Release: March 30th, 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source: Netgalley
Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, Kobo.
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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, Barclay is an apprentice to the town’s mushroom farmer. He needs only to 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 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 bonded with a Beast and was chased 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.
About the Author:
Amanda Foody has always considered imagination to be our best attempt at magic. After a double life as an accountant preparing taxes for multinational corporations, she now spends her free time brewing and fermenting foods much more easily obtained at her local grocery store.
She lives in Boston, MA, with a hoard of books guarded by the most vicious feline companions, Jelly Bean.
She is the author of THE SHADOW GAME series and more. Her middle-grade debut, WILDERLORE: THE ACCIDENTAL APPRENTICE, hits shelves March 30, 2021, and ALL OF US VILLAINS, co-written with Christine Lynn Herman, releases on November 9, 2021.
Visit her at AmandaFoody.com.
The Accidental Apprentice Review:
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.
