I’m always a little leery when I see anything comped to Nevermoor, because I love that series so freaking much. I mean, I’m obviously always going to pick up books comped to it, on the off chance that the comp is spot on. I’m so glad I picked up this book, because it captures all the fun and whimsy of Nevermoor with the underpinning of darkness, but it also captures the fun and adventure of shows I grew up with like Pokemon and Digimon, where our protagonist is thrown into an unlikely adventure in an unknown world with their adorable, yet powerful, sidekick.

The Accidental Apprentice is a magical, fast-paced adventure sure to be popular with fans of Pokemon. It’s got a dark world filled with magic and all sorts of creatures, an unwilling hero, and a trio of friends that are sure to win readers’ hearts.

I’ve been really looking forward to this book since I saw it announced, and it did not disappoint! I had so much fun with it that I’ll gladly be recommending it to young patrons who come into the library. The only thing I didn’t like about it is needing to wait until 2022 to read the next book! Booooo for publication schedules and writers actually having lives. I’m not saying Annie Wilkes had the right idea, I’m just saying that it got results, didn’t it? 😉 (Totally just kidding. Please be nice to authors and don’t kidnap/torture them into writing the next book, okay?)

My Thoughts

- In The Accidental Apprentice, we meet Barclay, an unwilling hero (which is the best kind) who wants nothing more than to find somewhere he belongs. Orphaned by a wild Beast attack, Barclay just wants to fit into his town of Dullshire and prove he belongs. However, he’s a little too unruly, a little too wild, a little too other. That doesn’t stop him from trying, though. Until he breaks the one rule of Dullshire: don’t go into the Wilds. Which of course launches him into a sweeping adventure, which he does not want, thank you very much. Barclay is such a wonderful character, because he’s the quintessential “normal” and somewhat dull character thrust into a world that’s way over his head that he finds himself swept up in, despite constantly reminding himself that he for sure doesn’t belong there. Barclay reacts the way pretty much any of us would if we found ourselves in the same situation, which made it all the more fun to take this journey with him. Plus, he tries to do what’s right and be a good person, which is always nice to see in a world like this where that isn’t just a given, especially not among Lore Masters, the people who bond with Beasts.

- There’s a trio of lead characters, as is popular in middle grade, but they’re likely to steal any reader’s heart. Even some of the side characters end up being a big win. In this world, the rule is basically expect the unexpected, especially among the Lore Masters. Barclay finds himself in the middle of a big contest, basically, and participants are competing to win the favor of the masters in order to become apprentices. Perfect place to make friends, right? Okay, so maybe there’s a good deal of tension in the plot because of that, and maybe that makes it all the more exciting. On his journey, Barclay meets plenty of fun characters, like Viola, whose Beast is a dragon, and Abel. He even meets a rival, Tagd, and a few other Lore Masters, both young and old. The only thing they all have in common is that no one is quite what they seem. This makes perfect sense given that everyone is competing for a spot in an apprenticeship, so obviously there’s bound to be secrets among them. It’s more than just that, though, because of course it is. Even the adults have secrets … sometimes deadly and dangerous ones. It’s clear that Barclay is in over his head, but at least he’s not alone, and he couldn’t ask for a better team to navigate this strange new world with.

- This is a world that readers are sure to absolutely love. It’s dark but magical, filled with creatures that are sure to delight the imagination. Once I got into the meat of the story, it reminded me (rather fondly) of Pokemon and how much I loved it in my youth. Okay, I won’t pretend: I still love Pokemon. Which made this book all the more charming. Nostalgia plus current interest is a powerful combination! Beasts are sort of like Pokemon, in that they need to be caught by a Lore Master, and they reside in a Mark until needed. They’re powerful partners that can bestow many advantages on their owners. They’re different than Pokemon, too, in that the Lore Master also gets part of their Beast’s power. Also, Beasts can sometimes turn on their owners and essentially go dark, and it is not a pretty sight. Makes for some interesting reading, though. This world is so much bigger than it seems, even though Barclay only really explores the Wild. Readers get to meet a variety of creatures that exist in the Wild, each with different abilities and properties and of varying levels of danger. This world is hecka charming. I adored every new creature discovered and all the differences between them. Plus, they’ve got personalities of their own, which is always extra fun. I’m super excited for the next book and to be able to discover even more of this world!

Amanda Foodie is an author I really like to keep an eye on. The daughter of the burning city is a book I love by her. I enjoyed Ace of Shades. so when I saw she was coming out with a fantasy middle grade, I was really excited. I thought that was a great path for her to explore.

