After suffering another devastating crop failure, twelve year old Arty and his parents move to the kingdom of Camelot in search of new opportunities to keep their little family afloat. While their new home isn’t exactly what Arty expected, his dream of becoming one of Camelot’s brave knights, entrusted with protecting castle and kingdom, is finally within reach…if only he was noble-born. Arty quickly makes friends—and enemies—with Camelot’s young misfits, each of them desperate to prove they’re worthy of knighthood. When Arty stumbles upon a secret plot to overthrow the king and queen, a dark wizard and his fearsome dragon throw the kingdom into ruin and chaos, threatening the lives of their families. Determined to save them all, Arty leads his friends—and reluctant enemies-turned-sort of friends—on a dangerous quest that tests their loyalty and their courage.
ARTY AND THE FOREST OF THE FORSAKEN breathes new life into old Arthurian legends with a refreshing, middle grade adventure quest. Told with clear, fun prose that easily keeps the pages turning, Jauregui gives his young ensemble big personalities that sometimes clash in all kinds of compelling ways. Playful banter blends with great comedic timing to balance out more heavy, emotional moments, all of it skillfully paced. Dynamics between Arty and his fellow misfit wannabe knights shift and grow to allow for truly meaningful character development and satisfying arcs. Arty’s rescued pet rat Otto is a heartfelt presence throughout the novel and even gets his own moment to shine as a hero. Guinevere, called Gwen in this retelling, holds her own and then some in a group of rambunctious boys with wry humor and daring bravery. These kids are worth rooting for as they stumble between perilous encounters with monsters in a dark forest and battle a fire-breathing dragon. Their internal struggles and sometimes fraught relationships will strike a relatable chord with young readers.
With vivid storytelling, Jauregui builds on the existing myths to expand this familiar world of Camelot. The action sprints along into faraway lands with strange creatures, merfolk, a legendary forest, and even a dash of necromancy. Surprising twists add a welcome air of unpredictability as myths converge and carry the story to exciting new heights. Spellbinding, cinematic visuals make the tale’s memorable world a pleasure to read. The titular Forest of the Forsaken does not disappoint—equal parts terrifying and beautiful, with incredible flora and fauna abound. Lessons of loyalty, the difficulty of building a cohesive team, and what it takes to be a true, compassionate leader create timeless messages in this dazzling, refreshing debut.
A spellbinding middle grade fantasy, ARTY AND THE FOREST OF THE FORSAKEN delivers an enchanting, fast-paced adventure quest with a unique spin on familiar mythical creatures and Arthurian legends.
~Jessica Thomas for IndieReader