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Carrick Hall #2
Once a Castle
Worlds collide and lives are changed as portals between our reality and the magical land of Ternival fray in the spellbinding sequel to Once a Queen, called "a fresh, delightful new tale for our wonder-hungry era" by National Book Award nominee Mitali Perkins.
Several years after Eva Joyce and Frankie Addison discovered the existence of portals to other worlds—and the kingdom of Ternival, where Eva's grandmother once reigned as queen—Frankie's younger siblings, together with some new friends, make discoveries that will change their lives, and at least two worlds, forever.
Jack, Tilly, and Elspeth Addison just want to stay out of trouble (well, kind of . . . usually), but trouble keeps finding them. Jack stumbles upon an actual, literally larger-than-life giant in his favorite valley; Tilly nearly runs over a mysterious stranger (and her cat); and Elspeth’s weaving lessons take a very unexpected turn.
Meanwhile, Arash, a newcomer to the Addisons’ English village, tries to discover the secret his grandfather is hiding while keeping his own secrets from everyone—and the sudden appearance of a sinister woman who does things that look suspiciously like magic is not helping matters. And Zahra, a Ternivali teenager, faces a crisis in her world, but before she can put things right, she's rudely catapulted into the weirdest place she's ever seen—where everyone seems to think she's the weird one. Soon things are as tangled as Elspeth's worst weaving, and the teens must discover if they can bridge their differences and find, in themselves and each other, what it takes to put things right. Because it's not only their lives at stake, but the fate of their home—and of more than one kingdom.
Several years after Eva Joyce and Frankie Addison discovered the existence of portals to other worlds—and the kingdom of Ternival, where Eva's grandmother once reigned as queen—Frankie's younger siblings, together with some new friends, make discoveries that will change their lives, and at least two worlds, forever.
Jack, Tilly, and Elspeth Addison just want to stay out of trouble (well, kind of . . . usually), but trouble keeps finding them. Jack stumbles upon an actual, literally larger-than-life giant in his favorite valley; Tilly nearly runs over a mysterious stranger (and her cat); and Elspeth’s weaving lessons take a very unexpected turn.
Meanwhile, Arash, a newcomer to the Addisons’ English village, tries to discover the secret his grandfather is hiding while keeping his own secrets from everyone—and the sudden appearance of a sinister woman who does things that look suspiciously like magic is not helping matters. And Zahra, a Ternivali teenager, faces a crisis in her world, but before she can put things right, she's rudely catapulted into the weirdest place she's ever seen—where everyone seems to think she's the weird one. Soon things are as tangled as Elspeth's worst weaving, and the teens must discover if they can bridge their differences and find, in themselves and each other, what it takes to put things right. Because it's not only their lives at stake, but the fate of their home—and of more than one kingdom.
416 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2025
55 people are currently reading
3924 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Arthur
27 books375 followersSarah Arthur is a fun-loving speaker, Christy Award finalist, and author of numerous books for teens and adults, including the bestselling ONCE A QUEEN, the first in her acclaimed Carrick Hall Novels. Among other nerdy adventures, she has served as preliminary fiction judge for Christianity Today’s Book Awards, was a founding board member of the annual C. S. Lewis Festival in northern Michigan, and co-directs the Madeleine L’Engle Writing Retreats. She lives in Lansing, Michigan with her husband and two preteen sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
April 25, 2025
Once a Castle is an absolutely brilliant followup to Once a Queen, the first of the Carrick Hall novels. This series is a lovely ode to Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia while also being a wonderful story in its own right. I thought that Once a Queen was a solid first installment, even if I was left wanting something more. In this sequel, I was giving everything I hoped to find and then some. Once a Castle is impeccably paced, bursting with compelling characters and lovingly conveyed life lessons, big themes and high-octane action. But even more than all of those wonderful elements, what stands out to me is the timelessness of this story. It’s a tale that will be forever fresh and evergreen, and I can see it being passed down through families over generations.
In this series, there’s a land—much like Narnia—that lies just beyond our world, with thin places sometimes connecting the two. Here, that land is Ternival, realm of the great stag. Periodically over the course of this world’s existence, people from our world, known there as the Children of Tellus, have come to Ternival when the land needed them, and they have reigned as kings and queens there until the great stag led them back home. In Once a Queen, we experience little of this magical portal world, and that was my main complaint with the story. In Once a Castle, we get to experience so much more of Ternival and its inhabitants. If Once a Queen was an appetizer, Once a Castle was a full meal, and I savored every bite.
For the early portions of the novel, we split our time between the two worlds. The chapters that take place in our world follow a host of characters, most specifically Arash, Jack, Tilly, and Elspeth, the latter three of whom are siblings to whom we were introduced in Once a Queen. Arash is the grandson of a lovely couple, the Rastegars, who we also met in that first installment. The Ternival chapters, mainly following Zahra, are reminiscent of The Last Battle. They have such a sad, lovely, classic feel to them, through both the story being told and the voice Arthur assumes for these portions.
There are some major parallels between Arash and Zahra's stories, ones that lead into discourse over some difficult topics. We see both of these young characters experiencing racism and xenophobia firsthand, as well as observing it being directed at the people they love most. We see the anger and helplessness those types of experiences inspire. And while we see the insecurities from which these awful prejudices often stem, they are never excused, for which I really applaud Arthur. She struck an empathetic balance while painting an honest picture of the harm we inflict when we see those who differ from us as somehow less instead of seeking to understand them and find the beauty in those differences.
Outside of these tougher topics, there are also lots of gentle, subtle, lovingly conveyed life lessons. These were things that readers of all ages can take and apply to their own life. What I loved about the presentation of these lessons is that they were never heavy-handed and never distracted or detracted in any way from the story being told. And then there are the themes, the biggest of which was learning when to trust your instincts and when to rely on others. Most of these characters are paralyzed by something, be it a particular fear, or something more general like indecision or perfectionism. These things are conquered to an extent through the story, whether that victory comes from a new grasp on bravery or a sobering encounter with humility.
