Seekers of the Wild Realm by Alexandra Ott (English) Hardcover Book

Description: Seekers of the Wild Realm by Alexandra Ott Twelve-year-old Bryns only hope of becoming a Seeker like her father is to help rival Ari train a baby dragon in exchange for sharing his training, but holds many secrets. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Fablehaven meets How to Train Your Dragon in this action-packed fantasy about a young boy and girl who become reluctant allies when caring for a baby dragon--the first in brand-new duology! Twelve-year-old Bryn has always dreamed of becoming a Seeker, just like her dad. Only the Seekers are allowed to journey from their small village into the fantastical, untamed wilderness of their island known as the Wild Realm. Once there, they obtain magical items for the village and use magic to protect and heal the incredible creatures native to the Realm. When one of the elderly Seekers retires, leaving a vacant position, Bryn knows this may be her chance. Theres just one problem: Only boys have ever been Seekers. And the training master makes it clear he will not be training a girl. But then Bryns biggest rival for the Seeker position, a boy named Ari, shows up at her door. He reveals the baby dragon hes been hiding, and the two strike a deal--if Bryn helps care for the dragon, Ari will share all his training with her. Even as the two bond over their love of magical animals and their secret trips into the Wild Realm, Bryn doesnt completely trust Aris motives. Especially as she suspects Ari may know more than hes letting on about the enemy clan stirring up unrest in their village. When all these secrets come to a head and the stakes are at their highest, Bryn realizes its up to her to save her family...and the Realm. Author Biography Alexandra Ott holds a BA in English from the University of Tulsa. She currently lives in Oklahoma with her tiny canine overlord. She is the author of the Rules for Thieves and Seekers of the Wild Realm series. Visit her online at AlexandraOtt.com and on Twitter at @Alexandra_Ott. Review Twelve-year-old Bryns greatest dream is to follow in her fathers footsteps as one of her villages five Seekers, those responsible for protecting the Wild Realm--a magical region covering the far reaches of their island. That way, she can see the Realms marvels and retrieve the rare flowers that alleviate her younger sisters coughing fits. When the Seekers announce a competition to replace a retiring member, Bryn is sure she has a shot, but no girl has ever held the position, and shes swiftly prohibited from training. Ari, another competitor, comes to her with a bargain: if she helps him take care of the baby dragon he hatched, hell help her train. Even though only one can be Seeker, they soon become fast friends, which helps when the competition takes an unexpectedly dangerous turn. With this engaging series opener, Ott (Rules for Thieves) uses her fantastical setting to challenge the idea of restrictive gender roles--not only does Bryn wish to become the first female Seeker, Ari, an empath, is looked down upon by those with more physical talents. Sympathetic characters, clear stakes, and an interesting social structure offer layers to this enjoyable fantasy. Ages 8-12. Agent: Victoria Doherty Munro, Writers House. (July)--Publishers Weekly "May 25, 2020" Review Quote Twelve-year-old Bryns greatest dream is to follow in her fathers footsteps as one of her villages five Seekers, those responsible for protecting the Wild Realm--a magical region covering the far reaches of their island. That way, she can see the Realms marvels and retrieve the rare flowers that alleviate her younger sisters coughing fits. When the Seekers announce a competition to replace a retiring member, Bryn is sure she has a shot, but no girl has ever held the position, and shes swiftly prohibited from training. Ari, another competitor, comes to her with a bargain: if she helps him take care of the baby dragon he hatched, hell help her train. Even though only one can be Seeker, they soon become fast friends, which helps when the competition takes an unexpectedly dangerous turn. With this engaging series opener, Ott ( Rules for Thieves ) uses her fantastical setting to challenge the idea of restrictive gender roles--not only does Bryn wish to become the first female Seeker, Ari, an empath, is looked down upon by those with more physical talents. Sympathetic characters, clear stakes, and an interesting social structure offer layers to this enjoyable fantasy. Ages 8-12. Agent: Victoria Doherty Munro, Writers House. (July) Excerpt from Book Chapter One ONE I gaze into the clouds, but theres no sign of dragons. Papa says theyre most likely to start their morning hunt at dawn, so I always scan