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The Magician of Tiger Castle
The beloved author of Holes presents his first adult novel, a modern fantasy classic of forbidden love, a crumbling kingdom, and the unexpected magic all around us.
Long ago and far away (and somewhere south of France) lies the kingdom of Esquaveta. There, Princess Tullia is in nearly as much peril as her struggling kingdom. Esquaveta desperately needs to forge an alliance, and to that end, Tullia's father has arranged a marriage between her and an odious prince. However, one month before the "wedding of the century," Tullia falls in love with a lowly apprentice scribe.
The king turns to Anatole, his much-maligned magician. Eighteen years earlier, when Anatole first came to the castle, he was regarded as something of a prodigy. But after a long series of failures—the latest being an attempt to transform sand into gold—he has become the object of contempt and ridicule. The only one who still believes in him is the princess.
When the king orders Anatole to brew a potion that will ensure Tullia agrees to the wedding, Anatole is faced with an impossible choice. With one chance to save the marriage, the kingdom, and, of most importance to him, his reputation, will he betray the princess—or risk ruin?
Long ago and far away (and somewhere south of France) lies the kingdom of Esquaveta. There, Princess Tullia is in nearly as much peril as her struggling kingdom. Esquaveta desperately needs to forge an alliance, and to that end, Tullia's father has arranged a marriage between her and an odious prince. However, one month before the "wedding of the century," Tullia falls in love with a lowly apprentice scribe.
The king turns to Anatole, his much-maligned magician. Eighteen years earlier, when Anatole first came to the castle, he was regarded as something of a prodigy. But after a long series of failures—the latest being an attempt to transform sand into gold—he has become the object of contempt and ridicule. The only one who still believes in him is the princess.
When the king orders Anatole to brew a potion that will ensure Tullia agrees to the wedding, Anatole is faced with an impossible choice. With one chance to save the marriage, the kingdom, and, of most importance to him, his reputation, will he betray the princess—or risk ruin?
306 pages, Hardcover
First published August 5, 2025
564 people are currently reading
41816 people want to read
About the author
Louis Sachar
97 books4,577 followersLouis Sachar (pronounced Sacker), born March 20, 1954, is an American author of children's books.
Louis was born in East Meadow, New York, in 1954. When he was nine, he moved to Tustin, California. He went to college at the University of California at Berkeley and graduated in 1976, as an economics major. The next year, he wrote his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School .
He was working at a sweater warehouse during the day and wrote at night. Almost a year later, he was fired from the job. He decided to go to law school. He attended Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.
His first book was published while he was in law school. He graduated in 1980. For the next eight years he worked part-time as a lawyer and continued to try to write children's books. Then his books started selling well enough so that he was able to quit practicing law. His wife's name is Carla. When he first met her, she was a counselor at an elementary school. She was the inspiration behind the counselor in There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom . He was married in 1985. Hisdaughter, Sherre, was born in 1987.
Louis was born in East Meadow, New York, in 1954. When he was nine, he moved to Tustin, California. He went to college at the University of California at Berkeley and graduated in 1976, as an economics major. The next year, he wrote his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School .
He was working at a sweater warehouse during the day and wrote at night. Almost a year later, he was fired from the job. He decided to go to law school. He attended Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.
His first book was published while he was in law school. He graduated in 1980. For the next eight years he worked part-time as a lawyer and continued to try to write children's books. Then his books started selling well enough so that he was able to quit practicing law. His wife's name is Carla. When he first met her, she was a counselor at an elementary school. She was the inspiration behind the counselor in There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom . He was married in 1985. Hisdaughter, Sherre, was born in 1987.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 540 reviews
June 6, 2025
**ARC of this book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Quick and fun blend of fairy tale and cozy fantasy that I just couldn't get invested in.
We are following Anatole - gifted alchemist that holds position of the court magician in the kingdom of Esquaveta. He is leading a peaceful life spending majority of of his days in his workshop brewing potions and healing aliments of the courtiers and king's family. The story starts when Anatole is tasked with brewing a concoction that will make princess forget that she fell in love with the lowly scribe. The book masterfully blends reality with a hint of magic so you will get a healthy dose of information about the reality of living in a renaissance castle in a fun, lighthearted fairy tale package. I was devouring parts about everyday life and would sacrifice the adventurous part of the story just to read more about it.
Which leads us to my complains. Anatole is the narrator but main plot is about Tullia and Pito, the princess and the scribe she fell in love with. Tullia and Pito have no chemistry whatsoever and I just couldn't find it in myself to root for them. The banter is witty but occasionally comes across as intentionally rude and hurtful (looking at you, Pito) making it even harder to get invested in the love story. Anatole himself is a quirky middle aged guy that is a walking comic relief. The amount of time he was stepping in manure/falling down on his face/destroying something by accident was over the top and occasionally made me feel like I was reading a middle-grade book and not the story for adults.
Despite three stars I would recommend this book to anyone. It has an interesting concept, full bloodied characters and exquisite world building. And it does have this dash of something that will make you think about the story long after you put the book back on the shelf.
Quick and fun blend of fairy tale and cozy fantasy that I just couldn't get invested in.
We are following Anatole - gifted alchemist that holds position of the court magician in the kingdom of Esquaveta. He is leading a peaceful life spending majority of of his days in his workshop brewing potions and healing aliments of the courtiers and king's family. The story starts when Anatole is tasked with brewing a concoction that will make princess forget that she fell in love with the lowly scribe. The book masterfully blends reality with a hint of magic so you will get a healthy dose of information about the reality of living in a renaissance castle in a fun, lighthearted fairy tale package. I was devouring parts about everyday life and would sacrifice the adventurous part of the story just to read more about it.
Which leads us to my complains. Anatole is the narrator but main plot is about Tullia and Pito, the princess and the scribe she fell in love with. Tullia and Pito have no chemistry whatsoever and I just couldn't find it in myself to root for them. The banter is witty but occasionally comes across as intentionally rude and hurtful (looking at you, Pito) making it even harder to get invested in the love story. Anatole himself is a quirky middle aged guy that is a walking comic relief. The amount of time he was stepping in manure/falling down on his face/destroying something by accident was over the top and occasionally made me feel like I was reading a middle-grade book and not the story for adults.
Despite three stars I would recommend this book to anyone. It has an interesting concept, full bloodied characters and exquisite world building. And it does have this dash of something that will make you think about the story long after you put the book back on the shelf.
March 19, 2025
I received this book as an ARC through a giveaway through Goodreads. Thank you so much for this ARC. What follows is my honest review.
I regularly talk about how "Holes is one of the best children novels of all time" and I credit some of my absurd humor to rereading Wayside Stories (Naming a character Bebe Gun and then giving her a brother named Ray is still so funny to me). So, I was so eager to read this book. Especially with my mental health being **not great** this last week, I was so happy to have something that felt familiar and warm.
This is a whimsical adult fairytale with real heart within. A lot of times when people talk about adult fairytales they are talking about a magic world with some *adult* elements. But this felt like reading a book of fairytales as a kid. Magical with brave characters and darkness in the corners. But darkness that could be fought with bravery and wit and choosing to be a good person.
The characters are colorful and unique without feeling too much like childish cardboard cutouts of "princess", "magician", "evil prince". Everything was both grounded and clever, while also being silly and humorous. Sachar expects you to keep both feet on the ground (so you don't trip), but also looking over your shoulder fondly.
Thank you Mr. Sachar. I really needed this book right when I got it.
I regularly talk about how "Holes is one of the best children novels of all time" and I credit some of my absurd humor to rereading Wayside Stories (Naming a character Bebe Gun and then giving her a brother named Ray is still so funny to me). So, I was so eager to read this book. Especially with my mental health being **not great** this last week, I was so happy to have something that felt familiar and warm.
This is a whimsical adult fairytale with real heart within. A lot of times when people talk about adult fairytales they are talking about a magic world with some *adult* elements. But this felt like reading a book of fairytales as a kid. Magical with brave characters and darkness in the corners. But darkness that could be fought with bravery and wit and choosing to be a good person.
The characters are colorful and unique without feeling too much like childish cardboard cutouts of "princess", "magician", "evil prince". Everything was both grounded and clever, while also being silly and humorous. Sachar expects you to keep both feet on the ground (so you don't trip), but also looking over your shoulder fondly.
Thank you Mr. Sachar. I really needed this book right when I got it.
February 4, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for early access to this ARC!
Normally I wait a bit closer to the date of publication to share my thoughts but I simply loved this one too much to keep it bottled in until August.
I love the perspective that this read is told through. The immortal protagonist looking back on a story from earlier in their life is such a fun framework and Sachar uses it well. The depiction of magic here is also appropriately gross and unwhimsical which I found entirely complimentary to the narrative, setting, and characters.
Anatole makes this story though, from his odd appearance to wholesome mannerisms. He is a character that it is hard for me not to love. My one dilemma is the peeks at the Anatole in modern times are far too few when his POV is so fun. His moments of smugness about the history he created and witnessed are an absolute delight. I also have to commend Sachar for the inclusion of some of the oddest fun facts and bizarre realities that somehow overshadow the literal magic in this book.
The history richly baked into this text is a delight and a wonder. I hope there are readers out there who can still appreciate this era of our kind's existence.
