Spellbinders: The Not-So-Chosen One

Spellbinders: The Not-So-Chosen One

"Ben may only be pretending to be the 'Chosen One'—but I’ve definitely chosen this one as my favorite new fantasy series.” —Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Last Kids on Earth series How far would you go to play the hero? One seventh grader gets way more than he bargained for when he is swept into the fantasy quest of his gaming dreams in this funny illustrated series full of adventure and twists. It’s not so easy being the Chosen One (or in Ben Whitlock’s case, pretending to be the Chosen One). Sure, when you’ve been mistaken for a long-prophesied hero by a teenage girl/mysterious assassin and transported to a fantasy realm you're supposedly destined to save, you don’t have to worry about things like math homework. But when flying narwhals are trying to blast you into oblivion (gulp) and a bunch of old mystics in flip-flops want you to enter something called the Gullet of Eternal Torment (double gulp), suddenly a C in algebra doesn’t seem like such a big deal. Back in the real world, Ben preferred to escape into fictional adventures and role-playing games. But the more he learns about his true quest, the more he realizes that being a hero goes way beyond rolling a few dice. . . . “ Spellbinders hooked me from the beginning , but it became one of my favorites around the first flying narwhals.'“ —James Riley, New York Times bestselling author of the Story Thieves series "Here comes a new series that brilliantly embodies the power of creativity ....The book’s immersive fantasy world of Lux is one I did not want to leave." —George Jreije, author of the Shad Hadid series "To use the local parlance, a “ridonkulously” entertaining kickoff." — Booklist "The themes of interpersonal relationships and change give the work emotional heft... A love letter to escapism and writing one’s own destiny." — Kirkus Reviews "Through subversions of familiar fantasy tropes and a thoroughly engaging plot, Auseon conjures an idiosyncratic realm replete with endearing characters, madcap humor, and hijinks-filled adventure " — Publisher’s Weekly Andrew Auseon is the author of several books for children and young adults, and he is the writer of numerous bestselling and award-winning video games. A transplant from the Midwest, he lives in Washington, D.C. with his family and two very naughty cats. He loves breakfast cereal, the sound of the ocean, and the feeling of a brand-new book in his hands. 1 Life with Biscuit “Did you just call me an Ogre Lord?” “Huh?” A chair squeaked. “Ben? Are you all right?” “I’m fine.” Outside in the nearest tree, a small bird chirped joyously, and somewhere far away on the recess field, a kickball boinged. Shouts and clapping. A potted plant on the principal’s sunny windowsill died of thirst, inches from a full pitcher of water. There was no Ogre Lord. This was not a dungeon throne room. Across from Ben sat Mr. Sandusky, the principal of Sweet Air Middle School, and a man with far too many photos of his dog on his desk. It was like a shrine to a potbellied, bug-eyed pug named Biscuit--a name that Ben knew because Biscuit was usually photographed wearing expensive sweaters with his name on them. “You looked far away,” Mr. Sandusky said with a smile. Ben blinked, taking in his surroundings. Real life, in all its boring sameness. Room B12, the principal’s office. It was 3:15 p.m. on another Friday. “Yeah, sorry,” he said, feeling a rush of color in his cheeks. The kids outside shouted and laughed, and he’d never felt more alone. “Tell me, Ben,” said Mr. Sandusky, leaning forward with his elbows on the edge of his desk. “How are you doing?” A single strand of hair crossed from one side of his pale bald head to the other, like a crack in an eggshell. On one of his bookshelves sat a framed photo of Biscuit in a stroller. The principal seemed like a nice guy, but it was sometimes tough to take him seriously. Ben would have preferred the Ogre Lord. “It’s been six months since you came to us,” Mr. Sandusky said, “and I’d like to think you’re settling in.” His fake smile turned upside down. “But I’ve talked to your teachers, Ben, and they’re worried about you. They say you don’t pay any attention in class and don’t talk to any of the other students in the halls. They say that you spend all your time doodling in your little notebooks.” Ben tried to explain. “When I get ideas, I have to write them down.” “What about making friends? How is that going?” “I’ve already got friends,” Ben said. “But they’re back home. I’m sort of the leader, the one who keeps the group together. Well, I was, until we moved.” “Who’s the leader now?” Mr. Sandusky asked. “It’s called a Quest Master,” Ben said, “and the new Quest Master is my friend Big Barry.” “Why is he called that?” “Because he’s bigger than Regular Barry.” “I see.” Ben sighed. “I don’t really need to make new friends here because we’re not going to stay in Sweet Air.” Mr. San