Wonderful worldbuilding and characters. I was so excited to see Amanda was doing a middle grade and I wasn’t let down at all.

What a wonderful middle grade school story! I just loved all the little cities created. My 12 year old granddaughter did as well

Such a fun middle-grade story. Read this with my nephew and he loved it (almost as much as me). Amanda Foody just creates these wonderful worlds that I always enjoy falling into. Can't wait for the sequel!!

THE ACCIDENTAL APPRENTICE contained literally everything that makes middle grade fantasy such fun, and the perfect escapism. It’s fantastic magic and an adorable cast of characters, and those Moments‪™‬ that are so hilariously, spectacularly middle grade (exhibit a: the town of boring rule followers being called Dullshire!).

Even better, it was 100% reminiscent of Pokémon, also in the best way. Truly a great start to what I’m sure will be a well-loved series!!

I usually don’t read middle grade books (other than novels by Rick Riordan), so I was pleasantly surprised to find out how much I enjoyed reading this book!

This book is the first in the new Wilderlore series and was marketed as a book for fans of Pokémon and How to Train Your Dragon. After reading this, I can see why fans would love it! I was obsessed with Pokémon when I was younger and reading this brought back the nostalgia of seeing characters go on adventures, befriending creatures, and competing in challenges together!

The Accidental Apprentice focuses on a 11 year old boy named Barclay who’s longing to fit in somewhere. As an orphan in a small village, Barclay feels so out of place and believes if he works hard as an apprentice, one day he can become a mushroom farmer and belong in the community. But when he accidentally bonds with a Beast, he has to leave home and try to find a way to break the bond.

My favourite part of this novel is the world building! I enjoyed learning about the different types of Beasts that existed and the different types of Lore Keepers (which is someone who bonds with Beasts). It was interesting to learn about the history of their world and how they trained with their Beasts. The companionship between Beasts and Lore Keeper is similar to the bond between a Pokémon trainer and their Pokémon.

I also enjoyed the character development that Barclay went through and the friendships he made throughout his adventure! From the very beginning Barclay was against the Lore Keeper community and going on any type of adventure. By the end of the book, I was proud of Barclay and his decisions with what he wanted to do next.

The plot twist that happened wasn’t something I expected, though I feel like I should have guessed it. 😂 My only complaint was that I felt like the conflict at the end kind of resolved too quickly. I wish it went on a little longer.

Overall, this was a fun read! I recommend trying this book out if you enjoy middle grade novels about adventure and magical creatures. Not only am I excited to read the second book in the Wilderlore series, I’m also curious to try out more books by Amanda Foody!

Well, I never would have expected that I needed a cottagecore Pokemon type story in my life, but here we are. I needed it!

This was incredible! It deserves to be and should become the next beloved and giant middle grade series.

Being a fan of Foody’s YA books, I have to beg the author: please be kind to my feelings. I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

And for audiobook fans, Steve West narrates this one.

Barclay Thorne is an apprentice to a mushroom farmer in Dullshire. He’s an orphan, whose parents were killed by a massive beast. In Barclay’s town, they keep the beasts away. No one is allowed to go into the forest where the beasts live. When his friend goes running into the forest while they’re gathering mushrooms one day, Barclay follows him. Barclay’s worst nightmare comes true when he encounters a beast, who creates a bond with him, turning Barclay into a Lore Keeper. Barclay is run out of town when the townspeople realize he has a magical connection to a beast. He meets Violet in the forest, who brings Barclay to a town to have his bond with the beast removed. However, the bond is not easily broken, so Barclay is convinced to participate in an apprenticeship contest in order to get his beast bond removed.

This was a fun twist on the middle grade fantasy story. Usually, the main characters in fantasy stories are eager to find and connect with animals. In this case, that was the worst thing that Barclay could imagine. His bond with a beast ruined the plans he had to live a quiet life in his town as a mushroom farmer. The life he wanted to live was so quiet, that the town is actually called “dull.” He didn’t want to go on an adventure, unlike most fantasy characters.

There were some surprising twists throughout the story. Some characters weren’t what they seemed, which really surprised me. The story ended with another adventure beginning, so I’m excited to see what happens in the next book.

This was a fun middle grade fantasy.

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This novel definitely felt like a novel for younger kids. I enjoyed it but it felt very juvenile and that took away from my experience.

That being said, this novel was filled with incredible adventure. It was fast paced and fun and featured some incredible characters.

