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calamitywindpetal's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Grief, and Bullying
Minor: Murder
fyziksgirl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A very exciting, action -packed story of finding where you fit and embracing who you are.
Be warned it is much scarier than the description makes it out to be, with heavy emphasis on the main character's parents' dying and descriptive scenes of pain and near -death. For example, the main character is paralyzed so he can't even scream but is conscious as another character takes a scalpel to him to maim and possibly kill him.
I read it with and ostensibly for my kids, but I caught myself wanting to read more to find out what happened next because I was so drawn in!
Be warned it is much scarier than the description makes it out to be, with heavy emphasis on the main character's parents' dying and descriptive scenes of pain and near -death. For example,
I read it with and ostensibly for my kids, but I caught myself wanting to read more to find out what happened next because I was so drawn in!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, and Violence
dinipandareads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
TL;DR: The Accidental Apprentice was an exciting, whimsical and action-packed story with plenty of magical beasts, wild lore, and new friendships. It's about overcoming prejudice, finding your place and learning that not everyone is who they seem. Barclay was a great main character and I enjoyed watching him grow, make friends, and eventually embrace lore. I really enjoyed diving into this new world with exciting creatures and wild magic, and I can't wait to see what adventures these apprentices will embark on next!
I've been wanting to read this book since I first saw the cover and saw it compared to Nevermoor and How to Train Your Dragon. Nevermoor is one of my all-time favourite MG reads and I can definitely understand the comparison but a lot of comparisons have also been made to Pokémon and I totally agree with that too! The story balances the darker elements and themes with the fun and whimsy that's found in abundance in MG fantasies. Our main character Barclay is an orphan from Dullshire and all his life, he's never really fit in with the strict rules of the town. He's always been a little too wild and a bit too much of a minor rule-breaker for the townspeople to really accept him. Despite being bullied and treated like an outcast, he still wants nothing more than to fit in and to make his dead parents proud by leading the life he assumed they always wanted for him.
It was easy to empathise with Barclay and oftentimes it was hard not to feel heartbroken by the situation he found himself in and by his earnest desire to belong (in Dullshire) and be a good person. For much of the story, we see him struggle to accept his situation of being bonded to a Mythic beast and to reconcile his growing fondness for lore and the magic-having friends he makes along the way. There's obviously a lot that Barclay has to learn and I enjoyed how we learned about the vastness of the Wilderlands and the Wilderlore alongside him. There's so much to discover and I have a feeling we've really only scratched the surface of it in this first book! 😍 Barclay's main ally was Viola and I loved her energy! She's kind, courageous, and a great leader who stood by Barclay throughout the story. I honestly wished that we got to know her a bit more because it seems like there's a lot going on with her but because Barclay was determined to not engage with anything/anyone beyond the bare minimum, I felt that was a bit of a missed opportunity to strengthen the found family aspect to the story. There were a few character and plot twists that I didn't expect but it does have me looking forward to what's in store for this trio of apprentices.
By the time we reached the end and the book's villain was thwarted, I was still left with a few answered questions and felt that some situations were too easily resolved or even swept under the rug to move forward. This particularly relates to the main villain and all those that were in his pocket! Ultimately though, this was a really promising first book in a new MG fantasy series. I can't wait to see this found family situation further develop in the coming books and I'm where the adventure leads to next.
I've been wanting to read this book since I first saw the cover and saw it compared to Nevermoor and How to Train Your Dragon. Nevermoor is one of my all-time favourite MG reads and I can definitely understand the comparison but a lot of comparisons have also been made to Pokémon and I totally agree with that too! The story balances the darker elements and themes with the fun and whimsy that's found in abundance in MG fantasies. Our main character Barclay is an orphan from Dullshire and all his life, he's never really fit in with the strict rules of the town. He's always been a little too wild and a bit too much of a minor rule-breaker for the townspeople to really accept him. Despite being bullied and treated like an outcast, he still wants nothing more than to fit in and to make his dead parents proud by leading the life he assumed they always wanted for him.
It was easy to empathise with Barclay and oftentimes it was hard not to feel heartbroken by the situation he found himself in and by his earnest desire to belong (in Dullshire) and be a good person. For much of the story, we see him struggle to accept his situation of being bonded to a Mythic beast and to reconcile his growing fondness for lore and the magic-having friends he makes along the way. There's obviously a lot that Barclay has to learn and I enjoyed how we learned about the vastness of the Wilderlands and the Wilderlore alongside him. There's so much to discover and I have a feeling we've really only scratched the surface of it in this first book! 😍 Barclay's main ally was Viola and I loved her energy! She's kind, courageous, and a great leader who stood by Barclay throughout the story. I honestly wished that we got to know her a bit more because it seems like there's a lot going on with her but because Barclay was determined to not engage with anything/anyone beyond the bare minimum, I felt that was a bit of a missed opportunity to strengthen the found family aspect to the story. There were a few character and plot twists that I didn't expect but it does have me looking forward to what's in store for this trio of apprentices.
