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Guardians #1
Forbidden Mountain
Choose your guardian. Choose your destiny. A new epic fantasy from the #1 bestselling author of the Fablehaven and Beyonders series.
Every Anoran child dreams of the day they will enter the sacred bonding hut and match with a guardian—a spiritual guide who grants magically enhanced abilities. A lucky few will bond with Advocates, who promise greatness and glory. Others will be tempted by forbidden offers from the Accursed—dangerous spirits who bring nothing but destruction and a penalty of death to any Anoran who chooses them. But when Mako discovers that the worst of these agents of chaos has returned to spread an ancient evil through the empire, he faces an unthinkable Will he bond with one of the Accursed to gain the power to stop another?
Halfway across the empire, Arden has no guardian and no prospects of adventure…until she infiltrates an underground criminal network to find her missing friend. Relying on her knack for sensing the truth through even the smoothest lies, Arden finds herself at the center of a sinister conspiracy that runs much deeper than she ever imagined.
Soon Mako’s and Arden’s fates collide, and together they must face bandit armies, dark secrets, and untold dangers to fight an enemy who could destroy all they’ve ever known.
Every Anoran child dreams of the day they will enter the sacred bonding hut and match with a guardian—a spiritual guide who grants magically enhanced abilities. A lucky few will bond with Advocates, who promise greatness and glory. Others will be tempted by forbidden offers from the Accursed—dangerous spirits who bring nothing but destruction and a penalty of death to any Anoran who chooses them. But when Mako discovers that the worst of these agents of chaos has returned to spread an ancient evil through the empire, he faces an unthinkable Will he bond with one of the Accursed to gain the power to stop another?
Halfway across the empire, Arden has no guardian and no prospects of adventure…until she infiltrates an underground criminal network to find her missing friend. Relying on her knack for sensing the truth through even the smoothest lies, Arden finds herself at the center of a sinister conspiracy that runs much deeper than she ever imagined.
Soon Mako’s and Arden’s fates collide, and together they must face bandit armies, dark secrets, and untold dangers to fight an enemy who could destroy all they’ve ever known.
Audible Audio
First published April 14, 2026
About the author
Brandon Mull
71 books10.9k followersBRANDON MULL is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Fablehaven, Dragonwatch, Beyonders, and Five Kingdoms series. A kinetic thinker, Brandon enjoys bouncy balls, squeezable stress toys, and popping bubble wrap. He lives in Utah in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his wife, Erlyn, their eleven children, and three mischievous cats. Brandon loves meeting his readers and hearing about their experiences with his books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
May 2, 2026
The setup of the fictional spiritual world is too close to reality in some aspects while being completely inaccurate in others. Yes, there really are many spirits on the earth. And yes... some of them really can grant unnatural power. But God does not mean for us to make deals with supernatural phenomena, evidenced by the sound denouncement it always receives in the Bible by both God and believers. Whether it's Saul consulting a witch or a fortune-telling slave girl ranting about Paul, God condemns it as evil, and we are to have nothing to do with it.
So when you have this fantasy mountain where just about everyone has this "Guardian", or spirit partner, and it's portrayed as not only good but practically a necessary part of their culture, completely normal, without any risk or shade of suspicion that humans are not meant to bond with spirits, no matter how benevolent they may seem, it makes me very uncomfortable. Then multiple evidences seem to insinuate that both human authorities and spiritual good guys are corrupt, and that the only way to stop a powerful evil spirit is to bond with a less powerful evil spirit. It makes perfect sense in the book, but it doesn't work that way in the real world. You can't fight Satan by making a deal with a demon. He'll only have you further under control. Not to mention that dabbling at all in witchcraft—and this is what it is—is spiritually perilous. The whole ages-old idea of trading away your soul, or people being possessed by demons? Not as fictional as the rational Western society would like them to be. All of this to say, it's just a really, really bad idea.
At the risk of repeating myself for the twentieth time: God makes it clear we are NOT to mess with this. Not in real life, not in fiction, and not even inside the bounds of a pretty sprayed-edges first edition of a middle grade book written by arguably one of the best middle grade authors writing today.
And so unfortunately, I am forced to DNF, approximately ten chapters in.
[First reaction before reading: AHHHHHH NEW BRANDON MULL SERIES THIS IS NOT A DRILL]
So when you have this fantasy mountain where just about everyone has this "Guardian", or spirit partner, and it's portrayed as not only good but practically a necessary part of their culture, completely normal, without any risk or shade of suspicion that humans are not meant to bond with spirits, no matter how benevolent they may seem, it makes me very uncomfortable. Then multiple evidences seem to insinuate that both human authorities and spiritual good guys are corrupt, and that the only way to stop a powerful evil spirit is to bond with a less powerful evil spirit. It makes perfect sense in the book, but it doesn't work that way in the real world. You can't fight Satan by making a deal with a demon. He'll only have you further under control. Not to mention that dabbling at all in witchcraft—and this is what it is—is spiritually perilous. The whole ages-old idea of trading away your soul, or people being possessed by demons? Not as fictional as the rational Western society would like them to be. All of this to say, it's just a really, really bad idea.
At the risk of repeating myself for the twentieth time: God makes it clear we are NOT to mess with this. Not in real life, not in fiction, and not even inside the bounds of a pretty sprayed-edges first edition of a middle grade book written by arguably one of the best middle grade authors writing today.
And so unfortunately, I am forced to DNF, approximately ten chapters in.
[First reaction before reading: AHHHHHH NEW BRANDON MULL SERIES THIS IS NOT A DRILL]
April 15, 2026
I have been a huge Brandon Mull fan ever since the first Fablehaven book. I've read every series he's written except for The Candy Shop War books 2 and 3. Otherwise, I'm all caught up on my Mull books!
With all that said, I had a hard time with this newest book, Forbidden Mountain, book one in the new Guardians series. It took me quiet a while to place my finger on what it was exactly that I wasn't connecting with, until I hit on it: for this book, Mull seems to be taking his cues from the Cozy Fantasy genre of books that have grown in popularity lately. This book is much more a slice of life fantasy book instead of the quest, grand adventure to defeat evil, types of narratives he's written in the past. Mull admits in the acknowledgements that this is a new type of fantasy book for him to write and he wanted to push himself as he wrote this one.
This is Mull's first non-portal fantasy book he's written, and with him being away from the typical tropes that have helped him structure his fantasy books: a human narrator who is exploring the new world along with the reader, a quest for the characters to embark upon, or a grand evil slowly emerging throughout the storyline, this new book suffers from trying to find its way.
From amongst Mull's own bibliography, I feel as though this book is most similar to his Beyonders trilogy, but even that book had a killer hook and payoff at the very end of the first book. Forbidden Mountain feels more like a series of episodes with mini-climaxes throughout the story before moving to the next day with something new. By the very end, I could see the setup for book 2, and I think that has the potential for explosive action, a quest, and the typical fantasy elements Mull excels at. This first book felt more like Taran Wanderer, book 4 in The Chronicles of Prydain series by Lloyd Alexander but without the angst which allowed that book to exist in a pedestrian space while exploring deep emotional arcs within the characters. This book, however, has not established the emotional arcs of the characters quite strongly enough yet for that kind of exploration, and it's not a later book in a series after a bunch of action / adventure to give you a break from the excitement.
So all said, this one is a 3 star from me. I'm interested to see where it goes, because I trust Brandon Mull, but for regular fans of Mull, this might not be a win. If you like cozy fantasy, this might be just the kind of book you'll love!
With all that said, I had a hard time with this newest book, Forbidden Mountain, book one in the new Guardians series. It took me quiet a while to place my finger on what it was exactly that I wasn't connecting with, until I hit on it: for this book, Mull seems to be taking his cues from the Cozy Fantasy genre of books that have grown in popularity lately. This book is much more a slice of life fantasy book instead of the quest, grand adventure to defeat evil, types of narratives he's written in the past. Mull admits in the acknowledgements that this is a new type of fantasy book for him to write and he wanted to push himself as he wrote this one.
This is Mull's first non-portal fantasy book he's written, and with him being away from the typical tropes that have helped him structure his fantasy books: a human narrator who is exploring the new world along with the reader, a quest for the characters to embark upon, or a grand evil slowly emerging throughout the storyline, this new book suffers from trying to find its way.
From amongst Mull's own bibliography, I feel as though this book is most similar to his Beyonders trilogy, but even that book had a killer hook and payoff at the very end of the first book. Forbidden Mountain feels more like a series of episodes with mini-climaxes throughout the story before moving to the next day with something new. By the very end, I could see the setup for book 2, and I think that has the potential for explosive action, a quest, and the typical fantasy elements Mull excels at. This first book felt more like Taran Wanderer, book 4 in The Chronicles of Prydain series by Lloyd Alexander but without the angst which allowed that book to exist in a pedestrian space while exploring deep emotional arcs within the characters. This book, however, has not established the emotional arcs of the characters quite strongly enough yet for that kind of exploration, and it's not a later book in a series after a bunch of action / adventure to give you a break from the excitement.
So all said, this one is a 3 star from me. I'm interested to see where it goes, because I trust Brandon Mull, but for regular fans of Mull, this might not be a win. If you like cozy fantasy, this might be just the kind of book you'll love!
