This was immensely enjoyable. The major plot itself wasn't super unique or anything, but the narration and point of view made it something else entirely. So cozy and delightful, learning about Anatole throughout the book was the really important part, not really the plot. For an immortal magician, he's really quite human.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the Arc!

4.5 rounded up.

I really enjoyed the writing style. The narrator is telling his story from 500 years ago while living in modern day which makes for fun little side comments regarding things that people misunderstood during the Renaissance.

I chose to read this arc because I love Louis Sachar. I actually went into it assuming it was a kids' book, and the style was easy to read, so it actually took me a while to realize it wasn't his usual audience.

Very fun read!

Louis Sachar, long known for his children's books has created an adult fantasy. In a kingdom somewhere south of France hundreds of years ago, a princess was betrothed to the prince of a country with which her father, the King wants an alliance. However, the princess instead falls for a lowly scribe and turns to the court "magician" Anatole to put a stop to the wedding. As he tries out various potions, and spends time in the dungeon when they appear to fail, Anatole never falters from his friendship and pseudo father role to the princess. Will the lowly scribe and the princess manage to get away and live "Happily Ever After?" Only Anatole can offer us his memories of the past and let us draw our own conclusions.

Similar in tone to "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz and "The Beatryce Prophecy" by Kate DiCamillo, "The Magician of Tiger Castle" could have easily been a Young Adult novel if a few bits of offensive language and a short scene in an "inn/brothel" had been changed. It was an enjoyable read but librarians should caution youngsters and their parents who are fans of Sachar's other works that this is not a "kid's" book.

This book was extremely different than what I typically read. The prose felt very conversational, as if the lead character was sitting next to me and telling me the story. It took a while for me to get into that style, but once I did, it flowed well. I enjoyed the storyline and the cast of characters. The story was quirky and the author injects moments of wit and humor throughout the novel. I was surprised by the plot line involving the mouse and without giving away any spoilers, I liked that twist a lot. There was a moment in the book where there was a quote that did not sit well with me. It related to unwanted advances and men/women. I found that to be an interesting take, but not something that would be consistent with the current cultural climate. The author chose to add this in the Acknowledgments section of the book as well. While I understand the reference to the time and previous quote, I would have rather seen a statement that focused on the unforgiving nature relating to the man who missed his chance. The connotation of "unwanted advances" for me struck a nerve and did not receive the outcome that I believe was desired by the author. Finally, I enjoyed following along with Tullia's timeline and like how her eye colors were featured (both in her and again at the end).

I picked this up because of the author name, and didn't at all read into it. I have always loved Louis Sachar, and was surprised how different this is to the books of my childhood but how much I loved it. I read late into the night and then all throughout the next day to finish it. I had no way of predicting what would happen next, and at no point did it disappoint.

As this is Louis Sachar’s first book for adults I didn’t know what to expect, but I am happy to say this delivered. A fun fantasy filled with magic, danger, love, adventure, and a little bit of regret. It’s a classic enough story, but with a charming narrator and enough hijinks and funny moments to make it something more (sort of in the vein of The Princess Bride, in that it’s recognizable as a fairy tale-like story but with twists and great characters). My only quibbles are the weirdly short chapters, which chopped the book up a bit too much for me, and the scenes of the future, which I felt like I either wanted more of or less of. They were sort of a weird in-between that maybe didn’t give me quite enough information and felt a little bit frustrating. I hope Sachar continues to give us more grown-up novels that still cater to the child in most of us.

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

The Magician of Tiger Castle by Louis Sachar, a good read. Not too heavy and not too easy, a just right read that ends in a truly closing way.

A seemingly immortal magician in a 16th century kingdom is caught up in politics when an evil prince is set the marry the young princess of the kingdom and her recognizes the sadistic prince as the man who had killed the love of his life. The first 200 pages have everything a fantasy novel should, magic, stalwart companions, a bit of romance, smart characters, and an evil antagonist.

Court magician Anatole wants to go down in history as great, but his fate isn't looking good as he is falling out of favor with the king of Esquaveta. But an opportunity for him to prove himself arrives when Princess Tullia, promised to marry the prince of neighboring kingdom to secure a much needed alliance, instead falls in love with apprentice scribe Pito and refuses to marry the prince. If Anatole can get the princess to the altar, he will secure his spot in history, but in doing so he will betray Tullia, who he thinks of like a daughter.

This book was well-paced, with twists that surprised even as they fit into the story well. The characters were great too. Tullia and Pito's love story was cute, if troubled. The concept of science disguised as magic was really interesting, although a couple truly magical instances stretch the limitations of science. I only wish we could gotten a conclusion of stories of the other two main characters besides Anatole, although his tale was very intriguing!

A court magician must come up with a plan to save the princess from being married off to a cruel king while also gently removing her memory of her beloved lowly scribe.

This story is sweet and its simplicity is effective. It creates a cozy tale that feels like a warm hug.

Sometimes too detailed in information about the time period, this creates a web that connects in unexpected ways. A few less details wouldn’t hurt.

Louis Sachar - now thatis 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.

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.