The Magician of Tiger Castle

By: Louis Sachar

Narrated by: 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?

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.

An adult fantasy that was fun to listen to

A fun fantasy that had some humorous elements and some nice plot twists, The princess character is appealing, and there is definitely an evil prince. The main character is a magician and the question is will he do the right thing .

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!

Sheer Perfection

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was a child long before he wrote childrens books so I did not have any prior knowledge of him as an author. His first adult novel was perfection. I loved the characters, the story and the scenes he painted with his words.