April 17, 2026
I was hesitant about this book from the start. Mainly because I was disappointed that he wasn't writing the Patton Burgess Chronicles or a sequel series to the Beyonders. I am not sure if that affected how I felt about this book but I really feel like this was not as good as his other books. It didn't draw me in as much and didn't seem to have the same well developed characters and fun plot points.
It might be because the main characters make some questionable decisions and it wasn't clearly revealed that those decisions ended up working out. This is clearly setting up for a longer series and maybe the other books will help me feel better about this one... I should have waited until the other books were published before I read this one.
It might be because the main characters make some questionable decisions and it wasn't clearly revealed that those decisions ended up working out. This is clearly setting up for a longer series and maybe the other books will help me feel better about this one... I should have waited until the other books were published before I read this one.
April 21, 2026
WOW! This world and story and characters sort of blew my mind!
I started the audiobook and had a bit of difficulty really getting into this new world at first, but once I finally got used to it, I loved everything about it and highly recommend this newest from a favorite author of mine.
The characters and their inner struggles are really well written. I loved watching them battle with themselves and discern between right and wrong. Since this is going to be a series of 3 books, there wasn't much character development yet. We will see that in later books I'm sure.
I loved the rich world-building and the cultures and people Brandon has created in this new series. I was intrigued by the spirit guardian concept, especially the scene in the Guardian Hut where Mako has to choose his guardian and that whole process.
The ending will leave you yearning for book 2, so be prepared mentally for that. I cannot wait to see where Brandon takes this new series and to watch the journey these characters will go on in fighting corruption and evil in an Empire.
I definitely recommend this great start to a new Middle Grade Epic Fantasy series for ages 11 and up. If you or your child loved Beyonders series, you will love this new one. I would say the violence is similar to that series. It is labeled as Middle Grade, but because of the violence toward the end, I would suggest for upper middle grade, meaning grades 6+.
Content Guide:
Language: none
Romance Content: none
Violence/gore: Mild-violence involving swords, characters/people getting shot by arrows, someone is mentioned as having been beheaded (not described or gory), other mild fantasy violence, death/murder
Substance Use: none that I remember, if there is, only the adult characters mildly partake
Prejudices: Some involving cultures (mild and mainly misconceptions)
Religious Content: Spirit Guardians (they aren't worshipped though, just meant as guides and to help enhance and give special abilities to their mortal)
Other: Some mild unkind comments between characters, good vs evil, characters have special abilities that could be viewed as magic
Book info:
Series: Book 1 of Guardians
Genre: Epic Upper Middle Grade Fantasy
Romance Level: None
Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: Penguin Random House Kids
Narrator: George Newbern
POV: Dual Third Person
I started the audiobook and had a bit of difficulty really getting into this new world at first, but once I finally got used to it, I loved everything about it and highly recommend this newest from a favorite author of mine.
The characters and their inner struggles are really well written. I loved watching them battle with themselves and discern between right and wrong. Since this is going to be a series of 3 books, there wasn't much character development yet. We will see that in later books I'm sure.
I loved the rich world-building and the cultures and people Brandon has created in this new series. I was intrigued by the spirit guardian concept, especially the scene in the Guardian Hut where Mako has to choose his guardian and that whole process.
The ending will leave you yearning for book 2, so be prepared mentally for that. I cannot wait to see where Brandon takes this new series and to watch the journey these characters will go on in fighting corruption and evil in an Empire.
I definitely recommend this great start to a new Middle Grade Epic Fantasy series for ages 11 and up. If you or your child loved Beyonders series, you will love this new one. I would say the violence is similar to that series. It is labeled as Middle Grade, but because of the violence toward the end, I would suggest for upper middle grade, meaning grades 6+.
Content Guide:
Language: none
Romance Content: none
Violence/gore: Mild-violence involving swords, characters/people getting shot by arrows, someone is mentioned as having been beheaded (not described or gory), other mild fantasy violence, death/murder
Substance Use: none that I remember, if there is, only the adult characters mildly partake
Prejudices: Some involving cultures (mild and mainly misconceptions)
Religious Content: Spirit Guardians (they aren't worshipped though, just meant as guides and to help enhance and give special abilities to their mortal)
Other: Some mild unkind comments between characters, good vs evil, characters have special abilities that could be viewed as magic
Book info:
Series: Book 1 of Guardians
Genre: Epic Upper Middle Grade Fantasy
Romance Level: None
Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: Penguin Random House Kids
Narrator: George Newbern
POV: Dual Third Person
April 20, 2026
Brandon Mull has done urban fantasy and portal fantasy. This is his first work of high fantasy.
The Fablehaven series was one of my first forays into the Fantasy genre around 4th grade or so. It contributed to a lifelong obsession, which has only grown since.
My palate has expanded to other authors since, but I've still followed Brandon Mull's work as closely as I could, and was very excited to hear him as a guest on Brandon Sanderson's podcast Intentionally Blank back in August of 2024. While Mull was visiting, he dropped a hint about an upcoming book that he said was more ambitious than anything he'd done before. This was that book and, honestly, he nailed it.
Sure, there are still some elements of his middle grade background in his writing, pacing, and main characters' ages and perspectives, but the plot has grown beyond anything I've read in his works before. I loved it.
The Fablehaven series was one of my first forays into the Fantasy genre around 4th grade or so. It contributed to a lifelong obsession, which has only grown since.
My palate has expanded to other authors since, but I've still followed Brandon Mull's work as closely as I could, and was very excited to hear him as a guest on Brandon Sanderson's podcast Intentionally Blank back in August of 2024. While Mull was visiting, he dropped a hint about an upcoming book that he said was more ambitious than anything he'd done before. This was that book and, honestly, he nailed it.
Sure, there are still some elements of his middle grade background in his writing, pacing, and main characters' ages and perspectives, but the plot has grown beyond anything I've read in his works before. I loved it.
May 4, 2026
I’m a HUGE fan of Brandon Mull’s works. LIKE HUGE FAN!
This book was probably his most disappointing work. I would not have finished it if it wasn’t written by one of my favorite authors. The pacing was reallyyyy slow, and nothing happened for like the first half of the book. The characters also didn't meet until about halfway through the book, and even then it was pretty light. There wasn't much conflict between them or much real trust built just kinda like "mm he feels trustworthy even tho he's lying" and "hm she seems nice we're friends". The conclusion was also really weak. I felt like it wasn't building up to any conflict specifically, so when the final conflict was what it was, it just felt meh. Like I didn't really care one way or the other, or feel like the stakes were that high.
In comparison, by the end of Fablehaven, you feel SO invested in the state of the haven and Kendra and Seth. The problems that they could cause were foreshadowed from the beginning, and the stakes felt real. In contrast, everything is pretty abstract in this book. "Oh the Accursed are evil and I can't trust my spirit" but he hasn't really done anything wrong yet you're not getting any closer with him??? And then "maybe it's the advocates who are actually evil" but we never meet one after the first time they threaten Mako, so it feels like there's zero development in that arena. Overall, the characters feel disjointed from each other (no significant relationships are built between anyone) and the stakes feel abstract and the conflicts feel inconsequential/weak.
I liked the last chapter—though I thought it was going in a different direction.
3/10
Honestly might read the next one tho? Idk. Mull is one of my favorite authors, soooooooo.
This book was probably his most disappointing work. I would not have finished it if it wasn’t written by one of my favorite authors. The pacing was reallyyyy slow, and nothing happened for like the first half of the book. The characters also didn't meet until about halfway through the book, and even then it was pretty light. There wasn't much conflict between them or much real trust built just kinda like "mm he feels trustworthy even tho he's lying" and "hm she seems nice we're friends". The conclusion was also really weak. I felt like it wasn't building up to any conflict specifically, so when the final conflict was what it was, it just felt meh. Like I didn't really care one way or the other, or feel like the stakes were that high.
In comparison, by the end of Fablehaven, you feel SO invested in the state of the haven and Kendra and Seth. The problems that they could cause were foreshadowed from the beginning, and the stakes felt real. In contrast, everything is pretty abstract in this book. "Oh the Accursed are evil and I can't trust my spirit" but he hasn't really done anything wrong yet you're not getting any closer with him??? And then "maybe it's the advocates who are actually evil" but we never meet one after the first time they threaten Mako, so it feels like there's zero development in that arena. Overall, the characters feel disjointed from each other (no significant relationships are built between anyone) and the stakes feel abstract and the conflicts feel inconsequential/weak.
I liked the last chapter—though I thought it was going in a different direction.
3/10
Honestly might read the next one tho? Idk. Mull is one of my favorite authors, soooooooo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
I’m a huge Brandon Mull fan and one of my favorite things about his writing is that there is always a touch of whimsy that I’ve come to expect. Forbidden Mountain did not have this whimsy. While I was taken aback by the very traditional fantasy storytelling, this did not necessarily take away from my enjoyment. The concept reminded me a bit of a middle grade Wheel of Time, which is right up my alley. The magic, the guardians, the slow build of the group all created a very interesting dynamic that I’m very excited to see continued in future books of the series.
Forbidden Mountain had a very slow start in my opinion. I struggled to become invested in the individual characters or their stories until right before they joined up, which was about 50ish percent of the way in. I did consider DNFing at one point but I trusted Brandon’s storytelling enough to persevere. I’m very glad I did because the last 30-40 percent of the book was incredible. I binged that ending in a few hours after taking nearly a month to read the first half.
