The Castle of Tangled Magic

Thirteen-year-old Olia lives with her family in Castle Mila, a centuries-old wooden structure steeped in magic and history. When a mysterious storm threatens to destroy her beloved home, she discovers hidden magical forces within the castle walls that must be addressed to save everything she holds dear. With the help of Feliks, a magical fox-like creature known as a domovoi, Olia ventures into the Land of Forbidden Magic. Her mission takes her through an enchanted realm filled with creatures from Slavic folklore, where she must complete a crucial task to protect her family's legacy. This middle-grade fantasy weaves together traditional Slavic mythology with themes of family bonds, personal growth, and the courage to face the unknown. The story explores how understanding one's heritage and trusting one's instincts can lead to unexpected strength in times of crisis.

Readers describe this as a fast-paced middle-grade fantasy that draws heavily from Slavic folklore. Many note the unique magical setting and the main character Oksana's growth throughout her adventure. Readers appreciated: - Rich incorporation of Russian/Slavic mythology - Complex family relationships - Detailed descriptions of the magical castle - Messages about facing fears and embracing change Common criticisms: - Pacing feels rushed in the final third - Some magical elements not fully explained - Secondary characters could be more developed - Plot becomes predictable at points Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (150+ ratings) BookshopUK: 4.7/5 (90+ ratings) "The folklore elements felt authentic and fresh" - Goodreads reviewer "Would have liked more time with the supporting characters" - Amazon reviewer "A magical story but the ending felt too convenient" - BookshopUK reviewer

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🦊 The character Feliks is inspired by the Slavic spirit "domovoi" - a supernatural guardian of the home who often takes animal form and brings both mischief and protection. 🏰 Traditional Russian wooden castles, like Castle Mila in the book, were built without using nails, instead utilizing intricate joinery techniques to connect massive logs. ✍️ Author Sophie Anderson draws from her own Russian heritage and childhood memories of her grandmother's storytelling to create authentic folkloric elements in her books. 🌟 The concept of "forbidden magic" in Slavic mythology often relates to the wild, untamed forces of nature that exist beyond the boundaries of civilized human spaces. 📚 The book is part of a loose trilogy including "The House with Chicken Legs" and "The Girl Who Speaks Bear," each exploring different aspects of Slavic folklore.