August 16, 2025
Unfortunately, I didn’t love this. It is an adult novel that reads like a middle grade novel and I have no idea what the *point* of the story was. Sad.
August 6, 2025
Cute but underwhelming!
July 10, 2025
This was a nice fairytale-esque fantasy that was a good read, but just didn't click 100% for me.
Anatole is a court magician in the now-famed Tiger Castle in the kingdom of Esquaveta. The story is excellently framed from his perspective of visiting the castle in modern times and looking back on it 500 years in the past to when and how it got its name. He gives us hints of what's to come in the story as he hears it from a tour guide, including the Whispering King, a treacherous queen who killed one king to marry another, and a beautiful princess who was abducted on her wedding night. And he mentions the great magician himself, who the tour guide neglects to include! Anatole then leaps back into his past and tells the story from his perspective.
Anatole's character is brilliant. Rather than having a story told from a hero's perspective, although in some ways he could be considered that, Anatole is a bald man (thanks to an experiment gone wrong, he has no hair on his entire body) who describes himself as "short and dumpy". We are constantly reminded of his flaws as he falls in manure and out of carriages.
The only downside was that I struggled to get stuck into this book. The story had more of a rambling quality with a series of events which, though they are of course linked, didn't flow as well as you'd expect. I actually think this book would benefit from a second reading, especially as I went back to the initial set up chapter that I've described above to remind myself of it before reviewing, and it made much more of an impact when I knew what was to come. On first reading, it felt like it was going to be a big grand tale, but as you read on and the characters become more clear, it's a lot more of a fumbling series of events which are far more fun that the mythical quality you expect.
Like many others, I initially picked this book due to the author who wrote the iconic book, Holes. I always loved this book, but it made more of an impact as being one of the only books that my sister, who is not a reader, actually enjoyed! This one is a different piece of work, although I do think you can feel the author's signature underneath it in the way it's framed and told.
Overall, a tricky one to rate and review as I enjoyed it and will probably remember the story, but while reading, I did struggle to pick it up as I wasn't invested in continuing it. I think I may reread in future to see how I feel about that again!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for a review copy of this book.
Anatole is a court magician in the now-famed Tiger Castle in the kingdom of Esquaveta. The story is excellently framed from his perspective of visiting the castle in modern times and looking back on it 500 years in the past to when and how it got its name. He gives us hints of what's to come in the story as he hears it from a tour guide, including the Whispering King, a treacherous queen who killed one king to marry another, and a beautiful princess who was abducted on her wedding night. And he mentions the great magician himself, who the tour guide neglects to include! Anatole then leaps back into his past and tells the story from his perspective.
Anatole's character is brilliant. Rather than having a story told from a hero's perspective, although in some ways he could be considered that, Anatole is a bald man (thanks to an experiment gone wrong, he has no hair on his entire body) who describes himself as "short and dumpy". We are constantly reminded of his flaws as he falls in manure and out of carriages.
The only downside was that I struggled to get stuck into this book. The story had more of a rambling quality with a series of events which, though they are of course linked, didn't flow as well as you'd expect. I actually think this book would benefit from a second reading, especially as I went back to the initial set up chapter that I've described above to remind myself of it before reviewing, and it made much more of an impact when I knew what was to come. On first reading, it felt like it was going to be a big grand tale, but as you read on and the characters become more clear, it's a lot more of a fumbling series of events which are far more fun that the mythical quality you expect.
Like many others, I initially picked this book due to the author who wrote the iconic book, Holes. I always loved this book, but it made more of an impact as being one of the only books that my sister, who is not a reader, actually enjoyed! This one is a different piece of work, although I do think you can feel the author's signature underneath it in the way it's framed and told.
Overall, a tricky one to rate and review as I enjoyed it and will probably remember the story, but while reading, I did struggle to pick it up as I wasn't invested in continuing it. I think I may reread in future to see how I feel about that again!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for a review copy of this book.
July 17, 2025
I received a free advance copy of this book from the Penguin Random House booth at Emerald City Comic Con. Thank you to PRH for being there and for providing so many free books.
Usually when I get ARCs from comic con, they tend to fall into a few different categories, and one of them is "books I wouldn't ever just pick up if I just saw them sitting on a table at Barnes and Noble". This is definitely one of those. I don't have any nostalgia for Louis Sachar. I didn't read his books as a kid or as an adult who likes to read YA (I've never read or seen Holes). The protagonist is a middle aged straight white man, which I'm usually not that enthralled by unless the story or character has something interesting to say. The story... sounded interesting enough but it wouldn't have made me add it to my incredibly large TBR.
Sometimes books like this surprise me and I end up really liking them (I usually get one or two stealth favorites out of ECCC every year), but this one... did not.
The two biggest problems here are 1) I don't like the protagonist/narrator, which is rough because you're in his head the ENTIRE book and 2) I had no idea what the point of the story was. The summary on the back indicates that the princess has an arranged marriage, but has fallen in love with a scribe and is refusing to go through with it. The main character is the court magician and he is told to make a potion that will force the princess to comply with the marriage. The summary infers that he has some sort of moral dilemma about doing so.
But he doesn't. He's fine with it. He's reluctant to drug her with opium because he doesn't want her addicted, but he's fine with brewing a potion to slip her without her consent to remove all her memories of the scribe. And he does the same to the scribe as well. He's fallen out of favor in court and his main concern here is getting his status back by saving the day (the marriage will unite two kingdoms). Instead of anyone actually talking to the princess and making any sort of argument about how the marriage will be good for the kingdom, or about how she needs to do her duty, everyone talks about her like she's not a human, and our protagonist... has no objections to this because he thinks she should want to be married too??? Or at least doesn't feel strongly enough about her having free will that it bothers him to force her to do this.
Now, this was the 16th century, so I guess it's *realistic* she's being used as a bargaining chip/incubator for male heirs and that no one cares what she actually thinks. But this magician is represented as being like a father figure to her when she was growing up because her parents are pretty awful. He recognizes that she's smart and clever and funny. So you'd think he'd even once discuss the matter with her. But no. Every time he sees her, she asks him to help her and he makes vague humming noises and goes back to brewing a potion that will TAKE AWAY HER MEMORIES.
Of course the prince she's supposed to marry is awful, and the magician eventually decides to help her (actually, he's much more interested in helping her scribe/love than he is in helping her, because helping the scribe won't affect his reputation in court). The rest of the story is him attempting to help them escape.
But honestly, even that description makes the story sound more interesting than it is. Whether it's his narration or the author's writing style, I couldn't bring myself to really care about anything that happened to any of the characters. I never felt like I got to know anyone beyond surface things, and they never seemed to act consistent from scene to scene. For example, Pito (the scribe), is multilingual, a great scribe, knows Greek philosophy and a great chess player. He helps the magician with his experiments after he's saved... and then fifty pages later he's getting in mud fights and not showing any self preservation instincts. I never had a solid read about any of them, to the point where I never really had any idea what they might do or why I should even care that they did it.
And again, I have no idea what the ultimate point of the story is. Anatole (the magician) tells us from minute one that he's kind of cowardly and doesn't know how to stand up for himself or anyone around him, and he proves that for most of the book, so I guess... fine? I suppose he can be cowardly, but it's not a particularly fun place to be while I'm reading this book. The tone isn't comedic, so his clumsiness and cowardly nature isn't played for laughs really. It's not really super realistic because everyone seems like kind of a cartoon character. Even when Pito was in danger of being executed I never got a sense of stakes because again, I didn't really care about him because I got no sense of who he was as a character.
The story seems rambling and isn't particularly tightly written. What happens in the end was just confusing to me and didn't give us a solid resolution for anyone besides Anatole. To summarize, it gets 2 stars because it wasn't... awful to read. It wasn't badly written and it went by fairly quickly, but I didn't like Anatole (he did absolutely nothing to endear himself to me, and everything he did do that was even mildly positive was mostly out of guilt or self preservation or revenge, not because he was trying to save the princess). Like... he claims to feel fatherly towards the princess but does nothing for her but make things worse. And I had no idea what the point was. Even fairy tales have a real resolution. This one just kind of ends with a shrug.
Also, there's a part in the book where Anatole is talking about how the Queen doesn't like him because he once refused to sleep with her. And another character says "a woman may forgive a man who makes an unwanted advance but one who misses his chance" or something like that. Which I consider to be a pretty awful and very backward sentiment. "Oh yeah, go ahead and assault me or sexually harass me and I might be fine with it, but then if you reject me, I'll hate you forever because I'm a fickle hypocritical woman". And I thought, well maybe it's just the author expressing what he believes to be an outdated sentiment, but then he doubles down by, in the acknowledgments, telling us the source of the original quote and showing us the original (which includes the phrase "forcing the opportunity" which let's admit it is MUCH clearer and MUCH worse than the one in the book) and calling it "elegant". Which yikes. It's a gross idea and it gave me the ick that the main character was like "yeah... women are crazy man" in response.
And yes, I understand that the man is fictional, and yes, I read plenty of books where sentiments like this are expressed, but it's all about the way they're framed and how the author wants us to feel about the sentiment and about the character's attitude towards it, and both book and character were a little too on board with the sentiment for me.
