Jason Walker has often wished his life could be a bit less predictable--until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason suddenly transporting from t...
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Feb 04, 2012
AnEyeSpy
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"A World Without Heroes" (Beyonders 1) by Brandon Mull is Lyria. One wizard remains, a tyrant ruler vulnerable to a secret magic word who discourages opposition. A few skilled adults in turn aid two foretold saviors, American children (13 is barely teen) uncommonly skilled in knife and bow, but not paddling (unlikely in Canada). Circumstances propel them more than courage. I feel danger to the pair more than Lyrians met once. Author imagination is creative; reader (my) involvement supe
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Oct 06, 2011
Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress"
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A World Without Heroes is a 'grew on me' book. Initially, I was not sure I liked the tone at all. At first, I thought it would read more like a Disney film than a weighty young adult fantasy novel with potential. As I listened, my feelings started to change. The idea is not new, but the in- between steps of the journey proved interesting. While I am not extensively well read, not in the least, in epic fantasy, I appreciate the quest as a foundation for a story. Fairy tales (which I am very w
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Feb 13, 2012
Barb
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Don’t lean too far into a cage enclosure at a zoo or you might end up like thirteen-year-old Jason who fell into the hippo tank and got sucked down its mouth into an alternate world called, Lyrian. Jason finds himself in a series of adventures beginning with attempting to rescue a group of musicians plunging over some falls on a raft. He later ends up at a remote library where he reads a forbidden book that is made of human skin and forces him on a quest to find the syllables of a word that will
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Feb 01, 2012
Erik
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Thirteen year old Jason had a very unexciting life. He was just like any other teenager. He went to school and worked part-time at a zoo after school. One day, Jason thought he heard music coming from the hippo’s mouth (yes you read it right, music from a hippo’s mouth). When he leaned over the railing to investigate he thought the music was coming from INSIDE the hippo. He leaned too much and fell into the hippo’s mouth which wasn’t really any hippo’s mouth but a doorway to the world of Lyrian.
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Jan 26, 2012
JBradford
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Three small stars, maybe, but the book is really written for young people. I bought it as an extra Christmas present for one of my grandsons, who otherwise would just get a gift card, which may be bigger in value than what his siblings and cousins are getting but would seem like a small thing in his hand. I am not adverse to reading books for young people , some of which are interesting, so I read it … and find myself jumping up and down in frustration, because it turns out to be a cliff-hange
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Jan 22, 2012
Heather
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I LOVED Fablehaven, so was excited to see a new Brandon Mull book.
But I was disappointed that this was no Fablehaven. The book redeems itself in the end, and I am genuinely looking forward to a sequel, but my goodness the first third of this book is as bad as I've ever read. Besides a choppy pace and a character we know almost nothing about (and therefore care nothing about), the editor let sentences like, "He extended his hand probingly" and "The sand stopped his subm More...
But I was disappointed that this was no Fablehaven. The book redeems itself in the end, and I am genuinely looking forward to a sequel, but my goodness the first third of this book is as bad as I've ever read. Besides a choppy pace and a character we know almost nothing about (and therefore care nothing about), the editor let sentences like, "He extended his hand probingly" and "The sand stopped his subm More...
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Dec 08, 2011
Jody
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What did I think? I think I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I enjoyed it more than I enjoyed Fablehaven. I liked a few things about this book. For example, Brandon Mull must have quite the imagination to invent all the conflicts and resolutions that he did in this story. Giant fighting frogs and such. What this book lacked for me was emotion. I don't think that's the author's fault--it's my fault because I don't like fantasy fiction. I cannot let myself get emotionally involved w
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Nov 21, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
So, this is a new series by Brandon Mull.
Brandon Mull's first series was Fablehaven. I know a majority of us absolutely loved this series or at least really liked it. There were some descrepancies as to how we thought the mythical characters should be like, but overall they were a very satisfying read.
"A World Without Heroes" Great title, or so I think. This book is definitely for a younger age group, like 8-13. I still enjoyed it. There are books that I like much more than t More...
Brandon Mull's first series was Fablehaven. I know a majority of us absolutely loved this series or at least really liked it. There were some descrepancies as to how we thought the mythical characters should be like, but overall they were a very satisfying read.