This is literally magical school meets pokemon. Far more on the pokemon side of things but instead of poke balls where you keep your companion inside, it’s tattoos and when you’re ready to summon your companion, it leaps off your body. It reminds me a lot of a character from Bloody Rose that uses that exact concept, it’s really cool. Also I’ve never read nevermoor but I’ve seen people compare it to that.

So we have Barclay our protagonist, he lost his parents to a magical beast when he was younger and just wants a very boring life. He does not want to be a hero or have any type of adventure, it does lead to a lot of complaining and fussy scenes but it was a very different twist on your typical fantasy story, you know your egotistical hero. When he has to go into the nearby woods, he finds himself suddenly bonded to a beast and thus gets shamed and evicted from his life as a mushroom farmer's apprentice.

It’s not the most original plot by any means. That being said though, I think it was the perfect amount of world building and imagery for the target audience of younger readers. I gave this 3 stars and I’d probably read more from world for sure.

I read an advance copy of this book, all opinions are mine and I LOVED this book! Barclay lost his parents when he was very small. They were killed when a Beast from the Forest roared through their town. Barclay has had to scrape by on his own since then and is determined to have nothing to do with the Forest or magic. One day, while searching for mushrooms along the edge of the Forest, he ventures in too far and ends up bonded with a Beast. Now he HAS to travel to find the Lore Keepers in the Forest to discover how to break the bond. Twists and turns abound in this coming-of-age story about discovering that maybe we are much more than we thought we could be. Highly recommended for grades 4-6.

I’m such a big lover of Amanda’s books since I got an early copy of her stand-alone Daughter of the Burning City. So, I was super excited to see her take a leap in a new direction with her first middle grade series! She hit this one out of the park.

We meet Barclay Thorne as a mushroom farmer in Dullshire, where there’s rules around every corner for people to follow. He doesn’t fit into the average towns-person thanks to his eccentric hair and dirty nails, but he tries his best to follow the rules. That is, until he breaks one by entering the forbidden Woods. Unexpectedly, he bonds with a Beast and is swept into a world of what is known as Lore Keepers. Barclay just wants to return to normal, but that may be harder than he thinks.

Let me put it this way. If you’re looking for a replacement for Harry Potter for yourself or your children, this first book in what definitely has the potential to be a long term series is the one to pick up. Barclay is such a likable character and someone that kids can look up to. As every other human in the world, Barclay just wants to fit in but he also wants to be himself. What may be considered “rebellious” is just what every child grows up to have: the hunger for adventure. Even if Barclay doesn’t know it in the beginning for himself. There’s also a great friendship formed with Viola and I really liked her character. Her personality with Barclay’s really pairs well.

The world building and the story behind everything was absolutely wonderful. I really liked how everything was explained, but not so much where it can overwhelm the reader. The details of becoming a Lore Keeper – bonding with a Beast, five classes of Beasts, literally living inside the Lore Keeper – it was really fascinating. I can tell how much thought and heart Amanda put into her world building and really gave the Beasts their own personality and care.

For kids and even other readers of all ages, this new series is going to be such a good fit if you crave fantasy and something familiar that can tug at your reader’s heart. I certainly can’t wait to introduce my child (when he is old enough, of course) to this series because I know he will love it as much as I loved the first book. Here’s to many more books with Barclay to come!

This book is one you want to hug when you are done. Full of magic and intrigue and coming of age emotions, this book is a delight. Barclay is thrust into an adventure against his will, and has to contend with his past as he tries to shape his future. The world building in this one is fabulous and doesn't hinder the fast pace of the plot. The characters are fully realized and complex. I can't wait to see where this series goes.

For fans of Harry Potter (especially the Goblet of Fire) and The Wingfeather Saga.

Content Warnings: Violence, Bullying, Mentions of death/murder, Dead Parents

This book was an absolute delight to read. It was full of heart and so much adventure. I haven’t read a middle grade fantasy book in so long and I’m so glad that this tour came along. It filled a void in my heart I didn’t realize I had. Barclay Thorne is the main character that this book centers on. He is a mushroom apprentice in a town that LOVES rules and hates the forest, along with everything in it. He is thrust into the magical world, which is something he doesn’t take kindly to when he accidentally forms a bond with a magical beast. He meets a young girl named Viola, who is a Lore Keeper, with a dragon-like beast named Mitzi and at first they butt-heads on a lot of things but in the end, they have a pretty strong friendship. Viola is a strong-willed, independent girl and I loved how she didn’t let Barclay’s backwards “hometown” mindset get in the way of helping him, and showing him the truth of the world of Lore Keepers and helping him find a place to belong.