The story took a few turns that I didn’t expect. At the end of Part One there's a fascinating, unforeseen twist, one that in my opinion marks where Carrick Hall finally becomes fully its own story, instead of being in so large a part an ode to Narnia. Although I do have to say, there was a character introduced in Ternival who I viewed as an endearing tip-of-the-hat to Reepicheep, one of my favorite Animal characters from Narnia. That was a delightful inclusion. And I really love that Arthur decided to include a small compendium of in-world fables at the end of the book, fables that readers will have already have seen the truth behind in the main body of the novel.
I’m so thankful that I live in a world where stories like Once a Castle exist. I’ve always said that if I could visit any realm in any story, I would want to step foot into Narnia. Ternival is now a close second for that title. It’s inspiring and humbling to consider the true World Weaver and the tales He’s inspired. This series has divine inspiration woven into every chapter.
In this series, there’s a land—much like Narnia—that lies just beyond our world, with thin places sometimes connecting the two. Here, that land is Ternival, realm of the great stag. Periodically over the course of this world’s existence, people from our world, known there as the Children of Tellus, have come to Ternival when the land needed them, and they have reigned as kings and queens there until the great stag led them back home. In Once a Queen, we experience little of this magical portal world, and that was my main complaint with the story. In Once a Castle, we get to experience so much more of Ternival and its inhabitants. If Once a Queen was an appetizer, Once a Castle was a full meal, and I savored every bite.
For the early portions of the novel, we split our time between the two worlds. The chapters that take place in our world follow a host of characters, most specifically Arash, Jack, Tilly, and Elspeth, the latter three of whom are siblings to whom we were introduced in Once a Queen. Arash is the grandson of a lovely couple, the Rastegars, who we also met in that first installment. The Ternival chapters, mainly following Zahra, are reminiscent of The Last Battle. They have such a sad, lovely, classic feel to them, through both the story being told and the voice Arthur assumes for these portions.
There are some major parallels between Arash and Zahra's stories, ones that lead into discourse over some difficult topics. We see both of these young characters experiencing racism and xenophobia firsthand, as well as observing it being directed at the people they love most. We see the anger and helplessness those types of experiences inspire. And while we see the insecurities from which these awful prejudices often stem, they are never excused, for which I really applaud Arthur. She struck an empathetic balance while painting an honest picture of the harm we inflict when we see those who differ from us as somehow less instead of seeking to understand them and find the beauty in those differences.
Outside of these tougher topics, there are also lots of gentle, subtle, lovingly conveyed life lessons. These were things that readers of all ages can take and apply to their own life. What I loved about the presentation of these lessons is that they were never heavy-handed and never distracted or detracted in any way from the story being told. And then there are the themes, the biggest of which was learning when to trust your instincts and when to rely on others. Most of these characters are paralyzed by something, be it a particular fear, or something more general like indecision or perfectionism. These things are conquered to an extent through the story, whether that victory comes from a new grasp on bravery or a sobering encounter with humility.
The story took a few turns that I didn’t expect. At the end of Part One there's a fascinating, unforeseen twist, one that in my opinion marks where Carrick Hall finally becomes fully its own story, instead of being in so large a part an ode to Narnia. Although I do have to say, there was a character introduced in Ternival who I viewed as an endearing tip-of-the-hat to Reepicheep, one of my favorite Animal characters from Narnia. That was a delightful inclusion. And I really love that Arthur decided to include a small compendium of in-world fables at the end of the book, fables that readers will have already have seen the truth behind in the main body of the novel.
I’m so thankful that I live in a world where stories like Once a Castle exist. I’ve always said that if I could visit any realm in any story, I would want to step foot into Narnia. Ternival is now a close second for that title. It’s inspiring and humbling to consider the true World Weaver and the tales He’s inspired. This series has divine inspiration woven into every chapter.
April 15, 2025
I really liked the second installment in the Carrick Hall series. Once a Castle has a different feel than Once a Queen since there's a broader cast of characters and Ternival is a known quantity to most of them. I loved spending more time in the fantasy world and the weaving magic. There are lots of sibling relationships to enjoy in this one and I liked piecing things together along the way. I am eagerly awaiting Once a Crown!
I love that this book had not one, not two, but three maps, and a cast of characters, and a selection of legends at the end. More of this, please, in every book, thank you very much.
P. S. Jim Tierney covers!!! Ahhhh!
I love that this book had not one, not two, but three maps, and a cast of characters, and a selection of legends at the end. More of this, please, in every book, thank you very much.
P. S. Jim Tierney covers!!! Ahhhh!
August 4, 2025
I read the first book in this series, “Once a Queen” last year, and really enjoyed all the Narnia (and other fantasy classics) references even as the author crafted a new story from those inspirations, so I was excited to read the sequel.
The world in the sequel was definitely still very creative! Unfortunately, there were also quite a lot of characters, and on audio at least, though the narrator was very good, I had a little trouble following the different storylines until some of them started to come together at around the halfway point or thereabouts. The many characters were very likable, and I honestly liked them even better than Eva in the first book. I think the main issue for me was that there is a time-jump between book one and book two. Eva and Frankie are now adults, and we’ve got a different set of kids to keep track of, along with the perspectives of at least 2 other characters whom the children eventually meet along the way. We also now know that the world is magical (whereas in book 1 we spent a lot of the time discovering this fact) so we’re thrown into the deep end of fantastical creatures and the world of Ternival a lot faster here. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s part of the reason why I was having trouble keeping track of who was who, who was where, and who was doing what, at first.
This may be a book that I would do better with in physical copy than audio for that very reason, so I think at some point in the not-too-distant future (maybe even later this month if time allows), I’ll get a copy of the book and read it with my eyeballs to give it a better chance, and give myself a better chance of following the beginning chapters better.
