I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the SPELLBINDERS: THE NOT-SO-CHOSEN ONE by Andrew Auseon Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About The Book
Title: SPELLBINDERS: THE NOT-SO-CHOSEN ONE
Author: Andrew Auseon
Pub. Date: May 14, 2024
Publisher: Yearling
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 448
Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/SPELLBINDERS-THE-NOT-SO-CHOSEN-ONE
“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 seventh grader gets way more than he bargained for when he is swept into the fantasy quest of his gaming dreams in this funny illustrated series full of adventure and twists.
It’s not so easy being the Chosen One (or in Ben Whitlock’s case, pretending to be the Chosen One). Sure, when you’ve been mistaken for a long-prophesied hero by a teenage girl/mysterious assassin and transported to a fantasy realm you’re supposedly destined to save, you don’t have to worry about things like math homework. But when flying narwhals are trying to blast you into oblivion (gulp) and a bunch of old mystics in flip-flops want you to enter something called the Gullet of Eternal Torment (double gulp), suddenly a C in algebra doesn’t seem like such a big deal.
Back in the real world, Ben preferred to escape into fictional adventures and role-playing games. But the more he learns about his true quest, the more he realizes that being a hero goes way beyond rolling a few dice. . . .
Reviews
“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
Book Trailer
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Link:
Why Should You Read It?
Andrew Auseon’s “The Not-So-Chosen One” is a delightful and imaginative tale that combines the excitement of fantasy adventures with the relatable struggles of a seventh grader seeking his place in the world.
Ben, feeling neglected by friends and family, immerses himself in his role-playing game fantasies. His life takes an unexpected turn when Niara, a character from his dreams, appears and declares him the prophesied hero destined to save her realm. Eager for a change, Ben dives into the adventure, only to find that being a hero isn’t as straightforward as his games suggest.
Auseon masterfully balances humor, adventure, and the emotional journey of a young boy grappling with real-life issues through the lens of a fantasy quest. Ben’s growth as he navigates Lux, making new friends and facing moral dilemmas, is both engaging and heartwarming.
The story’s twists keep readers on their toes, and the illustrations add a vibrant layer to the narrative. However, the plot can feel predictable at times, and some secondary characters could use more development.
Overall, “The Not-So-Chosen One” is a fun, relatable read that will resonate with middle-grade readers and fantasy enthusiasts alike. A charming blend of reality and fantasy, it highlights the courage needed to forge one’s own path.
About Andrew Auseon
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.
Website | Book Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Amazon
Giveaway Details: 2 winners will receive a signed finished copy of SPELLBINDERS: THE NOT-SO-CHOSEN ONE & a swag pack. US Only. Ends June 8th, midnight EST.
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Tour Schedule
Week One:
| 5/20/2024 | Two Chicks on Books | Guest Post/IG Post |
| 5/20/2024 | Wishful Endings | Guest Post/IG Post |
| 5/21/2024 | @darkfantasyreviews | Excerpt |
| 5/22/2024 | YA Books Central | Interview/IG Post |
| 5/23/2024 | A Backwards Story | Deleted Scene/IG Post |
| 5/24/2024 | @katherinebichler | TikTok Spotlight |
| 5/25/2024 | onemused | IG Post |
Week Two:
| 5/26/2024 | @enthuse_reader | IG Review/TikTok Post |
| 5/27/2024 | Review Thick And Thin | Review/IG Post |
| 5/28/2024 | jlreadstoperpetuity | IG Review/TikTok Post |
| 5/28/2024 | Fyrekatz Blog | Review/IG Post |
| 5/29/2024 | The Momma Spot | Review |
| 5/29/2024 | @thepagelady | IG Review |
| 5/30/2024 | Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers | Review/IG Post |
| 5/31/2024 | Country Mamas With Kids | Review/IG Post |
| 5/31/2024 | Kim’s Book Reviews and Writing Aha’s | Review/IG Post |
| 6/1/2024 | @dana.loves.books | Review/IG Post/TikTok Post |
| 6/1/2024 | More Books Please blog | Review/IG Post |
Week Three:
| 6/2/2024 | One More Exclamation | Review/IG Post |
| 6/3/2024 | nerdophiles | Review |
| 6/3/2024 | The Book Critic | Review/IG Post |