#1 New York Times bestseller Brandon Mull launches Scholastic's wildly popular multiplatform phenomenon.
Four children separated by vast distances all undergo the same ritual, watched by cloaked strangers. Four flashes of light erupt, and from them emerge the unmistakable shapes of incredible beasts -- a wolf, a leopard, a panda, a falcon. Suddenly the paths of these children -- and the world -- have been changed forever.
Enter the world of Erdas, where every child who comes of age must discover if they have a spirit animal, a rare bond between human and beast that bestows great powers to both. A dark force has risen from distant and long-forgotten lands, and has begun an onslaught that will ravage the world. Now the fate of Erdas has fallen on the shoulders of four young strangers . . . and on you.
Part engrossing book series, part action role-playing game -- discover your spirit animal and join the adventure.
Publishers Weekly
Mull (the Beyonders books) kicks off the multiplatform Spirit Animals series with an exciting first installment (volume two arrives in January 2014, written by Maggie Stiefvater). In the world of Erdas, 11-year-olds must all drink the Nectar to see if they have the rare ability to summon a spirit animal. Greencloaks, those with spirit animals, are an important order that helped defeat the Devourer hundreds of years ago, with help from four Great Beasts who gave their lives to protect Erdas. Now, there are signs that the Devourer may return; meanwhile, four children from around the world shock themselves and those around them when they summon the four Fallen Beasts. Mull carves out each distinct hero in spare prose that moves the story quickly forward (along with several animal- and superpower-driven action sequences) as Meilin, Connor, Rollan, and Abeke forge relationships with their spirit animals and decide where they stand in the imminent war. Readers eager to spend more time in Erdas (and find their own spirit animals) can do so in an online game that ties into the series. Ages 8–12. (Sept.)
Children's Literature - Shirley Nelson
Book 1 of the "Spirit Animals" series introduces readers to the world of Erdas which is facing great danger. When children reach the age of eleven, they are given the ritual drink of the Nectar of Ninani. Some will call spirit animals which will give them special strengths or powers. In this year of impending danger, four unlikely children in different parts of Erdas bring forth special spirit animals, former Great Ones who fell during the last major battle. Conor, the son of a shepherd, is servant to the earl's son, who is expected to bring forth a spirit animal at the town ceremony. However, Conor surprises himself and everyone else when his spirit animal appears. He has bonded with Briggan, the great wolf. Abeke is constantly trying to prove to her family and her village that she is strong. For her birthday, she hunts and kills an antelope for food but is told that her act was disrespectful. She gains respect when she bonds with the leopard Uraza. Rollan, an orphan who must steal food to survive, is in prison when he bonds with Essix, the falcon. Meilin, trained in martial arts, is forced to leave her father to fight off invaders when she bonds with the panda Jhi. Unsure of themselves and whom to trust, the four young people are thrust into a major conflict to save Erdas. This first book in the series introduces them to the reader and to each other as they struggle to find their place in the world. Reviewer: Shirley Nelson
School Library Journal
10/01/2013
Gr 4–7—In the world of Erdas, when children turn 11, they drink Nectar in order to see if they will have a spirit animal. Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan are chosen, and, with their spirit animals-a wolf, a leopard, a panda, and a falcon-they must summon the Four Fallen, Great Beasts that gave their lives many years earlier to defeat the Devourer. Now the Devourer is back, and the children have to use their animal powers to defeat it. Minions of the Devourer are hot on their trail and will do anything to stop them from succeeding. This story has a well-developed plot and likable, well-rounded characters. Mull masterfully draws readers into Erdas with his fast-paced scenes. His writing is smooth and easily transitions between characters' points of view without causing confusion. Fans of Mull's Fablehaven (S & S, 2007), Peter Lerangis's The Colossus Rises (HarperCollins, 2013), or other page-turning fantasy adventures will have a hard time putting this book down.—Kira Moody, Whitmore Public Library, Salt Lake City, UT
Kirkus Reviews
The appearance of the Four Fallen Great Beasts in Erdas signals the re-emergence of an evil power long forgotten. In the tradition of Erdas, four 11-year-olds are given Nectar, a substance designed to help them call their spirit animals. Conor, an indentured servant, calls Briggan the wolf. Uraza the leopard answers the call of the young warrior, Abeke. Jhi the panda comes to Meilin, the daughter of a Zhongese general. Rollan, a poor street urchin, calls Essix the falcon. With the assistance of the Greencloaks, a powerful but secretive order, the four must learn to bond with their spirit animals, drawing strength and wisdom from their gifts. Their mission is to retrieve the talismans from the other Great Beasts before the Devourer can regain power and destroy the world. Constructed in the tradition of The 39 Clues, this fast-paced new series will be penned by various well-known authors. Unfortunately, flat characters and a predictable plot are evidence that this first installment lacks Mull's usual creativity and humor. A companion website promising a multimedia experience invites readers to be paired with their own spirit animals. Should satisfy readers hungry for a new fantasy series. (Fantasy. 8-12)
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