Another fun MG Fantasy!
From the publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books / Simon & Schuster, releases March 30, 2021
A boy who accidentally bonds with a magical Beast must set off on an adventure in the mysterious Woods in this whimsical and cheeky middle grade fantasy debut—perfect for fans of Nevermoor and How to Train Your Dragon.
The last thing Barclay Thorne ever wanted was an adventure.
Thankfully, as an apprentice to the town’s mushroom farmer, Barclay need only work hard and follow the rules to one day become the head mushroom farmer himself. No danger required. But then Barclay accidentally breaks his town’s most sacred rule: never ever EVER stray into the Woods, for within the Woods lurk vicious magical Beasts.
To Barclay’s horror, he faces a fate far worse than being eaten: he unwittingly bonds with a Beast and is run out of town by an angry mob. Determined to break this bond and return home, Barclay journeys to find the mysterious town of Lore Keepers, people who have also bonded with Beasts and share their powers.
The build and climax in this story are well done. And what you think of the characters may not be true. That was a fun twist. I loved the beasts, and it was very clever how they bonded with their chosen humans. There are different levels of beasts, too, which give the Lore Keepers different levels of powers.
I did have a hard time thinking they were 11 years old. The characters sounded and felt older to me. It didn’t prevent me from reading or bother me, but it did pop into my head.
Barclay’s emotional journal is also well done with a very satisfying ending.
I enjoyed the book very much and will definitely read the series as it comes out.
