Castle Hangnail

By: Ursula Vernon

Narrated by: Tara Sands

When Molly shows up on Castle Hangnail's doorstep to fill the vacancy for a wicked witch, the castle's minions are understandably dubious. After all, she is 12 years old, barely five feet tall, and quite polite. (The minions are used to tall, demanding evil sorceresses with razor-sharp cheekbones.) But the castle desperately needs a master or else the Board of Magic will decommission it, leaving all the minions without the home they love. So when Molly assures them that she is quite wicked indeed (so wicked! Really wicked!) and begins completing the tasks required by the Board of Magic for approval, everyone feels hopeful. Unfortunately it turns out that Molly has quite a few secrets, including the biggest one of all: that she isn't who she says she is.

©2015 Ursula Vernon (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"[I]t offers a read with substance and resonance, despite the more whimsical trappings." ( School Library Journal)

charming story with delightful voices

The story was so original and entertaining. And the narrator wad an absolute delight, full of colorful character choices. I will be looking for more from both the author and narrator in the future.

A fun well told story

I really enjoyed the flow of this tale. It pulled me along nicely through the world without me feeling like I had to double check what I had just heard.

A very enjoyable listen

I forgot I even purchased this, and yet, there it was in my library. I'd just finished a bunch of other fantasy novels, and needed SOMETHING while I was doing kitchen work. Ursula Vernon has never let me down before, and continues to make my day that much more fun and surreal. And earthy. Definitely earthy (but not in a burlesque sense). Practical fantasy.
Ms. Sands's narration took a little getting used to, but after the first or second chapter, I couldn't imagine any other voices except the ones she employed for the various characters. They were all unique and distinct, and not at all distracting from the story itself. I will probably subject my family to this on our next long car trip. Insert evil laughter here.

Wonderful book, wonderful narrator!

Was a joy to listen and follow a long! Great book to get kids that are “not into reading books” into reading!

Cool

Cool it was not very good at the begging but it got good at the end

wow! beyond description!

absolutely amazing narration! incredible story- full of humor, wit & an uncharacteristicmy descriptive (for a children's story) portrayal of the fundamentals of healthy & unhealthy relationship

A good book abut a witch by a kid

This book is abut love compassion frendship and Mail read abut a wicked witch named molly

Delightful!

Appropriate for all ages! Funny sweet story. Talking animals. Gardening. Being wicked, but, of course, not evil.

a great listen!

really enjoyable book! i'd read the webcomic "digger" long ago (as on, as it was being posted, in the before-times of the internet), and was pleased to find out she had authored so many stories after I'd lost track of her. the story itself is engaging and the characters are delightful!

the narrator does a great job with all the (imo necessary) voices for all the characters as well (she is, after all, a professional voice actor)!

very entertaining

the story is interesting and easy to listen to. no gory scenes. very good 👍