The story and world building is immersive and well done. I loved all the different beasts and that you could collect all different types, and they gave you magic, which is called Lore, to use. Some beasts are every day helper types and others are more battle ready. I loved that there was dueling but that strength does not always win over smarts and ingenuity. There was definitely some evil shenanigans that the children had to protect themselves against, but it was done light-hearted, with lots of warmth, and humor. I loved the lessons that this story conveyed.

Overall, I think kids will devour this book and be impatiently waiting for the second one to come out….I know I am. I can’t wait to see the next adventure Barclay and Viola go on and what world awaits them outside the forest.

I love reading middle-grade fantasy adventures, and “The Accidental Apprentice” did not disappoint.

Barclay is the perfect character for this type of novel. He is confused, scared, and practically thrown out of Dullshire with the townspeople carrying pitchforks. Yet, he also stays hopeful and strong-minded to fix everything. The author progressed him in a fluid manner where you see him grow and like the Lore in Sycomore. He shares a beautiful friendship with Viola. Another reason why I enjoyed the story is that the author gives the side characters a nice back story too. I enjoyed Viola’s story for her actions. Similarly, Tadg also surprised me as I did not expect to like the character. Ethel, Abel, Soren, and Runa were also memorable.

Moreover, there are also a few surprising twists and turns that I did not expect. The author also keeps the story exciting with many moments of adventure. Some of the scenes that stood out for me were when Barclay battles the illusion of Gravaldor when he is against Klara or when he confronts Soren at the Scavenger Hunt. I even liked the scenes where when Abel uses his mirror skills. I also loved how the author gave depth to some of the beasts, like Root and Gravaldor. The book will keep you glued as Barclay participates in all the challenges to win the Exhibition.

Overall, “The Accidental Apprentice” is a beautiful start to the “Wilderlore” series, and I enjoyed it a lot! I look forward to reading the following books to see how the series continues.

This book is AMAZING. I loved it. Definitely a 5 star read for me this year. I will definitely be reading this to my class during aloud reading time. The book makes you care about the characters and love the beasts within! Please check this out!!

It’s no secret that I love Amanda Foody’s books. In fact, The Shadow Game is one of my favourite book series. She just has a way of writing that is incredibly compelling, and lovely to read. So when she announced she was writing a new, middle-grade fantasy series, I knew I had to read it! Despite not being the target audience, I love middle-grade books. They’re so much fun, and they often contain so many wonderful messages that even adults can learn from. They’re drama-free, oftentimes magic-filled stories that remind me of childhood.

The Accidental Apprentice follows our protagonist Barclay, a humble mushroom farming apprentice who wants nothing more than to be a mushroom farmer himself. Orphaned just a few years prior, he wants to make his parents proud. But something goes wrong one day in the Woods, and Barclay is soon thrust into a world of magic, beasts and a gruelling competition. The Accidental Apprentice has so many fun elements in it, it’s hard to pick a favourite.

Barclay is an endearing protagonist. He’s sweet and stubborn and learning more about the world as he goes through it. Barclay is a curious and stubborn eleven-year-old, so much so that it reminded me of myself at that age! He’s determined to prove himself to others, and get what he wants, all while making friends along the way. He was a lovely protagonist to read about, and I know kids will love him as well! Alongside Barclay is Viola, an adventurous young girl who is striving to be the best Lore Keeper she can be. With her trusty dragon sidekick, Mitzi, she is a wonderful addition to the novel, and provides a lot of the comic relief to the story. She’s headstrong, ambitious and selfless, someone I know kids will love reading about!

The world building is really where this book excels. In just one book, Amanda Foody has created a world that feels almost endless. Having carefully plotted and placed tiny bits of details, Foody has created a world that seems so easy to expand in future books. I’m unsure of how many books she intends to write, but I know each of them will continue to add to this already wonderful world. As well as the world building, this book left me wishing for an animal sidekick. Viola’s dragon, Mitzi, was the most charming little character, and while it didn’t have dialogue, its presence was felt throughout the book. I loved watching Barclay slowly begin to love his Lufthund (sorta like a wolf, if we want to compare it to a real life animal), and their friendship and trust for one another blossom.

