What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

-Read on audio book (CDs) between 2010 and 2012
-Got it from a Canadian library, so likely Canadian or American (can't find it in the library catalogue)
-I'd guess release date as mid-2000's
-Part of a series, leaves off with a bigger-and-worse-things-are-coming vibe
-I think the author was male
-Cover was dark, I believe mostly black and red or blue

-Starts with teen boy arriving at a boarding school
-I think he's an orphan, sent to the school by relatives
-I think he was in/ caused a fire, which gets him sent away

-Old architecture, think he spends time in the library
-He and a friend/roommate snoop around
-There are strange meetings with the school alumni, magic-related
-Boy spies on alumni, one man is creepy and threatening
-Secret society in old academy type thing

-Meets a girl at a river, romantic interest, I think
-She's somehow part of his past or the key to something magic-related
-Might have an important, magic object

-There's some sort of big magic event near the end, and he has powerful magic (may be fire-related)

That's all I can remember for now! I'm missing A LOT of the plot, but my mother and I both think fondly of this book despite remembering so little. If it doesn't contain some of the things I've mentioned, it could still be write, given how much I've lost. Thank you for your help!

Kell, are there fantastical creatures such as dragons?

Does the girl have special powers?

The Paladin Prophecy, maybe?

or, if you think Dragon is in the title, maybe The Saint of Dragons

Kris wrote: "Kell, are there fantastical creatures such as dragons?

Does the girl have special powers?"

I can't remember whether or not there are actual dragons, unfortunately.

The girl is mysterious, and either has special powers or is a key to helping the boy find his.

Andria wrote: "The Paladin Prophecy, maybe?"
Andria wrote: "or, if you think Dragon is in the title, maybe The Saint of Dragons"

I've just looked up both of these and read the synopses/excepts. It's not The Paladin Prophecy, and I don't believe it's Saint of Dragons, either, but I'll look into that one further and update when I do. Thank you for the reply!

My father says the school was in a remote location, possibly in or near a forest. And likely an American setting.

The Pendragon Series by D.J. MacHale? Published from 2002 until 2009.

Gillian wrote: "The Pendragon Series by D.J. MacHale? Published from 2002 until 2009."

It's not this one, but thank you!

My parents don't remember anything to do with dragons, so it seems likely that I imagined that. I've removed that note from the original post.

How about The Hound of Rowan?

This sounds like the book I'm trying to remember!!

Was there a scene with a school track / running race or one by a stage in drama class in the book?
Did it end up his uncle was the bad guy??

I was thinking Paladin Prophecy as well

Ayshe wrote: "How about The Hound of Rowan?"

This one appears to be younger than what I'm looking for, doesn't seem like the one. Thanks for the reply!

I've been quite busy lately, but I'm planning to check out some of these further and give a definitive answer in the next month or so.

Heather wrote: "This sounds like the book I'm trying to remember!!

Those details don't aren't in my memory, but it could be! I'll pay attention to your post in case the suggestions coincide.

I'm over halfway through The Paladin Prophecy and its not the one I'm looking for!

There's a lot of overlap with the the book I have in mind, but there's a lot more lead up to the arrival at the school, and the action/the nature of the supernatural isn't the same.

The book is fun, nonetheless. Thanks again for suggesting it!

Bump for new suggestions!

Bump 🙂

Spellwright
Spellwright by Blake Charlton features apprentice mage at an old castle school. the first time he manifested an ability for magic was when as a little kid he lit his room on fire while he was sleeping.

There's a thread of a bunch of boarding school YA novels here: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...

I’ve read through that list and similar ones previously with no luck (just checked for updates, didn’t see anything promising). Thanks for the idea though.

I don’t believe it’s Spellwright, but I’ll check it out.

*but I’ll check it out

Bump :)

Bump

Kell, I added some plot details to the topic header, so your book might be recognized from the header alone. Feel free to update it by clicking the small "edit" link after the header. This only works on the full Desktop website – not the Mobile website or app.

That's helpful, thank you!

You're welcome.

Bump!

Might want to check the Boarding School Stories list.

A long shot - Secret of the Sevens by Lynn Lindquist?

Google search of Goodreads:
site:goodreads.com "young adult" "fantasy" "boarding school" "a fire" "secret society"

So, long, long, shot because it has no magic, but could this be
The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict by Trenton Lee Stewart? It doesn’t match all the details, but your description is reminiscent of it

The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict for Ember's suggestion.

It's neither the Secret of Sevens nor Nicholas Benedict, but thanks for the options!

I think The Wizard Heir might be the one I'm looking for, my mother and I both think the description sounds familiar. I won't confirm it yet, I'll read the book and give an update.

Thanks to Rainbowheart for the list suggestion.

I got a few details wrong, but The Wizard Heir by Cinda Williams Chima is the book! (Confirmed solved but I’m not sure how to change the folder or post title to reflect that).

Turns out that Dragon is an undercover code name. The girl I remembered appears at a beach rather than in the forest. And it’s by a woman, but with a male narrator on the audiobook. The school is exactly what I remembered though.

I’m happy to have found it and enjoying the reread.

Glad you found it! Thanks for the update. :)