THE UNCHOSEN ONE

In this first installment of a new series, young orphan Tassie learns that she’s the Chosen One, destined to save the Isles of Peryll from the imminent return of the ancient Shadow.

After a life confined to the citadel by her guardian, the Chief Steward, Tassie couldn’t be more excited by this news—until she learns that her quest will involve being locked in a tower and reading a protective spell once an hour for the rest of her life. Unwilling and wildly unsuited for such a destiny, the enthusiastic but accident-prone Tassie decides she can’t possibly be the Chosen One. Together with her best friend, the tiny golden griffin Spin, she sets out to find someone else to do the job. Their search quickly turns into a swashbuckling, improvisational, and hilarious race against the clock. Sparkes’ writing is witty, her characters charming, and the Isles of Peryll are a swirl of bright color and rich texture, including sweet crimson plums and magic that’s accompanied by pink smoke or rainbow flares. At the restroom of an inn, Tassie dries her hands with help from a tiny purple dragon; at breakfast, the dragon toasts her bread. Buses are powered by unicorns. Readers will be drawn in by the rich worldbuilding and the suspense as Tassie attempts to defy the Prophecy. Supporting characters are racially diverse, but Tassie isn’t physically described.

An irreverent, laugh-out-loud love letter to fairy-tale adventures featuring an indomitable hero.