Stories that captivate readers often share a sense of wonder, mystery, and transformation. Harry Potter is a masterful example of a novel that takes a young protagonist from the ordinary into the extraordinary, where the world is both magical and perilous, and growth comes through struggle. The Castle Behind Thorns by Merrie Haskell operates within a different kind of magic—one rooted in restoration and discovery—but it shares key elements that make it resonate with Harry Potter fans. At its core, both stories explore isolation, the unraveling of deep mysteries, and the way magic shapes a young protagonist’s journey toward understanding their place in the world.
Hogwarts is more than a school—it is a character in its own right, a place filled with shifting staircases, hidden rooms, and ancient enchantments. Likewise, The Castle Behind Thorns creates a setting that is both wondrous and foreboding. The ruined castle where Sand finds himself is a place frozen in time, severed from the outside world by an impenetrable wall of thorns. Just as Harry must navigate the secrets of Hogwarts, Sand must piece together the mystery of his surroundings, uncovering the truth of what happened to the castle and why it has been abandoned. The castle is alive in its own way, bound by magic and tragedy, much like Hogwarts’ hidden history shapes the fates of those who dwell within it.
Harry Potter’s journey is, at its heart, a story of self-discovery. He begins as an unwanted child, unaware of his own significance, and grows into someone who embraces his abilities and his role in the larger magical world. Sand experiences a similar evolution. Though he does not have wands or spells in the traditional sense, he possesses an ability that is just as extraordinary—the skill to repair, mend, and heal what is broken. His power is not about destruction or battle but about restoration, and through his work, he comes to understand both the castle’s history and his own potential. Like Harry, Sand is faced with challenges that require more than just magical ability; he must grow in wisdom, patience, and courage to succeed.
One of the most compelling aspects of Harry Potter is how each book contains an unfolding mystery, where past events influence the present and the protagonist must uncover secrets hidden beneath layers of time. The Castle Behind Thorns operates in much the same way. Sand does not simply exist within the castle—he must understand it. The history of the ruined fortress, the sorcery that caused its unnatural destruction, and the reason he was drawn there all weave together into a puzzle that must be solved. Just as Harry learns that his own past is tied to the fate of the wizarding world, Sand comes to understand that he has a personal connection to the castle’s history and the forces that have shaped it.
Magic in Harry Potter is not just about spells and potions; it is a force that exists in every corner of its world, shaping lives, relationships, and destinies. The Castle Behind Thorns treats magic with the same reverence. The enchantment that holds the castle captive is not just an obstacle; it is a mystery to be unraveled, an entity with its own rules and consequences. Magic in this story is not simply about power—it is about understanding and responsibility, much like how Harry must learn that being a wizard is not just about casting spells but about the choices he makes with his abilities.
While Harry Potter is often framed as a battle between good and evil, it is also a story of healing—of broken families, of lost histories, of finding belonging where once there was loneliness. The Castle Behind Thorns takes this theme and places it at the forefront. Sand’s journey is one of mending, both literally and metaphorically. Every object he repairs is a step toward uncovering the truth, and every truth he learns brings him closer to making peace with the past. This theme of restoration mirrors Harry’s journey in a different way. While Harry learns to accept his past and forge his own future, Sand learns that healing what has been broken is its own kind of magic.
One of the reasons Harry Potter has remained beloved is that its world feels real beyond the pages. Readers long to return to Hogwarts, to its hidden corridors and secret passageways, because the story creates an atmosphere so immersive that it lingers even after the final chapter. The Castle Behind Thorns achieves a similar feat, though with a different approach. The quiet, enclosed world of the ruined castle feels just as tangible as Hogwarts, drawing readers into a place where every object, every fragment of history, has meaning. Sand’s experience within the castle is so vividly rendered that, like Harry’s time at Hogwarts, it feels like a place readers will want to revisit, searching for details they may have missed the first time.
Both The Castle Behind Thorns and Harry Potter create a space where magic is more than spectacle—it is a force that shapes lives, reveals hidden truths, and tests the hearts of those who wield it. Though one story is built on grand adventures and the other on quiet restoration, both remind us that magic is not just about power. It is about understanding, about growth, and about the courage to face what has been broken—whether in the world or within ourselves.