By the time we reached the end and the book's villain was thwarted, I was still left with a few answered questions and felt that some situations were too easily resolved or even swept under the rug to move forward. This particularly relates to the main villain and all those that were in his pocket! Ultimately though, this was a really promising first book in a new MG fantasy series. I can't wait to see this found family situation further develop in the coming books and I'm where the adventure leads to next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Toxic friendship
Minor: Death of parent
elizajaquays's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was so much fun! Barclay’s need to belong and his willingness to stuff his own wants into a box to fit society’s expectations is such a relatable experience. I really enjoyed watching him grow and come to terms with maybe being a Lore Keeper isn’t the worst fate in the world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Bullying, and Injury/Injury detail
tmcphetridge4's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Everyone should read this book! I love Amanda Foody's writing, but I have been hesitant to read Middle-Grade as of late. I haven't been meshing with it very well and I was worried that I might be put off on reading it entirely. But nope! This book was an absolute delight and I IMMEDIATELY started in on the second book. And now it has been confirmed for all seven novels! This book would be a fantastic read for someone looking for adventure, loves animals, but also finds themselves struggling to fit in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, Blood, and Grief
gotbookcitement's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4.5/5
I really liked this. I think part of the reason is that my reading this year has been slow, and reading this one, it felt like what my reading used to be. I felt fast again. That's probably because it was a middle grade, but who cares.
I read this for The Magical Readathon Orilium Gear Up thing. I needed a book for my animal companion prompt, something that had an animal on the cover or in the story. I couldn't have picked a more perfect book for that prompt than this.
I just really enjoyed this adventure story. I loved the idea of having this animal companion. The Lufthund was pretty cool. I do think Barclay was stubborn for a little too long and he hurt poor Root's feelings, but he did right in the end.
I thought the world was pretty interesting. I'm excited to see more of it.
I won't say I was surprised by all the reveals, but I did enjoy it. Soren kind of reminded me of Gilderoy Lockhart.
This book is a kind of mash up of Pokemon and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (not the movie version, but what Newt wrote in his book). Oooh and maybe a little of Harry Potter with like the O.W.L. Exams.
This was very enjoyable and I'm definitely looking forward to reading the sequel. I was lucky enough to win a copy of the sequel, so I'm excited.
I really liked this. I think part of the reason is that my reading this year has been slow, and reading this one, it felt like what my reading used to be. I felt fast again. That's probably because it was a middle grade, but who cares.
I read this for The Magical Readathon Orilium Gear Up thing. I needed a book for my animal companion prompt, something that had an animal on the cover or in the story. I couldn't have picked a more perfect book for that prompt than this.
I just really enjoyed this adventure story. I loved the idea of having this animal companion. The Lufthund was pretty cool. I do think Barclay was stubborn for a little too long and he hurt poor Root's feelings, but he did right in the end.
I thought the world was pretty interesting. I'm excited to see more of it.
I won't say I was surprised by all the reveals, but I did enjoy it. Soren kind of reminded me of Gilderoy Lockhart.
This book is a kind of mash up of Pokemon and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (not the movie version, but what Newt wrote in his book). Oooh and maybe a little of Harry Potter with like the O.W.L. Exams.
This was very enjoyable and I'm definitely looking forward to reading the sequel. I was lucky enough to win a copy of the sequel, so I'm excited.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
drlampshade's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Death of parent
emileereadsbooks's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon Kids for the free digital copy I read in partnership with the audio.
This book is one you want to hug when you are done. Full of magic and intrigue and coming of age emotions, this book is a delight. Barclay is thrust into an adventure against his will, and has to contend with his past as he tries to shape his future. The world building in this one is fabulous and doesn't hinder the fast pace of the plot. The characters are fully realized and complex. I can't wait to see where this series goes.
For fans of Harry Potter (especially the Goblet of Fire) and The Wingfeather Saga.
This book is one you want to hug when you are done. Full of magic and intrigue and coming of age emotions, this book is a delight. Barclay is thrust into an adventure against his will, and has to contend with his past as he tries to shape his future. The world building in this one is fabulous and doesn't hinder the fast pace of the plot. The characters are fully realized and complex. I can't wait to see where this series goes.
For fans of Harry Potter (especially the Goblet of Fire) and The Wingfeather Saga.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
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