The Accidental Apprentice

Wilderlore, Book 1

By: Amanda Foody

Narrated by: Steve West

Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's Summary

A New York Times bestseller!

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.

This edition includes a brand-new, highly illustrated map of the Woods.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. 

©2021 manda Foody. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

LOVED IT! **SPOILER**

I really enjoyed this book, Barkley is a little whiney for me but he is like...11 so I guess that's normal. He is very bitter about the world and is mean to even those he calls his friends and his beast, I really didn't like him throughout most of the story. This could be the fault of the writing and that it's geared toward a younger audience, the essence is that people judge a book by its cover and embrace your differences because they make you, you. Even still, he didn't do much to redeem himself, Viola is very nice and understanding despite him not deserving it. Near the end, he didn't come to terms and embraced the situation but it was quick and should have happened sooner honestly.

I like Viola and Tag better than Barkly, but we will see what happens in the future. He did have a lot going on so I am sure he will improve over time.

**SPOILERS AHEAD**

A big eyebrow raise for me was when Able and Ethel agreed to be Soren's apprentices and was going to let Soren cut the mark off Barkly's skin (which was at least 30% of his body) and leave him to die in the forest or be eaten. They were his friends before Soren propositioned them and then maintained the ruse of friendship till the end when they casually explained that they did it because apprenticeships are rare and it was for a better future. They even fought with Barkly and said they didn't want to hurt him.....but as mentioned before....they were ok with luring him to his death by flaying and probably hypothermia alone in the woods....that's cold and evil. I'm sorry but that was just, wow.

I am guessing we will see them again in the future and hopefully get an apology but the way it happened was really wrong in my opinion.

Anyway, super excited for the next one and Steve West did an amazing job with the narration.

Great Book!!!!!

It was a great book the reader was great and overall it was a really good book

Love it

camzon is wrong and this is the best story ever and the narrator voice is perfect

Screaming Narrator

I just couldn't finish this because of the annoying narrator and the prolific screaming. No thank you.

Good

Awesome yay I love it thank you so much for the book yay yay thank you yay

excellent story

it's was honestly kind of sad that I had to finish it the story is so awesome I love imagining what it would be like to exist in that world! I can't believe that Ethel and Abel are working with Soren also for all those who don't know Its spell Tadg not tag.
Anyway so I get that root choose him all but come on Barclay was not special at all he was a whiny introvert. anyway as another reviewer pointed out Ethel and Abel were his friends and them they decided to help get him flayed to death what the heck.Anyway read it its super good.

What wonderful book!

My granddaughter and I listened to this story on our way to and from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab Utah. Working with the animals there while listening to this fun book made it so much more fun and made the “book be” between animals and people so much like the bonds of the Law Keepers and their beasts! What a great series! Can’t wait for the next one in the series! Highly recommended!

Entertaining

I enjoyed listening to this book. It had adventure, magic and suspense. It kept me intrigued. I was always wondering what would happen next. I would recommend this book and will probably read the series.

spectacular adventure

A fantastic adventure into the deep dark woods where monsters can either eat you are become your best friends! A truly delightful book!

Extremely fun and engaging

Both my 9 year old son and I enjoyed this book a lot. Fun characters, lively plot, friendship, and adventure. a lovely middle grade book. Pleasantly narrated.