Spellbinders The NotSoChosen One, Andrew Auseon
Spellbinders The NotSoChosen One, Andrew Auseon
List: $27.50 | Sale: $19.25
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Spellbinders: The Not-So-Chosen One

Author: Andrew Auseon

Narrator: Pete Cross

Unabridged: 11 hr 2 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/06/2023


Synopsis

"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 lonely seventh grader gets way more than he bargained for when he is swept into the fantasy quest of his gaming dreams in this magical series full of laughs, adventure, and twists.

Ben doesn’t feel chosen by anybody—not by his friends, who haven’t kept in touch since he moved after his parents’ divorce, or by his mom, who’s so busy he barely sees her. He spends all his time living in fantasy worlds and writing extensively planned adventure campaigns in his role-playing-game notebook. So when Niara, a character who could be right out of one of his favorite games, shows up and tells him he’s destined to save her realm (like, foretold-by-a-prophecy destined), Ben has two possible moves: tell her the truth or play along. He's tired of feeling left behind, so his choice is clear—game on. 

One interdimensional portal later, Ben is in full hero mode. At first, adventuring in Lux seems like a dream come true, but pretending to be the Chosen One—and lying to his new friends—isn't quite what he imagined it to be. And the more he learns about Lux and his quest, the more he realizes this is way beyond a game—and the rules seem to be changing as he goes. In fact, it might be time for him to write some new ones.

About The Author

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.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Jennifer on September 03, 2023

If you like D&D or other role-playing games with tons of pop culture references, this one's for you, or middle school you. In my opinion, silly books are for any age. Through downright outrageous situations and characters, important life lessons are learned.......more

Goodreads review by Tiffany on September 19, 2024

So far so good. I'm about half way through the book and I've enjoyed all of it. The adventure, the fighting, the twist. It's so cute and simple. I really enjoyed the entire book. I didn't expect it to go the way it did. But I enjoyed the art, the silly names and that Ben is a lil nerd.......more

Goodreads review by Jareth on April 15, 2024

Whimsical, comedic, and rife with D&D nods, yet what kept me turning this book’s pages well past my bedtime was the eloquence to the narrative’s ability to accurately convey the pangs of coming to terms with steadfast friendships diminishing through adolescence. I felt the MC’s pain as he felt that......more

Goodreads review by Emily on June 30, 2023

Author Interview: What made you want to write a story that combines gaming and fantasy and the real-life struggles of being an out of place kid in the world? I love this question because it’s easy. 😀 Historically, gaming and fantasy fandom communities have been largely populated by people searching fo......more

Goodreads review by Dusty on June 17, 2023

Andrew Auseon’s middle-grade fantasy release, Spellbinders: The Not-So-Chosen One, is a ridiculously entertaining read complete with imaginative creatures, unique characters, and an engaging storyline. Pete Cross did a great job bringing the story to life with his performance in the audiobook narrat......more


Quotes

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