The Accidental Apprentice

Amanda Foody — 2021

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 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.

Reviews

Ana V. @nobadbooks

May 7, 2022

There is one important rule about the woods: stay out of it! An orphan boy with a secret passion for adventure and knowledge accidentally bounds with a beast in the woods. In the first book, his goal is to get rid of the beast and return to the village that actually never welcomed him home. I love the main characters, humans, and beasts. Barclay's voice is always filled with doom making him hilarious in his doubts and cowardice. By traveling with a human companion and learning more about the lore and the beasts, he faces trials, more accidents, and decisions that set him on a journey that I hope includes 6 books. Each book is very episodic with an event end but I hope to see more of each Land (already read the second - couldn't stop and wait for the rest). I wish the glossary at the end with the beast had illustrations or cards to collect like the How to Train Your Dragon series. This one is also perfect for fans of Pokemon.