I'm going to discuss the end, so SPOILERS...
Anatole was actually infuriating in a couple parts. He would be just fine with erasing the princess's memories and leaving her married to a prince she doesn't care about to live a life pumping out his babies... until he finds out that the prince is someone who had personally wronged him in the past. Once he finds that out he wants to save her but mainly, he wants revenge on the prince for doing what he did. Part of what he does is to humiliate the prince.
And then, he NEVER tells Pito or the princess that he wiped out their memories. They end up falling in love again over time, but he STOLE THEIR MEMORIES of one another. By feeding them a mysterious potion. That he lied about when he gave it to them. And in the end he's like "well I probably should tell them what I did, but what good would it do now, I don't want to get in a fight". Fucking seriously? Way to never take accountability for your actions. And yes, he's written as a coward, and not everyone gets to be a hero, but he barely even wrestles with the morality of what he's doing. He occasionally feels a little guilty, but it's not like he saved them because he felt bad about what he did. In fact, all he really does is feel relief because memory wiping them gets him praise from the king, wins him back his status in court and gets him compliments from royalty. Even thinking back on the events, he does more bragging about how brilliant he was than being guilty about what he did.
And then, at another point, he's told to give the princess a love potion to force her to marry the prince and "give herself to him willingly", and he actually is fine with it right up until Pito points out that it's immoral to do so. Then he's like "oh okay well I guess I'll come up with something different". Come on man. It made me wonder whether I was supposed to like him at all.
Also, the last half of the book is Anatole's efforts to escape with Pito and the princess. And we NEVER GET TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO PITO AND THE PRINCESS. Their fate is left completely open ended. All we know is they probably didn't get captured by the prince, and that they may have made it to the Americas, but we don't know anything for certain. And again, I don't mind open ended or ambiguous endings, but this thing is structured like it's supposed to be some sort of fairy tale, and I sort of thought I was supposed to be invested in their fate. Why wouldn't we get to know for sure that they at least escaped the continent? Just odd choices.
Usually when I get ARCs from comic con, they tend to fall into a few different categories, and one of them is "books I wouldn't ever just pick up if I just saw them sitting on a table at Barnes and Noble". This is definitely one of those. I don't have any nostalgia for Louis Sachar. I didn't read his books as a kid or as an adult who likes to read YA (I've never read or seen Holes). The protagonist is a middle aged straight white man, which I'm usually not that enthralled by unless the story or character has something interesting to say. The story... sounded interesting enough but it wouldn't have made me add it to my incredibly large TBR.
Sometimes books like this surprise me and I end up really liking them (I usually get one or two stealth favorites out of ECCC every year), but this one... did not.
The two biggest problems here are 1) I don't like the protagonist/narrator, which is rough because you're in his head the ENTIRE book and 2) I had no idea what the point of the story was. The summary on the back indicates that the princess has an arranged marriage, but has fallen in love with a scribe and is refusing to go through with it. The main character is the court magician and he is told to make a potion that will force the princess to comply with the marriage. The summary infers that he has some sort of moral dilemma about doing so.
But he doesn't. He's fine with it. He's reluctant to drug her with opium because he doesn't want her addicted, but he's fine with brewing a potion to slip her without her consent to remove all her memories of the scribe. And he does the same to the scribe as well. He's fallen out of favor in court and his main concern here is getting his status back by saving the day (the marriage will unite two kingdoms). Instead of anyone actually talking to the princess and making any sort of argument about how the marriage will be good for the kingdom, or about how she needs to do her duty, everyone talks about her like she's not a human, and our protagonist... has no objections to this because he thinks she should want to be married too??? Or at least doesn't feel strongly enough about her having free will that it bothers him to force her to do this.
Now, this was the 16th century, so I guess it's *realistic* she's being used as a bargaining chip/incubator for male heirs and that no one cares what she actually thinks. But this magician is represented as being like a father figure to her when she was growing up because her parents are pretty awful. He recognizes that she's smart and clever and funny. So you'd think he'd even once discuss the matter with her. But no. Every time he sees her, she asks him to help her and he makes vague humming noises and goes back to brewing a potion that will TAKE AWAY HER MEMORIES.
Of course the prince she's supposed to marry is awful, and the magician eventually decides to help her (actually, he's much more interested in helping her scribe/love than he is in helping her, because helping the scribe won't affect his reputation in court). The rest of the story is him attempting to help them escape.
But honestly, even that description makes the story sound more interesting than it is. Whether it's his narration or the author's writing style, I couldn't bring myself to really care about anything that happened to any of the characters. I never felt like I got to know anyone beyond surface things, and they never seemed to act consistent from scene to scene. For example, Pito (the scribe), is multilingual, a great scribe, knows Greek philosophy and a great chess player. He helps the magician with his experiments after he's saved... and then fifty pages later he's getting in mud fights and not showing any self preservation instincts. I never had a solid read about any of them, to the point where I never really had any idea what they might do or why I should even care that they did it.
And again, I have no idea what the ultimate point of the story is. Anatole (the magician) tells us from minute one that he's kind of cowardly and doesn't know how to stand up for himself or anyone around him, and he proves that for most of the book, so I guess... fine? I suppose he can be cowardly, but it's not a particularly fun place to be while I'm reading this book. The tone isn't comedic, so his clumsiness and cowardly nature isn't played for laughs really. It's not really super realistic because everyone seems like kind of a cartoon character. Even when Pito was in danger of being executed I never got a sense of stakes because again, I didn't really care about him because I got no sense of who he was as a character.
The story seems rambling and isn't particularly tightly written. What happens in the end was just confusing to me and didn't give us a solid resolution for anyone besides Anatole. To summarize, it gets 2 stars because it wasn't... awful to read. It wasn't badly written and it went by fairly quickly, but I didn't like Anatole (he did absolutely nothing to endear himself to me, and everything he did do that was even mildly positive was mostly out of guilt or self preservation or revenge, not because he was trying to save the princess). Like... he claims to feel fatherly towards the princess but does nothing for her but make things worse. And I had no idea what the point was. Even fairy tales have a real resolution. This one just kind of ends with a shrug.
Also, there's a part in the book where Anatole is talking about how the Queen doesn't like him because he once refused to sleep with her. And another character says "a woman may forgive a man who makes an unwanted advance but one who misses his chance" or something like that. Which I consider to be a pretty awful and very backward sentiment. "Oh yeah, go ahead and assault me or sexually harass me and I might be fine with it, but then if you reject me, I'll hate you forever because I'm a fickle hypocritical woman". And I thought, well maybe it's just the author expressing what he believes to be an outdated sentiment, but then he doubles down by, in the acknowledgments, telling us the source of the original quote and showing us the original (which includes the phrase "forcing the opportunity" which let's admit it is MUCH clearer and MUCH worse than the one in the book) and calling it "elegant". Which yikes. It's a gross idea and it gave me the ick that the main character was like "yeah... women are crazy man" in response.
And yes, I understand that the man is fictional, and yes, I read plenty of books where sentiments like this are expressed, but it's all about the way they're framed and how the author wants us to feel about the sentiment and about the character's attitude towards it, and both book and character were a little too on board with the sentiment for me.
I'm going to discuss the end, so SPOILERS...
Anatole was actually infuriating in a couple parts. He would be just fine with erasing the princess's memories and leaving her married to a prince she doesn't care about to live a life pumping out his babies... until he finds out that the prince is someone who had personally wronged him in the past. Once he finds that out he wants to save her but mainly, he wants revenge on the prince for doing what he did. Part of what he does is to humiliate the prince.
And then, he NEVER tells Pito or the princess that he wiped out their memories. They end up falling in love again over time, but he STOLE THEIR MEMORIES of one another. By feeding them a mysterious potion. That he lied about when he gave it to them. And in the end he's like "well I probably should tell them what I did, but what good would it do now, I don't want to get in a fight". Fucking seriously? Way to never take accountability for your actions. And yes, he's written as a coward, and not everyone gets to be a hero, but he barely even wrestles with the morality of what he's doing. He occasionally feels a little guilty, but it's not like he saved them because he felt bad about what he did. In fact, all he really does is feel relief because memory wiping them gets him praise from the king, wins him back his status in court and gets him compliments from royalty. Even thinking back on the events, he does more bragging about how brilliant he was than being guilty about what he did.
And then, at another point, he's told to give the princess a love potion to force her to marry the prince and "give herself to him willingly", and he actually is fine with it right up until Pito points out that it's immoral to do so. Then he's like "oh okay well I guess I'll come up with something different". Come on man. It made me wonder whether I was supposed to like him at all.
Also, the last half of the book is Anatole's efforts to escape with Pito and the princess. And we NEVER GET TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO PITO AND THE PRINCESS. Their fate is left completely open ended. All we know is they probably didn't get captured by the prince, and that they may have made it to the Americas, but we don't know anything for certain. And again, I don't mind open ended or ambiguous endings, but this thing is structured like it's supposed to be some sort of fairy tale, and I sort of thought I was supposed to be invested in their fate. Why wouldn't we get to know for sure that they at least escaped the continent? Just odd choices.