"A World Without Heroes" Great title, or so I think. This book is definitely for a younger age group, like 8-13. I still enjoyed it. There are books that I like much more than t More...
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Aug 10, 2011
Michelle
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I’ve developed a love-hate relationship with this book. It took me a week to really give it a chance. I thought the writing style rather rough, with awkward word choices and excessive adjectives and adverbs. But as I moved into the heart of the adventure, I became hooked. Once I really started, I finished it in just two days, and it’s a 450 page book. Here’s what got me:
Jason Walker happened upon the strangest portal between worlds ever. After an episode involving a hippopotamus More...
Jason Walker happened upon the strangest portal between worlds ever. After an episode involving a hippopotamus More...
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Jul 13, 2011
Kathryn
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In Beyonders, Brandon Mull sketches situations and characters that I have not often seen in modern fiction. Life and death are weighed in nearly every decision. And though the two main characters (Jason and Rachel) are completely average Americans, their character is strong and they learn the value of choosing right instead of personal gain. Of course, those kind of decision making skills are definitely not seen in mainstream American teenagers--so one might rationally ask if there is any sembla
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Jun 30, 2011
Jenben8426
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Jason is just your typical kid. Thirteen, tall for his age, loves baseball. Sure, his parents might be a little disappointed that he doesn't want to become a dentist like everyone else in the family, but Jason just feels better about working with animals. In fact, he's the only 13 year old he knows that is actually working at a zoo to make sure he follows his dream career path. But when Jason gets hit in the head with a baseball pitch, then finds himself falling into the hippo tank at the zo
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Jun 26, 2011
Melissa
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ason Walker is a normal teenage boy who spends his time working hard to get good grades in school, practicing baseball and working up the courage to talk to the cute girl in school that he has a crush on. Then, one day at the zoo, he takes a strange and unusual trip from the hippo tank and ends up in the magical world of Lyrian. In Lyrian, all the people live in fear of their evil wizard emperor, Maldor. Jason ends up with the quest of finding the magical word of power that will defeat Maldor. I
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Jun 25, 2011
Dorine
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Beyonders is an upper middle grade fantasy novel published by Aladdin, an imprint of Simon and Schuster BFYR. The entire book is 454 pages and is the first of a series.
The Story- Jason Walker is a normal boy, until he is sucked through a hippo tank at the zoo and into another world, Lyrian. This strange world is full of magic, but not hereos. In fact, all heroes have either been killed as they resisted the evil wizard Maldor or bribed into a life of overflowing pleasures. Coming from More...
The Story- Jason Walker is a normal boy, until he is sucked through a hippo tank at the zoo and into another world, Lyrian. This strange world is full of magic, but not hereos. In fact, all heroes have either been killed as they resisted the evil wizard Maldor or bribed into a life of overflowing pleasures. Coming from More...
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May 10, 2011
Rhiannon
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I am a HUGE Fablehaven fan. The hubby introduced me to the series by buying the box set of the first four books for me one Christmas or birthday or some such, and they launched a bit of a mania, to say the least. This was compounded by the non-release of the concluding part- Keys to the Demon Prison, in Canada, which meant I had to wait an extra month before sinking my teeth into it. So it goes without saying I was going to read The Beyonders series with bells on.
It took me awhil More...
It took me awhil More...
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Apr 23, 2011
Coreena
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I had read and enjoyed the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull, so was excited to see he has started on a new series. This one is called Beyonders, and the first installment is A World Without Heroes.
Summary:
The story starts with Jason, a normal thirteen year old boy doing normal thirteen year old boy things, practicing baseball, hanging out with his friends, studying, thinking about girls, having arguments with his parents... Then he falls into the hippo tank at the zoo and get More...
Summary:
The story starts with Jason, a normal thirteen year old boy doing normal thirteen year old boy things, practicing baseball, hanging out with his friends, studying, thinking about girls, having arguments with his parents... Then he falls into the hippo tank at the zoo and get More...