Overall, while this might not be my favorite book that Brandon has ever written, I enjoyed Forbidden Mountain and am looking forward to the next installment of the series!
I’m a huge Brandon Mull fan and one of my favorite things about his writing is that there is always a touch of whimsy that I’ve come to expect. Forbidden Mountain did not have this whimsy. While I was taken aback by the very traditional fantasy storytelling, this did not necessarily take away from my enjoyment. The concept reminded me a bit of a middle grade Wheel of Time, which is right up my alley. The magic, the guardians, the slow build of the group all created a very interesting dynamic that I’m very excited to see continued in future books of the series.
Forbidden Mountain had a very slow start in my opinion. I struggled to become invested in the individual characters or their stories until right before they joined up, which was about 50ish percent of the way in. I did consider DNFing at one point but I trusted Brandon’s storytelling enough to persevere. I’m very glad I did because the last 30-40 percent of the book was incredible. I binged that ending in a few hours after taking nearly a month to read the first half.
Overall, while this might not be my favorite book that Brandon has ever written, I enjoyed Forbidden Mountain and am looking forward to the next installment of the series!
May 6, 2026
A little slow to start, but when it picks up , it’s hard to put down.
May 3, 2026
In all honesty... the first 1/3 bored me a bit... but I'm glad I stuck to it. The stories came together and it was well done. An interesting YA read.
Read
January 28, 2026As a huge fan of Brandon Mull, I was so excited to read this book and had very high hopes. He did not disappoint! The story follows two different teens with good hearts, strong wills, unique talents, and sometimes a lack of better judgment. Set entirely in a fantasy world, people have unique gifts and some bond with guardian spirits that can enhance their talents and abilities. Not all guardians have admirable intentions and some are downright evil. With evidence that some of the worst are back in action, Mako, Arden, and their friends have high hopes and slim odds of helping to combat this evil. After the initial exposition, the story travels quickly and is near impossible to put down. Relating to other Mull series, this has feelings most similar to 5 Kingdoms or Beyonders, but it is yet another unique and fascinating world. How one mind can create all of these realms that are extraordinarily detailed and fascinating while remaining believable never ceases to amaze me. So that I don't fan girl too much, I'll leave highly recommending the book and anxiously awaiting the rest of the series. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the early read and allowing me to share my thoughts.
May 12, 2026
Star Rating: 4 stars
Date: 5/5/26 – 5/11/26
When I was in middle school and first discovering the fantasy genre, I found Brandon Mull’s Beyonders series on either my school or local public library shelves (I can’t remember which as I was a voracious reader and read from both to have enough books.). I really liked the series and even got my own copies, but I never read further because I couldn’t find the rest of his books or I forgot. Well, when I did my big clean out of my selves to prepare for the TBR takedown that I am going to do for the rest of the year, I rediscovered him and decided I would add him to my list and finally read the rest of his catalog. Although I haven’t gotten to him yet as he is one of the larger categories and I’m focusing on smaller ones first, I was able to read his newest release, Forbidden Mountain, 1st book of his new Guardians series as soon as my library was able to get me a copy.
Forbidden Mountain is a dual-perspective book set in the fantasy world of Tinoval. Our first perspective is Mako, a young 14-year-old boy living on the mountain of Anora. At the start of this book, he is excited because it is his turn to go into the Bonding hut. On Mount Anora, there is a tradition where 14-year-olds are prepared for and enter the hut. Once inside, they are approached by the spirits of their ancestors and other notable individuals to find a Guardian to bond with. The children get enhanced abilities that allow them to become masters of their chosen fields, and the spirits get a second chance to live. There is a catch, however, in that, everyone wants to have the opportunity to bond to one of the Fourteen, the great heroes of this land, but binding to the Twenty or the Accursed, the great villains of this land, will get you executed. As Mako prepares to enter the hut, he hears whispers that one of the Accursed is back in the mortal realm so when he enters the hut, he is determined to find a Guardian to help combat this potential evil so he can become the legend he always dreamed of, but what happens when his only avenue for that is to bond with another of the Accursed?
Meanwhile, in our other perspective, we follow the young also 14-year-old, Arden. Arden lives in a small town on the edge of one of the great rivers of this realm, and she is trying to join a local gang, the Cat’s Paws, to find her friend, Kita. Kita joined the Cat’s Paws a few months ago and then disappeared, and Arden is very worried about her. However, when Arden joins, she gets way more than she bargained for and becomes inadvertently deeply involved in the internal conspiracies of her realm. Now on the run, she joins a traveling warmaster’s entourage. (In this realm, warmasters or knights travel around on odysseys with their entourage and help and protect those less fortunate.) This is where she meets Mako, who has joined the same entourage as an apprentice or squire. Do the rumors he’s heard have any connection to the conspiracies she uncovered and what does that mean for the kingdom at large?
The thing I liked most about this book was the world as it was clear Mull had thought a lot about and spent a lot of time developing it. (I believe he said 10 years of planning and 2.5 years of writing in the acknowledgements.) It really showed as it felt familiar to a lot of other fantasy books I’ve read while also being unique, and I also really like how complex and intricate it was. He clearly is one of those authors that understands his audience and knows they can handle complex plots and ideas if presented in the right way. This isn’t a trait that every middle grade and young adult author understands so it’s refreshing when I find those books that embrace this fact and I can enjoy them even as an adult. I really hope that we get to explore more in the coming books because we got hints of the deeper world-building and I love learning all the minuscule details of my favorite worlds.
I also really liked the messaging in this book as we explore what it means to be a hero and the fine line that often exists between heroes and villains. What if the ones, we’re supposed to look up to, and trust, don’t know the difference and are actively hiding information from us that would let us make up our own minds? This is a good way to introduce one of my favorite concepts: forgetting our history dooms us to repeat it, a concept that a lot of fantasy books intended for older readers that the audience will encounter deal with, allowing this book to act as the appropriate steppingstone it should be. Again, I hope we delve into this more in later books in the series.
This brings me to the one qualm I had about this book; it is very obviously a set-up book. This didn’t bother me as I am used to reading more mature books, but for the target audience, it might be frustrating as they aren’t used to this style of storytelling. I hope they stick to it, though, because this series has the potential to be one of the best middle-grade series I’ve read in a while. 4 stars and I’m excited to keep reading!
Date: 5/5/26 – 5/11/26
When I was in middle school and first discovering the fantasy genre, I found Brandon Mull’s Beyonders series on either my school or local public library shelves (I can’t remember which as I was a voracious reader and read from both to have enough books.). I really liked the series and even got my own copies, but I never read further because I couldn’t find the rest of his books or I forgot. Well, when I did my big clean out of my selves to prepare for the TBR takedown that I am going to do for the rest of the year, I rediscovered him and decided I would add him to my list and finally read the rest of his catalog. Although I haven’t gotten to him yet as he is one of the larger categories and I’m focusing on smaller ones first, I was able to read his newest release, Forbidden Mountain, 1st book of his new Guardians series as soon as my library was able to get me a copy.
Forbidden Mountain is a dual-perspective book set in the fantasy world of Tinoval. Our first perspective is Mako, a young 14-year-old boy living on the mountain of Anora. At the start of this book, he is excited because it is his turn to go into the Bonding hut. On Mount Anora, there is a tradition where 14-year-olds are prepared for and enter the hut. Once inside, they are approached by the spirits of their ancestors and other notable individuals to find a Guardian to bond with. The children get enhanced abilities that allow them to become masters of their chosen fields, and the spirits get a second chance to live. There is a catch, however, in that, everyone wants to have the opportunity to bond to one of the Fourteen, the great heroes of this land, but binding to the Twenty or the Accursed, the great villains of this land, will get you executed. As Mako prepares to enter the hut, he hears whispers that one of the Accursed is back in the mortal realm so when he enters the hut, he is determined to find a Guardian to help combat this potential evil so he can become the legend he always dreamed of, but what happens when his only avenue for that is to bond with another of the Accursed?
Meanwhile, in our other perspective, we follow the young also 14-year-old, Arden. Arden lives in a small town on the edge of one of the great rivers of this realm, and she is trying to join a local gang, the Cat’s Paws, to find her friend, Kita. Kita joined the Cat’s Paws a few months ago and then disappeared, and Arden is very worried about her. However, when Arden joins, she gets way more than she bargained for and becomes inadvertently deeply involved in the internal conspiracies of her realm. Now on the run, she joins a traveling warmaster’s entourage. (In this realm, warmasters or knights travel around on odysseys with their entourage and help and protect those less fortunate.) This is where she meets Mako, who has joined the same entourage as an apprentice or squire. Do the rumors he’s heard have any connection to the conspiracies she uncovered and what does that mean for the kingdom at large?
The thing I liked most about this book was the world as it was clear Mull had thought a lot about and spent a lot of time developing it. (I believe he said 10 years of planning and 2.5 years of writing in the acknowledgements.) It really showed as it felt familiar to a lot of other fantasy books I’ve read while also being unique, and I also really like how complex and intricate it was. He clearly is one of those authors that understands his audience and knows they can handle complex plots and ideas if presented in the right way. This isn’t a trait that every middle grade and young adult author understands so it’s refreshing when I find those books that embrace this fact and I can enjoy them even as an adult. I really hope that we get to explore more in the coming books because we got hints of the deeper world-building and I love learning all the minuscule details of my favorite worlds.