I truly think this is going to be an adventure children and adults alike enjoy. It’s fun, adventurous and full of charming characters. Amanda Foody has successfully created a world that will be an instant hit, and I would love to see it adapted for screen one day. I absolutely cannot wait to see where she takes this story, and I eagerly wait for book two.

2021 has been the best year for reading for me. I have found so many novels in my favorite genres that I fell completely in love with and that are replacing books that I have had on my favorites list for years. The Accidental Apprentice is the first Middle Grade novel I have read this year and it is easily one of the best MG series openers I have ever read. Foody wastes no time at all getting you acclimated to the world that she has created. The magic system involving the beasts was so fun and exciting to read about. This aspect of the story was also paired with a competition that Barclay has to go through in order to go back to the life he originally had.

Speaking of Barclay, I LOVED him. He is honestly the perfect character for younger readers to get to know. At the beginning of the novel he has such a sense of responsibility about himself, but this slowly morphs into something else as he continues on his adventures and trial after trial gets thrown at him. The addition of Viola in to the story just made it perfect. I loved how snazzy she was and her personality was so cute. These are the types of characters I wanted to read about when I was in middle school.

I literally don’t know how I am going to be able to wait until the next book is published. Barclay and Viola are causing me to have a major book hangover. If you’re looking for a fun and quick read with memorable characters, a daring competition, and a unique magic system you definitely need to pick this up!

The Accidental Apprentice by Amanda Foody delightfully delivered all the things I loved in a Middle-grade fantasy: enthralling world-building, fascinating characters, and a fast-paced plot. Reading this novel was such a fun experience.

The story followed Barclay Thorne, a mushroom farmer apprentice in Dullshire. He was an orphan, and to fit in, all he had to do was to follow the town's rules. However, he unintentionally bonded with a Beast when he entered the forbidden Woods, which resulted in Barclay being cast out. To break the bond, he sought and stepped into the world of Lore Keepers. The plot itself was not exactly new, but it was still interesting to read. It was well-paced, and the story flowed smoothly. I enjoyed the parts where the protagonist had to pass challenges as he slowly understood the nature of Lore Keepers. The story had enough plot twists, and unanswered questions to make readers look forward to the next book.

What I loved the most in this novel was the world-building. It was indeed magical. Lore Keepers bond with magical beasts that lived in the Wilderlands. The bonded beasts became their companions, and the Keepers also gained powers depending on their beasts. Magical beasts were categorised based on how hard it was to bond with them. Also, I liked how the Beasts can return to their Keepers as living tattoos. There were lots of varieties of beasts, and most of them were frighteningly adorable.

Barclay Thorne was unlike any other MG character I read. While others sought adventures and power, he just wanted a quiet, simple life in Dullshire. Although he was fond of reading adventure books, he didn't imagine himself to have one. Barclay was smart and obedient. He knew that the people in Dullshire thought of him as an outcast, that was why he kept trying to fit in. Most of the time, he was scared of new things since he was taught differently. It was satisfying to see his character grow in the novel. He was able to meet new friends, and he realized where he belonged to. On the otherhand, side characters are also very likeable.

Overall, The Accidental Apprentice is a great start of a series. It has great world building and a very interesting plot. I cannot wait to read the next book!

I am always into middle grade adventure stories, especially when they are fantasy based so I was super excited to get my hands on this one. I really enjoyed the aspect of Barclay not wanting to be a hero or have an adventurous life, it was a nice twist to the typically adventure story. I also really loved the world that Amanda Foody created and in many ways felt like a lot of the settings, based on the way she described them, could be imagined easily. That being said though, I think it was the perfect amount of world building and imagery for the target audience of younger readers and I think a lot of readers would be able to identify with at least one of the characters in the story. I couldn't put this one down and am eagerly hoping I get to pick up any future books written in this world.

I enjoyed the unique magic system in the book. It doesn’t seem that the people themselves are magical but the creatures that bond with them are. I liked that the higher-ranked Beasts choose their Lore Keeper – while the common but no less useful Beasts can be bonded with by essentially anyone. The unique magic and abilities each Beast can share with its Keeper was interesting. While Beasts don’t “level up” or “evolve” like Pokémon it reminded me of it. It also reminded me of Magic the Gathering – especially with the Beast ranks/rarity and the unique abilities each has.