Mar 26, 2011
Gail
rated it:
I really enjoyed Fablehaven and so when I saw that the author was writing another series, I pre-ordered Beyonders to come when it was released. I got the book and began reading. The style is very much the same as the Fablehaven series. Two children are the main characters. Each one of them find themselves in an alternate reality and they are looking for a way to get home. They end up on a search for a word that will destroy an evil wizard that is controlling the world. They have quite a fe
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Feb 11, 2011
F.H.
rated it:
Review by my 12 year old brother
Jason Walker has often wished his life could be a bit less predictable - until a day at the zoo ends with Jason suddenly transporting from the hippo take to a place unlike anywhere he has seen before. In the past the people of Lyrian always welcomed visitors from the Beyond, but attitudes have changed since the wizard emperor Maldor rose to power. The few brave resistors who opposed the emperor have been fought off or broken, leaving Lyrian a place w More...
Jason Walker has often wished his life could be a bit less predictable - until a day at the zoo ends with Jason suddenly transporting from the hippo take to a place unlike anywhere he has seen before. In the past the people of Lyrian always welcomed visitors from the Beyond, but attitudes have changed since the wizard emperor Maldor rose to power. The few brave resistors who opposed the emperor have been fought off or broken, leaving Lyrian a place w More...
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Feb 05, 2011
Ruby
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Jason Walker lives a very normal life for a 13-year-old boy, but when an event at the hippo exhibit during his volunteer job at the zoo leads him to the land of Lyrian, life is anything but normal. Upon entering this place, he comes across a gathering of people who are watching a suicidal sacrifice of musicians called "The Giddy Nine" on the river and over a very large waterfall. In seeing this, Jason tries to stop it, but may have done more harm than good.
In trying to determine More...
In trying to determine More...
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Jan 20, 2011
Librarysteph
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This is a fantastic book of adventure that will appeal to both boys and girls. Jason’s quest is interesting and full of cool creatures and characters. From the very first quote, full of irony, I knew I would enjoy Mull’s sense of humour. There was a chapter near the end of the book where I was laughing out loud in fits of giggles because it was so ridiculous and awesome.
I have mixed feelings about an enemy who has the power to kill instantly but prefers to toy with his victims. This is ove More...
I have mixed feelings about an enemy who has the power to kill instantly but prefers to toy with his victims. This is ove More...
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May 05, 2011
Amber
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I've read everything Mr. Mull has published and loved it all. I was really excited to see that he was starting a new series, and this book didn't disappoint! You know from the description that this is going to be teens that find themselves transported to another realm, but you're not prepared for how this world is. It seems to be a standard realm of kings and paupers, deep forests and quests, but I bet you're not going to be expecting the races of people who have been created by magic users. You
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Jun 18, 2011
Feathers
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Apr 08, 2011
Tiffany
rated it:
"By reading these words you have nominated yourself to recover the key word. Move swiftly. The knowledge you now possess marks you for prompt execution. The first syllable is 'A'."
I met Brandon Mull at the WIFYR conference here in Utah last year. I thoroughly enjoyed his class. He was witty and fun with just enough geek in him to make him a believable fantasy/sci-fi author. I've read a few of the Fablehaven series and though I'd classify them as more middle-grade, I did enj More...
I met Brandon Mull at the WIFYR conference here in Utah last year. I thoroughly enjoyed his class. He was witty and fun with just enough geek in him to make him a believable fantasy/sci-fi author. I've read a few of the Fablehaven series and though I'd classify them as more middle-grade, I did enj More...
May 19, 2011
Karissa
rated it:
I really enjoyed Mull's Fablehaven series and was very excited to see what he would come up with next. This series is definitely different than his Fablehaven series and is more of a classic fantasy adventure type of book. I really enjoyed it and am excited to see where this story goes.
Jason is just trying to live out his normal life when he falls into a hippopotamus and ends up in a different world. There he meets up with another Beyonder like himself named Rachel and they are both More...
Jason is just trying to live out his normal life when he falls into a hippopotamus and ends up in a different world. There he meets up with another Beyonder like himself named Rachel and they are both More...
Apr 03, 2011
Matt
rated it:
I'm normally a big fan of Mull's work. Especially the awesome Fablehaven series. He manages to ground the fantasy in realistic, honest characters...which is just the thing that's missing from the first book in the Beyonders series.
