The Castle of Tangled Magic...aka the magic you've been missing!

Sophie Anderson's newest magical tale was everything I was hoping for and more! I fell in love with her writing from her debut middle grade novel The House with Chicken Legs, the tale of Marinka, a young girl living in a house with chicken legs with her grandmother, a Baba Yaga, a creature who guide the dead into the after life. In every book since, a house with chicken legs has made an appearance in her books, and it makes me incredibly happy.

The Castle of Tangled Magic introduces us to Olia's family, who all live in Castle Mila, though they are no longer considered royalty. Now, they simply keep the castle going and live their normal lives, exploring the land and hosting a harvest party every year. Olia loves her castle, and she is intent on discovering all of its magic and secrets with her newborn sister Rosa.

When a horrendous storm shakes and breaks the castle, Olia is sent on a wild mission by her Babayusa and the house domovoy Felix into the land of hidden magic, locked inside one of the castle's domes. Here in this secret world, she discovers the most beautiful, magical, possibly dangerous world. Her castles secrets were better than she ever could've imagined! But she doesn't have time to enjoy the beauty, she has to figure out how to save her home and her family from the drastic winds that are threatening to destroy everything she knows and loves. All before the sun sets back home. With the help of her castle's domovoy, a witch turned cat, a river spirit, and a tree spirit...will Olia be brave enough to do what she has to do to save everything she loves?

Sophie Anderson's books have so much heart to them. Her character arcs are powerful ones that instill courage, caring, trusting their guts, and a strong sense of right and wrong. Olia's character adds on another trait to the wonderful protagonist. She is faced with the evil actions of her ancestors and the trickle down effect that it has caused against the things and people Olia loves. It's never easy to face the past, especially when someone we were related to, someone we looked up to, was the one who's committed these wrongs. Olia makes the difficult decision to right the wrongs of her ancestors, even when it means making a painful personal sacrifice.

I love this book, the eastern european culture with their food and traditions and home protecting spirits. I love the magic she's created, and how it connects all of us. I love the emotional connection she builds between reader and characters, even characters beyond Olia. I'll just warn you, I cried near the end.

If you haven't read any of Sophie Anderson's books, you are missing out. They are funny, delightful, heart warming, and courageous. Plus, they all have a House with chicken legs, and how much more fun can you get than that?

Also by Sophie Anderson: THE HOUSE WITH CHICKEN LEGS

THE GIRL WHO SPEAKS BEAR