Towards the start of the middle of the book, Barclay started giving me Harry Potter vibes. Deceased parents, hails from a town and background outside of “magic”, always on the wrong side of bullies (including a Malfoy-esque boy), bookish smart girl as a friend, only has “Elsie” money, gets a Mythic level Beast by accident (a special magical ability which made him stand out). Not quite the same kind of “chosen one” story The Accidental Apprentice was still an intriguing and wholesome story about a boy who never really fit in until he embraced what had happened to him. If you don’t like reading stories that share similarities with Harry Potter, this may not be a series for you.

Since this is the beginning of a series I felt like there was a little lack of world building but it wasn’t detrimental to the storyline. I do think we’ll see more of that with the other books in the series as Barclay and his friends grow and learn. There were a couple of twists in the book pertaining to characters that I didn’t expect and afterwards made a whole lot of sense with the events that happened. I am excited to see what becomes of Barclay and Root in the next book and I enjoyed The Accidental Apprentice more than enough to happily dig into the second book – whenever that releases.

I would recommend The Accidental Apprentice to readers who enjoy middle grade, fantasy, “chosen one” type books, books about learning to accept what makes you happy, possibly Pokémon, and Magic the Gathering. I would like to thank TBR and Beyond Tours, Amanda Foody, and Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster) for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Accidental Apprentice – all opinions are my own.

Hello my loves and welcome to this review! The Accidental Apprentice comes out tomorrow, which means you have just a few hours to go preorder it (which you will definitely want to do if you like middle grade fantasy). Upon entering this world I was instantly sympathetic to the main character Barclay and found the rules within his hometown horrible. I couldn’t wait to see this character get out of the town and have an adventure. This book flowed so well, though I admit once certain things occurred (*cough* magic *cough*) my investment upped several notches. I really enjoyed Barclay’s story. His growth as a character was such a beautiful arc and the creativity of this author shone through on each page. There were a few plot elements I recognized from other middle grade books, but I think they were done in an original way and that was awesome to see. 


Honestly I was so sad when this book was over and I’m so glad that this will be a series, because I can’t wait to head back to this magical world and have more adventures with Barclay!! Also, this was the first book I have read by Amanda Foody, but now I’m even more excited to read her YA novels! To wrap up, go preorder this if you like animals, magic, and adventure and a huge thank you to the publisher for this arc!!

I first would like to say a big thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours for hosting me on their tour and providing me with a free copy of The Accidental Apprentice for review. It has been a wonderful time and I'm grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this book early and show early support for it!

You guys, I absolutely loved this book! I read it in one sitting and ended up staying up until 1:30 AM just to finish it because I couldn't put it down. It was cute, it was fun, it was full of adventure, and it even had some plot twists that I didn't see coming. This was a five star read for me and I am so excited to see where the story goes next.

For me, middle grade is hit or miss at this point in my life. I'm just not the target audience anymore and that's okay. I still enjoy reading middle grade books a lot, especially when it comes to rereading my favorites from childhood. Because I'm an adult now, it's generally a 50/50 split on if a middle grade book blows me away or not. Most of the new ones I read are enjoyable but I haven't read a new middle grade in a long time that actually blew me away like this one did.

I knew from the first line of the book that I was going to enjoy it (in fact, that first line is the first one in my favorite quotes list down below!). I loved Barclay and connected with him almost instantly. He can be insufferable at times but, honestly, that just made me love him more. Reading his journey and getting to watch his character growth was simply wonderful.

The side characters were all enjoyable as well. I'm not going to name names because of spoilers, but I'm eager in the next books to find out more about each of the others as we only touched the surface of their backstories in this one. I think a solid cast of characters makes any book better and I am eager to see how these characters grow up and evolve in future books.

The plot itself was so fun. There's a tournament, mystery, and also character journeys that all tie together in a great way. I was a fan of it all and I thought that the author interwove it all in a way that each bit was complemented by the rest. There was a set up for another adventure at the end of the book, though it wasn't a cliffhanger, and I'm so intrigued to see where the plot could go next.

The magic system and world building was amazing. I'm currently reading another of Amanda's books (one of her young adult ones) and I've noticed that her magic systems are all incredibly interesting and fleshed out but aren't complicated to understand. I love the Beasts system and how magic is dependent on what beast a person bonds with. It's just...I'm so excited to explore more of this in future books.

Overall, I absolutely loved The Accidental Apprentice. I love middle grade but it has been hit or miss for me as I'm no longer the target audience. However, this book greatly exceeded any expectations I had for it and has found its way onto my list of favorite books for the year. I'm so excited to see where the next book and rest of the series go. I highly recommend this book to middle grade fantasy lovers and those who like How to Train Your Dragon and Pokemon.

