Wild Born (Spirit Animals #1)

Mull (the Beyonders books) kicks off the multiplatform Spirit Animals series with an exciting first installment (volume two arrives in January 2014, written by Maggie Stiefvater). In the world of Erdas, 11-year-olds must all drink the Nectar to see if they have the rare ability to summon a spirit animal. Greencloaks, those with spirit animals, are an important order that helped defeat the Devourer hundreds of years ago, with help from four Great Beasts who gave their lives to protect Erdas. Now, there are signs that the Devourer may return; meanwhile, four children from around the world shock themselves and those around them when they summon the four Fallen Beasts. Mull carves out each distinct hero in spare prose that moves the story quickly forward (along with several animal- and superpower-driven action sequences) as Meilin, Connor, Rollan, and Abeke forge relationships with their spirit animals and decide where they stand in the imminent war. Readers eager to spend more time in Erdas (and find their own spirit animals) can do so in an online game that ties into the series. Ages 8-12. (Sept.)

Gr 4-7--In the world of Erdas, when children turn 11, they drink Nectar in order to see if they will have a spirit animal. Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan are chosen, and, with their spirit animals-a wolf, a leopard, a panda, and a falcon-they must summon the Four Fallen, Great Beasts that gave their lives many years earlier to defeat the Devourer. Now the Devourer is back, and the children have to use their animal powers to defeat it. Minions of the Devourer are hot on their trail and will do anything to stop them from succeeding. This story has a well-developed plot and likable, well-rounded characters. Mull masterfully draws readers into Erdas with his fast-paced scenes. His writing is smooth and easily transitions between characters' points of view without causing confusion. Fans of Mull's Fablehaven (S & S, 2007), Peter Lerangis's The Colossus Rises (HarperCollins, 2013), or other page-turning fantasy adventures will have a hard time putting this book down.--Kira Moody, Whitmore Public Library, Salt Lake City, UT