August 31, 2025
✰ 2.75 stars ✰
A similarity I have noticed about the author is that Sachar likes to show in his stories that what goes around comes around. Be it revenge or intent, our past, our choices, our fate has a way of catching up to us - finding you again to give you the comeuppance that may have been stolen from you - a chance for justice duly deserved. ⛓️
The lack of tigers was disheartening. 🐯😿 He may have been The Magician of Tiger Castle but they were mostly in the shadows without any real necessity to them, save portraying the passing of time.
“While I may not have known why I made the choices I made, the knowledge was somewhere inside me.”
Aside from the very much sexual innuendo at princess Tullia's expense - rightfully so, despite how vulgar and crass it was - seemed to be the only distinction that made it targeted for an older audience. The suggestive comments passed just seemed intent to highlight how despicable men are in any century. 🤨 They might have been monks, but beneath their robes they were men. Insults do not make an adult book, even if the protagonist is a forty-year-old balding magician forced to deal with the dalliances of two teenagers' doomed romance. 🤷🏻♀️
I was into how it began; a mere magician, a purveyor of hocus-pocus, Anatole's efforts were interesting to see, even if they were in vain, racing against time to save two lives from danger. ✨ He shared a different dynamic with the princess and the scribe, which made it fun to read the banter he exchanged with them. The interjection of his present-day thoughts with the past was a bit disruptive at times, but it was amusing to see how five centuries worth of change still had not altered his views all that much. 🙃
“Don’t think of the universe as a place, Anatole. Think of it as a process.”
When all was said and done, though, I was left feeling devoid of any real sense of purpose to Anatole's story. 🤔 I mean, i was into how he was going to thwart the marriage of inconvenience from happening, even if all the medical jargon was not at all appealing or appeasing, but once that attempt was vanquished, it took a whole different route, scouring land and time that made me lose interest or even see now what. And when it came to the what, we just get a rehashing of all the events of time that occurred. 🙎🏻♀️
If I was to be literal or even philosophical, I guess I would just have to see it as Anatole got to see justice served, even if it didn't quite come in the way he expected. The ending was bittersweet; love found a way to survive even if he may not have witnessed it. 🥹 For a man, who was not very particular about history, it was history that offered him a glimpse into life that he may have missed out on. so, maybe there is a slight lesson in this dark cozy (is there such a thing?), after all. ⌛
Still, it would be a disservice to say that I did not walk away without learning a few interesting facts here and there (let's hope they're accurate). 🤞🏻
“The magic of salt had been known for a long time. There had been a period during the Dark Ages when laborers were paid with salt. That’s where we get the expression “worth one’s salt.” The English word salary is derived from salt.”
Who knew?! 😄
“I was disappointed that she never mentioned the great magician Anatole, but I suppose it was to be expected. History isn’t written by the conquered.”
A similarity I have noticed about the author is that Sachar likes to show in his stories that what goes around comes around. Be it revenge or intent, our past, our choices, our fate has a way of catching up to us - finding you again to give you the comeuppance that may have been stolen from you - a chance for justice duly deserved. ⛓️
The lack of tigers was disheartening. 🐯😿 He may have been The Magician of Tiger Castle but they were mostly in the shadows without any real necessity to them, save portraying the passing of time.
“While I may not have known why I made the choices I made, the knowledge was somewhere inside me.”
Aside from the very much sexual innuendo at princess Tullia's expense - rightfully so, despite how vulgar and crass it was - seemed to be the only distinction that made it targeted for an older audience. The suggestive comments passed just seemed intent to highlight how despicable men are in any century. 🤨 They might have been monks, but beneath their robes they were men. Insults do not make an adult book, even if the protagonist is a forty-year-old balding magician forced to deal with the dalliances of two teenagers' doomed romance. 🤷🏻♀️
I was into how it began; a mere magician, a purveyor of hocus-pocus, Anatole's efforts were interesting to see, even if they were in vain, racing against time to save two lives from danger. ✨ He shared a different dynamic with the princess and the scribe, which made it fun to read the banter he exchanged with them. The interjection of his present-day thoughts with the past was a bit disruptive at times, but it was amusing to see how five centuries worth of change still had not altered his views all that much. 🙃
“Don’t think of the universe as a place, Anatole. Think of it as a process.”
When all was said and done, though, I was left feeling devoid of any real sense of purpose to Anatole's story. 🤔 I mean, i was into how he was going to thwart the marriage of inconvenience from happening, even if all the medical jargon was not at all appealing or appeasing, but once that attempt was vanquished, it took a whole different route, scouring land and time that made me lose interest or even see now what. And when it came to the what, we just get a rehashing of all the events of time that occurred. 🙎🏻♀️
If I was to be literal or even philosophical, I guess I would just have to see it as Anatole got to see justice served, even if it didn't quite come in the way he expected. The ending was bittersweet; love found a way to survive even if he may not have witnessed it. 🥹 For a man, who was not very particular about history, it was history that offered him a glimpse into life that he may have missed out on. so, maybe there is a slight lesson in this dark cozy (is there such a thing?), after all. ⌛
Still, it would be a disservice to say that I did not walk away without learning a few interesting facts here and there (let's hope they're accurate). 🤞🏻
“The magic of salt had been known for a long time. There had been a period during the Dark Ages when laborers were paid with salt. That’s where we get the expression “worth one’s salt.” The English word salary is derived from salt.”
Who knew?! 😄
Want to read
November 20, 2024"The beloved author of Holes presents his first adult novel, a modern fantasy classic of forbidden love, a crumbling kingdom, and the unexpected magic all around us."
excuse me! how did i not know about this!
excuse me! how did i not know about this!
August 7, 2025
Louis Sachar, the celebrated author behind the beloved Holes and the whimsical Wayside School series, ventures into uncharted territory with The Magician of Tiger Castle, his first adult novel. Known for crafting memorable characters in middle-grade fiction, Sachar demonstrates remarkable range as he weaves a complex tale of political intrigue, forbidden love, and magical realism set in Renaissance-era Europe.
This ambitious departure from his established body of work showcases Sachar's evolution as a storyteller, proving that his narrative gifts extend far beyond the classroom and summer camp settings that made him famous. The transition from children's literature to adult fantasy is seamless, maintaining his signature wit while embracing darker, more sophisticated themes.
A Kingdom on the Brink of Collapse
The fictional kingdom of Esquaveta serves as both setting and metaphor for a world caught between medieval tradition and Renaissance innovation. Sachar expertly captures the political volatility of 16th-century Europe, where kingdoms rise and fall based on strategic marriages and military alliances. The author's research into period details—from sumptuary laws to the revolutionary impact of triangular sails—creates an immersive historical backdrop that feels authentic without being overwhelming.
Princess Tullia emerges as the story's emotional center, a young woman trapped between duty and desire. Her asymmetrical eyes—one brown, one blue—serve as a powerful symbol of her internal conflict between pragmatic acceptance and rebellious hope. Sachar's portrayal of Tullia avoids the typical damsel-in-distress trope, instead presenting a character who actively shapes her destiny while navigating the constraints of royal obligation.
The political machinations surrounding her arranged marriage to the odious Prince Dalrympl of Oxatania reveal Sachar's understanding of how personal relationships become pawns in larger power struggles. The "wedding of the century" represents not just a union between two people, but the potential salvation or destruction of an entire kingdom.
The Unlikely Hero: Anatole's Journey from Disgrace to Redemption
Anatole, the court magician whose reputation has crumbled through a series of spectacular failures, anchors the narrative with his distinctive voice. Sachar's decision to tell the story from Anatole's perspective—both as a contemporary observer visiting the modern-day Tiger Castle and as the participant in historical events—creates a layered narrative structure that enhances the mythic quality of the tale.
The character of Anatole represents the Renaissance tension between science and superstition. His "magic" often relies on practical knowledge of herbs, chemistry, and human psychology, yet the results appear supernatural to his contemporaries. This ambiguity allows Sachar to explore themes of perception versus reality while maintaining the fantasy elements that give the story its charm.
Anatole's relationship with Princess Tullia forms the emotional core of the novel. As her unofficial guardian and confidant, he faces an impossible choice between personal loyalty and political necessity. His internal struggle—whether to help Tullia escape her fate or ensure the kingdom's survival through her sacrifice—drives much of the narrative tension.
The Memory Potion: Love, Loss, and Moral Complexity
The central plot device of the memory potion introduces profound ethical questions about free will, identity, and the nature of love. When Anatole discovers that Tullia has fallen for the young scribe Pito, he must decide whether to erase their memories of each other to ensure the royal marriage proceeds.
Sachar handles this dilemma with remarkable sophistication, avoiding easy moral judgments. The memory potion represents more than magical intervention—it becomes a meditation on whether love can exist without memory, and whether protecting someone from pain justifies robbing them of choice. The author's exploration of these themes elevates the novel beyond simple fantasy adventure into philosophical territory.
The relationship between Tullia and Pito unfolds with genuine emotional complexity. Their connection transcends typical romantic clichés, built instead on intellectual compatibility and shared dreams of equality. Pito's introduction of concepts from Thomas More's Utopia provides ideological depth to their romance while establishing the revolutionary undercurrents that challenge the established order.
