Andrew Auseon Knihy

It takes more than magic to make a hero, in the next installment of this hilarious and epic illustrated series. One not-so-chosen champion and his mystical friends must cross the multiverse and harness a dangerous power to defeat a mysterious new enemy. "My favorite new fantasy series.” —Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Last Kids on Earth series After leveling up from basement roleplaying games to saving an entire magical realm, 12-year-old Ben isn’t happy returning to his ordinary life of homework and chores. So when his very un-magical LARP session is crashed by monstrous frog-men from another dimension, he can't wait to get back into hero mode. Someone is after all the Spellbinder’s books, which grant the users — including Ben — epic reality-shifting powers. Ben, Niara, Merv, Drake, and their new friend Agnes must embark on an epic quest to save the books and their owners. But while hopping across different realms may be Ben’s idea of a totally awesome spring break, it’s tough to be an ordinary kid among extraordinary heroes. Especially when fighting for the fate of the universe seems to consist mostly of finding fun new ways to get them all killed, from zombie rats to pool noodle squids, to a mysterious Big Bad controlling everything from behind the scenes. How do you win the game when someone else is rolling the dice?

"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. . . .

Exploring the complexities of adolescence, this novel delves into the lives of characters who embody the spectrum of high school identities—freaks, geeks, crushes, and friends. It captures the intertwined experiences of growing up, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of fitting in while embracing individuality. Through relatable scenarios, the story reveals how these varied roles can coexist within a person, offering a heartfelt look at friendship and self-discovery during formative years.

The story follows Arty, a teen who, despite his short stature, faces significant challenges. He navigates the difficulties of a tumultuous relationship with his imposing twin brother, interacts with fellow misfits at school, and experiences the complexities of first love. Through Arty's unique perspective, readers gain insight into the struggles and growth associated with adolescence and the journey to manhood.