Beyonders: A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull

Rating:
Characters: 17/20
Plot: 19/20
Originality: 18/20
Writing: 19/20
Recomendation: 20/20
Overall: 93/100 or A-
Source: Library

Summary: Jason Walker has often wished his life could be a bit less predictable--until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason transporting from the hippo tank into a strange, imperiled world.


Lyrian is full of dangers and challenges unlike any place Jason has ever known. The people live in fear of their malicious wizard emperor, Maldor. The brave resistors who once opposed Maldor 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. 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.

Review: This is the second series of Brandon Mull's that I have read. I gotta say, I've enjoyed it immensely. Fablehaven, his first series, was very satisfying but there is something even more appealing about Beyonders. The world of Lyrian was a great work of art even though I wish a map was included with the the book. The chraracters were well placed in plot and were very crucial to the developing storyline.

I believe that Brandon Mull has a thing for betrayals, especially the ones you never see coming. Fablehaven included multiple betrayals and apparently the Beyonders series will be no different. I was actually shocked to discover the emergement of a false loyalty. I shant say much more, I wouldn't want to spoil a good read. ;-)

Overall, I thouroughly enjoyed Beyonders: A World Without Heroes. It was satisfying and wasn't as predictable as I thought it would be. Well... Mostly. Beyonders is a trilogy so I look forward to reading and reviewing the next two installments. Book two is supposedly going to be titled Beyonders: Seeds of Rebellion. Much can be forshadowed from this. ;-)

http://brandonmull.com/