Technical Mastery and Narrative Innovation
Sachar's prose style adapts remarkably well to adult fiction, maintaining the accessibility that characterizes his children's books while embracing more sophisticated vocabulary and complex sentence structures. His attention to historical detail—from the specifics of Renaissance medicine to the social implications of triangular sails—demonstrates extensive research without overwhelming the narrative flow.
The novel's structure, alternating between contemporary framing devices and historical narrative, creates multiple layers of meaning. The modern-day Anatole, observing how history has remembered (or forgotten) the events he witnessed, adds poignancy to the medieval tale while commenting on the subjective nature of historical truth.
Sachar's handling of magical elements strikes an effective balance between wonder and believability. The magic feels organic to the world rather than imposed upon it, growing from the character's deep understanding of natural phenomena rather than arbitrary supernatural powers.
Themes of Power, Identity, and Transformation
Beyond its surface adventure, The Magician of Tiger Castle examines how individuals navigate systems of power that seem unchangeable. Tullia's struggle against arranged marriage, Pito's rise from humble origins, and Anatole's attempts to redeem his reputation all reflect different responses to societal constraints.
The novel's treatment of class dynamics adds social commentary to the fantasy elements. The distinction between the popolo grasso (wealthy merchants) and popolo minuto (common people) reflects real Renaissance social structures while highlighting how rigid hierarchies limit human potential.
Transformation—both literal and metaphorical—permeates the narrative. Characters change physically through magical intervention, but more importantly, they evolve psychologically as they confront moral choices that define their identities.
Minor Criticisms and Areas for Improvement
While The Magician of Tiger Castle succeeds admirably as Sachar's adult fiction debut, certain elements feel slightly underdeveloped. The political intrigue surrounding the Oxatanian alliance, while compelling, could benefit from deeper exploration of the economic and military factors driving the kingdoms' desperation.
Some secondary characters, particularly the various court officials and nobles, remain somewhat two-dimensional despite their importance to the plot. A fuller development of these figures would have strengthened the political aspects of the story.
The novel's pacing occasionally falters during the middle sections, particularly during the monastery sequence, where the philosophical discussions sometimes slow the narrative momentum despite their thematic relevance.
This ambitious departure from his established body of work showcases Sachar's evolution as a storyteller, proving that his narrative gifts extend far beyond the classroom and summer camp settings that made him famous. The transition from children's literature to adult fantasy is seamless, maintaining his signature wit while embracing darker, more sophisticated themes.
A Kingdom on the Brink of Collapse
The fictional kingdom of Esquaveta serves as both setting and metaphor for a world caught between medieval tradition and Renaissance innovation. Sachar expertly captures the political volatility of 16th-century Europe, where kingdoms rise and fall based on strategic marriages and military alliances. The author's research into period details—from sumptuary laws to the revolutionary impact of triangular sails—creates an immersive historical backdrop that feels authentic without being overwhelming.
Princess Tullia emerges as the story's emotional center, a young woman trapped between duty and desire. Her asymmetrical eyes—one brown, one blue—serve as a powerful symbol of her internal conflict between pragmatic acceptance and rebellious hope. Sachar's portrayal of Tullia avoids the typical damsel-in-distress trope, instead presenting a character who actively shapes her destiny while navigating the constraints of royal obligation.
The political machinations surrounding her arranged marriage to the odious Prince Dalrympl of Oxatania reveal Sachar's understanding of how personal relationships become pawns in larger power struggles. The "wedding of the century" represents not just a union between two people, but the potential salvation or destruction of an entire kingdom.
The Unlikely Hero: Anatole's Journey from Disgrace to Redemption
Anatole, the court magician whose reputation has crumbled through a series of spectacular failures, anchors the narrative with his distinctive voice. Sachar's decision to tell the story from Anatole's perspective—both as a contemporary observer visiting the modern-day Tiger Castle and as the participant in historical events—creates a layered narrative structure that enhances the mythic quality of the tale.
The character of Anatole represents the Renaissance tension between science and superstition. His "magic" often relies on practical knowledge of herbs, chemistry, and human psychology, yet the results appear supernatural to his contemporaries. This ambiguity allows Sachar to explore themes of perception versus reality while maintaining the fantasy elements that give the story its charm.
Anatole's relationship with Princess Tullia forms the emotional core of the novel. As her unofficial guardian and confidant, he faces an impossible choice between personal loyalty and political necessity. His internal struggle—whether to help Tullia escape her fate or ensure the kingdom's survival through her sacrifice—drives much of the narrative tension.
The Memory Potion: Love, Loss, and Moral Complexity
The central plot device of the memory potion introduces profound ethical questions about free will, identity, and the nature of love. When Anatole discovers that Tullia has fallen for the young scribe Pito, he must decide whether to erase their memories of each other to ensure the royal marriage proceeds.
Sachar handles this dilemma with remarkable sophistication, avoiding easy moral judgments. The memory potion represents more than magical intervention—it becomes a meditation on whether love can exist without memory, and whether protecting someone from pain justifies robbing them of choice. The author's exploration of these themes elevates the novel beyond simple fantasy adventure into philosophical territory.
The relationship between Tullia and Pito unfolds with genuine emotional complexity. Their connection transcends typical romantic clichés, built instead on intellectual compatibility and shared dreams of equality. Pito's introduction of concepts from Thomas More's Utopia provides ideological depth to their romance while establishing the revolutionary undercurrents that challenge the established order.
Technical Mastery and Narrative Innovation
Sachar's prose style adapts remarkably well to adult fiction, maintaining the accessibility that characterizes his children's books while embracing more sophisticated vocabulary and complex sentence structures. His attention to historical detail—from the specifics of Renaissance medicine to the social implications of triangular sails—demonstrates extensive research without overwhelming the narrative flow.
The novel's structure, alternating between contemporary framing devices and historical narrative, creates multiple layers of meaning. The modern-day Anatole, observing how history has remembered (or forgotten) the events he witnessed, adds poignancy to the medieval tale while commenting on the subjective nature of historical truth.
Sachar's handling of magical elements strikes an effective balance between wonder and believability. The magic feels organic to the world rather than imposed upon it, growing from the character's deep understanding of natural phenomena rather than arbitrary supernatural powers.
Themes of Power, Identity, and Transformation
Beyond its surface adventure, The Magician of Tiger Castle examines how individuals navigate systems of power that seem unchangeable. Tullia's struggle against arranged marriage, Pito's rise from humble origins, and Anatole's attempts to redeem his reputation all reflect different responses to societal constraints.
The novel's treatment of class dynamics adds social commentary to the fantasy elements. The distinction between the popolo grasso (wealthy merchants) and popolo minuto (common people) reflects real Renaissance social structures while highlighting how rigid hierarchies limit human potential.
Transformation—both literal and metaphorical—permeates the narrative. Characters change physically through magical intervention, but more importantly, they evolve psychologically as they confront moral choices that define their identities.
Minor Criticisms and Areas for Improvement
While The Magician of Tiger Castle succeeds admirably as Sachar's adult fiction debut, certain elements feel slightly underdeveloped. The political intrigue surrounding the Oxatanian alliance, while compelling, could benefit from deeper exploration of the economic and military factors driving the kingdoms' desperation.
Some secondary characters, particularly the various court officials and nobles, remain somewhat two-dimensional despite their importance to the plot. A fuller development of these figures would have strengthened the political aspects of the story.
The novel's pacing occasionally falters during the middle sections, particularly during the monastery sequence, where the philosophical discussions sometimes slow the narrative momentum despite their thematic relevance.
July 26, 2025
Anatole is a wonderful main character. His immortality, odd appearance and his clumsiness along with his high opinion of himself made him an endearing protagonist. Louis Sachar’s exceptional storytelling along with his humor, make this unique fairytale so much fun to listen to. Edoardo Ballerini was the perfect choice to voice Anatole. I loved everything here, including the cover art!
June 13, 2025
I requested the ARC of this on NetGalley because I have fond memories of Sachar's excellent book Holes (1998). It's very odd, though, that The Magician of Tiger Castle is being pushed so hard by the publisher as Sachar's 'first adult book' because it reads in every way like a young adult or even children's book. From the title to the narration to the plotting, there's little here to really grab someone who wants something more than a standard fairy tale, although for what it is, it's perfectly nice. I enjoyed reading it, but it lacks the heft and psychology that Holes had, despite supposedly being for adults. 3.5 stars.
August 25, 2025
It hurts me to rate a book by Louis Sachar with only 2 stars but that’s what I’m doing.
I’m mostly left with the thought of what was this book supposed to be about? Our main character Anatole comes off as the goofy sidekick more than a main character and the two sidekicks, Pito and Tulia, who I was most interested in had their story abruptly end in the very middle just when it’s getting good and then the whole book just ends?! What editor allowed that to happen?!
For a book titled the Magician of Tiger castle I wanted tigers to be more present. Instead the title feels gimmicky since the tigers didn’t play much of a part in the story. The 10-year-old girl in me—the one who collected anything with tigers on it—feels very betrayed.
However, let me leave on a positive note for the author that gave me wayside stories… the humor was spot on.