Despite this being a shorter novel, the book was packed with well written story arcs and incredible characters.

I have no doubt that anyone who reads this (young or old) will find something to enjoy in it. Whether it be the unbridled joy of an adventure or the incredible characters, there is a plenty to love in this novel.

I absolutely loved this book. It was super easy to delve into and I finished it so quickly! I just couldn’t get enough of Barclay’s adventures and of the many beasts we learn throughout this first book.

Barclay is a mushroom farmer apprentice but when he goes to save his fellow apprentice after he ran into the woods and he accidentally gets marked by a Beast, he’s forced to leave the town he grew up in because they don’t allow magic there, or Lore as it is called in the book.

Barclay was a fun main character to follow. He’s quite grumpy and he really held on to his “I’m going to remove my mark so I can go home” mantra. It was nice to see his character development and I’m eager to see how much further he goes in the next book.

If you like Pokémon, magical beasts or anything like that, you’ll absolutely adore this book. We have a magical competition, friendship and a dangerous enemy on the horizon mixed in with magic and inner growth and creatures galore. It was so good. I highly recommend this!

5/5 ⭐️

TW: death of parents, violence, blood.

I genuinely cannot remember the last time I read a middle grade novel, and I don't think I could have picked a better one than Amanda Foody's first entry into the MG world. I fell in love from the first page and adored every minute of it.

Barclay Thorne is a mushroom farmer apprentice in Dullshire, a little town with a lot of rules. With his wild hair and dirty nails, he doesn't seem to fit in, but he certainly tries. When he breaks another rule by entering the forbidden Woods, Barclay accidentally bonds with a Beast that might eat him and is swept into a world of Lore Keepers. It's all fine and dandy in books, but Barclay doesn't actually want to be on an adventure, especially when he has a dangerous Beast trapped under his skin. All he wants is for his Beast Mark to be removed so he can go back home, but the only way that will happen is if he comes first in the apprentice Exhibition.

This was truly so adorable. It carries some great How to Train Your Dragon meets Pokémon vibes, with the Beasts and the magic each carries. As the main character, Barclay is certainly someone younger kids will relate too. He's trying to find a place to fit in and be himself, but he's been on his own for so long that he's not sure what that is supposed to look like. Dullshire told him so many things not to do that it takes time for him to come to love those actually okay things. His growth in the Lore Keeper world was well-done and very sweet. I loved Viola too. She becomes Barclay's closest ally in the Woods and I adored her spunk and cheery attitude.

The magic system is what really made this shine for me. To become a Lore Keeper, one bonds with one of the magical Beasts that dwells in the different Wilderlands. There are five classes, with each being harder to bond with, but granting stronger magic. This Beast becomes their constant companion, and when not out in the open, they return inside their Keeper's body as a living tattoo. Barclay accidentally bonds with Root, a Lufthund of the fourth, Mythic Class. While he wants nothing to do with the wolf-like creature, Barclay gains the ability to control wind and run super fast. Root himself is powerful in that his howls can summon a storm. So many of these Beasts were wonderful, with so much thought and care put into them and the world they interact with. Viola has a small dragon, and others have Beasts that can cast illusion magic, electrocute you, create mirrors to travel through, or eat sound.

I am a big fan of Amanda Foody's young adult novels, but this successful voyage into middle grade tells me she is a writer I will follow to the ends of the earth.

ARC Copy...I was immediately drawing comparisons to Pokemon due the cast of young-lings training/bonding with creatures, having battles along side them, and traveling the world. I love Pokemon but it was hard to objective in this review.However I did like the stable of monsters described and the culture-workings surrounding the keeper's world.

What a fun read! I loved the world of lore Amanda Foody created. From the beasts to the magic and the Masters the story was a magical fantasy ride. Barclay Thorne, an orphan due to tragic circumstances, is a character my sons (8 and 10 years) rooted for from the beginning. He’s likeable and curious—why doesn’t he want to be a Lore Keeper? There were many twists and turns along the way that made for an exciting adventure. My boys kept asking to read more! I loved the unique creatures and names and was intrigued to see that it seems like this might be the beginning of a series. Yay! Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher (Simon & Schuster Canada) for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Amanda Foody (the author of the Ace of Shades trilogy and Daughter of the Burning City) is one of my favourite authors of all time. When I saw the first book in her new middle-grade series was available for request on Netgalley, I was so excited. I was ecstatic when I got approved.