That said, I did still like the story. The characters were a definite strength, and the story was fun and exciting. One of my favorite characters was someone’s grandpa (no spoilers with names.) Sometimes, adults, especially senior citizens can get brushed aside in Middle Grade and Young Adult literature, so I was glad that wasn’t the case here. This grandpa character was wise and knowledgeable, and I liked what his relationship with his grandchild did for the story, and especially something that he did near the end.
At this moment, I’m giving this book 3 stars because of how much trouble I had following it at first, but I hope that a reread in the near future will raise that to 4 or 5 stars. I will edit my review with my new thoughts once I do the reread.
Content Advisory:
Language:
None that I recall.
Violence:
There are a lot of threats of violence, but not much actual violence. Any violence that occurs is never described graphically or bloodily. Some characters get turned into animals and must flee other animals.
Sexual/Romance:
None.
Spiritual/Magic:
Some evil fantasy creatures (like a stone giant) are called “demons” repeatedly. There are magical stones, and the evil villainess can turn people into animals, among other abilities. Characters travel between two worlds.
The world in the sequel was definitely still very creative! Unfortunately, there were also quite a lot of characters, and on audio at least, though the narrator was very good, I had a little trouble following the different storylines until some of them started to come together at around the halfway point or thereabouts. The many characters were very likable, and I honestly liked them even better than Eva in the first book. I think the main issue for me was that there is a time-jump between book one and book two. Eva and Frankie are now adults, and we’ve got a different set of kids to keep track of, along with the perspectives of at least 2 other characters whom the children eventually meet along the way. We also now know that the world is magical (whereas in book 1 we spent a lot of the time discovering this fact) so we’re thrown into the deep end of fantastical creatures and the world of Ternival a lot faster here. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s part of the reason why I was having trouble keeping track of who was who, who was where, and who was doing what, at first.
This may be a book that I would do better with in physical copy than audio for that very reason, so I think at some point in the not-too-distant future (maybe even later this month if time allows), I’ll get a copy of the book and read it with my eyeballs to give it a better chance, and give myself a better chance of following the beginning chapters better.
That said, I did still like the story. The characters were a definite strength, and the story was fun and exciting. One of my favorite characters was someone’s grandpa (no spoilers with names.) Sometimes, adults, especially senior citizens can get brushed aside in Middle Grade and Young Adult literature, so I was glad that wasn’t the case here. This grandpa character was wise and knowledgeable, and I liked what his relationship with his grandchild did for the story, and especially something that he did near the end.
At this moment, I’m giving this book 3 stars because of how much trouble I had following it at first, but I hope that a reread in the near future will raise that to 4 or 5 stars. I will edit my review with my new thoughts once I do the reread.
Content Advisory:
Language:
None that I recall.
Violence:
There are a lot of threats of violence, but not much actual violence. Any violence that occurs is never described graphically or bloodily. Some characters get turned into animals and must flee other animals.
Sexual/Romance:
None.
Spiritual/Magic:
Some evil fantasy creatures (like a stone giant) are called “demons” repeatedly. There are magical stones, and the evil villainess can turn people into animals, among other abilities. Characters travel between two worlds.
February 21, 2025
This is a terrific sequel to Sarah Arthur's "Once A Queen". While the influence of both Lewis and Tolkien still underlays the world of Ternival in this second book, with this sequel Sarah Arthur really comes into her own as a fantasy worldbuilder. There are still parallels, but they are largely minor or superficial, which I only saw because I'm so familiar with the worlds of Narnia and Middle-Earth, such as the three jewels in some ways like the silmarils (but in other ways very different). Mindra is tormented by possessing them much like Morgoth, for example. I was a bit surprised by the sidelining of Eva to a minor role after such a big role in the first book, but I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the others more fully as they came into their own stories. Great book!
November 4, 2024
Once a Castle is a spellbound adventure into a fantasy realm mirroring the worlds of JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis, rife with magic and whimsy, the second book of the Carrick Hall series is a whirlwind of adventure, taking readers into the world of Ternival that Sarah Arthur teased in the first book, Once a Queen.
I loved the first book in this series dearly and was honored to be able to read an advanced copy of this book, where I found myself craving more in Once a Queen, Once a Castle delivered. No longer craving and yearning for the magical world of Ternival, in Once a Castle the magic is thrust into the real world, and the promises made by the enchantress Mindra in the first book come to fruition.
While this novel deviates from the original in pacing and tone, we are thrust into the world years after Eva finds herself at Carrick Hall, we follow the younger characters now grown up as they embark on their own adventure in the magical world that the estate has such a strong connection to.
When Jack and Arash discover a castle on a hill and a giant asleep at its walls on the summer solstice, they realize the stories they grew up with might be. They are thrown into a journey neither of them are prepared for, along with Jack’s siblings, Lord Edward’s children Charles and Aurora, and Zhara a girl from Ternival.
The children need to find a way to get their friends back and stop Mindra from reclaiming the throne.
The entire time I was reading this I was enraptured. It is fast-paced and full of genuine real world struggles. The challenges plaguing these children back home are still prevalent in the mystical world they travel to, it’s not simply an escape like how it felt in Once a Queen. While it is whimsical and magical, there is real healing that takes place here. The layers that unravel as this story went on captivated me, and I gasped aloud multiple times.
If you liked Once a Queen, you will absolutely love Once a Castle. I mean that with my entire being.
I loved the first book in this series dearly and was honored to be able to read an advanced copy of this book, where I found myself craving more in Once a Queen, Once a Castle delivered. No longer craving and yearning for the magical world of Ternival, in Once a Castle the magic is thrust into the real world, and the promises made by the enchantress Mindra in the first book come to fruition.
