A World Without Heroes (Beyonders) [Hardcover]

Brandon Mull (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 15, 2011 | Age Range: 8 and up | Series: Beyonders (Book 1) | Lexile Measure: 710L (What's this?)

Jason Walker has often wished his life could be a bit less predictable--until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason suddenly transporting from the hippo tank to a place unlike anything he's ever seen. In the past, the people of Lyrian welcmoed visitors from the Beyond, but attitudes have changed since the wizard emperor Maldor rose to power. The brave resistors who opposed the emperor 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. With the help of a few scattered rebels, 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.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Amazon Best Books of the Month, March 2011: The first book in a new series (Beyonders), A World Without Heroes is an addictive blend of fantasy, humor, and heroic quest. Jason is an ordinary 13-year-old involuntarily transported to Lyrian, a world ruled by the evil wizard Maldor. Jason stumbles across a book bound with human skin and learns of a secret word with the power to unmake Maldor--knowledge that puts Jason in grave danger. Galloran, a blind king who once searched for the word himself, introduces Jason to Rachel, another Beyonder (as people from Earth are called) who had appeared in Lyrian at the same time. Jason and Rachel set out to retrieve the word, and the resulting pages are filled with adventure, drama, loyalty and betrayal—a treat for fans of Mull’s Fablehaven series or those discovering this bestselling author for the first time.--Seira Wilson

From Booklist

Best known as the author of the popular Fablehaven series, Mull offers a new fantasy adventure, in which Jason and Rachel, two American kids, are separately drawn into an alternate world called Lyrian. They want to return home, but they don't know how. Aided by Rachel, the Blind King, and other allies, 13-year-old Jason undertakes a quest to discover the magical word needed to overthrow Maldor, Lyrian's evil emperor. The two teens set out to find the word's closely guarded syllables while thwarting the maneuvers of Maldor's crafty, vicious minions. Headlong adventure scenes, inventively conceived creatures, and surprising plot twists all figure into the mix as Jason and Rachel make their way through this treacherous world. The book's conclusion is not so much an ending as a respite before the beginning of the sequel. Readers seeking character-driven fiction should look elsewhere, but those drawn to long, action-filled fantasies may want to try Mull's latest. Grades 4-7. --Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin; First Edition edition (March 15, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141699792X
• ISBN-13: 978-1416997924
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (168 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,027 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brandon Mull no longer lives on the side of a mountain above a prison. He now resides in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his wife and three children. Since the arrival of his new daughter, he is more the golem of the household than ever, following whatever orders trickle down the chain of command. Brandon is the author of the New York Times bestselling Fablehaven books and The Candy Shop War.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 71 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Beginning to a New Series March 15, 2011

By Books31

Format:Hardcover

I hadn't read any of Brandon Mull's previous books when I picked this up. Someone recommended it to me and asked if I would review it, and so I said sure I'd be happy to take a look at it. From the first page I was riveted by the dark and powerful opening that propels the reader into the world of the Lyrian.

Of course the book seemed to change from the type of storytelling seen in the introduction to the first few chapters. Characters are given quests, they must overtake a sitting evil ruler, and they are the only hope as this is a land ruled by fear and corruption. This whole setup seemed a little simplistic and the quest reminded me very much of an old math adventure computer game from JumpStart that you travel around and solve riddles and math puzzles to help beat the game.

Of course there is a reason that those games were as popular as they were, and everyone my age played them at some point in time. Because they were incredibly well targeted for that age group. This is exactly what Mull has done with the Beyonders series, by targeting a specific age group that will be sure to respond to his writing.

What Mull really adds to the story is his ability to create inventive and interesting magics and creatures. My personal favorites were the characters/creatures Jasher, a seed person, and Ferrin, a displacer. I found both of these wizardborn (I assume the seed people of Amar Kabal were wizardborn because of there rebirth through seeds but I don't believe it was actually stated that they were so I might be wrong) characters fascinating. The ability to detach one's body and survive is a fascinating (and useful) ability that I felt was both unique and interesting to read about. These characters were also complex and really helped bring a higher level of action and adventure to the story.

Yet, while the quest seemed simplistic the twists that Mull introduces and especially at the end of the book make for an exhilarating spin on the story. Because of this shocking revelation at the end which promises to bring an excellent sequel in Seeds of Rebellion, the interesting wizardborn characters, and the quest, this book is perfect for it's recommended age group. It will engross both boys and girls between 3rd to 8th grade, and after the revelations at the end, even a much older reader such as myself can't wait for the next book in this exciting series.

[...]

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Feels like Home March 15, 2011

By penname

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Honestly I didn't read much of what Beyonders was going to be about- I knew BM wrote it, and for me that's good enough, so I ordered it. I jumped up and down incessantly when I received it in a mail and settled in for a good read- not disappointed. Good good stuff. Definitely had a different feel from Fablehaven and The Candy Shop War, which I liked. It felt like home but it still had its twists and turns and all kinds of new & crazy creatures and ideas; it's so very Brandon Mull. I can't help but vocalize what I'm feeling as I read, loudly- so much so that people stare at me- and I have to go read in private. It's nice to read a book and truly have no idea what will be thrown in next.
I like Jason- he reminds me a little of Seth (from Fablehaven- which is always a plus. I appreciate his valor, that's what really made me like him. The way he values life, even in a different world, where people are trying to kill him.
Rachel is also an enjoyable character, her stubbornness amused me.
That was some good stuff and I cannot wait to read what else is in store.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brandon Mull has done it again! April 14, 2011

By Arlene French

Format:Hardcover

This book was very interesting! This series has A LOT of potential. Displacers, Seed people, Titan Crabs, An evil wizard, and a nice twist for the ending. I remembered reading the first Fablehaven book; at the time I thought it was a fair to decent beginning for a book series. Next thing I know, Rise of the Evening Star came out and crushed the first book! Grip of the Shadow Plague and The Secret of the Dragon Sanctuary did the same thing as well! The Keys to the Demon Prison was AMAZING and was better then all the rest! This first book reminds me of Fablehaven's first book: a fair to decent story so far. I have a feeling that book 2, Seeds of Rebellion, will be WAY better as well and so on with the final book in the trilogy. Way to go Brandon Mull and keep these books coming!