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Badlands #1
The Boy With One Name
Twelve-year-old Jones is an orphan, training as an apprentice hunter alongside his mentor, Maitland, tackling ogres, trolls and all manner of creatures that live in the Badlands – a hidden part of our own world, and which most people think exist only in fairytales and nightmares. But all Jones secretly wants to be is an ordinary boy and to leave the magical world forever...
When an ogre hunt goes wrong and Maitland is killed, Jones finally has a chance to find out where he came from. But the truth he uncovers isn’t what he’s expecting and it seems that if Jones is going to make his dream come true he’ll have to defeat a creature not even Maitland had dared take on and he won’t be able to do it alone…
He’s going to need help from Ruby, the first girl he’s ever met. She’s outspoken, fearless and determined to prove she’s as good as any boy, and unlike Jones, being ordinary is the last thing on her mind. Ruby’s desperate to find her place in the world and thinks the Badlands could be it. So, working together isn’t going to be straightforward. In fact, it could be downright dangerous.
But who said getting what you want is supposed to easy, even if it is just wanting to be ordinary?
When an ogre hunt goes wrong and Maitland is killed, Jones finally has a chance to find out where he came from. But the truth he uncovers isn’t what he’s expecting and it seems that if Jones is going to make his dream come true he’ll have to defeat a creature not even Maitland had dared take on and he won’t be able to do it alone…
He’s going to need help from Ruby, the first girl he’s ever met. She’s outspoken, fearless and determined to prove she’s as good as any boy, and unlike Jones, being ordinary is the last thing on her mind. Ruby’s desperate to find her place in the world and thinks the Badlands could be it. So, working together isn’t going to be straightforward. In fact, it could be downright dangerous.
But who said getting what you want is supposed to easy, even if it is just wanting to be ordinary?
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2017
12 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 6, 2020
This is an odd one. It started 'well' but I still wan't hooked. I suppose it started full of action, however, I didn't pick up on the feeling of excitement and urgency that I think I was supposed to feel. I found it extremely dull and things didn't begin to get interesting until around page 50. And it wasn't until page 100 or so, until I really began to enjoy it.
The story I think, is interesting, but it's one of those books that would work better as a film. In the beginning, part of the problem of hooking me in, was that I did not like the protagonist or even the girl. In this books, girls cannot be Badlanders. From the presentation of the female lead, you can see why. She is annoying, ignorant and just downright stupid. Quite frankly, I felt she was letting the side down. But, the book does get much better but it takes too long to get better. Most children would give up before the book gets interesting. In fact, that is exactly what my daughter did, and she was 11 when she read it.
I did like it in the end. I enjoyed the original ideas ( once they came through) as well as the unusual development of events and found that once it finally hooked me in, I was well and truly hooked.
I give this book 3 starts. It was enjoyable, but it took far, far too long to hook me in as a reader. I would recommend this to other readers, but with the advice that they need to stick at it and it will get good. I would also suggest that you start with a longer reading session to get you hooked before you put it down. Otherwise, you might not pick it up again!
The story I think, is interesting, but it's one of those books that would work better as a film. In the beginning, part of the problem of hooking me in, was that I did not like the protagonist or even the girl. In this books, girls cannot be Badlanders. From the presentation of the female lead, you can see why. She is annoying, ignorant and just downright stupid. Quite frankly, I felt she was letting the side down. But, the book does get much better but it takes too long to get better. Most children would give up before the book gets interesting. In fact, that is exactly what my daughter did, and she was 11 when she read it.
I did like it in the end. I enjoyed the original ideas ( once they came through) as well as the unusual development of events and found that once it finally hooked me in, I was well and truly hooked.
I give this book 3 starts. It was enjoyable, but it took far, far too long to hook me in as a reader. I would recommend this to other readers, but with the advice that they need to stick at it and it will get good. I would also suggest that you start with a longer reading session to get you hooked before you put it down. Otherwise, you might not pick it up again!
November 9, 2017
Another amazing book. Monster-hunting, strong female characters and a heap of action and excitement - you got me! It really feels like it would appeal equally to boys and girls too which isn't easy to achieve
April 16, 2020
Clever world-building and a well-paced story kept me turning the pages. I even enjoyed the slightly more passive style of writing; well-suited for its intended middle-grade audience.
October 26, 2017
MG fantasy adventure story with fantastic world-building and interesting creatures. I liked how the author immediately chucks you in at the deep-end with the action. I found it a bit hard to connect with the two main characters at first because they both just seem so selfish and focussed only on what they want, to the extent that they make silly choices. However, this is probably quite realistic for children dealing with some of the issues Jones and Ruby have had thrown at them in their lives. I really liked Maitland and the Gun and would love to hear more about both. This book reads as part of a series so I could see the author continuing to explore the world he has created. I would definitely eb interested to find out more!