The story behind the Beyonders is interesting, but he plops a couple of characters into the action with essentially no exposition. We don't know the characters, we don't care about them, and we're not invested in their success or failure.
Be More...
The story behind the Beyonders is interesting, but he plops a couple of characters into the action with essentially no exposition. We don't know the characters, we don't care about them, and we're not invested in their success or failure.
Be More...
Mar 18, 2011
Izzy
rated it:
First, I quote:
"Brandon Mull is a wizard with words. With Beyonders, he has conjured one of the most original fantasies I've read in years - an irresistible mix of adventure, humor, and magic."
- Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series
(found on back cover)
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Beyonders talks about 13-year old Jason Walker, who one day gets lured into the mouth of a hippo (disturbing but true) into the mysterious world of Ly More...
"Brandon Mull is a wizard with words. With Beyonders, he has conjured one of the most original fantasies I've read in years - an irresistible mix of adventure, humor, and magic."
- Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series
(found on back cover)
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Beyonders talks about 13-year old Jason Walker, who one day gets lured into the mouth of a hippo (disturbing but true) into the mysterious world of Ly More...
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Jan 29, 2011
Angel
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REVIEW FOR A WORLD WITHOUT HEROES BY BRANDON MULL
A-MA-ZING! Brandon Mull's Beyonders, A World Without Heroes, was such a breathtaking novel that I don't even know how to begin describing it! It is definitely one of the best fantasy books I've read in a while-and also the best of Brandon Mull's portfolio of great middle grade fiction books!
A World Without Heroes is about Jason Walker, an ordinary boy living in Vista, Colorado, who routinely works at the Vista Zoo, and on h More...
A-MA-ZING! Brandon Mull's Beyonders, A World Without Heroes, was such a breathtaking novel that I don't even know how to begin describing it! It is definitely one of the best fantasy books I've read in a while-and also the best of Brandon Mull's portfolio of great middle grade fiction books!
A World Without Heroes is about Jason Walker, an ordinary boy living in Vista, Colorado, who routinely works at the Vista Zoo, and on h More...
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May 29, 2011
Laina
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It breaks my heart to say this, but I wasn't that impressed by this book. Brandon Mull is incredible... I don't deny that. But I enjoyed Fablehaven so much more. So what exactly was my problem with this book? I'll outline just a couple:
I couldn't get comfortable in the pace. At first it felt slow, but then it would feel too fast. I never felt like I got used to the alternate world I was thrown into. I felt like there was a predictable checklist the plot was following. I felt More...
I couldn't get comfortable in the pace. At first it felt slow, but then it would feel too fast. I never felt like I got used to the alternate world I was thrown into. I felt like there was a predictable checklist the plot was following. I felt More...
Mar 26, 2011
Susan
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Brandon Mull pitched this book to me at Authorpalooza at a Barnes and Noble. It sounded really exciting. As a fourth grade teacher, I am always looking for books to add to the class library. I was excited to get my hands on this book.
Jason, the main character is pulled into a strange world through the most unlikely means. He mistakenly opens a book that puts him on a quest to defeat the evil ruler. He meets Rachel, a Beyonder like himself along the way, and together they take on the More...
Jason, the main character is pulled into a strange world through the most unlikely means. He mistakenly opens a book that puts him on a quest to defeat the evil ruler. He meets Rachel, a Beyonder like himself along the way, and together they take on the More...
Mar 21, 2011
Melissa
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This is a fun MG/YA book for both boys and girls. As the character is only 13 years of age, I don't think it would appeal to the older YA crowd. This is a great introduction to fantasy for the younger set and even though it is 464 pages, I think they will have fun with a young kid besting several warriors and journeying on a quest with Jason and Rachel. Not only do they have to solve a puzzle in the form of a magical word, they have to learn who to trust and how to trust each other. Plus, Jason
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Dec 15, 2010
Cheri
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I just finished the advanced reading copy of Beyonders A World Without Heroes. This was a fast paced read, very hard to put down. The book will not be released until March 22, 2011. Although this book is geared for middle readers, it will be enjoyed by all ages from young to old. Brandon Mull is a great writer. I am a big fan of Fablehaven but I think this new series may just top Fablehaven, I can't wait for the next book in the series!!!
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