Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Zed, a half-human, half-elven boy with brown skin, and white, human Brock are best friends eager for Guildculling. Zed, the son of a single-parent human mother, has always wanted to join the Mages Guild. Brock's choice of the Merchants Guild is rooted in family tradition. Covert, orchestrated circumstances lead the boys into the lowly Adventurer's Guild, however, which only the guildless or unwanted enter. Zed and Brock soon learn that the Adventurer's Guild is a rowdy mix of humans, elves, dwarves—and an archivist who can cast a mean spell or two when he has to—run by a ragged old woman by the name of Alabasel Frond. On their very first day, they and the other new apprentices are challenged to survive their first night beyond Freestone's wall. A surprise attack by the Dangers that lurk without almost leads to the loss of life—and to a royal command that Frond eliminate the threat of the Dangers. On the mission to find the crystal that would protect the city, Zed and Brock's friendship becomes closer than ever even as their kinship within the Adventurer's Guild is deepened. Told in alternating chapters from the third-person perspectives of the two main characters, this tale is a page-turner that has the perfect mix of suspense, Princess Bride humor, and engaging characters, one that's definitely earned the sequel to come. A dazzling adventure sure to become a classic, if not a movie. (Fantasy. 8-12)

ALA Booklist

Best friends Zed and Brock live in the city of Freestone, surrounded by high walls that keep out monsters. Only members of the Adventurers Guild dare to venture outside those walls regularly for the city's defense. On Guildculling Day, Brock feels confident that he will follow his father into the Merchants Guild, while Zed, the half-elf child of a servant, hopes to join the Mages t each finds himself in the Adventurers Guild. Their initiation night, spent outside the walls with other new members, turns violent when monsters breach the magical wards intended to keep them at bay. But the problem goes deeper: Is there a traitor within the city walls? In the opening book of any fantasy series, a good bit of world building is to be expected. Clark and Eliopulos also establish a strong core of interesting male and female characters and thrust them into action, while setting up relationships, conflicts, and mysteries to explore in later volumes. With its quick pace and likable heroes, this fantasy adventure will readily find a following.

Horn Book

At Freestone's Guildculling ceremony, half-elf Zed hopes to join the Mages Guild, while his human friend Brock aspires for the Merchants Guild. But the terrifying woman who leads the Adventurers Guild--charged with defending the walled town against the Dangers (monsters that have overrun the world)--forcibly recruits Zed, and Brock follows. A compelling post-apocalyptic/fantasy series-starter filled with strong characters, intrigue, and plenty of action.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Zed, a half-human, half-elven boy with brown skin, and white, human Brock are best friends eager for Guildculling. Zed, the son of a single-parent human mother, has always wanted to join the Mages Guild. Brock's choice of the Merchants Guild is rooted in family tradition. Covert, orchestrated circumstances lead the boys into the lowly Adventurer's Guild, however, which only the guildless or unwanted enter. Zed and Brock soon learn that the Adventurer's Guild is a rowdy mix of humans, elves, dwarves—and an archivist who can cast a mean spell or two when he has to—run by a ragged old woman by the name of Alabasel Frond. On their very first day, they and the other new apprentices are challenged to survive their first night beyond Freestone's wall. A surprise attack by the Dangers that lurk without almost leads to the loss of life—and to a royal command that Frond eliminate the threat of the Dangers. On the mission to find the crystal that would protect the city, Zed and Brock's friendship becomes closer than ever even as their kinship within the Adventurer's Guild is deepened. Told in alternating chapters from the third-person perspectives of the two main characters, this tale is a page-turner that has the perfect mix of suspense, Princess Bride humor, and engaging characters, one that's definitely earned the sequel to come. A dazzling adventure sure to become a classic, if not a movie. (Fantasy. 8-12)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Centuries after the rest of the world fell to monsters, Freestone is one of few cities left standing, -points of light in the darkness.- Its first line of defense is the Adventurers Guild, a group of volunteer soldiers and conscripts from the city-s other guilds. When half-elven would-be wizard Zed is unexpectedly drafted into the Adventurers Guild, his brash friend Brock follows along to keep him safe, joined by noble-born Liza and Jett, a dwarf. The recruits- initiation into the guild nearly kills them, and that-s just the beginning of their troubles: they soon learn that the magical wards that protect Freestone are failing and must be restored, leading to a perilous journey into monster-infested lands. Hazards, betrayals, and quick-witted banter abound in this gripping series opener (-Dangers will not pause to respect your comic timing,- wisecracking Brock is scolded during training). Clark and Eliopulos weave a thread of post-apocalyptic adventure into a classic questing saga, replete with spells, enchanted weaponry, and mythological beings-elves, kobolds, gelatinous goo, and more. Ages 8-12. Agent: (for Clark) Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary; (for Eliopulos) Josh Adams, Adams Literary. (Oct.)

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8Ever since the Day of Dangers, when the land of Ferryn was attacked by monsters, the city of Freestone has been protected by wards of the Adventurers Guild. Zed and his friend Brock are anxious for the Guildculling, when those who have come of age will be assigned to one of the Guilds. Zed, who is an elf-blooded boy, hopes to be chosen as a Mage. Brock, whose parents are members of the Merchants Guild, expects to become a Merchant as well. Neither of them wants to be a Knight or a Healerand certainly not an Adventurer, the most dangerous job of all. But both find themselves chosen by the Adventurers Guild; Zed snatched from the Mages, and Brock pressed into spying for the Merchants. Along with Jett and Liza, their fellow apprentices, they face a daunting initiation: they must survive the night outside the protected city walls. The initiation turns dangerous when monsters attack and Jett is paralyzed, while Zed discovers he possesses an innate ability to sense and use magicand forbidden magic, at that. As the Adventurers' wards begin to fail, the apprentices must uncover the traitor and save their city. This first installment in a new series offers a solidly constructed world, endearing characters, and lots of fantasy-based adventure with fast-paced action. VERDICT Hand this to fans of Angie Sage's "Septimus Heap" and Brandon Mull's "Fablehaven" series; the ending will leave readers anxious for the sequel.Laurie Slagenwhite Walters, Brighton District Library, Brighton, MI