May 4, 2018
Loved this book. If you are 8 to 10 or up, you should read it.
Great world of the badlands, magical hidden world hidden amongst our own, that the normal folks (think muggles) can't see.
Badlanders keep the evil elements of this world in check. A master takes an apprentice but few survive or are good enough to Commence.
Jones is due to commence soon, he just needs a first kill. His master Maitland will be very proud.
Ruby is a foster child and now she is a runaway. She has in fact just runaway when she meets Jones and an ogre.
Magic and mayhem ensue as both pursue what they think they want but they will have to work together.
A great magical world, convincingly built, likeable characters and a thrilling read. I loved it! 😊
Great world of the badlands, magical hidden world hidden amongst our own, that the normal folks (think muggles) can't see.
Badlanders keep the evil elements of this world in check. A master takes an apprentice but few survive or are good enough to Commence.
Jones is due to commence soon, he just needs a first kill. His master Maitland will be very proud.
Ruby is a foster child and now she is a runaway. She has in fact just runaway when she meets Jones and an ogre.
Magic and mayhem ensue as both pursue what they think they want but they will have to work together.
A great magical world, convincingly built, likeable characters and a thrilling read. I loved it! 😊
February 2, 2018
This book opened with three of the most expressively brilliant images I've ever read, all on one page, and the standard didn't drop until the thrilling final page. With excellent characters (particularly the strong, capable Ruby), a fantastically fast-moving plot, and a particularly well-realised magic system, this book was a joy from first page to last. One to savour and reread!
November 19, 2023
It was okay, took ages to get me interested though. I also didn't know this was a kids book or I wouldn't have brought it, the cover makes it seem like a teen maybe even young adult novel but it's definitely preteen, age range 8-12. I probably would have liked it more as a kid, or if I had read it as a kid and was rereading it as a nostalgia thing.
July 9, 2018
Personally, I felt like this book was written for kids half my age due to the language that was used. However, I enjoyed it. There were elements of surprise and suspension and I liked Ruby. I’d give it 3,5 stars.
January 7, 2020
overall, the way it’s written and layout is amazing and i’d recommend it to others. however, it’s not exactly a book i’d normally read.
November 15, 2020
Reading second book in this series. Middle school reading level - more 3.5 rating
February 7, 2021
Listened to the audiobook which I always struggle with a little bit. An exciting, magic based plot with likeable (& unlikeable) characters.
September 16, 2021
I really recommend this book because I liked chapter 22 when they was talking about the secret doors and it was very interesting so this book is great BL
October 19, 2024
I read this book for the sole purpose of being able to recommend it to my seventh graders. Although not my favorite, I can see how many students will probably absolutely love this book.
December 10, 2017
Jones is the boy with one name, snatched as an infant from his loving parents by a Badlander called Maitland, he only longs to be a normal boy and have his family back. One night, he and Maitland are on patrol and come across an ogre 'moon-bathing.' Things don't go quite to plan; enter: Ruby, a foster child on the run, who is desperate to be part of the Badlander's world, despite its dangers and terrors. Along with a talking gun, a miniature fire breathing black dog, an old camper van, and a hefty sprinkling of magic - you're sure to be taken on one hell of a ride!
The Badlands are all around us. All the things that you've heard about in stories - witches, ghosts, ogres, giants, spells, curses - they're all real. It's just that most people don't see them. If you're a Badlander, however, it's all you see.
Jones is tired of the Badlands. He's tired of hunting down enemies for his master, constantly checking out every place he goes to in case of dangerous creatures, tired of living without a family. But he was rescued as a baby by his master, Maitland, who picked him up as a bundle left behind on some steps. He wasn't wanted. All Maitland wants him to do is to commence - the act that will make him a true Badlander, and be able to perform magic and spells that we can only dream of. But Jones? Jones wants to be normal. He's seen snippets of real life on the televisions of shop windows as they pass by; he's seen families strolling with their children; children going to school to learn maths and English, not about the Ordnung (the Badlander law) and what specific types of metal kill or repel different monsters.
Wallis starts with what should be the biggest night of an apprentice's life: the night where they commence, and can perform proper magic. Maitland thinks he's ready (although his talking gun isn't too sure...) And Jones just doesn't know what to do. They've discovered an ogre moon-bathing, and Jones must make his first kill. Only, Jones knows this person as a man during daylight hours: he runs the sweet shop, and is perfectly kind. And, besides, he doesn't want anything to do with all this. But with Maitland being all he has, what can he do?