While this novel deviates from the original in pacing and tone, we are thrust into the world years after Eva finds herself at Carrick Hall, we follow the younger characters now grown up as they embark on their own adventure in the magical world that the estate has such a strong connection to.
When Jack and Arash discover a castle on a hill and a giant asleep at its walls on the summer solstice, they realize the stories they grew up with might be. They are thrown into a journey neither of them are prepared for, along with Jack’s siblings, Lord Edward’s children Charles and Aurora, and Zhara a girl from Ternival.
The children need to find a way to get their friends back and stop Mindra from reclaiming the throne.
The entire time I was reading this I was enraptured. It is fast-paced and full of genuine real world struggles. The challenges plaguing these children back home are still prevalent in the mystical world they travel to, it’s not simply an escape like how it felt in Once a Queen. While it is whimsical and magical, there is real healing that takes place here. The layers that unravel as this story went on captivated me, and I gasped aloud multiple times.
If you liked Once a Queen, you will absolutely love Once a Castle. I mean that with my entire being.
January 7, 2025
Once a Castle was a fabulous addition to the Carrick Halls series. I powered through this book in less than a day and was hooked from the start. I loved the nostalgic fairy tale feel, and it feels so "C. S. Lewis-y" to me that I can't help loving it. I highly, highly recommend to younger readers; it is so clean and safe and yet so enthralling. I was right in the world of Ternival with the characters, rooting for Arash and Elspeth and Tilly and Jack. I loved tha character development and the real family dynamics. Everyone misses real family dynamics in books, but this was done so well. I enjoyed the changed this marked from the first book, which was more whimsical, whereas this one was more fantasy and...somehow different. I also LOVE the cover! Well done, Sarah!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
February 24, 2025
We pick up 5 years after the events of Once Upon a Queen. This one fully commits to the Narniaesque theme. We follow Frankie’s siblings and friends through their magical discoveries and finally get to travel to another world! The first book was good but this sequel surpasses it! Highly recommend this series to any fan of C.S. Lewis.
February 4, 2025
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Once a Castle by Sarah Arthur is the third person multi-POV YA contemporary fantasy sequel to Once a Queen. A few years after the previous book, Eva and Frankie are happily dating and living their lives with the knowledge that there is another world out there. But it’s Frankie’s younger siblings, a young girl from Ternival, and a young man with connections to both who we follow this time.
One of the things I thought was really cool was how, despite this grand adventure that Eva and Frankie had in learning more about the truth of Ternival, the rest of the world is fairly unchanged. Most of Frankie’s siblings don’t believe Ternival is real and it’s not like Eva was going to go to the press and tell them that her grandmother was once one of three queens in a magical realm. The world keeps turning as if none of the first book ever happened. It’s a side of portal fantasies we don’t often get to see because the fantasy is often the adventure, not what happens after in the world at large.
Of the three POVs, I think Zahra was my favorite. She’s spent her whole life in Ternival with the stories of the three queens in ways that none of the other characters did and it’s through her that we get a new perspective on not only her world but also ours when she goes through the portal. Arash was definitely a close second for my favorite POV, though. His connection to both worlds is slowly revealed over time and I liked how his connection was revealed via language and stories and the experience of being othered by the people around him.
The worldbuilding of Ternival gets more focus in this book because we get to spend more time within the world. There’s giants, dwarves, a centaur, and magic and a war looming on the horizon as a powerful witch seeks to take back control. The stories mentioned in Zahra’s POV are told in full in the back of the book as little extras and I highly recommend reading them after finishing the book because they add an entire layer of ‘what is mystical? What is a prophecy? What was meant to be an oral history?’
Content warning for depictions of discrimination
I would recommend this to fans of Once a Queen and readers looking for a Narnia-esque portal fantasy
Once a Castle by Sarah Arthur is the third person multi-POV YA contemporary fantasy sequel to Once a Queen. A few years after the previous book, Eva and Frankie are happily dating and living their lives with the knowledge that there is another world out there. But it’s Frankie’s younger siblings, a young girl from Ternival, and a young man with connections to both who we follow this time.
One of the things I thought was really cool was how, despite this grand adventure that Eva and Frankie had in learning more about the truth of Ternival, the rest of the world is fairly unchanged. Most of Frankie’s siblings don’t believe Ternival is real and it’s not like Eva was going to go to the press and tell them that her grandmother was once one of three queens in a magical realm. The world keeps turning as if none of the first book ever happened. It’s a side of portal fantasies we don’t often get to see because the fantasy is often the adventure, not what happens after in the world at large.
Of the three POVs, I think Zahra was my favorite. She’s spent her whole life in Ternival with the stories of the three queens in ways that none of the other characters did and it’s through her that we get a new perspective on not only her world but also ours when she goes through the portal. Arash was definitely a close second for my favorite POV, though. His connection to both worlds is slowly revealed over time and I liked how his connection was revealed via language and stories and the experience of being othered by the people around him.
The worldbuilding of Ternival gets more focus in this book because we get to spend more time within the world. There’s giants, dwarves, a centaur, and magic and a war looming on the horizon as a powerful witch seeks to take back control. The stories mentioned in Zahra’s POV are told in full in the back of the book as little extras and I highly recommend reading them after finishing the book because they add an entire layer of ‘what is mystical? What is a prophecy? What was meant to be an oral history?’
Content warning for depictions of discrimination
I would recommend this to fans of Once a Queen and readers looking for a Narnia-esque portal fantasy
February 8, 2025
I liked "Once a Queen," the first book in this series, but I loved "Once a Castle." It was fast-paced and full of mishaps, adventures, and action. The story did jump between a lot of characters, but I found myself quite invested in all of them. I thoroughly enjoyed this young adult portal fantasy that's in dialogue with earlier children's stories, especially "The Chronicles of Narnia" series. I read a digital review copy of this book.
