wow... what a journey! I was utterly hooked from the very beginning.
The unique way Sophie Anderson exposes readers to different and unique cultures throughout her books is incredible and is one of the many reasons I’m drawn to and hooked on her books. Coupled with the fact as a Welsh primary school teacher working in a Welsh school I am always on the lookout for books by Welsh authors to promote to my class to highlight Welsh talent and show them that you can be whatever you want to be.
The journey of self discovery that Olia goes on in this book is incredible and there are many life lessons to be learnt from it.
I also love how the yaga house sneaks its way in there to make an appearance! As with all of Sophie Anderson’s books, I would highly recommend.

The Castle of Tangled Magic is an enchanting and beautifully-told fairytale, packed with peril and magic and legend and characters you can't help but fall in love with. It's deeply atmospheric and events unfold before the reader's eyes as if in a movie. It really is just what I needed to take me away. And one of the many things I love about Sophie's writing is that it is classic storytelling. I'm transported to another world, sitting at the storyteller's feet, waiting for more.

Saara Söderlund's artwork is so charming too and a perfect match for this story. 5 stars from me.

Full of family, magic and kindness, The Castle of Tangled Magic is an extraordinary story which is not to be missed.

Olia lives in a beautiful castle filled with secret passageways and unreachable domes. When her beloved home is attacked by a magical storm, she must venture into a hidden world of magic to face her family's dark history and risk everything she loves for a brighter, fairer future.

The Castle of Tangles Magic is a fantastic exploration of troubling histories and the way we can deal with pasts that make us uncomfortable, tearing down monuments to past atrocities, but never forgetting the need to do better.

Olia is a wonderful protagonist who understands that it is people (or magical spirits!) who are important, not places or objects, no matter how much we might love them, and learns that home is about the people you love, not where you live. She is generous and kind, always striving to help as much as she can, but she also shows that it is okay to make mistakes. Olia is a hero who doesn't always get things right, but that's okay, because life is about learning and growing. She is a protagonist children will be able to see themselves in, sometimes afraid and insecure, but desperate to do what is right.

Olia's world is full of magic and wonder, and her home - and this incredible story - will set readers' imaginations soaring.

Thank you, Usborne for sending me an advanced copy to review on NetGalley.

I can’t actually believe this is my first book by Sophie Anderson! It will certainly not be my last. It was a delight to read from start to finish.The cover is beautiful and very inviting, as are the illustrations throughout. I loved the characters, especially the heroine, Olia, her grandmother and Felix. I loved the vivid descriptions, the fantastic magical adventure and the themes running through the book. Definitely one to share at school!

A truly wonderful tale of self-discovery, loyalty and friendship, and the magic that happens when you trust your judgement and believe in yourself. I loved the protagonist, and her relationships - aligned with the idea of youthful hope versus adult pragmatism, and their dual roles in growing up. Young people reading could not fail but be inspired by Olia and her bravery.

The allegory of the domes as a metaphor, with their mysteries representing, to me, the process of growing up, and the realisations that young people have to have in order to accept disappointment, and the letting go of childish things was so wonderfully rendered through imagery - a real strength of this story I feel. This, coupled with a story emphasising the importance of resilience, was subtly woven through the plot, and I particularly liked the way that Olia is guided by the wisdom of Babusya but that she also has the freedom of self-discovery.

Although it was not written as such, I feel very strongly that young readers, coming to terms with a new world of pandemic and lockdown, isolation and worry, would be strengthened by Olia's journey and discoveries; the parallel themes of hope, grit, bravery and determination, whilst keeping loved ones safe, seem to be so relevant. The idea of a guardian 'angel' to guide Olia was heartwarming; Feliks as a character is gorgeous, and his quiet, gentle bravery makes him a character which many children would love.

The final chapters are so beautifully crafted, and so emotional too. This is a triumph of story-telling at its finest.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For me, this book is perfection! Having read and enjoyed her previous two books, I was pretty sure I was going to love this book too, but it even surpassed those expectations. Sophie Anderson has quickly become one of my favourite authors and one that I will buy anything she releases because I know I will love it.