I also really liked the messaging in this book as we explore what it means to be a hero and the fine line that often exists between heroes and villains. What if the ones, we’re supposed to look up to, and trust, don’t know the difference and are actively hiding information from us that would let us make up our own minds? This is a good way to introduce one of my favorite concepts: forgetting our history dooms us to repeat it, a concept that a lot of fantasy books intended for older readers that the audience will encounter deal with, allowing this book to act as the appropriate steppingstone it should be. Again, I hope we delve into this more in later books in the series.
This brings me to the one qualm I had about this book; it is very obviously a set-up book. This didn’t bother me as I am used to reading more mature books, but for the target audience, it might be frustrating as they aren’t used to this style of storytelling. I hope they stick to it, though, because this series has the potential to be one of the best middle-grade series I’ve read in a while. 4 stars and I’m excited to keep reading!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I've been a fan of Brandon Mull's books for 17 years now (so long ago, when I first heard his name!), and was delighted that he was starting up a new series. As I expected, this book was a blast, really setting up the potential for future works of this series.
The book alternates POVs between two 13-year olds, Mako and Arden. Mako lives on the mountain of Anora, a self-governing region within the Tinvali Empire, a place that has heavy connections to spirits. Arden is a girl living in the lowland cities within the empire. Both of them were interesting, neither significantly better than one another, and the transition between the two POVs didn't mess with the pacing. This reminds me of how the author handled the split between the two protagonists of "Fablehaven", Seth and Kendra. Same method, positive results.
Mako's storyline begins with him bonding to a spirit known as a "Guardian", as part of the coming-of-age taking place in his homeland. His selective choice of bonding (regarding the options that he has), sets forth his storyline, with him seeing plenty of blur between good and evil. Arden, with a missing father and an emotionally checked out mother, joins a criminal syndicate in an attempt to track down her close friend. She knows that her friend was involved with them and went missing, so she attempts to cautiously use this opportunity to help bring her back home. Both storylines go pretty well. There are several other complementary recurring characters that readers will grow to care about, and root for plenty too.
I can't talk about Brandon Mull without bringing up the incredible world building that his books have. The setting, races, lore, and dungeons have always been cool features, which continues here, but Mull has found a new avenue to make a mark in- in this case, it is imperial/regional politicking. The political system established is simultaneously complex but understandable, that we readers (including children) recognize what the nation is meant to do for the good of the citizens. The theme of political corruption is a large part of this story, also a parallel in our world, where we hear of instances, past and present, of government officials and agents having actions go unchecked.
The writing style and plot progression works for me. It makes me think of what a middle grade version of stories from authors Brian McClellan and Django Wexler- stories that effectively build up plot, have intense action close to the end, and then end with readers eagerly awaiting what comes next. There's an absence of what I call "deadwood", which is what I regard information and progression not related to the overall story. The storyline is something that can be enjoyed by adults, but also keep the straightforward prose where it appeals for its younger target audience.
I think this series offers a ton of potential. I hope others take notice of this too.
(I received an ARC through Random House Children's Books/Labyrinth Road and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)
The book alternates POVs between two 13-year olds, Mako and Arden. Mako lives on the mountain of Anora, a self-governing region within the Tinvali Empire, a place that has heavy connections to spirits. Arden is a girl living in the lowland cities within the empire. Both of them were interesting, neither significantly better than one another, and the transition between the two POVs didn't mess with the pacing. This reminds me of how the author handled the split between the two protagonists of "Fablehaven", Seth and Kendra. Same method, positive results.
Mako's storyline begins with him bonding to a spirit known as a "Guardian", as part of the coming-of-age taking place in his homeland. His selective choice of bonding (regarding the options that he has), sets forth his storyline, with him seeing plenty of blur between good and evil. Arden, with a missing father and an emotionally checked out mother, joins a criminal syndicate in an attempt to track down her close friend. She knows that her friend was involved with them and went missing, so she attempts to cautiously use this opportunity to help bring her back home. Both storylines go pretty well. There are several other complementary recurring characters that readers will grow to care about, and root for plenty too.
I can't talk about Brandon Mull without bringing up the incredible world building that his books have. The setting, races, lore, and dungeons have always been cool features, which continues here, but Mull has found a new avenue to make a mark in- in this case, it is imperial/regional politicking. The political system established is simultaneously complex but understandable, that we readers (including children) recognize what the nation is meant to do for the good of the citizens. The theme of political corruption is a large part of this story, also a parallel in our world, where we hear of instances, past and present, of government officials and agents having actions go unchecked.
The writing style and plot progression works for me. It makes me think of what a middle grade version of stories from authors Brian McClellan and Django Wexler- stories that effectively build up plot, have intense action close to the end, and then end with readers eagerly awaiting what comes next. There's an absence of what I call "deadwood", which is what I regard information and progression not related to the overall story. The storyline is something that can be enjoyed by adults, but also keep the straightforward prose where it appeals for its younger target audience.
I think this series offers a ton of potential. I hope others take notice of this too.
(I received an ARC through Random House Children's Books/Labyrinth Road and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What worked:
The opening prologue introduces the most malevolent, feared antagonist in the book. The Matriarch traps a man who claims to have successfully transported an infant to safety. The Matriarch says his actions have been manipulated and then ruthlessly slays him. The story leaps ahead in time, leaving readers to wonder when The Matriarch will reappear. Characters with special aptitudes bond with spirits, guardians that augment those abilities. Advocates are special guardians with even greater power, while the Accused are evil spirits. All Anorans take an oath that they won’t bond with an Accursed, and violating this oath is punishable by death. Mako is one of the main characters, and he predictably, though not without an internal struggle, chooses to bond with one.
Mako is the infant mentioned above. He wants to become a warrior, but his talent is in musical tones; his ability with a sling is uncanny, too. However, music and slings aren’t the skills of a warrior, so Mako’s prospects for becoming a warrior apprentice are slim. In contrast, his brother has superior fighting skills and beats all challengers during their sparring matches. There is no animosity between the brothers, but the divergence of their destinies is clear. Mako is obsessed with becoming a warrior, which clouds his judgment. He has three guaranteed opportunities to bond with a spirit, but declining those chances does not guarantee a fourth choice. A smooth-tongued Accursed named Narrix and Mako’s desperation will lead to an ill-advised alliance. Readers will foresee the potential for conflict, confrontation, and tragedy.
Arden is the other main character, and she’s desperate to locate a friend who’s joined a street gang. Arden is so worried that she joins the Cat’s Paw gang, too. However, Arden can sense if others are being honest, and the gang’s leaders want to exploit her ability. She discovers the criminal enterprise is more widespread than she thinks, and there’s more danger than she expects. Arden is forced to make a hard decision; does she stay until she finds her friend, or does she leave before she’s asked to kill someone? The criminals are very protective of their secrets, so getting away from them will be the greatest risk she’s ever faced; the risk continues throughout the book.
What didn’t work as well:
The Amazon listing indicates this book is for ages 8 and older, but it’s more appropriate for upper middle-grade readers. Abstract thought is required, and the story is full of intrigue, conspiracy, and deceit. The book employs alternating chapters to follow Mako and Arden, which forces readers to remember details from one story after switching to the other. It can be frustrating when more significant things start to happen in the separate plots. The two stories eventually merge, which makes it much easier to follow.
The final verdict:
The dual plots become page-turners, but for different reasons. Arden’s suspense comes from the treacherous situation she’s gotten herself into, but her role expands beyond what she imagines. Mako’s Accursed elevates his talents, but it creates new levels of questions. Mako’s guilt and internal struggles are always on his mind. I highly recommend upper middle-grade readers give this book a chance.
The opening prologue introduces the most malevolent, feared antagonist in the book. The Matriarch traps a man who claims to have successfully transported an infant to safety. The Matriarch says his actions have been manipulated and then ruthlessly slays him. The story leaps ahead in time, leaving readers to wonder when The Matriarch will reappear. Characters with special aptitudes bond with spirits, guardians that augment those abilities. Advocates are special guardians with even greater power, while the Accused are evil spirits. All Anorans take an oath that they won’t bond with an Accursed, and violating this oath is punishable by death. Mako is one of the main characters, and he predictably, though not without an internal struggle, chooses to bond with one.
Mako is the infant mentioned above. He wants to become a warrior, but his talent is in musical tones; his ability with a sling is uncanny, too. However, music and slings aren’t the skills of a warrior, so Mako’s prospects for becoming a warrior apprentice are slim. In contrast, his brother has superior fighting skills and beats all challengers during their sparring matches. There is no animosity between the brothers, but the divergence of their destinies is clear. Mako is obsessed with becoming a warrior, which clouds his judgment. He has three guaranteed opportunities to bond with a spirit, but declining those chances does not guarantee a fourth choice. A smooth-tongued Accursed named Narrix and Mako’s desperation will lead to an ill-advised alliance. Readers will foresee the potential for conflict, confrontation, and tragedy.
Arden is the other main character, and she’s desperate to locate a friend who’s joined a street gang. Arden is so worried that she joins the Cat’s Paw gang, too. However, Arden can sense if others are being honest, and the gang’s leaders want to exploit her ability. She discovers the criminal enterprise is more widespread than she thinks, and there’s more danger than she expects. Arden is forced to make a hard decision; does she stay until she finds her friend, or does she leave before she’s asked to kill someone? The criminals are very protective of their secrets, so getting away from them will be the greatest risk she’s ever faced; the risk continues throughout the book.
