Gr 5—8—Jason Walker is a typical 13-year-old, doing his best to fit in with friends in Vista, CO. His internship at a local zoo puts him in close contact with wild animals. Unbeknownst to him, the zoo contains a portal in the hippopotamus tank. One day, the portal, exuding whimsical music, lures him in, and Jason is immediately transported to a new world called Lyrian. In this epic tale that's filled with adventure on every page turn, Jason initially tries desperately to discover a way to get home to his parents and his previous life, but as his journey continues, he finds himself drawn into the political unrest of an empire ruled by a powerful and sinister wizard. Tortured and neglected members of society hope Jason will be their hero and save them from Maldor. The teen befriends the desperate citizens of Lyrian and commits to taking down the evil emperor. Jason's journey will require readers to think hard about life's unpredictable nature and the difficult decisions that must be made. It also touches on finding trust in others and the importance of asking for help. While there are a few places where readers need a little more detail between one scene and the next, this book is highly recommended for those fantasy-hungry readers who frequent the stacks.—Kathryn Kennedy, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Ordinary thirteen-year-olds Jason and Rachel stumble into the magical world of Lyrian, where an evil despot wizard's favorite entertainment is playing mind games to break the spirits of would-be heroes. Many elements remain underdeveloped in this series starter. However, Mull's strengths--action-packed fighting sequences, fantastically imagined magical races and situations, and cunning plot twists--leave readers eager for more.
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