I’m mostly left with the thought of what was this book supposed to be about? Our main character Anatole comes off as the goofy sidekick more than a main character and the two sidekicks, Pito and Tulia, who I was most interested in had their story abruptly end in the very middle just when it’s getting good and then the whole book just ends?! What editor allowed that to happen?!
For a book titled the Magician of Tiger castle I wanted tigers to be more present. Instead the title feels gimmicky since the tigers didn’t play much of a part in the story. The 10-year-old girl in me—the one who collected anything with tigers on it—feels very betrayed.
However, let me leave on a positive note for the author that gave me wayside stories… the humor was spot on.
August 8, 2025
So fun!!
Read
August 7, 2025Though marketed as Sachar’s adult debut, this book is very much a middle grade/YA novel. It’s a perfectly fine book on those terms, but it’s not as advertised.
I was disappointed and didn’t finish
I was disappointed and didn’t finish
August 18, 2025
Solid 4 stars.
I love Louis Sachar. My favorite childhood stories are from him, such as Holes and Sideways Stories from Wayside School. These stories had such a lasting impact on me that he will always hold a special place in my heart. Which is why I jumped on this ARC like a wild tiger. (Thank you to NetGalley)
Louis Sachar has this amazing ability to tell you exactly what is going to happen, but somehow you don't know that it is actively happening. He sets it up in the first chapter about how the entire story will go and the main points of it. I remember reading this but it doesn't all fall into place until you are at the moment. Sachar does purposely leave some things to the imagination or for you (the reader) to put together yourselves, and that is one of the things I love about him. He does it so effortlessly (or so it seems) and it just makes for a calming read. He also kept the chapters short and gave them titles. 💚 I miss chapter titles. Idk why authors gave that up.
I enjoyed this story. I know it's Sachar's first attempt at adult fiction, and it shows. I assumed that he would attack more adult themes in this story, and he does, but it's done in a childlike wonder. Almost like Anatole is looking back on his life with nostalgia, but he skips over more of the adult descriptions. He still skims over them like a children's book would. I imagine that's a difficult habit to crack and fear of going "too far" with it, but I was kind of hoping for that.
The few things I found disappointing where the lack of tigers. The title is the Magician of Tiger Castle and yes there was a tiger in a moat...but it was just that. A tiger in a moat. It didn't get much deeper than that. And yes, the story is about Anatole, but you can't dangle a tiger and not give me the description of it eating someone. I understand the story is much bigger than that, but still. You can't tease me with a tiger and not deliver.
This story gave me Romeo and Juliet vibes, but if there was a wizard with them. The Princess and the scholar are young, and I think that's were a lot of the child like vibes come from. Tullia is a 16 year old princess, full of teen angst and the "I'm an adult and I can do what I want" attitude, while Pito is just a philosopher and preaches an 'ideal' world. Now add an arranged marriage and a wizard who is supposed to make sure it all goes off without a hitch, boom, we have a story.
I want to give it 5 stars because of my love for Sachar, but I don't feel like that would be fair here. I will still recommend it to people and I loved the story, but I feel like there could have been more for an adult fiction book. It still feels slightly juvenile, and that's ok. I, personally, just want more.
I love Louis Sachar. My favorite childhood stories are from him, such as Holes and Sideways Stories from Wayside School. These stories had such a lasting impact on me that he will always hold a special place in my heart. Which is why I jumped on this ARC like a wild tiger. (Thank you to NetGalley)
Louis Sachar has this amazing ability to tell you exactly what is going to happen, but somehow you don't know that it is actively happening. He sets it up in the first chapter about how the entire story will go and the main points of it. I remember reading this but it doesn't all fall into place until you are at the moment. Sachar does purposely leave some things to the imagination or for you (the reader) to put together yourselves, and that is one of the things I love about him. He does it so effortlessly (or so it seems) and it just makes for a calming read. He also kept the chapters short and gave them titles. 💚 I miss chapter titles. Idk why authors gave that up.
I enjoyed this story. I know it's Sachar's first attempt at adult fiction, and it shows. I assumed that he would attack more adult themes in this story, and he does, but it's done in a childlike wonder. Almost like Anatole is looking back on his life with nostalgia, but he skips over more of the adult descriptions. He still skims over them like a children's book would. I imagine that's a difficult habit to crack and fear of going "too far" with it, but I was kind of hoping for that.
The few things I found disappointing where the lack of tigers. The title is the Magician of Tiger Castle and yes there was a tiger in a moat...but it was just that. A tiger in a moat. It didn't get much deeper than that. And yes, the story is about Anatole, but you can't dangle a tiger and not give me the description of it eating someone. I understand the story is much bigger than that, but still. You can't tease me with a tiger and not deliver.
This story gave me Romeo and Juliet vibes, but if there was a wizard with them. The Princess and the scholar are young, and I think that's were a lot of the child like vibes come from. Tullia is a 16 year old princess, full of teen angst and the "I'm an adult and I can do what I want" attitude, while Pito is just a philosopher and preaches an 'ideal' world. Now add an arranged marriage and a wizard who is supposed to make sure it all goes off without a hitch, boom, we have a story.
I want to give it 5 stars because of my love for Sachar, but I don't feel like that would be fair here. I will still recommend it to people and I loved the story, but I feel like there could have been more for an adult fiction book. It still feels slightly juvenile, and that's ok. I, personally, just want more.
August 8, 2025
With prose dripping in whimsy and meaning, Louis Sachar’s adult fantasy debut was an evocative, if slow burn read, that really brought a nostalgic sense of wonder and fun to the reading experience.
The writing skewed a little YA at times, but I loved how its conversational style emphasised the wonder and magic of Anatole’s story.
As our sole POV character, revisiting the place he once called home (and reminiscing about his days as a magician at the castle there, 500 years prior); Anatole gave off a compassionate yet delightfully eccentric, (unreliable narrator-vibe) that fans of Diana Wynne Jones or The Princess Bride are gonna find really compelling.
His insightful (often hilarious) memoir-like commentary on court life, potion making and dealing with royals was really charming too and rather surprisingly full of emotion.
Though, for me it was the forbidden romance between Princess Tullia and assistant scribe Pito (which Anatole is tasked with dealing with), the found family dynamics that grow between them and Anatole, and the exploration of themes surrounding identity, grief, regret and redemption that I really enjoyed the most. Along with Anatole’s fourth wall breaks and wandering thoughts that helped paint a more detailed (if not completely honest) picture of our rather unusual protagonist.
Overall, this was an enjoyable fairytale-esque read. With a reflective, bitter-sweet edge that will appeal to anyone who’s ever looked back on past experiences with wonder, regret or that age old question of “what if?”.
So, if you love your fantasies full of whimsy but grounded in emotion, court intrigue or flawed eccentric magicians—then I highly suggest giving this a go!
Also, a massive thank you to Headline for the finished copy.
The writing skewed a little YA at times, but I loved how its conversational style emphasised the wonder and magic of Anatole’s story.
As our sole POV character, revisiting the place he once called home (and reminiscing about his days as a magician at the castle there, 500 years prior); Anatole gave off a compassionate yet delightfully eccentric, (unreliable narrator-vibe) that fans of Diana Wynne Jones or The Princess Bride are gonna find really compelling.
His insightful (often hilarious) memoir-like commentary on court life, potion making and dealing with royals was really charming too and rather surprisingly full of emotion.
Though, for me it was the forbidden romance between Princess Tullia and assistant scribe Pito (which Anatole is tasked with dealing with), the found family dynamics that grow between them and Anatole, and the exploration of themes surrounding identity, grief, regret and redemption that I really enjoyed the most. Along with Anatole’s fourth wall breaks and wandering thoughts that helped paint a more detailed (if not completely honest) picture of our rather unusual protagonist.
Overall, this was an enjoyable fairytale-esque read. With a reflective, bitter-sweet edge that will appeal to anyone who’s ever looked back on past experiences with wonder, regret or that age old question of “what if?”.
So, if you love your fantasies full of whimsy but grounded in emotion, court intrigue or flawed eccentric magicians—then I highly suggest giving this a go!
Also, a massive thank you to Headline for the finished copy.
August 15, 2025
Fine, I’ll go rewatch BBC’s Merlin.
For petty reasons, I didn’t want to like this. Alas, it was quite enjoyable. Hot mess characters meet life-threatening situations that they resolve with wacky solutions that shouldn’t make sense and yet do. And my baby Luigi! I love him so much!
For petty reasons, I didn’t want to like this. Alas, it was quite enjoyable. Hot mess characters meet life-threatening situations that they resolve with wacky solutions that shouldn’t make sense and yet do. And my baby Luigi! I love him so much!
September 2, 2025
Whimsical, Educational, and heart-felt. every complaint I've seen about this book was another reason I liked it. It feels like an instant classic to me.
September 3, 2025
Louis, my man, what is this
September 1, 2025
2.5*, the author writes at the end “my first book for adults” and respectfully this was childish as hell.
