"[A] melancholy, heartfelt, and utterly immersive Renaissance-esque fantasy...There's a lovely sparsity to Sachar's fairy tale–esque prose that belies the careful scaffolding underneath, which sketches out a gentle love story and offers fascinating commentary about the fallibility of received wisdom, the nature of memory, and the lost histories of common people among the more publicized narratives of monarchs. Readers who grew up with Sachar will be especially thrilled, but even those new to his work won't be able to put this down." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A heartfelt fable about courage and love...Sachar's wry, distinctive voice will remind grown-ups what made him such a success as a children's book author...A sensitive and sincere tale told with Sachar's inimitable wit." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Sachar writes an engaging story from a magician's perspective that feels adjacent to a fairy tale." —Library Journal

"Readers will be entertained and enchanted." —Booklist

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Rated of 5 by Shawna (TX)
As Expected Sachar is Delightful
Having loved Louis Sachar's young adult work, I was intrigued by a novel written for adults. His writing is as delightful as ever. Events in my life are currently stressful, and this book was a much-needed escape from reality. Anyone who enjoys Louis Sachar's writing, an escape from reality, or something different from typical adult fiction will enjoy this. Book clubs that don't typically read fantasy would enjoy discussing this book. Put it on your list to be read!

Rated of 5 by Ann_Beman
A captivating and whimsical fairytale for grownups
Louis Sachar's Holes introduced us to yellow-spotted lizards, a symbol of the dangers of Camp Green Lake. In The Magician of Tiger Castle, there's a captive tiger, symbol of royalty and power. In the decaying kingdom of Escaveta, where our narrator, the magician Anatole, plies his craft, it is fitting that those noble cats are confined in the castle moat. Because all the characters in this adult fairytale are captives in one sense or another.

Whether or not you've read any of Sachar's other books, you will likely be charmed by his distinct voice. This, his first adult novel, delves into themes of love, loyalty, and personal choice. His characters are funny, their drives and motives complex yet relatable. Blessed/cursed with magical longevity, Anatole the magician is a delightfully reflective narrator -- admittedly flawed, but impossible not to care for deeply as he relates his tale from the Renaissance era to present-day. Magicians, potions, princesses, court intrigue, tigers, moats, monks, mice, and cappuccino. This has so many expected ingredients of a classic fairytale. But it's the unexpected wit and wisdom of this tale that make it such a compulsively readable novel.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and BookBrowse for an opportunity to read an advanced reader copy and share my opinion of this book.

Rated of 5 by Jamie_K
Love is the Best Magic
The Magician of Tiger Castle is Sachar's first book for adults, but you don't need a driver's license to enjoy it.

This magical adventure is a present-day fairytale of forbidden love—told in the past—through the eyes of a centuries-old magician, Anatole. Anatole has a problem: Princess Tuillia is in love—not with the rich, nasty neighboring prince she is betrothed to—but with a lowly apprentice scribe. The king's solution? Have Anatole create an anti-love potion to save the kingdom from bankruptcy and shatter the young lovers' hopes for happiness. On the eve of her marriage, the plucky princess goes on the lam with Anatole and the scribe, leaving the unmarried prince a changed man.

With the world in disarray, The Magician of Tiger Castle is the escape I needed. Sachar is an irresistible storyteller, weaving his story as he seemlessly travels between present-day Anatole sipping a cappuccino and castle-magician Anatole concocting a potion. I had so much fun with this tale that I'm heading back to Sachar's earlier books to experience the magic all over again.

Rated of 5 by Debra_F
It's Magic
The Magician of Tiger Castle
Louis Sachar
I always enjoy when a children's/young adult author does the crossover to adult fiction. They always seem to get the right amount of whimsy with complex situations, and this was no exception!

I love stories about magic, it was there; stories with darkness and light. Unique & endearing characters, just enough cleverness and humor and a story that kept me turning the pages!

Bravo Louis Sachar! I hope he will continue to entertain and delight us adults who love fairy tales!

Rated of 5 by Elizabeth V. (Bellbrook, OH)
Louis Sacher's Adult Debut
It's been years since I read Holes but Louis Sacher's "voice" was immediately and pleasantly apparent in this lovely adult fiction book. The characters were funny and touching all at the same time and utterly relatable. If you loved The Princess Bride you will love this book too. It shares the same combination of wit and poignancy. Highly recommend.

Rated of 5 by Mary S. (Bow, NH)
Sachar writes another great one!
I was so excited to learn that Louis Sachar wrote a book for adults (he's usually a YA author) and he did not disappoint this reader. His storytelling and character development are second to none. You will fall in love with the magician and his life story.

The chapters in this book are short, but each one is poignant or pithy and carries you along on Sachar's journey. The story line takes just enough twists and turns to keep you engrossed but not so much that you have go back and look to see if you've missed anything. I can't wait to share this book with friends and family.

Rated of 5 by Linda M. (Ocala, FL)
A Little bit of Magic
The Magician of Tiger Castle is a delightful book about a magician who created magic potions in the sixteenth century but somehow now lives among us drinking cappuccinos. It's a humorous tale told in the first person by the magician who is humble, kind and willing to experiment with all sorts of strange concoctions if they will serve his needs.

Anyone who enjoys fantasy, a bit of magic and lots of laugh-out-loud moments will love this book. It is a quick read that captures your attention and heart from the very beginning. I highly recommend it.

Rated of 5 by Erica M. (Chicago, IL)
The Magician of Tiger Castle was not what I was expecting
Holes, by Louis Sachar is one of my favorite books which is why I chose to read his newest book. I expected to be completely surprised by a twist in the book. I was, but it was in the middle of the book and I kept watching for denouement that would satisfy my excitement for reading Sachar. The characters and story line were well developed although I regularly wondered where we were headed. Understanding this to be a fantasy (which is not usually a preferred genre for me) I enjoyed Sachar's writing (as I always do) and the very different story that this turned out to be.

Rated of 5 by Susan_L
Tiger Tiger
The Magician Of Tiger Castle charmed me. I loved how real the characters were, even down to Luigi. The castle and events came to life on the page—the dusty roads, the hungry tiger, the politics of castle life. The story pulled me in with its twists and turns. It was great to see Louis Sachar tackling adult fantasy. Take a chance on it. You won't regret it.

Rated of 5 by Teresa_L
Adult Debut?
I loved Louis Sachar's Holes as a kid, so I was super excited to read his adult debut The Magician of Tiger Castle. This book was fun to read and had a few surprises, but it took a bit to get into the story and characters. This has a lot of fairy tale undertones and once you get past the first world building pages; the story Anatole spins does draw you in. This reminded me of the movie version of The Princess Bride with the narrator drawing you into a fantastical story that couldn't quite be real. If you like cozy mystery type books you probably would like this one.

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Louis Sachar is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Holes, which won the Newbery Medal and the National Book Award. His other books include Small Steps, winner of the Schneider Family Book Award; The Cardturner, a Publishers Weekly Best Book, Dogs Don't Tell Jokes, The Boy Who Lost His Face, and There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom, which won more than twenty-four state children's choice awards voted on exclusively by children. For younger readers he's written the Marvin Redpost series and the Wayside School books. His first book for adults, The Magician of Tiger Castle, will be published in August 2025.