What didn’t work as well:
The Amazon listing indicates this book is for ages 8 and older, but it’s more appropriate for upper middle-grade readers. Abstract thought is required, and the story is full of intrigue, conspiracy, and deceit. The book employs alternating chapters to follow Mako and Arden, which forces readers to remember details from one story after switching to the other. It can be frustrating when more significant things start to happen in the separate plots. The two stories eventually merge, which makes it much easier to follow.
The final verdict:
The dual plots become page-turners, but for different reasons. Arden’s suspense comes from the treacherous situation she’s gotten herself into, but her role expands beyond what she imagines. Mako’s Accursed elevates his talents, but it creates new levels of questions. Mako’s guilt and internal struggles are always on his mind. I highly recommend upper middle-grade readers give this book a chance.
April 30, 2026
Not Brandon’s best work. I was excited for a new series, but now disappointed that I’ll need to wait another 4+ years for him to wrap this series up before an opportunity for something good like 5 Kingdoms or Beyonders.
Great world building and concept. More mature and focused on guilt themes and gangs. Terrible pacing and huge lack of story structure and character depth. Many chapters feel like they were either written by AI or edited by AI. As an example, the same guilt trip reminder of “show the stakes” just about every other chapter.
I also really wanted just a few more hints of the torrivors. Much more prominent here - but didn’t drop any real hints. Spirit aspects are interesting, but also seem to overshadow character development and plot. Even the “big bad guy” we have no motive or depth other than “it’s the big bad guy.” Tone and writing style is OK though. Development until the bonding hut was good, but everything after is poor.
*** slight spoilers ahead ***
The main character running around and feeling guilty about a choice for the entire book is a terrible choice for a protagonist. This is especially true when the character is painted in a box that he seemingly can’t escape (only way out is death). No growth felt earned because of the world mechanics. No personal triumph. I spent the entire book wondering when he would move from just a main character to a protagonist. Entire plot of the book is essentially “bad spirits, some are back, they fight in criminal gangs. Young boy makes bad decision and runs around with guilt about it. An entire book later guess what, it was a bad decision and he still feels guilt about it.” He deserves to die if seen from any external perspective. The girl was more interesting and I loved the ability she has, but going from ignorant girl joining a gang to seasoned spy didn’t feel earned or consistent.
I was hoping for some redemptive twist at the end - say the elders are corrupt and the accursed are trying free the land. That kind of got shattered when he doubled-down on some of the darker elements of the accursed and the apparent manipulation at the end.
Overall, feels just poorly planned - and misses many elements that make a book good, too many of the fundamentals. It was hard to listen to and feel engaged. Will I read the next one? Probably. But not if I have almost anything else to read. I’d love to finish this series with the cliff notes instead of reading it.
Great world building and concept. More mature and focused on guilt themes and gangs. Terrible pacing and huge lack of story structure and character depth. Many chapters feel like they were either written by AI or edited by AI. As an example, the same guilt trip reminder of “show the stakes” just about every other chapter.
I also really wanted just a few more hints of the torrivors. Much more prominent here - but didn’t drop any real hints. Spirit aspects are interesting, but also seem to overshadow character development and plot. Even the “big bad guy” we have no motive or depth other than “it’s the big bad guy.” Tone and writing style is OK though. Development until the bonding hut was good, but everything after is poor.
*** slight spoilers ahead ***
The main character running around and feeling guilty about a choice for the entire book is a terrible choice for a protagonist. This is especially true when the character is painted in a box that he seemingly can’t escape (only way out is death). No growth felt earned because of the world mechanics. No personal triumph. I spent the entire book wondering when he would move from just a main character to a protagonist. Entire plot of the book is essentially “bad spirits, some are back, they fight in criminal gangs. Young boy makes bad decision and runs around with guilt about it. An entire book later guess what, it was a bad decision and he still feels guilt about it.” He deserves to die if seen from any external perspective. The girl was more interesting and I loved the ability she has, but going from ignorant girl joining a gang to seasoned spy didn’t feel earned or consistent.
I was hoping for some redemptive twist at the end - say the elders are corrupt and the accursed are trying free the land. That kind of got shattered when he doubled-down on some of the darker elements of the accursed and the apparent manipulation at the end.
Overall, feels just poorly planned - and misses many elements that make a book good, too many of the fundamentals. It was hard to listen to and feel engaged. Will I read the next one? Probably. But not if I have almost anything else to read. I’d love to finish this series with the cliff notes instead of reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2026
Next in a long line of various fantasy series such as The Candy Shop Wars (grades 4-7), Beyonders (older middle grades-YA), the very popular Fablehaven (middle grades-YA) and my personal fav of Mull’s works, Five Kingdoms (older middle grades-YA), Guardians: Forbidden Mountain is filled with unique magic allows gifted musicians to make solids change form, healing skills that are supplemented by special inborn talents, strength and particular prowess in handling weapons, and all these abilities sometimes enhanced by the bonding with the spirit form of a master from the past. Mako is a 14 year old who has bonded with a skilled warrior and hopes that his guardian will help him overcome his small stature in order to fulfill his dream to protect his home, his friends and family, and the country he lives in, however his altruistic outlook may be circumvented by the more controlling and destructive desires of his spirit partner. Arden is not of Anoran descent so she can not bond with a guardian, but nevertheless, she has the gift of sensing a person’s true intent and knows when words are couched in deceit, anger, manipulation, truth, etc. The two come from entirely different backgrounds but with their shared connection to renowned warmaster Rojan, become friends as organized crime begins to seep into the highest places in the country’s government and the leaders in that syndicate seem to be rising to power due to their relationship with an evil spirit being who is part of a unique group called the Accursed. Bonding with these guardians is strictly forbidden as a human-spirit relationship allows the spirit to enter the present world and exert control through their human. Big complication? Mako, in the hopes of doing good things, chose to bond with one of those 20 in order to defeat the most evil of that group who has managed to regain a foothold in the here and now physical world.
Complicated and intriguing in equal parts, the world-building is tremendous and takes a long time to become fully established while also allowing readers to understand the motivations and backgrounds of main characters Alden and Mako and supporting characters Tuck and Kira. To be honest, I had to push through the first third as necessary relationships and experiences were described and while events in both of their lives are exciting, there were times I wanted things to move along a bit more quickly, however, by the midpoint, I was fully invested in their lives and their attempt to disband the syndicate of criminals and defeat the female spirit being Vanderil. I anticipate that Mako’s guardian, Narrix, has not yet begun to reveal his ultimate purpose and expect much conflict between two. Arden is finally seeing a greater purpose for her life and I sense she will continue demonstrating great strength of character and will ultimately help Mako when the expected showdown with Narrix arrives and the identity and goals of this Accursed is revealed.
Recommended for libraries serving those in grades 5-12 who love fantasy, but with over 500 pages and a fairly complex plot, readers of Guardian need to have strong reading stamina and a willingness to allow Mull to set the stage completely with a few slow downs as aspects of bonding, special gifts, the societal groups/classes and the powers of the Accursed are fully established.
Final thought: If there is high circulation in low and high fantasy genres in a library, this may be a fresh, new choice for its readers.
*Profanity: none
*Violence: Lots of weapon training, several small skirmishes with physical wounds and death, and two larger battles with death and destruction. None include gratuitous descriptions of the deaths and all is appropriate to the genre and recommended age group.
*Sexual content: none (No hints of romance between any characters by the book’s end, either.)
*Representation: Race is not emphasized and with this being a completely new world, would not present as we view it. However, there are ruling classes, those who are granted privileges based on their country of origin and gifts, and certainly a wide range of economic levels including orphans and homeless who seem to lean toward lives of crime in order to meet their needs.
*LBGTQ+: none
Thanks for the early look at this one, Labyrinth Road/Penguin Random House and Edelweiss.
Complicated and intriguing in equal parts, the world-building is tremendous and takes a long time to become fully established while also allowing readers to understand the motivations and backgrounds of main characters Alden and Mako and supporting characters Tuck and Kira. To be honest, I had to push through the first third as necessary relationships and experiences were described and while events in both of their lives are exciting, there were times I wanted things to move along a bit more quickly, however, by the midpoint, I was fully invested in their lives and their attempt to disband the syndicate of criminals and defeat the female spirit being Vanderil. I anticipate that Mako’s guardian, Narrix, has not yet begun to reveal his ultimate purpose and expect much conflict between two. Arden is finally seeing a greater purpose for her life and I sense she will continue demonstrating great strength of character and will ultimately help Mako when the expected showdown with Narrix arrives and the identity and goals of this Accursed is revealed.
Recommended for libraries serving those in grades 5-12 who love fantasy, but with over 500 pages and a fairly complex plot, readers of Guardian need to have strong reading stamina and a willingness to allow Mull to set the stage completely with a few slow downs as aspects of bonding, special gifts, the societal groups/classes and the powers of the Accursed are fully established.
Final thought: If there is high circulation in low and high fantasy genres in a library, this may be a fresh, new choice for its readers.
*Profanity: none
*Violence: Lots of weapon training, several small skirmishes with physical wounds and death, and two larger battles with death and destruction. None include gratuitous descriptions of the deaths and all is appropriate to the genre and recommended age group.
*Sexual content: none (No hints of romance between any characters by the book’s end, either.)