July 17, 2025
3.5
I was excited to hear this author was writing an adult book so I was curious about it. This book definitely reads like a children's book. They threw in some sexual innuendos I guess to make it adult which was weird because it felt like a middle grade book. The story is about a magician in the 1500s but he is telling his story in current day so clearly he lives for a few hundred years more. The wedding of the century is coming up between the princess in the kingdom he works for and a prince from another kingdom. The princess is in love with a commoner so the king and queen need the magician to stop their love so she will marry the prince. The magician has other plans though. The story is cute and a fast read. The chapters are short and I laughed out loud several times. I would maybe say YA leaning but not adult in my opinion. I did enjoy that the magician would talk to the reader, I enjoy when books do that.
-He went on to say that scribes would become like knights, only useful for pomp and ceremony. I couldn't believe that any more than I could believe that one day magicians would only be used for entertainment.
I was excited to hear this author was writing an adult book so I was curious about it. This book definitely reads like a children's book. They threw in some sexual innuendos I guess to make it adult which was weird because it felt like a middle grade book. The story is about a magician in the 1500s but he is telling his story in current day so clearly he lives for a few hundred years more. The wedding of the century is coming up between the princess in the kingdom he works for and a prince from another kingdom. The princess is in love with a commoner so the king and queen need the magician to stop their love so she will marry the prince. The magician has other plans though. The story is cute and a fast read. The chapters are short and I laughed out loud several times. I would maybe say YA leaning but not adult in my opinion. I did enjoy that the magician would talk to the reader, I enjoy when books do that.
-He went on to say that scribes would become like knights, only useful for pomp and ceremony. I couldn't believe that any more than I could believe that one day magicians would only be used for entertainment.
February 17, 2025
(Note: I received an advanced reader copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley)
Louis Sachar - now that is a name that takes me way, way back to my days as a shy little elementary school student who speedily devoured titles Holes and the Wayside series as part of his voracious reading. Now, I’ve read some wonderfully, eye-openingly informative books so far this year. I’ve also read some great, gripping reads, and even a few heart-rending titles. However, until now I don’t think I’ve read anything as entertaining and just so plain fun. The combination of historical fiction, its take on magic, and the way it confidently leans into its low-key weirdness made for a romp of an escapist read that honestly kind of made me feel like a kid again. I honestly really enjoyed this first foray that Sachar took into adult writing, and I genuinely hope I can see more works like this in the future - fantasy with a twist that feels both unique and also nostalgically familiar.
Louis Sachar - now that is a name that takes me way, way back to my days as a shy little elementary school student who speedily devoured titles Holes and the Wayside series as part of his voracious reading. Now, I’ve read some wonderfully, eye-openingly informative books so far this year. I’ve also read some great, gripping reads, and even a few heart-rending titles. However, until now I don’t think I’ve read anything as entertaining and just so plain fun. The combination of historical fiction, its take on magic, and the way it confidently leans into its low-key weirdness made for a romp of an escapist read that honestly kind of made me feel like a kid again. I honestly really enjoyed this first foray that Sachar took into adult writing, and I genuinely hope I can see more works like this in the future - fantasy with a twist that feels both unique and also nostalgically familiar.
July 16, 2025
If you had a childhood love for the YA book, Holes, then you’ll be excited to hear that this is that author’s debut adult novel! It’s a mix of cozy fantasy and historical fiction that also incorporates a medieval, fairy tale kind of adventure.
In a nutshell it’s about a castle magician (which reminded me of a medieval healer with unique magical abilities) named Anatole, who is also our narrator. He’s tasked with a mission involving the castle princess, Tullia, and the scribe she’s in love with, Pito.
Anatole brings the humor and keeps the story fresh with his antics and mishaps. I loved his tinkering with magic to solve the problems around him. It brought so much whimsy and fun to the plot. While it has very adult content throughout, somehow Sachar manages to make it feel nostalgic and almost as if you’re a child again reading your first fantasy. I loved how he embeds historical facts with the narrator’s witty insistence over how things should have been historically recorded.
I did a mix of physical reading and audio and enjoyed both formats. It’s whimsical and imaginative but for some reason I just couldn’t get as invested as I’d hoped. With that said, I still did enjoy the storytelling and experience overall, so if you are drawn to the themes I mentioned above, then I’d definitely recommend picking it up this August!
•𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 •
+ author of Holes
+ medieval fairy tale fantasy
+ it involves some tigers, some mice, a magician, a princess, a scribe, and a castle
+ whimsical
+ adult-themed that feels like childhood nostalgia
+ historical fiction
+ witty characters with fun banter
+ magic and unique shenanigans
+ adventurous & imaginative
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: August 5, 2025
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Cozy Fantasy • HF
𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭: Physical (320 p) & Audiobook (7h 17m)
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: Edoardo Ballerini
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★★★☆☆ 𝟑.𝟓
{ rounded up to 4 on GR }
𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭: I enjoyed it!
Thank you Ace and Berkley for my #gifted copy and @prhaud for my ALC!
In a nutshell it’s about a castle magician (which reminded me of a medieval healer with unique magical abilities) named Anatole, who is also our narrator. He’s tasked with a mission involving the castle princess, Tullia, and the scribe she’s in love with, Pito.
Anatole brings the humor and keeps the story fresh with his antics and mishaps. I loved his tinkering with magic to solve the problems around him. It brought so much whimsy and fun to the plot. While it has very adult content throughout, somehow Sachar manages to make it feel nostalgic and almost as if you’re a child again reading your first fantasy. I loved how he embeds historical facts with the narrator’s witty insistence over how things should have been historically recorded.
I did a mix of physical reading and audio and enjoyed both formats. It’s whimsical and imaginative but for some reason I just couldn’t get as invested as I’d hoped. With that said, I still did enjoy the storytelling and experience overall, so if you are drawn to the themes I mentioned above, then I’d definitely recommend picking it up this August!
•𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 •
+ author of Holes
+ medieval fairy tale fantasy
+ it involves some tigers, some mice, a magician, a princess, a scribe, and a castle
+ whimsical
+ adult-themed that feels like childhood nostalgia
+ historical fiction
+ witty characters with fun banter
+ magic and unique shenanigans
+ adventurous & imaginative
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: August 5, 2025
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Cozy Fantasy • HF
𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭: Physical (320 p) & Audiobook (7h 17m)
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: Edoardo Ballerini
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★★★☆☆ 𝟑.𝟓
{ rounded up to 4 on GR }
𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭: I enjoyed it!
Thank you Ace and Berkley for my #gifted copy and @prhaud for my ALC!
August 5, 2025
Normally I request books from Netgalley I already have in pre-order. Sometimes I stumble upon a book that wasn't on my radar yet, though. This was such a book. I was curious, requested a digital review copy and Mountain Leopard Press was so kind to give me one.
I have to admit that it's hard to put into words what I think about this book. In a way I enjoyed myself from start to finish. There were moments I smiled, there were moments I was quite afraid for the fate of our characters, there were moments I was really curious how we were gonna end at the beginning (this makes sense if you read the book, I promise!). But, after finishing the book there is also a part of me feeling like there was something missing from the story and I can't pinpoint what.
Maybe it's simply a personal click between me and the characters. The main character of the book, a magician, is a really fun character. However, he's also a very reactive character. This story is basically the story about what has happened to him and why he ended up where we meet him on the first page. But that's the thing, everything is happening TO him. He's never taking charge of his own life, never taking matters in his own life. It's his personality, it's written this way on purpose, but still.
I did like the magic in the story though. Especially because the line between magic and science felt relatively thin. The magic wasn't just an instant fix for everything. Elixirs had to be made, tested, adjusted, retested and so on. I have to admit that ingredients didn't make a lot of sense, but I think they weren't meant to. Actually, this is just a lighthearted fun story with magic, royals and a touch of romance. I'm pretty sure, especially in these stressful times, that this book will entertain many!
I have to admit that it's hard to put into words what I think about this book. In a way I enjoyed myself from start to finish. There were moments I smiled, there were moments I was quite afraid for the fate of our characters, there were moments I was really curious how we were gonna end at the beginning (this makes sense if you read the book, I promise!). But, after finishing the book there is also a part of me feeling like there was something missing from the story and I can't pinpoint what.
Maybe it's simply a personal click between me and the characters. The main character of the book, a magician, is a really fun character. However, he's also a very reactive character. This story is basically the story about what has happened to him and why he ended up where we meet him on the first page. But that's the thing, everything is happening TO him. He's never taking charge of his own life, never taking matters in his own life. It's his personality, it's written this way on purpose, but still.
I did like the magic in the story though. Especially because the line between magic and science felt relatively thin. The magic wasn't just an instant fix for everything. Elixirs had to be made, tested, adjusted, retested and so on. I have to admit that ingredients didn't make a lot of sense, but I think they weren't meant to. Actually, this is just a lighthearted fun story with magic, royals and a touch of romance. I'm pretty sure, especially in these stressful times, that this book will entertain many!
May 19, 2025
3.5⭐️
Once a powerful magician at Tiger Castle, Anatole now finds himself in the midst of a magical crisis—he can no longer perform even the simplest of spells. The only person who still believes in him is his steadfast friend, Princess Tullia. But when the king entrusts Anatole with creating an anti-love potion to sever Tullia’s secret romantic bond, Anatole is forced to choose between loyalty and morality. The goal? To ensure Tullia marries a politically advantageous prince who might just solve the kingdom of Esquaveta’s woes. With the kingdom’s future—and the princess’s heart—in his hands, Anatole is left facing an impossible choice in this whimsical tale of duty, love, and redemption.