This book follows the story of Olia, a girl who lives in a castle with her father, mother, grandmother and baby sister. Olia loves exploring and has found secret doorways into some of the castle's shimmering domes. One doorway lead her into a strange land in which she meets many interesting and magical characters. Olia must go on a quest to try to save her home and the Land of Forbidden Magic.

This book read like a folktale or legend of old. It would be the perfect read aloud for a class of children, or a bedtime read. The mixing of Russian/Slavic folklore and the world Anderson has created herself is seemless. Everything feels wonderous and magical but total fits in the story.

The characters are each unique and the interactions between them feel genuine. There were so many characters that I loved but Olia shines above them all. She is so kind-hearted, determined and brave - a wonderful role model for middlegrade readers.

The adventure follows a traditional quest format which to me is very comforting as I love these types of stories, but don't worry there are plenty of twists and turns so the story is far from predictable. Along with the adventure, this book has strong messages about family, forgiveness and what it truly means to be brave. I love the fact that there are books like this out there for children (and adults) to read as these messages are so important for everyone to hear. When I read a book, I will highlight meaningful quotes and extracts that I love. In most of the books I enjoy, there tend to highlight 4 or 5 quotes. In this book, I highlighted 21 separate quotes!

Whilst this book is a standalone novel, I would definitely recommend reading the author's first book, The House with Chicken Legs first. I think for independent reading, this book would be suitable for most readers aged 9+ and it could be read aloud to younger children and they would enjoy it as well.

Sophie Anderson's newest novel, The Castle of Tangled Magic, is a beautiful story about love, family and knowing that where you've come from doesn't always need to dictate what comes next.

Olia, a young girl who lives with her family at Castle Mila, is tasked with saving the castle (her family's home for generations) from certain destruction. Along with some feisty otherworld spirits, a wizard and a giant, Olia must race against the clock to undo the actions of her ancestors to ensure everyone's safety and happiness. Olia's story is full of magic, both literally and figuratively, and the imagery created by Anderson (and the gorgeous illustrations by Saara Soderlund) is top notch. There is constant adventure and Olia makes for a very likeable narrator, one you root for consistently throughout the story. Sophie Anderson is repeatedly recommended for her wonderful storytelling, and Tangled Magic lives up to the hype in every way.

Olia lives in Castle Mila with her parents, new baby sister and grandmother, Babusya. Olia’s family provide a source of comfort and reassurance and a strong and loving base for her on her journey, as she grows to realise it is them and not the building she lives in that make a home.

I was particularly thrilled by her mum at the end of the book, as I know others will be too (but you’ll get no spoilers here!) But it’s Olia’s Babusya who steals the show - she is everything you’d expect from a grandmother in one of Sophie’s books; shrewd and wise but spritely of spirit and Olia’s partner in magical crime. She sees the castle’s spirits and feels its magic, and Olia is desperate to one day discover it too.

That day comes in less than cheery circumstances though as a huge storm threatens to destroy the castle and Olia must accompany the castle’s domovoi (house spirit) Felicks to the Land of Forbidden Magic in order to try and save her home.

Together they journey into the unknown, with setbacks and twists round every corner (right til the very end!) and the clock is ticking! Its one of those stories where just when you think you can breathe a sigh of relief, you’re biting your nails again.

Along the way, they meet various other spirits and magical beings who can both help Olia on her quest, but need her help in return. Can they save both her home and theirs before it’s too late?

With a giant, tree spirits, flying feathered horses, a talking cat, water spirits, a maze, riddles, different, brilliantly crafted worlds, a land held together by enchanted thread, a magical sword, sinister floating cloak, a house with chicken legs (of course!), a giant head, friendships new and old, this is a truly spellbinding adventure.

There are many, many links to Russian folklore in this magical world and Sophie’s ability to create a modern spin on traditional tales and her own knowledge and love of these original stories is clear.

This is yet another marvellously magical book from Sophie Anderson, with folk tales, friendship and family at its heart. With a cast of incredibly varied characters and both a castle and a magic world steeped in imagination, not to mention a quest which seems almost impossible, this is an exciting and immersive adventure that existing fans and new will love!

