Forbidden Mountain (Guardians #1) by Brandon Mull
Published by Random House on April 14, 2026
ISBN: 0593712048
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction
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Forbidden Mountain is the first in the new Guardians series by Brandon Mull. Anoran children are matched with a spiritual guardian when they turn 14 years old.  Mako hopes to become a great warrior like his father.  When he matches with an Accursed, a guardian of destruction, he hopes to wield his new powers for good.  Across the kingdom, Arden has a mysterious gift of knowing when someone is telling the truth.  She hopes to use her gift to find her friend Kiko, who disappeared after joining a gang.  When she double-crosses the boss, Arden and her family must run for their lives.  Eventually, Mako and Arden’s paths cross when they both join Anoran Warmaster Rojan’s crew.  Are Mako and Arden ready for epic adventures, battles, and conspiracies?   

This book sets the stage for future books in this series.  The pacing is slow with occasional action and predictable characters and plot lines.  Students interested in epic world-building sagas may enjoy this one, but it is not necessarily written for your average middle/high school reader.

Reviewed by Jaime Beal, RSU 40, Waldoboro