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.

I found this adult debut by one of my favorite children’s author to be absolutely delightful. It was a fun cozy fantasy that really felt like an old fairy tale, while also having a bit of a modern feel to it. I loved the characters and the setting and really wished it was going to be a series.

Anatole, the Magician, is the sole narrator of the tale and I just adored him. He was funny when he needed to be, but was also quite smart and really knew his stuff when it came to concocting potions and other medicines. He isn’t a magician in the modern sense of the word, no casting spells and such. He is more of an alchemist, and a very good one it seems. He also has a really big heart, especially when it came to the princess and really wanted to help her.

I also really liked Princess Tullia and her scribe, Pito. They were both very smart and really suited each other. It was fun to watch the two of them together. Tullia is a bit of an unconventional princess and she isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Pito is smart but not snobbish about it and has a really big heart.

The setting is well done and you can tell the author did a lot of research into this time period. The story does flip a bit between the modern present day Anatole telling the story, and the medieval parts. Most of these were little asides that related something medical that alchemists believed or didn’t know about compared to the modern world. I loved these little interludes and found them a lot of fun. The story was set at a good pace for the most part, although it could have used a little more action in the middle.

Overall I really did find this a fun little fairy tale that Mr Sachar’s fans will really enjoy, both young and old. Even though it is being sold as an adult novel, there is definitely going to be young adults who will enjoy it too. Even if you’ve never read any of his work this would be a good place to start.

3.5 ⭐️ (rounding up)

This was a cozy, nostalgic read with a narrator full of charm and wit—I especially enjoyed the little historical references throughout. It has light magic, found family, and that familiar storybook feel that makes it easy to settle into. ✨

While it didn’t completely wow me, I still appreciated the gentle pacing and quiet atmosphere. A great pick if you're in the mood for something soft, simple, and a little whimsical. Perfect for fans of low-stakes fantasy with heart. 🧡

Thank you so much to the author, NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for this Arc, in exchange for my honest opinion. 😊

I've been a fan of Louis Sachar's children's books for years, so to see that he was writing an adult book, and a fantasy at that, was so exciting! The Magician of Tiger Castle wasn't exactly what I expected, but it was full of the eye for detail that I love about Sachar's other works. The twists and turns aren't nearly as gasp-inducing as those in Holes, but I was still riveted by Anatole's journey throughout the story as well as the story of Tullia and Pito. I would call this a cozy fantasy or even just historical magical realism as most of the story is rooted in its time period (1500s) than in anything very fantastical. But definitely worth a read if you love historical fiction and don't mind a little light fantasy flavor!

This novel is a fairytale/fantasy with so much heart and dry humor. While reading, I felt as if I were being read to or was listening to an expert storyteller. I never wanted to put down this book as the short chapters all left me wanting to keep reading. The point of view character Anatole is hundreds of years old and I immediately wanted to know how this came to be. Anatole takes the reader from the present day back to his time as castle magician. I enjoyed Anatole's wit and intelligence and how he slowly peeled back the layers of his story, giving me details of his now historical world and the devious political culture of a monarchy.

The setting felt so real and I easily pictured the scenery, including all the vivid sensory details. There were twists and surprises along the way and plenty of intrigue, suspense, and danger to keep me engaged and invested in Anatole's adventures. The secondary characters Tullia and Pito delighted and surprised me with their own quirks and insight into human nature. Overall, this is a book I will be thinking about for a long time and recommending to everyone, and one I am grateful to have read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ah! This was soooo cute! A lovely, lighthearted and refreshing little standalone historical fiction with a touch of fantasy. I wouldn't go so far as to call this "whimsical" as it did have some slightly darker moments, but really this was a treat.

I absolutely loved Holes as a child, but I am not familiar with any of the author's other work. I was really surprised as to how much this actually reminded me of Holes, despite being a completely different kind of book. There's just something about the writing style that was very... nostalgic.

This book is narrated by the magician Anatole, who is a quirky middle aged man and walking comic relief. But although he is the narrator, the book is really about the princess Tullia and the scribe she falls disastrously in love with, Pito.

There's almost this "buddy comedy" thing going on with the three of them having adventures, which are set against a backdrop of realistically historical, medieval countries vaguely analogous to 1500s Italy and Spain.

Overall, a very fun and relaxing read that I think would probably appeal to a LOT of readers.

I, probably like most people my age, fondly remember reading Holes as a kid. I was not a big reader growing up but it was one of the few that sunk its teeth in me and I can honestly say I've been chasing that feeling of excitement over a book ever since.

Did this hit the mark? Sadly no, but it was still a fun, relaxing read.

And I want to stress that relaxing part. It's not that nothing really happens in this book. Things do. It's that it's all very calm. Even some of the most dramatic scenes are quickly followed by a cup of tea and a round of chess. This is not a book where you have to puzzle out what's happening, there is no big crescendo, there's no big twist. It really feels like someone telling their life story where despite the fantastical elements, it feels grounded somehow in tone.

If I was asked who this book is for I think I would have to say someone who doesn't want to stress about anything for a moment and just be told a story. Someone who wants something chill without too many details to fuss about. Maybe someone who wants a break from other fantasy/romantasy of the past couple years.

Anatole is a strange cat, and the story of his time at Tiger Castle is equally quirky.

Billed as Sachar’s first “adult” novel makes this a bit more difficult to rate. The story is a bit stuck between young adult, whimsical fairytale and safe historical fantasy.