December 29, 2024
I read this hoping that the Narnia-alikeness would morph into something new and fresh but, well, no. There's even a "Eustace". Sigh.
eARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
eARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
April 13, 2025
This took longer for me to read than the first book, partly because I read and listened to the first book (I didn't listen to this one), but also because there were a lot more characters in this story, making it harder for me to make connections to any of them. Eventually, I did cheer on all of the protagonists, especially once I started making connections between the people in the two different worlds.
However, despite the challenges of this second book, I liked it more because I liked seeing how the world of Ternival connected to our world, particularly to Carrick Hall and its residences. While I will have to wait patiently for the third book to see what will finally happen with the witch as well as both worlds, I like that this story puts all cards on the table so that it's no longer just a handful of the old folks who know more than they're letting on trying to keep the younger generation out of it while the younger generation dash blindly into something they don't understand.
I WAS disappointed that Eva and Frankie were left mostly out of this story, but I think this might be the author's way of bringing everyone in these connected families into the story so that we can have an epic battle in the third book. At least that's my theory. Either way, despite the slow start for me, this book was interesting and kept me wanting to read it, even if it took me longer to fully immerse myself into it. It also left me waiting anxiously for the next book, so I guess the author did her job!
Overall, I'd say this series is a slow burn, so if someone is looking for something a bit faster paced, they may not necessarily have the patience for this. But I definitely felt elements of Narnia in this series and enjoyed the slow build.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley and the publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
However, despite the challenges of this second book, I liked it more because I liked seeing how the world of Ternival connected to our world, particularly to Carrick Hall and its residences. While I will have to wait patiently for the third book to see what will finally happen with the witch as well as both worlds, I like that this story puts all cards on the table so that it's no longer just a handful of the old folks who know more than they're letting on trying to keep the younger generation out of it while the younger generation dash blindly into something they don't understand.
I WAS disappointed that Eva and Frankie were left mostly out of this story, but I think this might be the author's way of bringing everyone in these connected families into the story so that we can have an epic battle in the third book. At least that's my theory. Either way, despite the slow start for me, this book was interesting and kept me wanting to read it, even if it took me longer to fully immerse myself into it. It also left me waiting anxiously for the next book, so I guess the author did her job!
Overall, I'd say this series is a slow burn, so if someone is looking for something a bit faster paced, they may not necessarily have the patience for this. But I definitely felt elements of Narnia in this series and enjoyed the slow build.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley and the publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 1, 2025
Having read Once a Queen a year ago, I was eagerly anticipating the follow up. And gosh, this second in the series is wonderfully special. There is no sluggish sequel anywhere to be found in this rollicking adventure.
We return to Upper Wolvern, where we left it in the first story, only this time some strange things are happening. Giants are inadvertently appearing and there are strong murmurings of the return of an evil witch, Mindra, to the land of Ternival and she seeks the Children of Tellus who hold the keys to her ongoing reign, a crown and some jewels that have been lost for eons.
With a cast of many delightful humans, mythical beings (who doesn't love a centaur named Lord Starwise) and creatures, some with fantastical names, we are thrown between the world we know and the mystical worlds of Ternival and Mesterra. How one moves between these worlds is another one of Arthur's wonderful imaginative inventions.
Arthur's imagination to conjure all she does in this story is really quite special. It has vibes of Lord of the Rings and Narnia and is especially playful in taking the reader back to those days as children when we imagined crazy worlds and their inhabitants.
The theme of community is strong. We need each other to prosper, to invade new lands, to rescue our loves from the dangers that lurk and to encourage us when we're struggling with shame and discouragement. Young and old in order to thrive and celebrating achievements and togetherness are essential.
Sarah Arthur, bravo! I'm so excited about reading the next instalment Once a Crown and seeing what capers our friends next get caught up in.
I'm feeling very blessed to have received an early review copy from WaterBrook via NetGalley, however, this has had no bearing on my review. I'm looking forward to when I can buy all three together and read them sequentially within a short period of time. What fun that will be.
We return to Upper Wolvern, where we left it in the first story, only this time some strange things are happening. Giants are inadvertently appearing and there are strong murmurings of the return of an evil witch, Mindra, to the land of Ternival and she seeks the Children of Tellus who hold the keys to her ongoing reign, a crown and some jewels that have been lost for eons.
With a cast of many delightful humans, mythical beings (who doesn't love a centaur named Lord Starwise) and creatures, some with fantastical names, we are thrown between the world we know and the mystical worlds of Ternival and Mesterra. How one moves between these worlds is another one of Arthur's wonderful imaginative inventions.
Arthur's imagination to conjure all she does in this story is really quite special. It has vibes of Lord of the Rings and Narnia and is especially playful in taking the reader back to those days as children when we imagined crazy worlds and their inhabitants.
The theme of community is strong. We need each other to prosper, to invade new lands, to rescue our loves from the dangers that lurk and to encourage us when we're struggling with shame and discouragement. Young and old in order to thrive and celebrating achievements and togetherness are essential.
Sarah Arthur, bravo! I'm so excited about reading the next instalment Once a Crown and seeing what capers our friends next get caught up in.
I'm feeling very blessed to have received an early review copy from WaterBrook via NetGalley, however, this has had no bearing on my review. I'm looking forward to when I can buy all three together and read them sequentially within a short period of time. What fun that will be.
November 24, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel to Once a Queen! It was a perfect pick up and just enthralled me all the way through! The characters were relatable, likable, and added some comical reliefs throughout! The fantasy aspects gives me all the Narinia feels, and entrances me to another land where adventure and hope abound! If you were like me, Once a Queen took a bit to get used to as the story line played out, but Once a Castle wasn't as confusing at first. There were some parts where questions arose, but they were questions that made me kept reading because I knew the answers would play out in the end. The story line builds and weaves so beautifully! Definitely worth the read if you enjoyed Once a Queen! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 5, 2025
Really loved the first in this series, but this one- not as much. There was a lot of jumping around between worlds and A LOT of characters to keep up with. This is just a personal preference of mine, so don’t let it keep you from trying the series if you like a good, wholesome fantasy novel.