*Representation: Race is not emphasized and with this being a completely new world, would not present as we view it. However, there are ruling classes, those who are granted privileges based on their country of origin and gifts, and certainly a wide range of economic levels including orphans and homeless who seem to lean toward lives of crime in order to meet their needs.
*LBGTQ+: none
Thanks for the early look at this one, Labyrinth Road/Penguin Random House and Edelweiss.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Mako is a foundling, adopted and raised by an Anoran family. He dreams of bonding with a guardian who will help him achieve his goal of becoming a great warrior like his adopted father and brother. Guardians are spirits without bodies who guide and mentor their bondees throughout life to help them achieve their full potential. Unfortunately for Mako, his body isn't built for warfare, even though his brain is. When he's given the chance to bond, the guardians who want to bond with him are those with musical talents like Mako possesses, not sword fighting talents. After rejecting several offers, the last possibility Mako gets is from one of the Accursed - dangerous spirits who spread chaos and evil. Any Anoran who willingly bonds with one of the Accursed is executed. At first Mako is appalled, but when he discovers that the worst of these evil spirits is already bonded somewhere in the world and looking to destroy everything he holds dear, Mako faces an impossible choice: do the unthinkable and bond with one of the Accursed to seek out and destroy the worst of the Accursed, or live life as an outcast without a guardian.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the empire a young girl named Arden is unsatisfied with what life has to offer her. She seeks adventure and excitement in the dangerous streets of Hollock. When her friend Kita joins a street gang and subsequently goes missing, Arden and a couple other friends seek out membership in the same gang to find and rescue Kita. With her gift of sensing when people are lying, it doesn't take long for Arden to realize that she's in way over her head with no prospect of escape. Eventually Arden's and Mako's paths collide and that's where things really get interesting!
This book is really long for the target audience and the first half is so full of world building and character development, that I found myself frustrated and wanting to skip ahead to the action. (I didn't!) But, once things got going, the book was fabulous! Tough it out for the first half if it doesn't grab you, because the second half is worth the ride and I look forward to the sequel! (This one ends on a cliffhanger).
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the empire a young girl named Arden is unsatisfied with what life has to offer her. She seeks adventure and excitement in the dangerous streets of Hollock. When her friend Kita joins a street gang and subsequently goes missing, Arden and a couple other friends seek out membership in the same gang to find and rescue Kita. With her gift of sensing when people are lying, it doesn't take long for Arden to realize that she's in way over her head with no prospect of escape. Eventually Arden's and Mako's paths collide and that's where things really get interesting!
This book is really long for the target audience and the first half is so full of world building and character development, that I found myself frustrated and wanting to skip ahead to the action. (I didn't!) But, once things got going, the book was fabulous! Tough it out for the first half if it doesn't grab you, because the second half is worth the ride and I look forward to the sequel! (This one ends on a cliffhanger).
April 13, 2026
ARC REVIEW: This book was an absolute delight and sets up so much promise for the rest of the series. I already can’t wait to continue.
One of my favorite elements was the strong theme of family. Both Mako and Arden come from loving, supportive families, which feels refreshing in fantasy, where that dynamic isn’t always front and center. Loved that young readers can see what it means to go to your parents for help and to have a good sibling relationship. It added a warmth to the story that I really appreciated.
I also loved the exploration of choice and personal agency, especially through the Guardian ceremony. Mako’s struggle to choose between what he’s naturally good at and what he truly wants felt incredibly empowering and relatable. His conversations with mentors and the guardians were some of my favorite moments, and his arc gave me strong Stormlight Archive and Avatar: The Last Airbender vibes.
Arden, on the other hand, is such a compelling and complex character. I loved how her decisions led her into difficult situations, forcing her to face the consequences and ultimately turn to her mother for help, which brings her storyline into collision with Mako’s. Her ability to read intentions is such a cool and unique power, and it will play a major role moving forward. Her plotline, with its gangs and heists, reminded me of Six of Crows.
I really appreciated how Mull allows his characters to make mistakes and actually live with the consequences, all while still maintaining their desire to help others. It adds depth and realism to the story.
This book is a fantastic fit for middle-grade readers transitioning into YA, with its dual POV and more complex themes. That said, even as an adult, I found it incredibly engaging and thoroughly enjoyable.
One of my favorite elements was the strong theme of family. Both Mako and Arden come from loving, supportive families, which feels refreshing in fantasy, where that dynamic isn’t always front and center. Loved that young readers can see what it means to go to your parents for help and to have a good sibling relationship. It added a warmth to the story that I really appreciated.
I also loved the exploration of choice and personal agency, especially through the Guardian ceremony. Mako’s struggle to choose between what he’s naturally good at and what he truly wants felt incredibly empowering and relatable. His conversations with mentors and the guardians were some of my favorite moments, and his arc gave me strong Stormlight Archive and Avatar: The Last Airbender vibes.
Arden, on the other hand, is such a compelling and complex character. I loved how her decisions led her into difficult situations, forcing her to face the consequences and ultimately turn to her mother for help, which brings her storyline into collision with Mako’s. Her ability to read intentions is such a cool and unique power, and it will play a major role moving forward. Her plotline, with its gangs and heists, reminded me of Six of Crows.
I really appreciated how Mull allows his characters to make mistakes and actually live with the consequences, all while still maintaining their desire to help others. It adds depth and realism to the story.
This book is a fantastic fit for middle-grade readers transitioning into YA, with its dual POV and more complex themes. That said, even as an adult, I found it incredibly engaging and thoroughly enjoyable.
April 14, 2026
I was SO excited when I saw this book—total nostalgia moment for me.
I fell in love with Brandon Mull’s writing YEARS ago when I read Fablehaven (almost 20 years ago?! ) and the Dragonwatch series after that. I actually discovered them because my students insisted I had to read them… and they were absolutely right!
Somehow I lost track of his books over the years, but when I saw this one, I knew I had to pick it up—and I am so glad I did. I was NOT disappointed.
This is an amazing start to a new series that is exciting, a little dark, and completely engaging.
In this world, Anoran children must choose a spiritual guardian at age 14—some are helpful… and some are definitely not.
We follow two main characters:
⚔ Mako, an Anoran boy with a gift for music who dreams of being a warrior—and must make a life-altering (and potentially dangerous) choice
🏹 Arden, whose prospects are far less certain, and who finds herself in serious trouble while trying to help a friend
I loved how the dual storylines slowly come together as their paths cross and they are forced to work together through danger, secrets, and powerful enemies.
This book is packed with:
🔥 action and battles
🖤 dark secrets
💛 family and loyalty
🤯 tough choices
The characters are complex and compelling, and you truly feel the weight of the decisions they have to make. And as always, Mull’s world-building is incredible—his settings are so vivid and immersive that you feel like you’re right there.
I don’t want to give anything away, but I am already so invested in this series and cannot wait to see what happens next!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I fell in love with Brandon Mull’s writing YEARS ago when I read Fablehaven (almost 20 years ago?! ) and the Dragonwatch series after that. I actually discovered them because my students insisted I had to read them… and they were absolutely right!
Somehow I lost track of his books over the years, but when I saw this one, I knew I had to pick it up—and I am so glad I did. I was NOT disappointed.
This is an amazing start to a new series that is exciting, a little dark, and completely engaging.
In this world, Anoran children must choose a spiritual guardian at age 14—some are helpful… and some are definitely not.
We follow two main characters:
⚔ Mako, an Anoran boy with a gift for music who dreams of being a warrior—and must make a life-altering (and potentially dangerous) choice
🏹 Arden, whose prospects are far less certain, and who finds herself in serious trouble while trying to help a friend
I loved how the dual storylines slowly come together as their paths cross and they are forced to work together through danger, secrets, and powerful enemies.
This book is packed with:
🔥 action and battles
🖤 dark secrets
💛 family and loyalty
🤯 tough choices
The characters are complex and compelling, and you truly feel the weight of the decisions they have to make. And as always, Mull’s world-building is incredible—his settings are so vivid and immersive that you feel like you’re right there.
I don’t want to give anything away, but I am already so invested in this series and cannot wait to see what happens next!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 3, 2026
I really liked the character, worldbuilding, and magic system of this book, I think it's a fun idea that the author has pulled off really well so far. I can definitely tell this was written for kids with the interactions characters have with each other, they're way too open about everything. I won't take a star off for that because this is directed towards kids and I don't think kids care as much.
I am taking two stars off for two things that happened in the book that could have easily been avoided with better or more editors.
In one scene, Mako tells some person that he's going to get a guardian in three days, and that person is like 'oh if I didn't abduct you, you'd have a guardian right now, huh?' But in different wording. And Mako says 'yes.' And I almost stopped reading right there, but I was just so curious about Mako's future guardian and that kept me reading.
Also, when some character went to a friend's place and met that friend's aunt, the lady told her a bunch of secrets that NOBODY would tell a random kid who shows up one day saying they're a friend of your niece. This really bothered me. There was an explanation where the lady was like 'I feel like you got a gift and so I can trust you' but that didn't do it enough for me. This is the biggest example of characters being way too open with each other. I can deal with it most of the time, but when some lady is telling a random kid (in her perspective) about secrets that aren't even hers to tell, I'm like... 'dude, this book going to suck.'
It did thankfully get better and I actually enjoyed it, especially when Mako interacted with his guardian. I'm very curious about that guardian character.
