The Magician of Tiger Castle

De: Louis Sachar

Narrado por: Edoardo Ballerini, Louis Sachar

• AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER • AN INDIE NEXT LIST PICK • A LIBRARY READS PICK • The beloved author of Holes presents his first adult novel, a modern fantasy classic of forbidden love, a crumbling kingdom, and the unexpected magic all around us.

"After decades of children's stories with adult intelligence, Sachar has given us an adult novel with a child's heart"—Alix E. Harrow

"Funny, surprising, smart and weird . . . fully lives up to the high bar you’d expect from a great like Sachar."—Associated Press

Long ago and far away (and somewhere south of France) lies the kingdom of Esquaveta. There, Princess Tullia is in nearly as much peril as her struggling kingdom. Esquaveta desperately needs to forge an alliance, and to that end, Tullia's father has arranged a marriage between her and an odious prince. However, one month before the "wedding of the century," Tullia falls in love with a lowly apprentice scribe.

The king turns to Anatole, his much-maligned magician. Seventeen years earlier, when Anatole first came to the castle, he was regarded as something of a prodigy. But after a long series of failures—the latest being an attempt to transform sand into gold—he has become the object of contempt and ridicule. The only one who still believes in him is the princess.

When the king orders Anatole to brew a potion that will ensure Tullia agrees to the wedding, Anatole is faced with an impossible choice. With one chance to save the marriage, the kingdom, and, of most importance to him, his reputation, will he betray the princess—or risk ruin?

©2025 Louis Sachar (P)2025 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"After decades of children's stories with adult intelligence, Sachar has given us an adult novel with a child's heart. The Magician of Tiger Castle is a medieval fable for the modern age: wise and whimsical, tragic and comic, familiar and strange. I loved it."—Alix E. Harrow, New York Times bestselling author of Starling House

"Louis Sachar weaves a tale that's both timeless and brand-new. Clever, wistful, and lovely in equal measure, this is the kind of book that lodges itself in your heart!"—Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

"Just as in Holes, Sachar knots plot threads together in unexpected and satisfying ways."—The Guardian

Quirky & LOL Moments

The characters were well developed and well performed! There were surprising moments that caused me to laugh unexpectedly. I appreciated the ending. Uncertain, but sweet and hopeful.

A trip down memory lane! (For those who grew up reading)

I loved his books as a child and still find his way of spinning a tale filled with twist and turns enthralling! I was excited to find this read and can not express enough how excited I am to recommend it to others. I only wish it was lengthier. Amazing story by both the author and the people to bring it to life in audiobook form.

I missed you, Louis

Amazing book. Fast, punchy, tragic and mildly educational. You know how to write. I gotta dig into your back log now. Catch up everything between this and Holes.

Entertaining fantasy

Loved the narrator! Interesting plot somewhat founded in history. Moved swiftly. Enjoyed it a lot!

Delightful and whimsical

Louis Sachar has long been one of my favorite authors, so when I saw he had a new book coming out, I had to get it. I usually don’t care for first-person stories, but this one is amazing. It felt like I was sitting across the table from Anatole, sipping a cappuccino and listening to him talk.

If you enjoy daring princesses, clever young scribes, and a 16th century magician whose potions sometimes have unintended consequences, you will definitely enjoy this book. Oh, and the tigers.

Engaging, smart, and funny

Absolutely loved it. Historical fiction with light fantasy elements — or perhaps fantasy with light historical elements? Regardless, a compelling story packed with interesting tidbits, wisdom, and charm. The characters are wonderfully drawn. I will miss having their story in my ears.

Narrator was superb. Captured a variety of accents and character voices with appropriate gusto, and felt entirely in harmony with the voice of the narrator.

The magical narration

I liked that the characters were well developed and the story was interesting and easy to follow.

Narration

As I age, I find it difficult to hold books due to arthritis. It is very entertaining to listen to a good book read by a great narrator. This is such a book.

Interesting storyline.

The ending seems to run out of steam like the author had written a terrific story but lost interest and just wanted to end it.