May 27, 2025
I’m honestly so impressed with this series! It’s a perfect light read leading into summer. It has a fun plot and characters that you get deeply attached too.
I love that Frankie and Eva are now engaged! That made my heart very happy:) Charles character arm was great. Highly recommend!
I love that Frankie and Eva are now engaged! That made my heart very happy:) Charles character arm was great. Highly recommend!
February 18, 2025
The second installment in this spin-off of the Chronicles of Narnia follows the children of the Addison Family as a mysterious medieval castle suddenly appears near the home along with a wicked witch and a giant. In the meantime, a young girl from Ternival (Narnia) has stumbled into our world. It turns out the evil enchantress Mindra has returned and is determined to unite the crown and the jewels that will give her power over the lands once more. An important subplot involves Arash, a young man from somewhere in the Middle East, dealing with anti-immigrant sentiment in rural England. And over time he discovers he is connected to a family in Ternival, entrusted with rule, and very noble.
The reimagining of Narnia is fascinating. The stag that stands in for Aslan doesn't make an overt appearance here, unlike in the Narnia books, but Lewis's influence is everywhere, especially in the mockable antagonist who postures until the good folks laugh in her face (influences of some of our own leaders perhaps?). And the warning against the rise of evil rings especially true: "The more we can stay vigilant, and the more we can remind each other of what evil has done in the past--then the better chance we can have of recognizing it when it returns. For it WILL return." This monologue is delivered right after confronting a major character for his prejudice against those from other places. It's hard to miss the message. I look forward to the third book in the series.
The reimagining of Narnia is fascinating. The stag that stands in for Aslan doesn't make an overt appearance here, unlike in the Narnia books, but Lewis's influence is everywhere, especially in the mockable antagonist who postures until the good folks laugh in her face (influences of some of our own leaders perhaps?). And the warning against the rise of evil rings especially true: "The more we can stay vigilant, and the more we can remind each other of what evil has done in the past--then the better chance we can have of recognizing it when it returns. For it WILL return." This monologue is delivered right after confronting a major character for his prejudice against those from other places. It's hard to miss the message. I look forward to the third book in the series.
April 14, 2025
I absolutely loved this Narnia-inspired fairy tale/real life story for teens! Sarah Arthur did the impossible and wrote a sequel I love even more than the first book in the series.
May 25, 2025
The plot was sometimes too action-packed for me (I always zone out during battle scenes), but I loved the characters and their development. More than anything though, I deeply appreciate the Christian wisdom woven into these stories; it was a gift to me in this book as well as the first.
Read
February 22, 2025For the first third of the book, I couldn’t help but be disappointed that this series simply can’t live up to Narnia. (There are WAY too many characters at a time, for one thing!) But as imperfect as it is, I can’t help but admire the heart for Narnia that shines through. I enjoyed Barkwhistler and the Persian/weaving connections (and it was so fun to see the Daniel Nayeri shoutout in the acknowledgments.) The ending was lovely.
Want to read
February 22, 2025Recommended by Phylicia Masonheimer 2/22/2025
third person multi-POV YA contemporary fantasy.
Another reviewer's content note: depictions of discrimination
third person multi-POV YA contemporary fantasy.
Another reviewer's content note: depictions of discrimination
February 6, 2025
This 2nd installment in Sarah Arthur's "Carrick Hall" series, "Once a Castle" was a is a great follow-up to "Once a Queen". Arthur has created a fantastic story and world, reminiscent of C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe", in this pre-teen/teen fantasy series. This is a series best read in order since events from the first book are discussed in this one. There are some of the same characters from the first book, but this one is set several years after the first but they flow together to where I don't think the story is as rich to the reader without reading in order.
I really liked the fantasy world building with two worlds, Tellus and Ternival. This book builds slowly but when it picks up, it's very action packed. There are a lot of characters in this one compared to the first, so it took some time to connect everyone, even having just read the first book the week before I started this one. Once the story was about 1/3 of the way through, it picked up for me and I didn't want to put it down until the last page.
I liked the themes of family and found family, art with the tapestries, multiple generations worth of characters and fantastic creatures with strong personalities written into the story. There is a lot to unpack in the reading and I think anyone that read this book a second or third time would find new things to think about. There are strong faith themes throughout, with a stag being the allegory for God, like the lion was in C.S. Lewis's stories.
Readers ages 10 - adult may enjoy this story. The ending leads me to believe there will be a 3rd book and I look forward to reading it when it releases.
Thank you to WaterBrook & Multnomah for an opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I really liked the fantasy world building with two worlds, Tellus and Ternival. This book builds slowly but when it picks up, it's very action packed. There are a lot of characters in this one compared to the first, so it took some time to connect everyone, even having just read the first book the week before I started this one. Once the story was about 1/3 of the way through, it picked up for me and I didn't want to put it down until the last page.
I liked the themes of family and found family, art with the tapestries, multiple generations worth of characters and fantastic creatures with strong personalities written into the story. There is a lot to unpack in the reading and I think anyone that read this book a second or third time would find new things to think about. There are strong faith themes throughout, with a stag being the allegory for God, like the lion was in C.S. Lewis's stories.
Readers ages 10 - adult may enjoy this story. The ending leads me to believe there will be a 3rd book and I look forward to reading it when it releases.
Thank you to WaterBrook & Multnomah for an opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 13, 2025
I really enjoyed this second book in the Carrick Hall series. After reading Once a Queen I was excited to jump back into the land of Ternival and go on a journey with some old and new characters this time around.
