A boy who accidentally bonds with a magical Beast must set off on an adventure in the mysterious Woods.
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.
I don’t read many middle grade books, but I make an exception when it’s written by one of my favorite authors.
Barclay Thorne carries the weight of many worries. He was orphaned after a beast killed his parents and now has to work as an apprentice to a mushroom farmer for meals and shelter. He worries about making his deceased parents proud of him. Dullshire (his village) regularly posts new rules he has to remember (sneezing is prohibited in the town square). And then there are all the creatures in the Woods that could potentially eat him. He’s also very determined not to have anything to do with Lore (magic), which is outlawed in Dullshire. When he accidentally bonds with a Beast in the Woods and is barred from his village, his worries become nearly overpowering.
Worldbuilding is richly detailed and full of whimsical appeal. The author has constructed a magical world full of creatively named creatures, plants, etc. The classes of beasts and their powers is clever and easy to understand, and a guide listing all of them is included at the end. I especially enjoyed that the author’s cat inspired one of the creatures (Mitzi is adorable!).
This is an absolutely delightful first book in a series I plan to continue. Barclay is a very relatable MC, and the supporting characters (especially Viola) are fun and well-developed. With plenty of humor, unlikely friendships, a thrilling adventure, and some heartwarming moments, this book is about discovering what truly makes you happy and finding where you belong.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Books and Such 
I don’t like to eat mushrooms, but this sounds like a great read. Thanks for the review, Teri!
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I wasn’t a fan until I tried a grilled portobello, and then I was hooked. Thanks for visiting, Jill!
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This sounds delightful, Teri. What a great start for a series!
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It was so much fun, Mae. It’s a series I’d highly recommend to anyone with MG age readers.
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Sounds very original – thanks for sharing, Teri!
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Such wonderful and exciting world-building, Barbara. A really enjoyable read.
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I love the sound of this, and think my grandson would thoroughly enjoy it. (I would, too, I’m sure.) Mushrooms make me shudder, btw. I can’t even touch them to cook them for others. Urk. So I’m feeling sorry for poor Barclay already! 😀 )
I’ll be checking this one out, for sure. 😀 Thanks for sharing, Teri!
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Yes! I bet he would love it. Funny reaction over mushrooms – but I get it. They can be slimy.
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It’s that they are so “rubbery” and I always imagine them growing on some old bathroom shower curtain somewhere. Eeeeeeek. Fungi! Where’s the bleach??? 😀
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I think my nephew would enjoy this. A nice review, Teri
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Thanks, Robbie! I hope he does – it’s such a fun adventure.
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Great review, Teri! I’m also an anti mushroom kinda person, but this sounds lovely. Put it on the ole TBR!
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I won’t eat the ones in the can or jar, but I’ll eat fresh ones grilled, stir fried, or roasted. This was a fun one, Jonny – you’ll enjoy it.
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Oh, that sounds a tad more appetizing. If its sauteed and cut up into super tiny pieces I can pretend it’s not there lol.
Awesome. I love MG reads. 🙂
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I’ve been known to walk in the woods and harvest my own mushrooms. This one sounds charming.
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So you can find truffles? haha I remember you mentioning mushrooms on your blog before. Charming is a perfect description of this book.
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No truffles, but I always wanted to go to Oregon and hunt for those.
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I think MG books are a lot of fun and the covers are always so beautiful with vibrant colors. Lovely review!
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I think you’re right, Tessa. It had been years since I’d read MG, but with a couple of my fav authors venturing into that territory, I wanted to check out their books.
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This sounds amazing. I recently read a book in which author named plants and creatures as well and I enjoyed it. Great review!
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So creative, Yesha. I have no idea how they come up with the names – I’d draw a blank.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Teri. This does sound wonderful. I love the fun, exciting cover too. Hugs on the wing!
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That cover is perfect for the story. I went back and looked at it a few times while reading it Hugs, Teagan!
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Super review, Teri. Thank you.
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Thanks, John!
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I’m rooting for Barclay! Great review, Teri.
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Barclay had my heart from the first page, Jacquie. Readers will adore him.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this fantasy, Teri. The cover is outstanding! I think this is a book my grandchildren would enjoy!
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I’d highly recommend it, Jan. This series looks to be quite adventurous with some lovable characters.
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What a great review, Teri. I’m definitely intrigued and can easily imagine my granddaughter delighting in the story.
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It’s a delightful beginning to an adventurous series, Gwen. I don’t think you can go wrong with this one.
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Your blog stopped coming to my site. It got erased from my reader. I just had to resubscribe. I realized I wasn’t hearing from you and wondered why and hoped you were okay, but then I realized you were commenting places, so I visited and saw you were blogging but I wasn’t getting notified. WP unsubscribed me. Why does it hate me so? Sorry I’ve been MIA.
This book looks great for middle graders. I love wonderful world-building and stalwart characters.
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That’s happened to me before with WP. Have no idea why, so I’ve had to resubscribe. And this was a delightful MG book – loved every page of it.
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