Absolutely amazing book. Contains so many important life lessons such as the importance of family and friends over material things and how to he grave and face your fears. Beautiful quotes that I can't wait to share with my class.

The Castle of Tangled Magic is the highly-anticipated next novel from Sophie Anderson who brought us the wonders that are The House With Chicken Legs and The Girl Who Speaks Bear. It doesn't come out until October but already the Edu Twitter world is alight with 5 star reviews and a buzz of anticipation for this new release.

The Castle of Tangled Magic revolves around our protagonist, Olia, a thirteen-year old girl, who lives in Castle Mila along with her family, including her newborn sister and wise old grandma, Babusya. The castle has been part of the family for years and passed down through generations from a home for royalty to the loving family home it has become. Olia loves exploring the castle and is desperate to unearth all of its secrets, particularly those which hide underneath the huge castle domes.

However, Olia's exploration of the castle is put on hold, when Babusya tells of a magical storm which threatens to destroy Castle Mila unless it is stopped. And so begins our heroine's journey of magic, bravery and friendship - all in a desperate attempt to save the people and the place she loves the most.

Magic is weaved in effortlessly by Sophie Anderson through Olia's travels as she discovers what true friendship is as well as uncovering the history of her ancestors. At many points the friendship between characters reminded me of the innocence and desperation of The Wizard of Oz and I enjoyed the way that each new character contributed something new to the friendship dynamics within the book.

I can't review The Castle of Tangled Magic without also mentioning the richness of Sophie Anderson's description throughout the whole novel. I don't know how she sustains it but I'm ever so glad she does. From the first chapter I was hooked in by her vivid descriptions which just add to the magic of the action and help tell the tales of the Castle and of Olia.

The Castle of Tangled Magic does not disappoint and is yet another triumph to add to my pupils' bookshelves. Perfect for lovers of folk tales, magic, and adventure.

A traditional tale of friendship, bravery and family.

What a wonderful story!

This tale has everything - a strong central character, magical creatures that are unique and original, and a fabulously crafted castle leading the reader on a journey through a magic land. The over-arching messages of the story will serve as starting points for some great discussions in the classroom. The story is accompanied throughout by Sara Soderland’s outstanding illustrations, which for me are an integral part of the book’s success.

Look out for Sophie Anderson’s usual clever details - one in particular, which I won’t spoil, made me grin with delight. Some, such as her descriptions of the different clocks which mark the passing of each hour, had me looking forward to seeing what the next one would be, and wanting to draw them for myself.

It was a privilege to be able to read this in advance of publication, and I am certain Sophie’s fans, old and new, will love this title as much as I do.

Sophie Anderson weaves a wonderful story of self-belief, magic and adventure in The Castle of Tangled Magic.

Be whisked along on Olia's adventure as she finds her inner strength, a host of amazing spirits and learns to listen to her heart.

Anderson has a wonderful way with words, whisking her readers into her Olia's journey with delicious descriptions and vivid imagery.
I loved this, can you tell?!

Reviewed by Emma Perry: Picture Book Author [I Don't Like Books. Never. Ever. The End & This Book Has Alpacas and Bears] & founder of MyBookCorner

Another superb novel from Sophie Anderson. The Castle of Tangled Magic weaves slavic folklore, magic and adventure into a wonderful story that I read in one sitting.
Olia learns all about herself, her hidden abilities, her perceived limitations and how to overcome them as well as more about her ancestors and the rest of her family.


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3490732226

I really enjoyed this beautifully written adventure story from Sophie Andersen but I've come to expect nothing less from her.
Olia has grown up with her family in a huge castle although, since the revolution, the riches have gone and her family live a simple life. Olia loves to explore Castle Mila and longs to find her way into the domes whose hidden entrances have eluded her. When a magical storm leaves the castle damaged, Olia finds her way into one of these domes leading her to embark on a dangerous quest to save the castle from further destruction and protect her family. Olia proves a worthy heroine: brave, determined, kind. However, another standout character is her sidekick and protector Feliks. There is a delightful range of magical characters and, although they are based on Slavic mythology, Andersen has really made them her own. It was great to see references to charcters from her other books here too!
This is a story full of magic with family and friendship at the heart. If you enjoyed The House With Chicken Legs or The Girl Who Speaks Bear I am sure you will enjoy this too but it works just as well as a standalone book. I am looking forward to sharing this wonderful adventure story with the children at school as I know they will love it.