the skies at this time of day, when the sun is low on the horizon and the first rays of pinkish light shimmer on the surface of the sea. Spying the dragons on their morning hunt, when they leave the safety of the island to fly over the ocean, is the only way to catch a glimpse of them outside of the Realm. But aside from the occasional shadow, I never see much of anything. "Staring at clouds again?" teases a familiar voice. I grin at Runa. "Looking for dragons." "Of course you were." Runa smiles. "But we have to hurry if were going to get everything done. Didnt you say your mama gave you a long list?" Shes not wrong. It could take the whole morning to pick up all the stuff Mama asked for from the village. Which is why I always talk my best friend into accompanying me on these boring errands. Runa makes everything more fun. "Well, in that case...," I say. "Race you!" I take off down the dirt path before she has a chance to respond. "You cheater!" she calls, her footsteps pounding after me. Runas parents farm is outside the village, all the way to the end of the lane and over the hill, so we have a long ways to go to reach the center of town. The soft earth and wet grass stick to my bare feet as I run, and the wind whips my hair from my face. The morning air is chilly, even this late in the summer, and I almost wish Id grabbed my coat. I crest the top of the hill and stop to catch my breath. In front of me, our little village is nestled in the crook of the bay. The ocean spreads out to the south, glimmering in the sunlight. The fishermens boats are just visible out on the water, pursuing the days catch. Rising hills surround the other three sides of our village, gradually giving way to even steeper plateaus and soaring mountain peaks. There, in the highlands, lies the Wild Realm. Papa has told me all about it, of course. The mountains, the waterfalls, the forests. The crystalline lakes and spouting geysers. Not to mention the massive glaciers that lie to the north and the lava fields spread in the shadows of the volcanoes that bisect the island in a diagonal line. Theres a whole world up there in the Realm, one thats uninhabitable for humans but makes the perfect home for the worlds most magical creatures. One thats accessible only to Seekers, who can fly to its heights on the backs of dragons in order to collect the magical treasures that lie within. Seekers are the only people on the island who get to access the Realm; its forbidden to everyone else. Ive never seen it, of course, but my papa was a Seeker, back before he hurt his leg, and hes told me everything about his adventures. Until I can become a Seeker myself, Ill have to be content with scanning the skies for dragons and praying I catch a glimpse of one. "Im going to catch you!" Runa calls. Shes gaining on me. I take a quick gulp of air and launch myself down the hill. The dirt path winds past my familys hut and the neighbors before widening at the edge of the main village square, where the bells are announcing dawn. Its bustling--fishermen heading down to the shore, shopkeepers opening their doors, the men heading to work while the women rush to trade goods. Runa and I are neck and neck as we race toward the large tree that marks the center of the village square. We both tag it at the same time. "I think we have to call that a tie," Runa says when she catches her breath. "Fine," I say, panting hard. "So where do you want to go first?" "Not the fishmonger," she says, wrinkling her nose. "Then wed have to smell the fish all morning." "Good point. Lets try the bakery." Before we continue down the path, she brushes off the hem of her skirt as if theres some dirt on it, though I dont really see anything. Even after running all this way, Runa still manages to be neat. We do look alike in some ways--we both have light-brown skin and dark-brown eyes, like everyone else in the village, and we also share raven-black hair. But where mine is an unruly mop of curls, Runas is always in orderly braids without a single strand out of place. She never gets mud on her hems, and only gets dirt on herself when shes riding her horse or mucking out the stable. I, on the other hand, am always dirty and dont have a horse or a stable. But despite our differences, weve been friends since before we could walk, and she knows me better than anyone, except maybe Papa. When I get distracted halfway to the bakery by a sprig of moss growing outside the blacksmith shop, anyone else would think it was weird, but Runa just laughs. "From staring at clouds to staring at the ground," she says. "This is laekning moss," I say, ignoring her teasing. "It can be used in healing tonics to treat fever." Runas eyes light up. "Really?" she says, stepping closer. I grin. She might tease me