This story definitely echoed C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia with it being a portal fantasy and following the generational characters from the main ones in book one. This story, while being whimsical and adventurous, also tackled some heavier issues such as family, friendship, the importance of asking for and extending forgiveness, prejudice and racism, learning from past history, and good vs evil. The third person perspective showed the great character growth throughout the story and had me completely invested in the story wanting to know how it would end.
If you like wholesome fantasy, winsome characters, and good vs evil then I highly recommend this book and series for you to read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
This story definitely echoed C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia with it being a portal fantasy and following the generational characters from the main ones in book one. This story, while being whimsical and adventurous, also tackled some heavier issues such as family, friendship, the importance of asking for and extending forgiveness, prejudice and racism, learning from past history, and good vs evil. The third person perspective showed the great character growth throughout the story and had me completely invested in the story wanting to know how it would end.
If you like wholesome fantasy, winsome characters, and good vs evil then I highly recommend this book and series for you to read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
February 11, 2025
Once a Castle is a delightful young adult fantasy novel. Author Sarah Arthur includes hints of the fairy tale “Jack and the Giant Slayer.” The story also reminded me of The Chronicles of Narnia.
I do not remember ever having read the first book in the Carrick Hall series but I did not feel I was missing any information as I read Once a Castle. If there is important information it would have been nice to have a “previously in the series” section at the start of the book.
The reader will notice growth in several of the characters in the story - including overcoming fears.
Once a Castle has many fantasy elements - mythical creatures, magic, a quest, and overcoming evil to name a few.
I found Sarah Arthur to be a delightful author and I look forward to reading more of her work.
Once a Castle would be a great addition to the fantasy section of a K-12 Christian school library. Even though it is YA I believe it is appropriate for fifth graders and up.
I received a complimentary copy of Once a Castle. This is my honest review.
I do not remember ever having read the first book in the Carrick Hall series but I did not feel I was missing any information as I read Once a Castle. If there is important information it would have been nice to have a “previously in the series” section at the start of the book.
The reader will notice growth in several of the characters in the story - including overcoming fears.
Once a Castle has many fantasy elements - mythical creatures, magic, a quest, and overcoming evil to name a few.
I found Sarah Arthur to be a delightful author and I look forward to reading more of her work.
Once a Castle would be a great addition to the fantasy section of a K-12 Christian school library. Even though it is YA I believe it is appropriate for fifth graders and up.
I received a complimentary copy of Once a Castle. This is my honest review.
February 22, 2025
While I enjoyed the first book in this series, Once a Queen, I really adored this second book in the series! It delivered much more on the magical realms and creatures that I was hoping for when I picked up book one. The author is obviously much in love with fantasy and the classics of this genre as you can see influences from Narnia and Lord of the Rings throughout but not in a copycat kind of way.
I enjoyed that it was set within the same place as the first book but advances the time just a bit. We have some familiar characters that we get to catch up with while being introduced to new characters and getting to know some smaller side characters much better. The action and adventure centres mostly on the younger siblings of Frankie and friends but also has another POV from the world of Ternival, Zahra. She was my favourite character within the story, brave and smart and kind and I enjoyed the whole background of her story and grandfather so much as well.
This is a rich story with good pacing and filled to the brim with battles of good against evil and everything you would expect from a portal fantasy story. I would recommend this series to tweens and teens and adults alike. There really isn't anyone that I can't see enjoying this series and I can't wait to see what's next.
I received an advanced digital reader copy of this book through NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed that it was set within the same place as the first book but advances the time just a bit. We have some familiar characters that we get to catch up with while being introduced to new characters and getting to know some smaller side characters much better. The action and adventure centres mostly on the younger siblings of Frankie and friends but also has another POV from the world of Ternival, Zahra. She was my favourite character within the story, brave and smart and kind and I enjoyed the whole background of her story and grandfather so much as well.
This is a rich story with good pacing and filled to the brim with battles of good against evil and everything you would expect from a portal fantasy story. I would recommend this series to tweens and teens and adults alike. There really isn't anyone that I can't see enjoying this series and I can't wait to see what's next.
I received an advanced digital reader copy of this book through NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for my honest review.
February 3, 2025
A sequel to Once a Queen. Definitely adventure happening. This time, a different set of people are involved. Rumblings in the hills that have people wondering but a few claim it's giants. A mysterious tower appears, then disappears, under the command of someone bent on power. People from another world cross over into England and then back into their own world, take those from England with them. Can they all work together to save 2 worlds? I'm looking forward to book 3 coming out to see what adventures happen next.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
November 11, 2024
First of all , thanks to netgalley and Ms. Arthur for the opportunity to reading this ARC ahead of publishing.
Once a Crown" dives into the realm of Ternival, where magic and dangers await. The story follows various lines, who finds themselves entangled in the dangers that Mindra brings with, when she goes searching for the gems at Carrick Hall.
The narrative kicks off some years after The original book and even if I enjoy the depths of the new characters i missed more of Eva and the new relationship with Frankie.
Despite its imaginative settings and engaging premise, "Once a Crown" suffers from pacing issues. While the supporting characters are intriguing, they sometimes feel underdeveloped, leaving readers craving more backstory and motivation behind their actions.
In conclusion, "Once a Crown" presents a richly woven fantasy adventure that captures the essence of heroism, friendship. and found family However, its pacing and character development leave something to be desired, making it a solid read for fantasy enthusiasts but not an absolute must-read. Readers looking for a blend of action and magic may find enjoyment.
Once a Crown" dives into the realm of Ternival, where magic and dangers await. The story follows various lines, who finds themselves entangled in the dangers that Mindra brings with, when she goes searching for the gems at Carrick Hall.
The narrative kicks off some years after The original book and even if I enjoy the depths of the new characters i missed more of Eva and the new relationship with Frankie.
Despite its imaginative settings and engaging premise, "Once a Crown" suffers from pacing issues. While the supporting characters are intriguing, they sometimes feel underdeveloped, leaving readers craving more backstory and motivation behind their actions.
