The Accidental Apprentice: Wilderlore, Book 1

Great book for 8yo+ (content wise) probably a 7-8th grade reading level. My 10 yo son read it and the sequel and loved it. I read it too and it was a very fun story with great character development without being too complicated. The world and magic was immersive and fun. It was a little bit predictable for an adult reader, in a fun way. I enjoyed rooting for the hero. But it did have a good twist at the end and space for the sequels and more background on the supporting characters. Content wise it discussed the death of Tags Father and accusations of what happened but was vague, and there are monsters/beasts that have scary roars and such.

5 STARSIn Dullshire, adventures are against the rules, and Barclay Thorne tries so hard to follow the rules.He already sticks out like a sore thumb in town. An orphan after a Beast attacked Dullshire seven years ago, he’s had to work to secure any hope for a future. Thankfully, as apprentice to the town’s mushroom farmer, he’s got something going for him. Even if Barclay isn’t allowed to get dirt under his nails or run through the streets, he still has somewhere to sleep and warm meals to eat.Except Barclay accidentally bonds with a Beast, and life as he understands it falls away. Forced to come face to face with Lore and Lore Keepers, Barclay must navigate an entirely new life in order to reclaim his old one. But for all the danger both ahead and behind, there lies a choice: does he even want his old life anymore?Or is it time to break the rules, and go on an adventure?The Accidental Apprentice is a little bit of HTTYD, a little bit of Pokémon, and a whole lot of fun!From the start, I knew I was going to adore this book. It combines magical beasts with a new world to explore, along with a reluctant hero. Seriously, I’m not kidding when I compare it to How to Train Your Dragon and the Pokémon franchise. If you love one of those, or both, or you know a kid who does, then this book is going to be a smash hit for you!There’s something so whimsical and charming about Barclay Thorne and his new friend, Viola Dumont. Together, they sometimes pick at each other, but they also make an outstanding team in the face of bullies, Beasts, and a danger that threatens the balance of all the Lore in the Woods. Plus, they’re kids! At eleven years old, they’re fresh and bright and ready for adventure (even if they don’t think they are).They’re also maybe a little too trusting and impulsive, but it’s sweet and endearing, and absolutely perfect for a middle grade book.Really, the amount of charm in this book is outrageous, and I can’t recommend it enough based on that alone. It will steal your heart, and you won’t even want to ask for it back!But if you need more detail, know this: the Beasts are amazing.Yes, Barclay Thorne is a great MG protagonist! But I have to shoutout all the work Amanda Foody has done with the Beasts. My ARC included a little glossary of Beasts at the end, which included some fun facts about Beasts we didn’t interact with very much on the page. Hopefully, the final copy will include some art as well, because I’d love to see these Beasts imagined in a visual format.There are multiple classes of Beasts, though, rated based on their magical capabilities and danger levels. Ranging from common and relatively harmless to outright legendary and only bonded with in tall tales, they form an important cornerstone to the lives of Lore Keepers, even dictating how their world works. Apprenticeships and shopping trips and sports and more are shaped around the inclusion of Beasts in everyday life, and my Pokémon-loving heart has been fawning over these inclusions since I started reading the book.Yes, I want to see how your tiny mushroom-shaped friend helps you sleep better at night! Yes, show me how your tiny dragon pal is a vegetarian who helps you find shiny things and protect you and your friends!Long story short, the inclusion of Beasts in the everyday lives of Lore Keepers feels incredibly organic and lively. It’s rekindled my childhood wish that Pokémon were real (did I ever let go of that wish? probably not), and it also makes me want a full Beast glossary in future Wilderlore books. Please show me all the new friends! Teach me about all the Lore legends!All you have to do is love a little bit of adventure, and The Accidental Apprentice will do the rest.I promise, it’s not hard at all to love this book. And if you’re still teetering on the edge, may I tempt you by mentioning there are cute little mushroom illustrations inside as chapter dividers? A good, cute mushroom is an important factor.In all seriousness, though, I hope you pick up The Accidental Apprentice. It hit shelves on March 30th, and it shows an incredible amount of promise for kids everywhere! Not that you have to be a kid to read it, of course. I think there are a lot of adults, especially those of us who grew up playing Pokémon, that will easily find room for The Accidental Apprentice and all its eccentricities in our hearts. 💚🧡CW: loss of a loved one, violence

Deeply appreciated reading this book toMy kiddos. They loved it! My 12 year old says: so good! If you like this book you should also read King of Realms

Excited to read

Happy with my purchase. Was a gift for my son. Came in perfect condition.

This was a great adventure book for my daughter and I to enjoy together. We loved feeling like we were right there with Barclay

And loved every single page of it.The characters and growth you witness while reading this novel is so much fun. I believe that you will love Barclay and how he grows. I’m so sorry that I’ve finished this- I think you will be too.

It was an interesting story of betrayal and new friendships with creative characters building this beautiful world around Barclay Thorne.

I bought this book to enjoy with my 10 year old alongside the Brave Writer Dart. We both loved it so much we're now halfway through the second book. It has echoes of Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon, Dungeons and Dragons and Pokemon. We're hoping that as there are 6 Legendary Beast, there will be at least 6 books. We're also hoping that Amanda types quickly! If your child likes Pokemon and Harry Potter, they'll probably like this series.

We cannot wait to order and read the second book In this series we are hooked

It’s used

My boys (9&11) loved this book and look forward to devouring the entire series. The world, characters and the story are brilliant. Highly recommend!