Monday, March 21, 2011

Book Review: A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull (Beyonders #1)

A World without Heroes is the first book in a new middle grade series by Brandon Mull.

Book Description
Jason Walker has often wished his life could be a bit less predictable--until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason suddenly transporting from the hippo tank to a place unlike anything he's ever seen. In the past, the people of Lyrian welcomed visitors from the Beyond, but attitudes have changed since the wizard emperor Maldor rose to power. The brave resistors who opposed the emperor have been bought off or broken, leaving a realm where fear and suspicion prevail.
In his search for a way home, Jason meets Rachel, who was also mysteriously drawn to Lyrian from our world. With the help of a few scattered rebels, Jason and Rachel become entangled in a quest to piece together the word of power that can destroy the emperor, and learn that their best hope to find a way home will be to save this world without heroes.

Brandon Mull must be a naturally funny guy.  I laughed out loud several times while reading this book.  There is more humor in the first half, but the subject matter grows more serious as the story progresses.

A World Without Heroes follows Jason - a typical 13 year old boy - as he enters a new world and inadvertently accepts a dangerous quest.  In his quest he discovers he's not the only one who mysteriously entered the world of Lyrian that day.  He is joined by Rachel, and together they must work to defeat the evil emperor and become heroes to a world that knows none.

A World Without Heroes is a fun adventure full of danger and suspense.  The world of Lyrian is easy for the reader to enter and join in the quest.  As a stand alone book, there is not enough resolution to be satisfied with the ending.  As the beginning of a series, however, it has successfully made me want to carry on with the rest of the series.  I recommend this series to fantasy fans who love a heroic quest.


Have you read anything by Brandon Mull?  This was my first book by him.  He has also written the young adult series Fablehaven.

Review copy provided by publisher

2 comments:

  1. This sounds like a fun book. My husband loves Brandon Mull. I'll have to buy it for him.

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  2. I've been debating reading this book, but just traded for it. Your review makes it sound like fun!

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