Holes was a top childhood favourite so I’ve been so excited to read Louis Sachar’s debut adult fantasy book for a while!
My first thoughts when reading it was it is definitely quirky! It sits nearer to low/ historical fantasy which I wasn’t expecting. I went in expecting a solid high fantasy (which was my error) and it took me a while to recalibrate my expectations at the start. But that’s not to say that it wasn’t an enjoyable read, The Magician of Tiger Hill felt unique and fresh, and there’s plenty to like about it!
The writing style is warm, wistful, with plenty of sharp wit. The gentle plot has a dream like quality - I felt like I wafted through, not quite knowing where I was going to be taken next! It explores human connection, longing, loyalty and what it means to love against the backdrop of a rich historical fantasy setting.
Much of the story is presented through Antole’s reflections and memories rather than dialogue which to some extent made it a little harder to connect with the other characters with any real depth.
I struggled to rate this book, it is quirky and different to a lot of other books. I think perhaps it’s the sort of book you’re drawn to and absolutely love or find pretty quickly that it’s not for you. My main take away is this although this book probably wasn’t for me after 25yrs I still enjoy and appreciate Sachar’s writing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Once a powerful magician at Tiger Castle, Anatole now finds himself in the midst of a magical crisis—he can no longer perform even the simplest of spells. The only person who still believes in him is his steadfast friend, Princess Tullia. But when the king entrusts Anatole with creating an anti-love potion to sever Tullia’s secret romantic bond, Anatole is forced to choose between loyalty and morality. The goal? To ensure Tullia marries a politically advantageous prince who might just solve the kingdom of Esquaveta’s woes. With the kingdom’s future—and the princess’s heart—in his hands, Anatole is left facing an impossible choice in this whimsical tale of duty, love, and redemption.
Holes was a top childhood favourite so I’ve been so excited to read Louis Sachar’s debut adult fantasy book for a while!
My first thoughts when reading it was it is definitely quirky! It sits nearer to low/ historical fantasy which I wasn’t expecting. I went in expecting a solid high fantasy (which was my error) and it took me a while to recalibrate my expectations at the start. But that’s not to say that it wasn’t an enjoyable read, The Magician of Tiger Hill felt unique and fresh, and there’s plenty to like about it!
The writing style is warm, wistful, with plenty of sharp wit. The gentle plot has a dream like quality - I felt like I wafted through, not quite knowing where I was going to be taken next! It explores human connection, longing, loyalty and what it means to love against the backdrop of a rich historical fantasy setting.
Much of the story is presented through Antole’s reflections and memories rather than dialogue which to some extent made it a little harder to connect with the other characters with any real depth.
I struggled to rate this book, it is quirky and different to a lot of other books. I think perhaps it’s the sort of book you’re drawn to and absolutely love or find pretty quickly that it’s not for you. My main take away is this although this book probably wasn’t for me after 25yrs I still enjoy and appreciate Sachar’s writing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2025
This novel whisked me away to a fantasy realm that feels both timeless and refreshingly new. The kingdom of Esquaveta came alive with historical touches that transported me to "somewhere south of France" without ever becoming a history lesson.
What made this book stand out for me was Anatole—a magician protagonist who isn't your typical dashing hero. His journey from ridiculed court magician to someone who must make an impossible choice captivated me completely. I found something deeply satisfying about watching a character who's been dismissed by everyone except the princess find his own kind of power.
The relationships Anatole forms with Princess Tullia and the scribe created the emotional heart of the story for me. Their connections unfolded with a genuine warmth that had me rooting for this unlikely trio against the machinations of court politics. I particularly enjoyed Anatole's slightly sarcastic asides about the history of medicine—they added delightful texture to his character, revealing both his intelligence and his wry perspective on the world.
Experiencing this as an audiobook elevated the story to another dimension for me. Edoardo Ballerini's rich, textured voice became the perfect vessel for Anatole's tale—his slightly sardonic delivery of the medicinal commentary had me chuckling while folding laundry. The subtle shifts in tone between characters meant I never struggled to follow conversations, with Tullia and Anatole's voices becoming as distinct as old friends.
Ballerini's narration transformed ordinary streets into the corridors of Tiger Castle, his pacing building tension during crucial moments with remarkable effectiveness.
If you're looking for that mix of cozy, historical and fantastical—this is a must-read.
Special thanks to Penguin Random House Audio and ACE Books for my gifted copies, though all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
What made this book stand out for me was Anatole—a magician protagonist who isn't your typical dashing hero. His journey from ridiculed court magician to someone who must make an impossible choice captivated me completely. I found something deeply satisfying about watching a character who's been dismissed by everyone except the princess find his own kind of power.
The relationships Anatole forms with Princess Tullia and the scribe created the emotional heart of the story for me. Their connections unfolded with a genuine warmth that had me rooting for this unlikely trio against the machinations of court politics. I particularly enjoyed Anatole's slightly sarcastic asides about the history of medicine—they added delightful texture to his character, revealing both his intelligence and his wry perspective on the world.
Experiencing this as an audiobook elevated the story to another dimension for me. Edoardo Ballerini's rich, textured voice became the perfect vessel for Anatole's tale—his slightly sardonic delivery of the medicinal commentary had me chuckling while folding laundry. The subtle shifts in tone between characters meant I never struggled to follow conversations, with Tullia and Anatole's voices becoming as distinct as old friends.
Ballerini's narration transformed ordinary streets into the corridors of Tiger Castle, his pacing building tension during crucial moments with remarkable effectiveness.
If you're looking for that mix of cozy, historical and fantastical—this is a must-read.
Special thanks to Penguin Random House Audio and ACE Books for my gifted copies, though all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
August 24, 2025
3.5 stars. This book was a cute fantasy read, with some likable characters, a tiny bit of magic, and a pretty predictable ending. The narrator and main character, Anatole, is the king’s magician and runs into several predicaments where he’s asked to make potions that go against what he thinks is best. He takes matters into his own hands and chaos ensues. I felt the ending was predictable, but it was a cute read.
Read very YA, possibly high school.
Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this copy of the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Read very YA, possibly high school.
Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this copy of the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 23, 2025
This was such an interesting read! The story and perspective follows Anatole, an immortal ‘magician’, as he looks back on and tells a story from earlier in his life. The story we read about is what sets the stage and the history for Tiger Castle. This takes place mainly in the past but the added moments of Anatole in the future really help to see just how much has changed. I typically don’t enjoy multiple times but I loved how it was used to support this story.
This book was such a fun take on magic. Anatole is supposed to be this amazing magician and help his failing kingdom but more often than not all of his ‘spells’ constantly fail. Instead of true fantasy magic we instead get a wonderful mix of the whimsical and some science/medicine. Which was very unique and refreshing in my opinion. I loved reading about Anatole’s experiments and potions throughout the book but the characters have to be the best part. You of course have Anatole but we also see princess Tullia and scribe Pito. Their love story is really what forms the base for this entire book. Tullia and Pito’s forbidden romance leads to heartache, mischief, war, friendship, schemes, adventure, and lots of magic.
Overall I really enjoyed this story and thought this was a great adult debut for the author! I loved the history mixed in throughout the story and all around this turned out to be a fun read with some action and great cozy fantasy vibes. I’m hoping to see more adult books from the author!
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group | Ace, and the author for an advanced copy!
This book was such a fun take on magic. Anatole is supposed to be this amazing magician and help his failing kingdom but more often than not all of his ‘spells’ constantly fail. Instead of true fantasy magic we instead get a wonderful mix of the whimsical and some science/medicine. Which was very unique and refreshing in my opinion. I loved reading about Anatole’s experiments and potions throughout the book but the characters have to be the best part. You of course have Anatole but we also see princess Tullia and scribe Pito. Their love story is really what forms the base for this entire book. Tullia and Pito’s forbidden romance leads to heartache, mischief, war, friendship, schemes, adventure, and lots of magic.
Overall I really enjoyed this story and thought this was a great adult debut for the author! I loved the history mixed in throughout the story and all around this turned out to be a fun read with some action and great cozy fantasy vibes. I’m hoping to see more adult books from the author!
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group | Ace, and the author for an advanced copy!
August 20, 2025
Big Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the advanced copy! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
'The Magician of the Tiger Castle' is a cozy fantasy about a magician who wants to help the princess of the kingdom. The book is funny, full of warmth, and feels like reading a fairytale with many twists and turns.
The characters, in addition, were lovable (well, the main ones, anyway), and the narrator was funny and endearing. I also loved how he talked to the reader and made comments here and there about what life was like back then.
The story was also interesting and entertaining.
The writing, finally, was enjoyable, light, and the pace was fast.
'The Magician of the Tiger Castle' is a cozy fantasy about a magician who wants to help the princess of the kingdom. The book is funny, full of warmth, and feels like reading a fairytale with many twists and turns.
The characters, in addition, were lovable (well, the main ones, anyway), and the narrator was funny and endearing. I also loved how he talked to the reader and made comments here and there about what life was like back then.
The story was also interesting and entertaining.
The writing, finally, was enjoyable, light, and the pace was fast.
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