Going into this book, I had high hopes for it to become a new favourite, and it did! The Accidental Apprentice follows Barclay, an apprentice to the town's mushroom farmer. All Barclay had to do was follow the rules to become the head mushroom farmer himself. But then Barclay breaks his town's most sacred rule: never EVER stray into the Woods, for within the Woods lurks vicious and dangerous magical Beasts.

To his horror, he unwittingly bonds with a Beast and is chased out of town by an angry mob. Determined to break the bond and return home, he journeys to a mysterious town of Lore Keepers, people who have bonded with Beasts and share their powers. But after making new friends, entering a dangerous apprenticeship exam, and even facing a legendary Beast of the Woods, Barclay must make a difficult choice: return to the home of rules he has always known, or embrace the new adventure with new friends awaiting him.

I loved this book! It is definitely a new favourite.

The pacing was amazing, I loved the writing style, and the characters were all so well rounded. Foody never fails to amaze me at how she writes characters so well in so little time.

Between the character development of Barclay, his new friendships, and the adventure this book holds itself, I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this book!

If you are looking for a medium/fast-paced middle-grade read, this is for you! Don't let the middle-grade aspect of this book turn you away, you will not be disappointed!

So! Much! Fun! I've read and loved some of Amanda Foody's YA novels, so I was extra excited to see she'd ventured into my favorite age category ... and oh, she did not disappoint!

"Classic" is a funny term, loaded with certain implications I don't particularly like, but THE ACCIDENTAL APPRENTICE feels like classic MG fantasy in the most positive possible way. The writing is clever and witty, told with utter confidence, and Barclay is the kind of (reluctant) hero we can't help but root for. But I think the most exciting element of APPRENTICE was the worldbuilding. I won't go into too much detail in case I spoil the lovely surprises Foody has in store, but what's not to love about a world where you can bond with a magical Beast and gain special powers? Add in hidden magical towns, a cutthroat competition, fascinating monster Lore, and a dastardly villain, and you have a recipe for a truly special adventure!

This is a very, very strong series-starter with wide appeal, and it's a 5/5 recommend from me.

As long as he can remember, Barclay Thorne has never fit in. The town of Dullshire has lots of rules that he tends to break, and with his parents killed by a beast attack when he was young there's no one to defend him. Hard work has kept him alive, granted him everything he has including an apprenticeship to the local mushroom farmer. This is destined to be his future until a chance encounter in the woods changes his life forever. The woods are dangerous and forbidden to enter but when his fellow apprentice stumbles in Barclay has no choice but to follow. Inside they meet a young Lore Keeper hoping to bond with a beast when a beast decides to bond with Barclay instead. This bond grants him some lore (magic) and lives on him as a golden tattoo while the beast's not roaming wild. Chased out of his town Barclay flees to the Lore town of Sycomore in hopes someone can rid him of his bond with his new companion. There a Lore master strikes a deal, an exhibition of would-be apprentices is about to start and if Barclay places first they'll help him. With the help of new friends can he manage to place first in a world he's only just discovered or will he be stuck bonded to the beast and remain an outcast?

I loved this novel and found it a perfect adventure. Built in a world that's rich and fascinating, is a story of learning to let go and finding where you belong. I really enjoyed Barclay as a character and how he had to work hard to not only survive but thrive in a world set against him. An outsider in his home town for being too "wild" and for being an "elsie" to a world of Lore Keepers (who share an equal distaste for each others way of life) he set out to be the best he could be. His commitment and determination are admirable. .His beast, Root, melted my heart reminding me of my dog and how she loves to run. The supporting cast of characters were intriguing, and I really look forward to see how they develop in future instalments.

This is a strong start to a great new fantasy series. It has an epic quest feel that should appeal to many readers and leave them wanting to explore more of this wonderfully crafted magical world. Fans of Frostheart, Amari and the Night Brothers, Harry Potter, and How to Train Your Dragon should love digging into this novel. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a fun new adventure. Full of intrigue and high stakes, it's definitely a series to watch!

Omg!!!! I want the sequel now please! I want more! It was amaze balls..... oh I loved it, even suggested it to my friends and one of them already preordered it! I will add it to my collection as well.. Nevermoor, HP, Pokemon or Animal totem vibes... it’s a mix of everything I love! Thank you Netgalley for this opportunity and to the publisher as well! I’m gonna go post this in my book clubs and tell everyone to buy it hihi