What a wonderfully compelling middle grade book. As a librarian I read many, many books but the quality of the writing and exquisite story really stood out for me. I have no doubt there will be a waiting list at the library for this book. The attention to detail and the visceral experience all adds to this enchanting story. I certainly will be including it in my book club as not only will this book be a wonderful novel to curl up and read but I imagine that the children will enjoy discussing it with others.
Thank you for the early review copy.

Thank you so much to Usbourne for the Netgalley e-arc of The Castle of Tangled Magic!

The Castle of Tangled Magic follows the adventure of our young heroine, Olia, who's family has lived in Castle Mila for generations, a gorgeous ancestral family castle, holding more magic than one would first assume! As a wild wind story attacks the castle, Olia's grandmother suggests that Olia may be the only one capable of defeating the storm and saving her family's home.

I went into this book with incredibly high expectations, Sophie Anderson is one of my favourite middle-grade authors, with her prior books, The House With Chicken Legs and The Girl Who Speaks Bear, being two of the best MG books I've read. One of my favourite things to read about is Russian folklore-inspired stories, and this is something that Sophie Anderson does so well. With this being one of my most anticipated reads of the year, it's very safe to say that Anderson did not disappoint with this addition to her luscious written world, and I am thrilled to have read this absolute masterpiece.

Olia is a bold and courageous young girl, always putting family first. It was refreshing to see a young sibling relationship in the book that is so wholly built on pure love. Olia's love for her family informs most of the choices she makes, however throughout the course of her journey, she learns much about herself and her family's history that encourages growth in her. Alongside our standout heroine, the cast of side characters Anderson creates is outstanding; something I have loved about Anderson's prior books is the found family aspect, the main character finding their herd, and I adored that about this book too. The characters Olia meets along the way are all so endearing, and as a reader, I cared for each of them individually, Feliks particularly, because he was just stellar!

As always, Anderson delivers a gorgeous and mystical atmosphere in her writing, amplified by the magical settings. Castle Mila is described with such curiosity, you can't help but want to explore every inch of the magical building. But alongside that, the truly magical setting develops more and more each time you turn the page, resulting in a rich and beautiful tapestry of a world.

I found The Castle of Tangled Magic to be an incredibly compelling read, the plot held my interest at every turn, the tension felt real and there was a real sense of danger and the risk-factor throughout were very high. Our characters faced a number of challenges throughout their adventure, keeping the pacing of the plot well driven throughout. It's difficult to put this book down as these characters are moving forward through their journey at such a danger fuelled tempo, you don't want to miss a minute of it.

It would be wrong of me to not also mention the illustrations, which are breathtaking. They add another level to the storytelling, allowing the reader to get a truly fairytale feel.

Overall on CAWPILE this scored 9.57/10 which is an incredibly solid 5-star rating. A Beautiful book that I encourage readers of all ages to pick up.

Sophie Anderson does it again! Everything she writes is delightful and totally captivating. The Castle of Tangled Magic will grab you from the start. Sophie weaves traditional folklore into a world of wonder where friends unite together on a fantastical quest. Magic bursts from the pages and pulls you in to an adventure that will have you smiling, crying and punching the air in triumph. Highly recommended as a class read and as a book to hook children in to reading.

Olia lives in a very old castle which she feels is full of magic, especially the one dome she cannot find a way into. Then one night during a storm she finds a way into the dome and into a magical world. Olia finds that she has to save this world and the home she loves, can she do this?
I enjoyed the book I loved that Olia leant about herself during the book also the fact that I learnt more about the Russian folklore and the creatures and spirits they have.
I thought that the first few chapters of the book we a little slow but once I was in the magical land I found it hard to put the book down and wanted to know if Olia could save the land and her home.

I'm always excited when I hear of a new Sophie Anderson book and I definitely was not disappointed! Filled with magic and adventure the Journey Olia takes in this book will engulf you. With many fantastical spirits you wish were real and some familiar stories popping up from previous novels this is again a wonderful tale from a brilliant author.

