The Magician of Tiger Castle
Paperback Published on: 09/04/2026
Price: £10.99
Bookseller Reviews
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Fairytale charm, clever humour, and a world unlike anything else…
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of The Magician of Tiger Castle through NetGalley (thank you Hachette!), and as someone who adored Holes growing up, I... READ MORE
Charmingly Odd
I really didn't know what to expect from this book and gave been delighted by what I've found. A meandering bit of magical realism with an overall optimism... READ MORE
Synopsis
Is true love the greatest form of magic?
Long ago, in a kingdom far away, the magician of tiger castle is on thin ice. Once the greatest in the land, Anatole's spells have dried up. He can't even turn sand into gold anymore. The only one who still believes in him is kind Princess Tullia, and he hopes - for the sake of their friendship - that he can soon redeem himself and stay within the king's court.
When the opportunity arises, Anatole is faced with an impossible decision. Princess Tullia is betrothed to the prince of a rich neighbouring kingdom, an alliance which will save bankrupt Esquaveta and all its citizens. But, Tullia has secretly fallen in love with a lowly apprentice scribe and refuses to wed the prince.
The King tasks Anatole with the most difficult magic of all: an anti-love potion. Anatole can save everything and everyone if he can shatter the young lovers' romance. But, with the fate of the kingdom hanging in the balance, can he achieve it? Can he even bring himself to try? After all, is true love not the purest form of magic?
Told with the same wit and warmth that has made Louis Sachar's books classics of children's literature, The Magician of Tiger Castle is a colourful and enigmatic tale of adventure, love, loss and triumph.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Headline Publishing Group
- ISBN: 9781035426614
- Number of pages: 320
- Dimensions: 196 x 126 x 30 mm
- Weight: 226g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allMagician of Tiger Castle
An easy, quick read with some interesting new ideas. However the first half of the plot was quite repetitive and the second half was very simple. Bit forge... READ MORE
Cozy magical realism
4.5 stars
Reading The Magician of Tiger Castle felt like returning to an old friend: familiar, warm, and unexpectedly comforting. Though the plot itself... READ MORE
Unexpected delight
I adored this book! I've never read a book by this author and requested from Netgalley on a whim, but it was an utter delight. The characters were fantasti... READ MORE
Very fun and easy read, a great palette cleanser between big reads.
What an enjoyable journey. I really liked this story, it was heartfelt, informative and very fun. I do wish I knew more about what happened to Tullia and P... READ MORE
Wonderful
A wonderful fantasy adventure. Five stars. Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an ARC.
Charming and fun
I found myself quickly absorbed in this book and read through it over two nights. Told from the point of view of Anatole the castles magican it is charming... READ MORE
A whimsical light fantasy
A whimsical tale of kings and princesses, magic and science as told by Anatole (The magician of Tiger Castle) in the present day.
This is a light fantas... READ MORE
Unusual
"The Magician of Tiger Castle" is an unusual, slow-burn tale that stretches across the centuries. Anatole is the famed magician of the fictitious European ... READ MORE
boring
I made it to the end of this book, but there was something about it that was just so unsatisfying. I can't really explain why I felt this way about it, I j... READ MORE
A fun-filled adult fairytale
The Magician of Tiger Castle is a fun-filled adult fairytale. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
The story follows Anatole, the magician of the kin... READ MORE
Fantasy from a master
Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC in return for an honest review. This book was my kind of cozy fantasy, lighthearted and enjoyable. Sort of historical fictio... READ MORE
Interesting but a little weak
This is an interesting read and showcases Louis Sachar's storytelling but is a little weak over all.
Meet Anatole, bald, tubby, slightly clumsy....and ... READ MORE
Praise for Louis Sachar
The Magician of Tiger Castle is a captivating read with a narrative style that had me from the very first few pages. Throughout the story Anatole the main ... READ MORE
Cozy
3.5/5
“I’m drinking coffee now, but I used to be a tea drinker; some might even call me a tea snob, though I prefer the term connoisseur”
I found thi... READ MORE
Cosy read
I requested this book as I enjoyed reading holes by Louis sachar when I was younger.
This book is completely different, took me a few chapters to get into... READ MORE
So much fun I read it in 30 hours!
Thanks to Headline for my eARC of this book.
I had so much fun with this book and ended up finishing it in 30 hours. Not only is it far too easy to keep... READ MORE
A delightful mix of times
A magical world with a wonderful addition of history. A delightful mix that will have you entranced from the start. Lovely descriptions of the modern world... READ MORE
Interesting fantasy
This is a book that is a fantasy one, but has more of a historical fiction story.
Anatole is the magician at The Tiger Castle, which was known as The C... READ MORE
Beautifully written
This book is written beautifully, the characters feel so real, the world is well developed and you can visualise every step in your mind. The pace was just... READ MORE
Cosy, historical fairy tale, dual time, intriguing narrator.
Forbidden love, an evil prince, brave and sassy princess, with magic potions aplenty!
Reminiscing from present day makes Anatole an intriguing narrator.... READ MORE
Love
I did not want this book to end. I wanted to start this book the instant I finished it. I am annoyed I have read this book because now I can’t read it agai... READ MORE
Quirky and Unique New Fantasy
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. ... READ MORE
Great
'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... READ MORE
Entertaining
This certainly was a fast book to get through, full of the wild adventures of Anatole, who through crazy experiments that may or may not include magic, res... READ MORE
Quirky and unpredictable read that has stayed with me...
This is an interesting tale. The protagonist telling the story has an upbeat, rather chirpy delivery – which is just as well, because much of what he’s nar... READ MORE
A fairytale hazily focused on the wiseman
Anatole is the court magician in a small European country south of France and north of Italy (soon to appear in a Hallmark movie perhaps) in the fifteenth ... READ MORE
Tiger Castle
I am a huge fan of Holes and Small Steps, both by this author who was, up to now, primarily a children's author, so imagine my absolute delight when I hear... READ MORE
Wonderful fantasy
What a magnificent read this was! This was such a brilliant fantasy book. I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publi... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
Great fun for adult fans of fairy tales!
A royal magician in the mid-1500s is tasked with saving his kingdom in a last-ditch effort to also save his career. When the princess and heir to the thron... READ MORE
The Magician of Tiger Castle
Having read and loved Holes by the same author I really wanted to love this book too, but it didn't quite do it. It is a sort of fairy tale and a good read... READ MORE
Review of The Magician of Tiger Castle
The Magician of Tiger Castle follows Princess Tullia of Esquaveta, who is betrothed to the prince of a wealthy neighboring kingdom in a political move to s... READ MORE
An endearing read
This is such a magical book, a real adult fairytale with heartwarming message inside. This is the perfect book if you want a break between darker reads.
... READ MORE
Unusual
"The Magician of Tiger Castle" is an unusual, slow-burn tale that stretches across the centuries. Anatole is the famed magician of the fictitious European ... READ MORE
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