I loved this story. It started off kind of slow, and took me a minute to find my rhythm in the narrative. The character of the Magician is quite interesting. I liked how he jumps from present to the past, and how he approaches scenes in the story. It did seem to slowly advance from part to part, and wasn’t demanding to be finished as soon as possible. That was ok! I liked that I could set it down, and think about later. Sometimes a story is meant to be savored, and not inhaled.

This was such a surprise. I don't think I've read anything by Louis Sachar since Wayside Stories and Holes. But this was an interesting story with an intriguing framework and I can't wait to read more adult books by him!

It's giving strong Hobbit vibes, not in an imminent danger because of the great wide world sense, but in the idea of serious topics and situations being addressed with a kind of mild whimsy. After all, maybe a cup of tea and a good think won't fix a thing, but they can't hurt.

This book is pure magic, the kind that sneaks up on you with its quiet wit, its aching tenderness, and its beautifully flawed characters. It takes a classic fairytale setup, an unwanted royal marriage, a forbidden love, a struggling kingdom, and turns it into something unexpectedly poignant, with a star-crossed romance that makes your heart clench in all the best ways. It’s whimsical but sharp, romantic but not saccharine, and packed with that perfect mix of humor and melancholy. If you love fantasy that feels both classic and subversive, this one’s an absolute gem.

I received an e-ARC of THE MAGICIAN OF TIGER CASTLE by Louis Sachar through a Shelf Awareness giveaway. Thank you for the early look, and have a safe and rebellious 2025!

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

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.