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.

A wonderful story full of magic and folklore. I was hooked from the beginning as Olia chased her grandmother into the forest hoping to see the magic she thinks surrounds her. Later as storms rage around the castle she calls home, she learns that magic is seeping out of a hidden land, which could eventually destroy her home. As she goes on a journey to save the castle, she learns more about her family's past and makes new friends as she learns that home is more than the building where you live.
This was a beautifully woven tale filled with inspiration from Slavic folklore and mythology. I will be recommending we add a copy to the school library and pointing lots of children in it's direction!

I received an eARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Castle of Tangled Magic 🏰✨

A little late posting this review as I finished it a while back.

Sophie Anderson is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. She has the ability to create wonderfully magical worlds that you can’t help but get lost in.

Olia is an interesting chatacter - one you instantly like and feel a connection with. She is kind and caring, and the relationships she has with her grandmother and sister are adorable.
I loved joining Olia on her adventure to save her home.

A story about friendships, family and bravery that you will be unable to put down.

Thanks to @usborne for the free e-arc through @netgalley

4.5 Stars!

I am not a very frequent middle-grade reader, but this book won my heart! The Castle of Tangled Magic caught my attention due to its gorgeous cover and an interesting storyline, and I am so elated that I got a chance to read it.

The Castle of Tangled Magic is a beautiful and heartwarming story full of magic, love and courage. Olia is a courageous and curious child whose heart knows and believes in magic. Faced with the challenge of saving her beloved castle where she has spent all her childhood, she goes on a magical and adventurous journey. Soon she realizes that not only must she find the courage in her heart to protect her family and the castle, but also save a whole another magical world which is crumbling fast...

Full of gorgeous prose and stunning illustrations, this book was a delight to read. The premise of a magical castle full of mysteries and steeped in history, with domes which can only be reached by secret passages and windows that glow with magic was extremely alluring. The descriptions are vivid and make the scenes come alive with scents and colours. The story is richly influenced by Russian folklore and I was delighted to read about various spirits and mythical creatures. The illustrations lend life to a lot of scenes, and I could not get enough of them.

The entire ensemble of side-characters are fleshed out intricately and had interesting and unique personalities. The relationships between them are what lend life to the story, be it Olia's pure and innocent love for her younger sister or Felix's love and yearning for his wife. I adored the character of Babusya, Olia's grandmother, whose teachings motivate Olia to look at things from all angles, trust her judgement and find courage in her heart.

‘The castle of tangled magic’ has some lovely poetic descriptions that made me wonder and dream. The lovely descriptions are not only from the castle itself but also from particular details of the setting and its characters, such as Feliks, the fox like creature. Sophie Anderson uses language like a camera, you feel like you are zooming in with Olia. You are taken to a land of magic and totally immersed in it. This book offers plenty of marvellous exemples to children of what you can do with language and how you can create new worlds with the power of writing. A book to give children hope, hope to believe, to not give up and hope if you look for it, you might find magic!

Amazing book - will definitely put in the library. Loved the clever link to the house with chicken legs

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

With The Castle of Tangled Magic, Sophie Anderson has woven Russian folklore together with modern fantasy and a lovely family and created something special and unique.

It is a superb story about magic, family, bravery and home, and I absolutely adored it.

Unlike Sophie's first two novels, this one is a "portal" story, where Olia, who already lives in a wondrous and probably magical castle, travels through a portal with a household spirit into a land of pure magic. A land where everything is starting to fall apart, where she needs to find allies and find her way and find a solution before everything unravels completely. There's such an overwhelming sense of peril, that kept me absolutely gripped. The fairy tale creatures she meets are fascinating too, drawn from a Russian folklore that I'm really not familiar with, to give the whole thing a sense of being different and intriguing. And as with all the best fairy tales, things are never quite what they first seem.

It's a story about family too, and the depiction of Olia's family is really nicely done. Unlike some other portal stories, I always felt that she had something to succeed for and someone to go home too, and that increased the tension. She never had the chance to just wander around and explore the land she found herself in because of her family and home calling her back.

It's another magical story from a magical writer at the top of her game.