Enter Ruby, with a loud scream as she crashes her bike. This evening is really not going to plan. On the run from her foster parents, she's remarkably accepting of the situation when she gets past the 'thatsabloomingtrollogremonsterthingy!' When Ruby gets the measure of what's going on, all she can see is excitement. Being a Badlander sounds like the most awesome thing in the world. So what if the stupid Ordnung says that only boys can do magic. Girls can do everything boys can do, even better than boys in fact. Her mind's made up: Ruby Jenkins is going to be a Badlander.
The Badlands is a fantastic world that Wallis has created, hidden within our every day world. One could accuse it of being akin to Harry Potter (a magical world coexisting with the normal; some of the magical items are very similar e.g. 'Slap Dust' which has similar effects to 'Floo Powder' in Harry Potter), but they are in fact very different. This is pitched at a younger age group to Harry Potter and, as such, is a bit less serious and a lot of fun. Both the central characters, Ruby and Jones, are thoroughly likeable, and the other characters, even ones who play a minimal role, are well-rounded and thought out. There are no 'Mary Sues' here!
I enjoyed Wallis' 'The Boy with One Name.' I could see it becoming a series; there's definitely potential, although I'm not sure what the plans are. I certainly hope to read more about Jones and Ruby and their 'new circumstances!' (I won't give anything away - no spoilers!)
A really good and fun urban fantasy novel for middle grade readers; I would definitely recommend it.
Further reading suggestions: The Magesterium Series by Cassandra Claire and Holly Black; Coraline by Neil Gaiman
I received this free copy from The Book Bag in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Badlands are all around us. All the things that you've heard about in stories - witches, ghosts, ogres, giants, spells, curses - they're all real. It's just that most people don't see them. If you're a Badlander, however, it's all you see.
Jones is tired of the Badlands. He's tired of hunting down enemies for his master, constantly checking out every place he goes to in case of dangerous creatures, tired of living without a family. But he was rescued as a baby by his master, Maitland, who picked him up as a bundle left behind on some steps. He wasn't wanted. All Maitland wants him to do is to commence - the act that will make him a true Badlander, and be able to perform magic and spells that we can only dream of. But Jones? Jones wants to be normal. He's seen snippets of real life on the televisions of shop windows as they pass by; he's seen families strolling with their children; children going to school to learn maths and English, not about the Ordnung (the Badlander law) and what specific types of metal kill or repel different monsters.
Wallis starts with what should be the biggest night of an apprentice's life: the night where they commence, and can perform proper magic. Maitland thinks he's ready (although his talking gun isn't too sure...) And Jones just doesn't know what to do. They've discovered an ogre moon-bathing, and Jones must make his first kill. Only, Jones knows this person as a man during daylight hours: he runs the sweet shop, and is perfectly kind. And, besides, he doesn't want anything to do with all this. But with Maitland being all he has, what can he do?
Enter Ruby, with a loud scream as she crashes her bike. This evening is really not going to plan. On the run from her foster parents, she's remarkably accepting of the situation when she gets past the 'thatsabloomingtrollogremonsterthingy!' When Ruby gets the measure of what's going on, all she can see is excitement. Being a Badlander sounds like the most awesome thing in the world. So what if the stupid Ordnung says that only boys can do magic. Girls can do everything boys can do, even better than boys in fact. Her mind's made up: Ruby Jenkins is going to be a Badlander.
The Badlands is a fantastic world that Wallis has created, hidden within our every day world. One could accuse it of being akin to Harry Potter (a magical world coexisting with the normal; some of the magical items are very similar e.g. 'Slap Dust' which has similar effects to 'Floo Powder' in Harry Potter), but they are in fact very different. This is pitched at a younger age group to Harry Potter and, as such, is a bit less serious and a lot of fun. Both the central characters, Ruby and Jones, are thoroughly likeable, and the other characters, even ones who play a minimal role, are well-rounded and thought out. There are no 'Mary Sues' here!
I enjoyed Wallis' 'The Boy with One Name.' I could see it becoming a series; there's definitely potential, although I'm not sure what the plans are. I certainly hope to read more about Jones and Ruby and their 'new circumstances!' (I won't give anything away - no spoilers!)
A really good and fun urban fantasy novel for middle grade readers; I would definitely recommend it.
Further reading suggestions: The Magesterium Series by Cassandra Claire and Holly Black; Coraline by Neil Gaiman
I received this free copy from The Book Bag in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 10, 2018
I absolutely loved this book. The beginning is quite tragic, however it gripped my attention and I just couldn't put this book down. The characters are so well written and they interact with each other well.
I think this book was great because it combined magic and monster hunting but made it fit well hidden in out existing society.
I really can't wait to see if there is another book after this one because I would definitely read it.
I think this book was great because it combined magic and monster hunting but made it fit well hidden in out existing society.
I really can't wait to see if there is another book after this one because I would definitely read it.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews