Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 04/15/2020 Twelve-year-old Bryn is determined to become a Seeker like her father before her. She knows that she would be the first woman to take on the role of explorer and protector of the magical Wild Realm, but she doesn’t realize just how much resistance her set-in-its-ways community would have towards a female earning that title. When Bryn, considered too delicate, isn’t allowed to train for the competition, she is furious until Ari, a quiet fellow competitor, offers to pass along the training to her in exchange for help caring for a young dragon that he has secretly squirreled away. Bryn hesitantly agrees, and the real adventure begins. It’s a thrill to explore Ott’s magical kingdom, and it’s a particular delight to watch all of the relationships develop between the main characters; whether familial or friendly, they feel incredibly warm and true. Though its final revelations won’t come as much of a surprise, this well-executed story offers a wonderfully imaginative world for young fantasy fans to dive into. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.

Booklist - 04/15/2020 - Copyright 2020 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 07/01/2020 Gr 4 Up—The first in this fantasy adventure series with a touch of feminism. Bryn's family lives in the valley. Above the village lies the Wild Realm, uninhabitable for humans but home to magical creatures. Seekers fly on the backs of dragons to collect the magical treasures that reside there. Bryn wants to be a Seeker, just like her late father. Bryn herself has magical powers with plants. When Seeker Oskar decides to retire, there will be a competition to replace him; this is what Bryn has been waiting for. But when she shows up for the first practice, the Head Seeker informs her that she's not allowed to train because she is a girl. Bryn decides to compete without the training. She discovers that Ari the Empath, one of the other contestants, has an unlawful dragon, and they find a way to help each other. A new wrinkle appears when the Vondur, an enemy clan who hunts dragons, begin showing up at the docks. Who let the Vondur in? And who was secretly trying to trade the dragon egg that Ari found and hatched? Set against the backdrop of the mystery is a story of two young people trying to be friends even as they compete against each other. The descriptions of the Realm are delightful, and the rounds of the tournament are equally entertaining as the duo figures out how to use their magic and deal with the creatures of the Realm. When the author writes that women don't have jobs, it might be helpful to clarify that they don't have jobs outside the home. The ending is a heartening demonstration of what can happen when people work together, and the mystery of the Vondur lends great suspense to the plot. VERDICT Recommended for all collections. A lovely story of friendship, empowerment, and the effectiveness of people working together.—Deanna McDaniel, Genoa M.S., OH - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

School Library Journal - 07/01/2020 - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.