The Outcast

Gr 9 Up—In this prequel to the "Summoner" trilogy, 15-year-old Arcturus is a mistreated orphan working at a local tavern. Having had enough of beatings and hunger, he decides to steal a horse and make his escape. However, things become decidedly complicated when he reads a scroll in the horse's saddlebags and accidentally summons a noble's demon. Soon Arcturus is captured, interrogated by the king, and shipped off to Vocans, a training school for summoners. Arcturus quickly discovers that he is the first commoner known to be able to summon. While this ability makes him special, it also puts him and his dog demon Sacharissa in danger. Assassination attempts, political conspiracies, and daring escapes follow. There are moments when The Outcast shines as a fantasy adventure. The book's quick pacing and intriguing summoning system encourages readers to keep turning pages. Likewise, underdogs Arcturus and Sacha are likable and easy to cheer for. However, the plot is sometimes marred by predictable tropes and glaring similarities to other fantasy series. Also, while the writing style feels geared toward middle grades, the mature language used throughout may leave selectors hesitant to recommend it to younger audiences.