Wholesome, delightful, and jam-packed with adventure. Barclay’s journey reignites the wonder and discovery of childhood, culminating in a warm and sincere message about embracing who you are. In addition to pale-skinned Barclay and brown-skinned Viola, casual, naturally integrated diversity is found throughout. The worldbuilding calls forth the atmosphere of classic fantasy worlds while invoking fun and whimsy every step of the way. As Barclay spends more time in the fantastical town of Sycomore, he bonds both with human allies and his own Beast. Together they seek a way to remove Barclay’s magic Beast Mark so he can one day return to Dullshire, a goal contingent upon his finishing first in the Exhibition, a dangerous competition where budding Lore Keepers prove their worth. Left on his own, he teams up with the headstrong Viola, a local Lore Keeper with a dragonlike Beast named Mitzi. So, when Barclay accidentally stumbles upon-and bonds with-a wolflike Beast in the forbidden Woods, the town banishes him. Dullshire prides itself on rules and prickliness, and its citizens abhor all notions of Lore Keepers, those who bond with Beasts and practice Lore magic. He’s worked diligently to prove himself since his parents perished in an attack by an otherworldly Beast seven years prior.

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.īut 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.An orphaned boy discovers belonging and friendship.Įleven-year-old Barclay Thorne is an apprentice to the mushroom farmer in the town of Dullshire. 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. 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. 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.

The last thing Barclay Thorne ever wanted was an adventure. A boy who accidentally bonds with a magical Beast must set off on an adventure in the mysterious Woods in this “wholesome, delightful” ( Kirkus Reviews, starred review), and cheeky middle grade fantasy debut-perfect for fans of Nevermoor and How to Train Your Dragon.

The accidental apprentice amanda foody