- Chapter Books
- Ages 9–12
- Fantasy
The Castle of Tangled Magic
When thirteen-year-old Olia steps through a magical doorway, she finds a land drained of hope by a scheming wizard – and discovers she is destined to save it. A warm, imaginative Slavic-folklore fantasy about family, belief and finding the magic within yourself.
- Best for9–12
- FormatChapter
- Length416 pp
- Read aloud~5 hr55 min
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The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Lyrical
- Literary
Tone
- Adventurous
- Warm
- Whimsical
- Exciting
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Thirteen-year-old Olia lives with her family in an old, rambling castle full of quiet magic. But when a fierce storm strikes and Olia chases her baby sister through a mysterious doorway, she tumbles into another land entirely – one tangled by magic, where hope has been drained away and a scheming wizard holds all the power. Olia soon learns she is the one destined to put things right. With time running out and her new friends and family in danger, she must search for the magic within herself to save everyone and everything she loves. Drawing on Slavic folklore and the spirits of house and hearth, Sophie Anderson conjures a richly imagined adventure about family, courage and the quiet power of believing. Named a Waterstones Best Book of 2020, it's a generous, warm-hearted fantasy for readers who love magical worlds, domovoi and a heroine who discovers she's braver than she knew.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
Aimed at 9–12s reading independently, with atmospheric, folklore-rich storytelling that reads well aloud from about 8. Its length and layered world suit confident readers who like to immerse themselves.
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- Best fit · 9–12
- Read aloud · 8–11
- Independent · 9–12
Prose load
Moderate
Visual support
Low
Reluctant-reader friendly
Tougher fit
Read-aloud quality
Strong
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Gift-buying
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
3 / 5 · Workable
Sensitive-child
4 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
2 / 5 · Mild
Best for
- Folklore fantasy
- Magical adventure
- Big hearted
Avoid if
- Wants realistic fiction
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
Stepping through a hidden doorway into a magical land where you turn out to be the chosen saviour is exactly the adventure kids dream about. Olia's quest, her house spirits and the wizard's spreading gloom make for a big, warm, page-turning fantasy.
- Being special or chosen
- Secret world
- Adventure and freedom
- Making a difference
Why parents love it
A Waterstones Best Book of the year, Anderson's imaginative world is rich with folklore and heart. Beneath the adventure is a gentle message about family and the power of belief – substantial, beautifully written and a pleasure to read aloud.
- Great writing
- Beautiful illustrations
About the creators
About the creators.
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