Once a Castle was a fabulous addition to the Carrick Halls series. I powered through this book in less than a day and was hooked from the start. I loved the nostalgic fairy tale feel, and it feels so "C. S. Lewis-y" to me that I can't help loving it. I highly, highly recommend to younger readers; it is so clean and safe and yet so enthralling. I was right in the world of Ternival with the characters, rooting for Arash and Elspeth and Tilly and Jack. I loved tha character development and the real family dynamics. Everyone missed real family dynamics in books, but this was done so well. I enjoyed the changed this marked from the first book, which was more whimsical, whereas this one was more fantasy and...somehow different. I also LOVE the cover! Well done, Sarah!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.