I am taking two stars off for two things that happened in the book that could have easily been avoided with better or more editors.
In one scene, Mako tells some person that he's going to get a guardian in three days, and that person is like 'oh if I didn't abduct you, you'd have a guardian right now, huh?' But in different wording. And Mako says 'yes.' And I almost stopped reading right there, but I was just so curious about Mako's future guardian and that kept me reading.
Also, when some character went to a friend's place and met that friend's aunt, the lady told her a bunch of secrets that NOBODY would tell a random kid who shows up one day saying they're a friend of your niece. This really bothered me. There was an explanation where the lady was like 'I feel like you got a gift and so I can trust you' but that didn't do it enough for me. This is the biggest example of characters being way too open with each other. I can deal with it most of the time, but when some lady is telling a random kid (in her perspective) about secrets that aren't even hers to tell, I'm like... 'dude, this book going to suck.'
It did thankfully get better and I actually enjoyed it, especially when Mako interacted with his guardian. I'm very curious about that guardian character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am a huge Brandon Mull fan, so when I saw an opportunity to read his new book early, I pounced.
I am going to say, it's a good thing I already trust Mull's writing. This is a middle grade fantasy, and it is over 500 pages long. That's a lot of pages for the target audience. Like, a lot.
As I've noticed with Mull's other series, being the first book in the series it is a lot of world building, character introduction, and set up. You have to really be committed to the story (or trust the author) to slog through all of that. Because I DO trust Mull, I stuck with it even though I was bored at times. It took 50% or more of the book before anything really exciting started happening. And when your book is this long, that's a lot to get through before the pay off.
We have two main POVs in this book, Mako and Arden. In the beginning of the book the POV switched so often that the pacing felt frustrating at times.
This book also felt a lot more violent and gory than his others have (granted I haven't yet read Beyonders, so I can't compare to that). It shocked me a little bit.
All this being said, Mull knows how to create a fascinating world, great characters, and an intriguing plot. By the time I got to the end of this book I was all in and will definitely pick up the next book when it's available.
I just wish it hadn't taken so long for me to feel invested in and excited about the story.
*I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing. All opinions are my own.*
I am going to say, it's a good thing I already trust Mull's writing. This is a middle grade fantasy, and it is over 500 pages long. That's a lot of pages for the target audience. Like, a lot.
As I've noticed with Mull's other series, being the first book in the series it is a lot of world building, character introduction, and set up. You have to really be committed to the story (or trust the author) to slog through all of that. Because I DO trust Mull, I stuck with it even though I was bored at times. It took 50% or more of the book before anything really exciting started happening. And when your book is this long, that's a lot to get through before the pay off.
We have two main POVs in this book, Mako and Arden. In the beginning of the book the POV switched so often that the pacing felt frustrating at times.
This book also felt a lot more violent and gory than his others have (granted I haven't yet read Beyonders, so I can't compare to that). It shocked me a little bit.
All this being said, Mull knows how to create a fascinating world, great characters, and an intriguing plot. By the time I got to the end of this book I was all in and will definitely pick up the next book when it's available.
I just wish it hadn't taken so long for me to feel invested in and excited about the story.
*I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing. All opinions are my own.*
May 10, 2026
Two teens with different pasts will have to work together to save their world. Mako lives in Anora. In Anora, every 14-year-old is given the opportunity to bond to an Advocate, a spiritual guardian who gives them magical abilities. A few days before his bonding, Mako gets held hostage by an outsider. They warn him that an agent of chaos has returned to the world. The only way to stop them is to bond with an Accursed, a forbidden guardian bond that could result in death. Arden comes from a different family situation but has her own powers: she can tell when people are withholding the truth. When her friend, Kita, goes missing, Arden is convinced that the mysterious criminal organization, Cat’s Paws, has taken her. Arden tries to infiltrate them to locate her friend. Soon, the two teens’ fates converge. Can they find Kita and save the world from the agent of chaos?
Told through alternating points of view, the plot is complex and engaging. The characters are authentic, flawed, and draw the reader into the story. The world building is done well and draws the reader into the story. Readers who like Brandon Mull, fantasy and adventure will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.
Recommended Audience: Grades 5 to 9
Please Note: A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own. No other compensation was received.
Told through alternating points of view, the plot is complex and engaging. The characters are authentic, flawed, and draw the reader into the story. The world building is done well and draws the reader into the story. Readers who like Brandon Mull, fantasy and adventure will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.
Recommended Audience: Grades 5 to 9
Please Note: A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own. No other compensation was received.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Mull begins with Mako a young man who all he wants to do is to follow in his adopted father's ways and become a mighty warrior. Mull builds a world of pure fantasy with a mountain of Anora where the people gain special power from choosing a guardian. Mako is so desperate to become a warrior that he chooses one of the forbidden 20 as his guardian.
Mull then writes about a female named Arden an individual who has a special ability to be able to tell if someone is lying or withholding the truth. Her part of the story kept me wanting to rush through the opposite story to get back to what was happening to her. The woven story by Mull was well written I kept racing back to reading to the story over and over.
I really enjoyed this book. I can't wait to read the next installment. I can see why this book took two and a half years to get this book completed. Building a world that is it's own unique world with it's own use of magic through born abilities and the help of guardians is unique. My only gripe with this book is that it begins with Mako in the future seeing all of his friends dead and him talking to his guardian. I was confused at first with this but later on when the story had been more flushed out it made sense.
Mull then writes about a female named Arden an individual who has a special ability to be able to tell if someone is lying or withholding the truth. Her part of the story kept me wanting to rush through the opposite story to get back to what was happening to her. The woven story by Mull was well written I kept racing back to reading to the story over and over.
I really enjoyed this book. I can't wait to read the next installment. I can see why this book took two and a half years to get this book completed. Building a world that is it's own unique world with it's own use of magic through born abilities and the help of guardians is unique. My only gripe with this book is that it begins with Mako in the future seeing all of his friends dead and him talking to his guardian. I was confused at first with this but later on when the story had been more flushed out it made sense.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Every mountain child dreams of the day when they get to go into the bonding shed and bond with a spirit that will help enhance and/or help them to be better in their chosen field. However, there are rules. You get 3 offers you can hope for a forth but that is not a given if pass on the first three, and while some promise fame and fortune, you are never to bond with one of the accursed, if found out that is an immediate death sentence. Across the kingdom there is a girl who has some power and uses it to gain entrance in to a gang so she can find her friend. When everything goes crazy and she has to run for it she finds out her mother is not who she thinks she is and her mom calls on a friend to help smuggle her out and to a man she used to work for so everyone will be safe. When the boy from the mountain and the girl meet up in their new guardian’s camp they become friends, and that friendship will help them stay alive at least for now.
The characters and story are so good, it is so full of action and suspense it will keep your nose in the book a bit longer as you won’t want to miss any time finding out what comes next. You will really want to know what comes next. I loved the story and almost all of the characters
Review copy provided by netgalley
The characters and story are so good, it is so full of action and suspense it will keep your nose in the book a bit longer as you won’t want to miss any time finding out what comes next. You will really want to know what comes next. I loved the story and almost all of the characters
Review copy provided by netgalley
Review of advance copy
Oh, Brandon. Here we go again. You've completely sucked me into another amazing series that I will look forward to reading for years to come. The world building is unmatched. The intensity is high-stakes. The characters felt real enough to fully invest me in the outcome.
If you like high fantasy, an entirely new world and system of living, MG-YA-Adult reading, secrets, adventure, destruction and danger, look no further. Even if you don't typically enjoy these things, this book will pull you in and NOT let go.
2 youth living in completely different circumstances and an empire apart, have to join forces to face evil, chaos, lies, and conspiracy to save the empire and everything they know. That is IF they survive.
"I can help you identify paths, but you must walk them. I can enhance potential, but you must claim the increase through hard work and the choices you make."
"Others can always find a way to look down on you- don't look down on yourself."
This high stakes drama, like all of Brandon's books, finds a way to give so much insight and many life lessons as well as wisdom.
Another winner by an auto-read, auto-buy author for me. Better get another book shelf.
If you like high fantasy, an entirely new world and system of living, MG-YA-Adult reading, secrets, adventure, destruction and danger, look no further. Even if you don't typically enjoy these things, this book will pull you in and NOT let go.
2 youth living in completely different circumstances and an empire apart, have to join forces to face evil, chaos, lies, and conspiracy to save the empire and everything they know. That is IF they survive.
"I can help you identify paths, but you must walk them. I can enhance potential, but you must claim the increase through hard work and the choices you make."
"Others can always find a way to look down on you- don't look down on yourself."
This high stakes drama, like all of Brandon's books, finds a way to give so much insight and many life lessons as well as wisdom.
Another winner by an auto-read, auto-buy author for me. Better get another book shelf.
May 15, 2026
I had many issues with this book (but I’ll keep it to two) and I’m pretty disappointed in Mull. I know he has it in him to be a good writer but this one was just bad.
First issue: I was SO bored. The entire book is a perfect example of telling instead of showing. There was so much explaining (and re-explaining because he constantly was reiterating what he already said), that I quickly lost interest.
Second issue: the premise of bonding with Spirits and the way Mull portrayed it made me pretty uncomfortable. Not only did it feel New Age-ish, but bonding to a (possibly evil Spirit) is not something I would want a middle grader or young teen to read. The scenes in the Spirit tents were especially uncomfortable. When in the tent, your spirit is able to leave your body and you are able to commune with other people’s spirits as well as the spirit world in general.
The only good thing I have to say about this premise is that Mull emphasizes that people are more than just physical beings. We have souls and there is more to life than just this world.
To be honest, I had about 2 hours left of the audiobook and I didn’t even finish it.
So I probably won’t continue this series and I wouldn’t recommend it.
First issue: I was SO bored. The entire book is a perfect example of telling instead of showing. There was so much explaining (and re-explaining because he constantly was reiterating what he already said), that I quickly lost interest.
Second issue: the premise of bonding with Spirits and the way Mull portrayed it made me pretty uncomfortable. Not only did it feel New Age-ish, but bonding to a (possibly evil Spirit) is not something I would want a middle grader or young teen to read. The scenes in the Spirit tents were especially uncomfortable. When in the tent, your spirit is able to leave your body and you are able to commune with other people’s spirits as well as the spirit world in general.
The only good thing I have to say about this premise is that Mull emphasizes that people are more than just physical beings. We have souls and there is more to life than just this world.
To be honest, I had about 2 hours left of the audiobook and I didn’t even finish it.
So I probably won’t continue this series and I wouldn’t recommend it.
May 23, 2026
This book took me a while to warm up to. The opening stretch feels slow and heavily focused on setup, and it wasn’t until around the halfway point that things really started to click for me. Up until then, the pacing drags, and I struggled to feel fully invested in the world or its spiritual system.
That said, once the story gains momentum, it becomes a lot more compelling. I especially started to appreciate Arden. She makes mistakes, sometimes frustrating ones, but she actively tries to understand them and do better, which made her feel grounded and real. Mako’s arc also stood out more in the second half, particularly the moral dilemma at the core of his story. Watching both characters wrestle with impossible choices and try to rationalize what “right” even means ended up being the most interesting part of the book for me.
The concept of guardians, Advocates, and the Accursed did not fully land emotionally for me, and I never felt deeply connected to the spiritual mechanics or rules of that system. But the character driven conflict and ethical tension later on helped balance that out.
Overall, it is a slow burn that only really comes alive past the midpoint, but when it does, it is the characters and their moral struggles that carry it.
That said, once the story gains momentum, it becomes a lot more compelling. I especially started to appreciate Arden. She makes mistakes, sometimes frustrating ones, but she actively tries to understand them and do better, which made her feel grounded and real. Mako’s arc also stood out more in the second half, particularly the moral dilemma at the core of his story. Watching both characters wrestle with impossible choices and try to rationalize what “right” even means ended up being the most interesting part of the book for me.
The concept of guardians, Advocates, and the Accursed did not fully land emotionally for me, and I never felt deeply connected to the spiritual mechanics or rules of that system. But the character driven conflict and ethical tension later on helped balance that out.
Overall, it is a slow burn that only really comes alive past the midpoint, but when it does, it is the characters and their moral struggles that carry it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm a loyal follower of Brandon Mull, as is my entire family. I was so excited to see he has another series and Forbidden Mountain did not disappoint!
We meet Mako and his brother, Zane, young citizens of a spiritual city called Anora, who all get the chance to receive a bond with a guardian when they come of age. These guardians are spirist who will guide them and enhance their abilities throughout their lives.
The story alternates between Mako's journey and the journey of Arden, a teenage girl who joins a gang to figure out where one of her dearest friends has disappeared to. Even though Arden's life was a comfortable one, she felt pressured to live the life her mother wanted, not what she wanted. As Arden's abilities help her move up in the gang, she realizes that she needs to choose for herself and her decisions to work with the gang have taken that choice from her. She knows she needs to get out.
The story is one of adventure and self discovery, values and challenges, loyalty and choices. It flows quickly and reads well. I know this is going to be another favorite for any Brandon Mull fan out there!
We meet Mako and his brother, Zane, young citizens of a spiritual city called Anora, who all get the chance to receive a bond with a guardian when they come of age. These guardians are spirist who will guide them and enhance their abilities throughout their lives.
The story alternates between Mako's journey and the journey of Arden, a teenage girl who joins a gang to figure out where one of her dearest friends has disappeared to. Even though Arden's life was a comfortable one, she felt pressured to live the life her mother wanted, not what she wanted. As Arden's abilities help her move up in the gang, she realizes that she needs to choose for herself and her decisions to work with the gang have taken that choice from her. She knows she needs to get out.
The story is one of adventure and self discovery, values and challenges, loyalty and choices. It flows quickly and reads well. I know this is going to be another favorite for any Brandon Mull fan out there!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG13
Everything for Mako (13yo) depends on passing his tests for a good apprenticeship and on who he receives as his guardian in three days. Arden (13yo) might not have abilities like those who live on the forbidden mountain, but her knack for reading people goes beyond average skill. While intending to do good, these teens feel lost after making mistakes and have to decide who they can trust to guide them out of it.
At first, Mako and Arden both seem to be stuck on slippery slopes due to their choices. However, their reactions to their respective consequences contrast greatly, making their similar circumstances diverge even as their stories start to intersect by ending up in the same camp. Both of them want to do good, and their examples invoke questions of whether doing something wrong for the right reasons can still be good. Expect high anticipation for the sequel!
The mature content rating is for illegal activity and mentions of alcohol and kissing. The violence rating is for assault, blood and gore, battle scenes, mentions of suicide, and murder.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Everything for Mako (13yo) depends on passing his tests for a good apprenticeship and on who he receives as his guardian in three days. Arden (13yo) might not have abilities like those who live on the forbidden mountain, but her knack for reading people goes beyond average skill. While intending to do good, these teens feel lost after making mistakes and have to decide who they can trust to guide them out of it.
At first, Mako and Arden both seem to be stuck on slippery slopes due to their choices. However, their reactions to their respective consequences contrast greatly, making their similar circumstances diverge even as their stories start to intersect by ending up in the same camp. Both of them want to do good, and their examples invoke questions of whether doing something wrong for the right reasons can still be good. Expect high anticipation for the sequel!
The mature content rating is for illegal activity and mentions of alcohol and kissing. The violence rating is for assault, blood and gore, battle scenes, mentions of suicide, and murder.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received an advance physical and audio copy for review. I switched between the formats and either would be a great way to go! The Narrator was easy to listen to and the physical copy comes with beautiful stenciled page edges in a sword design.
Forbidden Mountain is the first book in the Guardians middle grade fantasy series that is set in a world where children have the chance to match with a spiritual guide who will provide them magically enhanced abilities.
This book felt like all the dynamic elements I experience reading adult epic fantasy, but written for a younger audience with younger protagonists. This would be a great book for middle grade and YA readers to stretch their fantasy reading muscles. I think it will also appeal well for multiple ages of readers to bond over together.
It is definitely on the longer end for middle grade books, but I think the author has established trust from a strong fanbase that they will be willing to ride the journey with him. This book provides a lot of setup and groundwork and it feels like there are some big things coming that I am curious to see how they all play out.
Forbidden Mountain is the first book in the Guardians middle grade fantasy series that is set in a world where children have the chance to match with a spiritual guide who will provide them magically enhanced abilities.
This book felt like all the dynamic elements I experience reading adult epic fantasy, but written for a younger audience with younger protagonists. This would be a great book for middle grade and YA readers to stretch their fantasy reading muscles. I think it will also appeal well for multiple ages of readers to bond over together.
It is definitely on the longer end for middle grade books, but I think the author has established trust from a strong fanbase that they will be willing to ride the journey with him. This book provides a lot of setup and groundwork and it feels like there are some big things coming that I am curious to see how they all play out.
April 15, 2026
I received an ARC from Random House Kids at the North Texas Teen Book Festival and was excited to dive into this one. It didn't let me down!
In this epic fantasy, readers are introduced to a civilization, Anorans, where individuals can bond with powerful spirits that enhance their abilities—but not all spirits are what they seem. Our male main character, Mako, dreams of becoming a warrior, even though his talents don’t quite fit the path. When he’s faced with impossible choices, the decisions he makes could have far-reaching consequences. Alongside him, Arden, our female main character, is searching for a missing friend by penetrating an underground crime network that turns out far more dangerous than she expected.
This story completely pulled me in with its creative magic system, strong sense of adventure, and immersive world-building. It’s a gripping, imaginative read that keeps you turning the pages, and the ending will definitely have you ready for the next book. Marketed to ages 8 to 12 but feels a bit more upper middle grade, or older, to me given its length and complexities in plot. But, it's just as fun for adult audiences as well.
In this epic fantasy, readers are introduced to a civilization, Anorans, where individuals can bond with powerful spirits that enhance their abilities—but not all spirits are what they seem. Our male main character, Mako, dreams of becoming a warrior, even though his talents don’t quite fit the path. When he’s faced with impossible choices, the decisions he makes could have far-reaching consequences. Alongside him, Arden, our female main character, is searching for a missing friend by penetrating an underground crime network that turns out far more dangerous than she expected.
This story completely pulled me in with its creative magic system, strong sense of adventure, and immersive world-building. It’s a gripping, imaginative read that keeps you turning the pages, and the ending will definitely have you ready for the next book. Marketed to ages 8 to 12 but feels a bit more upper middle grade, or older, to me given its length and complexities in plot. But, it's just as fun for adult audiences as well.
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