In conclusion, "Once a Crown" presents a richly woven fantasy adventure that captures the essence of heroism, friendship. and found family However, its pacing and character development leave something to be desired, making it a solid read for fantasy enthusiasts but not an absolute must-read. Readers looking for a blend of action and magic may find enjoyment.
December 1, 2024
Thanks to the publishers - WaterBrook - for sending me a copy of this book as an E-ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
It's been so long since I read book one in this series (which I believe I enjoyed) that I didn't remember anything about the characters or the world. This made this being a very confusing read and I feel like characters were being introduced left, right and centre which did not help with the confusion.
I had to put most of my time reading into figuring out who each character was, and therefore my rating will me rather low. I'm sure if you read book one and book two back to back that you get more out of it.
It's been so long since I read book one in this series (which I believe I enjoyed) that I didn't remember anything about the characters or the world. This made this being a very confusing read and I feel like characters were being introduced left, right and centre which did not help with the confusion.
I had to put most of my time reading into figuring out who each character was, and therefore my rating will me rather low. I'm sure if you read book one and book two back to back that you get more out of it.
November 12, 2024
Fantasy adventure that reads similar to Narnia. I enjoyed the book, but it did seem to have a lot going on. It takes a bit to iron out the story lines and characters and everything, but it’s an entertaining story. I’m glad that I got an advance reader copy to read.
January 26, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. It definitely reminded me of the Narnia series. How good always triumphs over evil, even when the outcome looks bleak.
February 22, 2025
Carrick Hall has been a gateway to the magic land of Ternival, but the doors have been shut for quite some time now. With the summer solstice though, a castle appears in the cliffs of the Wolverns, and the Addison children Jack, Tilly, Elspeth, Georgie, Frank and Eva, Lord Edward's kids Charlie and Aurora, Arash from the Rastegar bookshop, and a weaver-fishergirl, Zahra, from Ternival by way of neighboring Valan must overcome their own foibles and learn to trust each other if they are to have a hope of saving Ternival from the evil witch Mindra in her quest for the magic crown and jewels of Ternival.
At long last we have an adventure in Ternival, and one for nothing less than saving all of Ternival from Mindra as she seeks to reclaim the throne. The cast is huge, as we rotate primarily between following Jack, Tilly, Elspeth, plus Arash and Zahra - it makes for short, choppy chapters full of action and movement as people come together, break apart, and come back together in new groups. Secrets are much fewer in this book, with personal foibles taking a stronger center stage; foibles which each character will need to work through if they are to succeed as a group to save Ternival.
It took a little bit for me to catch the rhythm of the book, as we get launched so quickly into a lot happening. But once you’re in it, you’re in, and it’s onward and forward and don’t look back, don’t stop. Each of the main kids has their own very specific Achilles’ heel/foible to wrestle with in the story, and through the trials and experiences they have, they learn and grow quite satisfyingly. Even the one who seems the furthest from finding the right path, and seems set up to never find it, gets a fair chance to make amends and do better. The echoes I got of the Chronicles of Narnia in the first book are even stronger in this, given how the kids are thrown into such a situation and how they handle it (quite realistically and with just the right amount of meta-awareness, I might add!). But those echoes are more in the unfolding and style of the action, as I recall them years later, than the very Christian allegory Narnia is known for. There is still a bit of it with the stag/Aslan stand-in, and Mindra for the ice queen, as well as who can go to Ternival, when, and what type of circumstances open the door, but it's not as overt as in the first book.
In addition to each of the main children having to face their own difficulties, there is also an overarching theme speaking out against racism: specifically, the racism that Arash and Zahra experience at the hands of the inhabitants of England and Ternival, where each of them is considered a "foreigner" despite having grown up there. While it is a little rocky the way it is inserted, both as a "here is what racism looks like" and "here is how simple it is to not be a racist", ultimately how the anti-racism growth happens is satisfying.
I received a free eARC copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has not affected my rating or the content of my review.
At long last we have an adventure in Ternival, and one for nothing less than saving all of Ternival from Mindra as she seeks to reclaim the throne. The cast is huge, as we rotate primarily between following Jack, Tilly, Elspeth, plus Arash and Zahra - it makes for short, choppy chapters full of action and movement as people come together, break apart, and come back together in new groups. Secrets are much fewer in this book, with personal foibles taking a stronger center stage; foibles which each character will need to work through if they are to succeed as a group to save Ternival.
It took a little bit for me to catch the rhythm of the book, as we get launched so quickly into a lot happening. But once you’re in it, you’re in, and it’s onward and forward and don’t look back, don’t stop. Each of the main kids has their own very specific Achilles’ heel/foible to wrestle with in the story, and through the trials and experiences they have, they learn and grow quite satisfyingly. Even the one who seems the furthest from finding the right path, and seems set up to never find it, gets a fair chance to make amends and do better. The echoes I got of the Chronicles of Narnia in the first book are even stronger in this, given how the kids are thrown into such a situation and how they handle it (quite realistically and with just the right amount of meta-awareness, I might add!). But those echoes are more in the unfolding and style of the action, as I recall them years later, than the very Christian allegory Narnia is known for. There is still a bit of it with the stag/Aslan stand-in, and Mindra for the ice queen, as well as who can go to Ternival, when, and what type of circumstances open the door, but it's not as overt as in the first book.
In addition to each of the main children having to face their own difficulties, there is also an overarching theme speaking out against racism: specifically, the racism that Arash and Zahra experience at the hands of the inhabitants of England and Ternival, where each of them is considered a "foreigner" despite having grown up there. While it is a little rocky the way it is inserted, both as a "here is what racism looks like" and "here is how simple it is to not be a racist", ultimately how the anti-racism growth happens is satisfying.
I received a free eARC copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has not affected my rating or the content of my review.
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