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The Wizards of Once: Book 1
432 pages
A spirited, magical romp where two unlikely heroes from warring factions must team up to face a dark threat in the wildwood.
What it feels like
This middle-grade fantasy delivers a brisk, spirited adventure that feels both classic and wonderfully wild. The mood is enchanting and slightly dangerous, rooted in a mysterious wildwood where mythical animals roam and deadly witches lurk. It reads with an energetic, accessible prose style that sweeps the reader right into the action. At its emotional core, the story explores the weight of family expectations and the thrill of defying them, as two underdogs from warring factions discover their own hidden potential. It is a perfect fit for young readers who delight in unlikely friendships, magical quests, and the exhilarating feeling of stepping into a grand, world-changing journey.
- Mood
- enchanting
- mysterious
- spirited
- woodland-wild
- Tone
- adventurous
- playful
- earnest
- suspenseful
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- unlikely friendships · defying expectations · hidden potential · overcoming prejudice
- The writing
- Energetic and accessible, tailored to sweep middle-grade readers into a vibrant, mythical world.
- The arc
- From feeling inadequate and constrained by family expectations to discovering shared courage and forging a world-changing alliance.
- Who it's for
- Middle-grade fantasy fans who love spirited underdogs, magical creatures, and fast-paced quests.
Content notes
- fantasy peril
- deadly witches
About the book
Once there were Wizards, who were Magic, and Warriors, who were not. But Xar, son of the King of Wizards, can't cast a single spell. And Wish, daughter of the Warrior Queen, has a banned magical object of her own. When they collide in the wildwood, on the trail of a deadly witch, it's the start of a grand adventure that just might change the fabric of their worlds.
Description from Open Library.
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