The first half of the book takes its time, sometimes frustratingly so. It takes some time to warm up to the court “magician” and he’s retelling his tale.

Intrigued enough by the oddity that is Natto, I still enjoyed Sachar’s work even if it wasn’t necessarily what I was expecting.

And that’s the thing, I’m not really sure what I was expecting and I’m still trying to focus my feelings.

I enjoyed most of my time in these pages. I’d recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the author or anyone with an open and/or curious mind for the genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.

I'm pretty sure this is exactly the book you'd expect from this author. There's a lot going on and the plot is sort of complicated, but it's entertaining. Some of it is ridiculous. I was entertained. Sometimes that's all you need in a book.

the kind of story you almost wish was read to you at bedtime — even as an adult. There was something so comforting and familiar about it, with a fleck of uniqueness and so, so much heart. I was truly grinning by the end ! 4.25 stars.

Here are the vibes:
-16th century renaissance era
-lovable (very bald) narrator — the royal “magician”
-a forbidden romance that takes a perilous (then heartwarming) turn
-found family & hope above all odds

A charming fairytale confection by way of a historical novel. As cozy and delightful as the Magician’s favorite cup of tea.

I really loved this book! It's a mix of historical fiction with some light fantasy elements. Even a little bit cozy fantasy. This is the story of Anatole, the greatest magician in Esquaveta (which is somewhere near Italy or France), taking place in the Renaissance. He just wants to spend his days working on new potions and drinking lovely teas. But when Princess Tullia, who is soon to wed the prince of a neighboring kingdom, falls in love with a lowly scribe, Pito, Anatole is brought in to make a potion to make her forget her scribe and only fall in love with Prince Dalrympl. But Anatole loves Tullia and doesn't want to see her married to the cruel Dalrympl.

I really loved the writing, it was very easy to get into to read. Great sense of place (although I felt more like I was in Italy than anywhere else). And the ending was surprisingly sweet.

(Slightly longer review with mild spoiler at Goodreads.)

Title: The Magician of Tiger Castle
Author: Louis Sachar         
Genre: Historical fiction, fantasy   
Rating: 3 out of 5 

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. Seventeen 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?

This didn’t really work for me. Everything was a little too coincidental for it to be believable, and what might have worked for The Princess Bride, did not work here. (Not that I’m saying this was trying to be The Princess Bride. Just that when absurdities became magical in that case, they did not here.) Anatole came across as more bumbling idiot than anything. Why was he so clumsy/klutzy? It, like a lot of other things, just seemed kind of pointless to me. I’m clearly not the target audience here.

Louis Sachar is from New York. The Magician of Tiger Castle is his newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Berkley Publishing Group | Ace in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 8/5).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. I haven't read Holes, but I've seen the movie (I know, capital sin over here) and enjoyed it. Going into this I didn't have a lot of expectations, I thought it would maybe be a 3 star and I would be satisfied and that would be great. However, I was wrong. This was easily a 5 star read for me. It is hard for me to enjoy "cozy fantasy," but when I do, I really do. I had such a good time with this, if you are a fan of "Dreadful," or "The Princess Bride," I would highly recommend giving this a try. The main character is very fun to read from and I really enjoy some light historical twists on things and this delivered. In particular it takes place during the black (blue) plague and that's a time period I'm especially interested in. Not only is the MC very enjoyable, but the side characters I was also easily attached to. This is a book I would love to read again, and goes in the pile of books that just made me smile. It came at the perfect time, so glad I read it.

The Magician of Tiger Castle is a dreamy event of a story about the choices we must make and the consequences that follow. The prose is dreamy and the book is escapism at its finest. The world building, and characters are unique, and the story transports you to another paradigm. Fans of the Spellshop and Legends and Lattes will surely enjoy this book.

Anatole was the best part of this novel, but sadly the rest of the characters were one-dimensional, the worldbuilding meh, and the story worked so hard to be anti-fantastic that it might as well have been science fiction. In fact, Anatole and his scientific mind would have been more interesting in a sfnal novel

i always get so excited when a character in a book or a movie has heterochromia, because i do as well! this book was a fun and whimsical read. i remember reading holes in school, so i was happy to pick up a newer book by this author.

I think the best way to describe my overall impression is that I was underwhelmed by this book. I thought it had an intriguing premise, but the execution left something to be desired. I thought it would be a cozy fantasy, but it ended up feeling somewhat more farcical in style.

Positive aspects: interesting set-up, with the titular magician telling the story from his perspective centuries after it happened; decent character development for the primary actors; interesting storyline and plot developments, with an ending that was ultimately heart-warming and redemptive.

Detractors: world-building was lackluster - the author essentially used Renaissance Europe with a couple of invented countries as the setting for the novel; plot was interesting, but not intriguing or action-packed, and moved along as a sedate pace without any major climactic element; side characters were caricatures (evil queen, selfish foreign prince, vindictive royal staff); writing style felt like it was for younger readers, even though content was definitely geared toward adults.

While I personally did not find the story all that compelling, a friend of mine and her sister both enjoyed the book much more than I did, so feel free to balance my opinion with theirs.

Louis Sachar never disappoints! It was such a treat to read his debut adult novel The Magician of Tiger Castle. The dynamic between Anatole and the other central characters was so fun to explore. I know the rest of the world will be thrilled to read this book when it's released in August!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC!

"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. Seventeen 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?"

Anatole's choice isn't that impossible in my mind.