Centuries ago, the Devourers came and attempted to destroy all humankind, but were defeated only because of those able to evoke animal spirits. Now these relentless would-be conquerors are back and the future of the planet rests on the slender shoulders of Meilin, Connor, Rollan, and Abeke, four 11-year-olds who can channel the wolf, leopard, panda, and falcon that can save the world. (P.S. This novel by Fablehaven author Brandon Mull marks the takeoff of a multiple-author book series and a role-playing game. Volume 2 will see the light in January with a new fiction by Maggie Stiefvater.)
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.)
Praise for Spirit Animals
A New York Times bestseller
"Mull kicks off the multiplatform Spirit Animals series with an exciting first installment." —Publishers Weekly
"Mull masterfully draws readers in . . . [they] will have a hard time putting this book down." —School Library Journal
"An insightful look at what it means to be a hero, with the glory it brings and the sacrifice it demands. The accompanying game offers an exciting off-page experience." —Kirkus
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
Nicola Barber provides an engaging narration of the first book in the Spirit Animals series. This book focuses on the children—Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan—who summon the Four Fallen as their spirit animals. The children come from very different parts of Erdas, and Barber provides each one with a distinct accent and cadence. Meilin and Abeke have more confidence, while the boys Conor and Rollan are portrayed with more hesitancy as they struggle to connect with their spirit animals. Barber portrays the Green Cloaks with more authority and sets up the next book in this series with a fine action scene. E.N. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine
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)