*Links to reviews arriving April 4*

The Accidental Apprentice is the first book in a new series for middle grade readers by Amanda Foody. Due out 30th March 2021 from Simon & Schuster on their Margaret K. McElderry imprint, it's 304 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

This is an action packed, well paced, rollicking adventure. It's aimed at middle grade readers (approximately grades 3-7) but definitely enjoyable as an all ages read. The author is gifted at storytelling in clear accessible language which is accessible for younger readers but fun and engaging for adults as well.

The author has the same wry touch with placenames and characters (Dullshire, Humdrum, and Diddlystat) as other perennial favorites such as Dickens and a deft talent with characterization as well. The narrative arc rolls along at a breathless pace and everyman protagonist Barclay is soon thrust into an adventure against his will. All Barclay can ever remember wanting was to belong, to be responsible, to have a family (he's an orphan) and to be successful in his apprenticeship as a mushroom farmer. Soon he's an unwilling Lore Keeper using magic he can't control and only wishing to get back to his life in Dullshire.

This is an exceptionally good start to a fantasy series for all ages. I would recommend it for school or public library acquisition, reading groups, family reading time, and gifting. It reminds me in some ways of other all-ages media such as Spiderwick Chronicles with a little Pokemon vibe. Clean language and not-very-much on-page graphic violence.

Five stars. I'm looking forward to finding out what comes next.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Accidental Apprentice by Amanda Foody. Follows Barclay as he breaks the most important rule and that is to never go into the woods. Barclay finds himself in the woods and to his dismay he bonds with beasts and finding adventure. He doesn’t want these to happen. He must break the bond in order to get back home.

It was quit a silly and magical tale. Also Barclay had to decide along the way about weather he should stay in the woods or go back home. Which is is something I really enjoy in books. I do not want to say too much, as to give away spoilers.

My child read the book and loves it.
Child’s review:
Was a great book, and full of fun. Kept me laughing, I cannot wait to read the next one. 4/5 stars

I would recommend this book for fans of the following series Percy Jackson, Nevermoor and The School for Good and evil. Also to middle school age children.


Thank you to Netgalley, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for giving me a advanced readers copy of The Accidental Apprentice.

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.***

This book was a lot of fun! It kinda felt like a lot of my favorite middle-grade fantasy series got together and made this book. It has adventure, fun, and a new fantastical world to explore! What could be better?

Barclay, our main character, is kinda a unicorn of a middle-grade character. Most middle-grade main characters in fantasy/adventure books *crave* adventure. They seek out the danger and magic that so often comes in fantasy worlds. Barclay, however, is thrust into this world without consent (hence, our reluctant hero). He has absolutely no desire to be apart of the Lore Keeper community and spends most of the book doing everything he can to leave it behind. I enjoyed this new perspective that we get to experience through him. It's fresh, and new, and makes the plot that much more interesting.

On top of this dilemma he faces throughout the book, there is also the reason behind him needing to join the Lore Keeper community in the first place. Like any good story, the evil forces are at play and he must work with some beloved new characters to defeat them. I feel like the conflict regarding kids vs. evil was great, but resolved a little soon. I'm *guessing* that this particular conflict is going to come back stronger than ever in a later book since this is a series. For that reason, I'm not too worried about the quick resolve.

I loved the world-building in this book! There are a lot of fun and interesting creatures, including the one Barclay kinda gets tied to. It reminded me a lot of Harry Potter with all of its creatures! I can't wait to explore more of this world in general, but especially these new creatures. I hope we see more in the coming books!

The plot wasn't anything particularly new or innovative, but I still thought it was interesting. That being said, I felt like there was something missing, but I still can't quite put my finger on it. Nevertheless, I was thoroughly entertained and involved in this book and the characters' welfares.

Overall, I was so impressed with the world of this book and enjoyed getting to know the characters. I can't wait for the rest of the series to come out!

this was a great quirky story!! My daughter greatly enjoyed it! she said it had a Harry Potter feeling to it and is looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

Updated Review Will Be Posted Closer To My Stop On This Book Tour 4/3/2021

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.

But after making new friends, entering a dangerous apprenticeship exam, and even facing the legendary Beast of the Woods, Barclay must make a difficult choice: return to the home and rules he’s always known, or embrace the adventure awaiting him.