The Accidental Apprentice

By: Amanda Foody

Narrated by: Steve West

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

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.

he could not say the names right

A horrible job saying the names also sometimes he can be too slow or too fast.

Wilderlore

I love the narrator’s voice for this book. The author really built the world in a way that o could see it all in my head. I can’t wait read the rest of this series.

I like it when people make the main character weak in the beginning

I love the idea of this book and want you to make a new series of books about the same idea

Best book Evah!!

So good
This book is the best! I love how barclay bonds w/ the beast. 😝

Not as good as the other wilderlores.

This wilderlore feels sort of like a prolog for the others. But it’s still great.

Definitely recommend

My kids loved this book and are now obsessed with the series. The narration is so good.

The whole book

I loved the overall of the books theme and how it’s a series. I recommend this book a lot.

One of The best series you’ll ever read

This book is so good! My daughter and I read them every year they come out since she was 10. Definitely keeps you wanting more of the story! This book sucks you in and you won’t be able to put the book down, be prepared for an amazing ride. One of the best narrative voices yet! We look forward to the same voice each book!

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.