about my fascination with plants and magical creatures, but shes just as passionate about her healing gift as I am my nature gift. "How does it work?" "No idea," I say. "But Papa says its rare in the summer. I should help it grow a little, and we can tell Elder Ingvar to come collect some for his tonics." Runa steps away from the moss, and I reach for my magic. The plants life force is soft but strong, and I seek it out with my gift. I give it a gentle nudge with my magic, feeding the spark of its life force, and feel it grow, the energy softly swirling. The moss spreads, climbing higher up the wall. "Come on," Runa says when Im done. "Lets find Elder Ingvar." We cross the village square and head toward the squat hut that houses all of Elder Ingvars medicines and tonics, right next door to the doctors. Inside, the hut is packed with tight rows of shelves, all covered in bottles and jars filled with healing ointments and salves and powders. The little shop feels too claustrophobic to me, but Runa loves to wander along the shelves and read all the little labels on the jars. Elder Ingvar is talking with a customer at the back of the shop, and we wait patiently for them to finish. I recognize the customer as Olga, the elderly lady who lives near the docks. "I cant believe they would let them come back," Elder Olga is saying. Her voice sounds strained, like shes worried about something, and Elder Ingvar frowns. "But surely the Seekers wouldnt agree unless it was safe...." "I think theyre still arguing about it. Disgraceful. Youd think the council could agree among themselves." Even though Mama says its rude to eavesdrop, I cant help perking up. The five people from the village who are chosen as Seekers also serve as the village council, making many of the decisions about the way things run and settling disputes. Not that there are many decisions or disputes in such a small village. In recent memory, their biggest decision was whether Elder Fridas potatoes were encroaching on the neighbors rutabagas. Still, I cant help but be fascinated every time someone mentions the Seekers. If Im going to be one someday, I want to know everything . "Never shouldve resumed communication with them in the first place, in my opinion," Elder Olga is saying. She starts to add something else, but Elder Ingvar, who has just noticed Runa and me, clears his throat, and Elder Olga turns around to see us. "Good morning, girls," Elder Ingvar says. "Ill be with you in a moment." Thats the end of their mysterious conversation--Elder Olga finishes her purchase and turns to leave. But as she passes us, she stops. "Stay away from the docks, girls. You hear? Nothing but trouble." "What trouble?" I ask. Her face darkens. "The Vondur, of course." Runa gasps, and my eyes widen. But before we can ask anything else, she shuffles away and leaves the shop. I turn immediately to Elder Ingvar. "What did she mean?" His mouth is a tight line. "Nothing for you to worry about. Just talk." "Are the Vondur back?" I ask. Elder Ingvar looks reluctant to answer. "Rumor has it that the Seekers have given the Vondur permission to dock again at the next trading day," he says. "But its just a rumor, nothing more." Runa and I look at each other. The thing about living in a small village is that there are lots of rumors--but many of them are true. Conversations about the Vondur always make me a little nervous. All the mainland clans come to our island periodically to trade, except the Vondur, who have been banned. Our history with them is rocky at best. Papa says that many years ago, a ship of Vondur magicians tried to conquer our island and force the villagers out, because they wanted to take over the Wild Realm for themselves. Luckily, their magic was no match for the Seekers, who drove them away. They havent been to the island since. The Vondur dont have magical gifts of their own, the way us islanders do; instead, they perform dark spells by using items or creatures imbued with magic. Papa says theyd rather butcher a dragon than protect it, so that they could use its parts for their strange potions and spells. Thats why the Seekers guard our islands creatures so closely. The Vondur might kill every creature on the island if they get the chance. I cant imagine why the Council of Seekers would give the Vondur permission to trade h Details ISBN1534438580 Author Alexandra Ott Pages 400 Series Seekers of the Wild Realm Language English Year 2020 ISBN-10 1534438580 ISBN-13 9781534438583 Format Hardcover Publication Date 2020-07-07 Series Number 1 Publisher Aladdin Paperbacks Imprint Aladdin Paperbacks Audience Age 8-12 DEWEY FIC Audience Children / Juvenile We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. 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