Castle Hangnail

Castle Hangnail needs a new master, and 12-year-old Molly arrives to claim the position. The ancient castle's minions are skeptical of such a young wicked witch, but they agree to let her attempt the tasks required to take ownership. Molly must complete challenges that prove her evil credentials while managing the castle's quirky inhabitants, including a goldfish with anxiety and a mistrustful guardian. The castle itself faces threats from bureaucrats who want to decommission it, adding urgency to Molly's quest to establish herself as its rightful master. While following conventions of middle-grade fantasy, Castle Hangnail explores themes of identity, belonging, and the nature of wickedness versus goodness. The story challenges assumptions about what makes someone qualified to lead, and what it truly means to find one's place in the world.

Readers consistently rate Castle Hangnail as a fun, lighthearted book for middle-grade audiences. Readers appreciated: - The fresh take on witch stories with a non-evil protagonist - Dry humor and clever wordplay - Strong themes of friendship and finding one's place - Detailed illustrations by the author - Appeal to both children and adults Common criticisms: - Plot pacing feels slow in the middle sections - Some found the ending predictable - A few readers wanted more world-building Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (230+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Perfect for kids who like their magic with a side of sarcasm" - Goodreads reviewer "The minions steal every scene they're in" - Amazon reviewer "Like Pratchett for younger readers" - Barnes & Noble review "Could have used more backstory about the castle itself" - Goodreads reviewer

The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson A young witch decides to forge her own path rather than follow her grandmother's footsteps as guardian of a magical walking house that guides the dead to the afterlife.

Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch by Julie Abe A determined girl with limited magic powers works to save a seaside town and prove herself worthy of becoming a novice witch despite her perceived shortcomings.

The Power of Poppy Pendle by Natasha Lowe A witch born with extraordinary magical powers chooses to pursue her passion for baking instead of following her parents' expectations for her magical career.

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend A cursed girl escapes her fate and enters a competition to join a magical society in a hidden city, where she discovers her unique talents.

The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy A clumsy student at a witch academy faces mishaps and misadventures while trying to prove she belongs at the school despite her struggles with magic.

🏰 Castle Hangnail was originally conceived as a picture book before evolving into a middle-grade novel during the writing process. 🦉 Author Ursula Vernon also writes adult fiction under the pen name T. Kingfisher, winning the Hugo Award for Best Short Story in 2012. ⚡ The book cleverly subverts traditional "evil minion" tropes by featuring friendly, endearing creatures like a minotaur who enjoys cooking and a hypochondriac goldfish. 🎨 Vernon is not only an author but also an accomplished illustrator who created all the interior artwork for Castle Hangnail. 🌟 The novel won the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature in 2016, an award that recognizes outstanding works following in the tradition of The Inklings (J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis).