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Protector #1
Protector of Beyond 1
Magical creatures, perilous trials, and one unbelievable adventure in this new blockbuster fantasy series.
The moment you enter the Arbiter, your fate is sealed. If you spark, you fight!
Twelve-year-old Elder Triss never expected to produce a spark so rare - and so dangerous. But when she is torn from everything she knows and thrown into the mysterious world known as Beyond, she learns there is only one path forward: survive the trials and earn a place at the Academy of Protectors.
To get there, Elder must train for battle, face terrifying magical creatures and outlast friends who are quickly becoming rivals. But Beyond is more dangerous than it seems, and someone is trying to stop Elder from reaching the academy – and making it out alive . . .
The moment you enter the Arbiter, your fate is sealed. If you spark, you fight!
Twelve-year-old Elder Triss never expected to produce a spark so rare - and so dangerous. But when she is torn from everything she knows and thrown into the mysterious world known as Beyond, she learns there is only one path forward: survive the trials and earn a place at the Academy of Protectors.
To get there, Elder must train for battle, face terrifying magical creatures and outlast friends who are quickly becoming rivals. But Beyond is more dangerous than it seems, and someone is trying to stop Elder from reaching the academy – and making it out alive . . .
448 pages, Unknown Binding
Published September 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 16, 2026
What is Protector of Beyond about?
A young teenage girl must attend a ceremony to see if she will be leaving home forever. If she ‘sparks’ during the ceremony she will be sent to attend a school which teaches its students to be Protectors of their Realm.
Elder is torn between leaving home where her mother ignores her, or the uncertain chance to see her older sister who left to train years before. But Elder’s spark is like none seen before – she makes the cut for the school, but is under suspicion before she even arrives.
She makes friends and enemies at the school, and must be given special training to keep the other students safe. Going through a series of trials will determine who makes the next cut for an academy that will train them further in keeping their world safe.
It’s a difficult road for Elder, but with her loyal friends by her side, and determination and courage, she continues toward her goal of staying with her friends old and new, human and creature.
Review
Protector of Beyond is a gripping action fuelled middle grade fantasy for fans of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief series or Ice Apprentices. The world of Beyond is a fascinating one with touches of Harry Potter too (Hagrid’s creatures).
Main character Elder’s life has been difficult and continues to be so, even when she passes a trial some have trained their lives for. What made this novel so compelling for me was that is wasn’t just a list of trials to complete for a goal. Elder’s training was uncertain for her and the reader with unexpected results.
She has a gift no one has ever seen, and the leaders are not sure how to handle her. Elder is so powerful which could be an asset or a threat to the Beyond Protectors and the Academy that trains them. She is never certain what her fate will be. The rivalries are well written, and the friendships so enjoyable.
The page turning ending is thrilling and has a twist I never saw coming. Events throughout the book set up more possible shocks, which I’m hoping to see realised in future episodes in this series.
A Great Read.
Book Style
448 Pages / 48 Chapters / A Beastiary in the end of the book
FAQ’s
What age is it for?
9+
Where & When is it set?
In a fictional fantasy world called the Beyond, and the Arbiter.
What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?
First person / Present Tense
Is there Violence?
Fight scenes with Monsters
What genre is Protector of Beyond?
Middle Grade Fantasy
Themes
Monsters / Friendship / Betrayal / Fantasy / Courage / Relationships
Is it part of a series?
Yes
A young teenage girl must attend a ceremony to see if she will be leaving home forever. If she ‘sparks’ during the ceremony she will be sent to attend a school which teaches its students to be Protectors of their Realm.
Elder is torn between leaving home where her mother ignores her, or the uncertain chance to see her older sister who left to train years before. But Elder’s spark is like none seen before – she makes the cut for the school, but is under suspicion before she even arrives.
She makes friends and enemies at the school, and must be given special training to keep the other students safe. Going through a series of trials will determine who makes the next cut for an academy that will train them further in keeping their world safe.
It’s a difficult road for Elder, but with her loyal friends by her side, and determination and courage, she continues toward her goal of staying with her friends old and new, human and creature.
Review
Protector of Beyond is a gripping action fuelled middle grade fantasy for fans of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief series or Ice Apprentices. The world of Beyond is a fascinating one with touches of Harry Potter too (Hagrid’s creatures).
Main character Elder’s life has been difficult and continues to be so, even when she passes a trial some have trained their lives for. What made this novel so compelling for me was that is wasn’t just a list of trials to complete for a goal. Elder’s training was uncertain for her and the reader with unexpected results.
She has a gift no one has ever seen, and the leaders are not sure how to handle her. Elder is so powerful which could be an asset or a threat to the Beyond Protectors and the Academy that trains them. She is never certain what her fate will be. The rivalries are well written, and the friendships so enjoyable.
The page turning ending is thrilling and has a twist I never saw coming. Events throughout the book set up more possible shocks, which I’m hoping to see realised in future episodes in this series.
A Great Read.
Book Style
448 Pages / 48 Chapters / A Beastiary in the end of the book
FAQ’s
What age is it for?
9+
Where & When is it set?
In a fictional fantasy world called the Beyond, and the Arbiter.
What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?
First person / Present Tense
Is there Violence?
Fight scenes with Monsters
What genre is Protector of Beyond?
Middle Grade Fantasy
Themes
Monsters / Friendship / Betrayal / Fantasy / Courage / Relationships
Is it part of a series?
Yes
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Okay, I’m calling it now: this could be the next big middle-grade fantasy series. And if I’m wrong, I’ll eat my words.
Protector of Beyond has everything I want in a kids’ fantasy; magical creatures, mystery, danger, action and a world that feels like it’s only just beginning to open up.
But what really made this a five-star read for me was what sits underneath all the magic: family, belonging and discovering the thing that makes you uniquely you.
Elder is sent to Beyond, a placed filled with magical creatures and kids whose sparks are beginning to emerge. While everyone around her seems to be discovering where they fit, Elder is still trying to work out her own place in this strange new world. And I loved that. There’s something so relatable for young readers in watching a character realise that finding your spark isn’t about being like everyone else. It’s about discovering what is already yours.
And then there’s the idea of found family. The friendships Elder forms become so much more than simply people helping her survive an adventure. They become her people. The book beautifully explores the idea that family isn't always just about blood; sometimes it’s the people who stand beside you, believe in you and make you feel like you belong.
The fantasy elements are genuinely fun too. Magical creatures, mysteries, enemies, trials and plenty of “just one more chapter” moments. I can absolutely see kids becoming obsessed with this world, arguing over their favourite creatures and wondering what their own spark would be.
As a kids’ read? Five stars. Easily. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This feels like the beginning of something BIG. Honestly, my biggest problem with Protector of Beyond is that I now have to wait for the next book to arrive.
I’m calling it now: this could be the next big middle-grade fantasy series. And if I’m wrong, I’ll eat my words.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Australia for gifting us a copy. All thoughts and opinions are our own.
Protector of Beyond has everything I want in a kids’ fantasy; magical creatures, mystery, danger, action and a world that feels like it’s only just beginning to open up.
But what really made this a five-star read for me was what sits underneath all the magic: family, belonging and discovering the thing that makes you uniquely you.
Elder is sent to Beyond, a placed filled with magical creatures and kids whose sparks are beginning to emerge. While everyone around her seems to be discovering where they fit, Elder is still trying to work out her own place in this strange new world. And I loved that. There’s something so relatable for young readers in watching a character realise that finding your spark isn’t about being like everyone else. It’s about discovering what is already yours.
And then there’s the idea of found family. The friendships Elder forms become so much more than simply people helping her survive an adventure. They become her people. The book beautifully explores the idea that family isn't always just about blood; sometimes it’s the people who stand beside you, believe in you and make you feel like you belong.
The fantasy elements are genuinely fun too. Magical creatures, mysteries, enemies, trials and plenty of “just one more chapter” moments. I can absolutely see kids becoming obsessed with this world, arguing over their favourite creatures and wondering what their own spark would be.
As a kids’ read? Five stars. Easily. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This feels like the beginning of something BIG. Honestly, my biggest problem with Protector of Beyond is that I now have to wait for the next book to arrive.
I’m calling it now: this could be the next big middle-grade fantasy series. And if I’m wrong, I’ll eat my words.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Australia for gifting us a copy. All thoughts and opinions are our own.
October 5, 2026
I got jealous when Mr 8 read this faster than the read aloud-chapter-per-night pace for Mr 6 was, so read it myself over a couple of sittings.
Shara is a fantastic storyteller, and what I most appreciated about this one was how intelligent the reader is treated as part of this adventure.
Elder is a compelling and relatable character, not just for middle grade aged kiddos, and the theme of our spark, potential and the power of friendship shone out just right with no "sickly sweet after taste" as can be a reading risk for this aged fiction.
Excited for book 2!!
Shara is a fantastic storyteller, and what I most appreciated about this one was how intelligent the reader is treated as part of this adventure.
Elder is a compelling and relatable character, not just for middle grade aged kiddos, and the theme of our spark, potential and the power of friendship shone out just right with no "sickly sweet after taste" as can be a reading risk for this aged fiction.
Excited for book 2!!
Review of advance copy
Action and adventure. A fast paced novel with lots of twists and turns. The last 100 pages keep you frantically reading to the exciting conclusion.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews