Forbidden Mountain
Apr 2026 · Guardians Book 1 · Sold by Labyrinth Road
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6 reviews
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About this ebook
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • CHOOSE YOUR GUARDIAN. CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY.
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fablehaven and Beyonders series comes an epic new fantasy set in a world where every child bonds with a spiritual guide—some promising greatness and glory, while others, destruction and death.
Every Anoran child dreams of the day they will enter the sacred bonding hut and match with a guardian—a spiritual guide who grants magically enhanced abilities. A lucky few will bond with Advocates, who promise greatness and glory. Others will be tempted by forbidden offers from the Accursed—dangerous spirits who bring nothing but destruction and a penalty of death to any Anoran who chooses them. But when Mako discovers that the worst of these agents of chaos has returned to spread an ancient evil through the empire, he faces an unthinkable choice: Will he bond with one of the Accursed to gain the power to stop another?
Halfway across the empire, Arden has no guardian and no prospects of adventure…until she infiltrates an underground criminal network to find her missing friend. Relying on her knack for sensing the truth through even the smoothest lies, Arden finds herself at the center of a sinister conspiracy that runs much deeper than she ever imagined.
Soon Mako’s and Arden’s fates collide, and together they must face bandit armies, dark secrets, and untold dangers to fight an enemy who could destroy all they’ve ever known.
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fablehaven and Beyonders series comes an epic new fantasy set in a world where every child bonds with a spiritual guide—some promising greatness and glory, while others, destruction and death.
Every Anoran child dreams of the day they will enter the sacred bonding hut and match with a guardian—a spiritual guide who grants magically enhanced abilities. A lucky few will bond with Advocates, who promise greatness and glory. Others will be tempted by forbidden offers from the Accursed—dangerous spirits who bring nothing but destruction and a penalty of death to any Anoran who chooses them. But when Mako discovers that the worst of these agents of chaos has returned to spread an ancient evil through the empire, he faces an unthinkable choice: Will he bond with one of the Accursed to gain the power to stop another?
Halfway across the empire, Arden has no guardian and no prospects of adventure…until she infiltrates an underground criminal network to find her missing friend. Relying on her knack for sensing the truth through even the smoothest lies, Arden finds herself at the center of a sinister conspiracy that runs much deeper than she ever imagined.
Soon Mako’s and Arden’s fates collide, and together they must face bandit armies, dark secrets, and untold dangers to fight an enemy who could destroy all they’ve ever known.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • CHOOSE YOUR GUARDIAN. CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY.
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fablehaven and Beyonders series comes an epic new fantasy set in a world where every child bonds with a spiritual guide—some promising greatness and glory, while others, de...
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Ratings and reviews
6 reviews
Joseph Todd
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September 2, 2026
One of the best fantasy books I've ever read, hands down! This is 5 stars without reservation. I think some have rated it somewhat lower due to slow pacing as Mull does a lot of world-building. That was not at all my experience- it never felt slow. I was literally on the edge of my seat the whole time, and this book is over 500 pages and I read it in days. This is coming from a very picky adult reader, but this one has landed a permanent place in my library. I can't wait for the next book!
Duncan Aldrich
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June 6, 2026
Good book. Started off more violent than some of the author's other series, but not upsettingly so. Can't wait to see where this series goes!
Scott May
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September 28, 2026
can't wait for the next book!
About the author
Brandon Mull is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fablehaven, Beyonders, and Five Kingdoms series. A kinetic thinker, Brandon enjoys bouncing balls, squeezing stress toys, and popping bubble wrap. He lives in Utah in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his family.
Brandon Mull is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fablehaven, Beyonders, and Five Kingdoms series. A kinetic thinker, Brandon enjoys bouncing balls, squeezing stress toys, and popping bubble wrap. He lives in Utah in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his family.
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