Ash Forest (and the King's Gold)

The boy with no name. Some say he was born of the woods—where monsters live, and trees don’t always stay still.

Magic is dying. Steel is rising. And the King who just conquered Ashville has announced a wishing well.

That part sounds lovely.

What sounds less lovely is that the townspeople will be enslaved to mine the land of its lead— and that anyone who resists is dealt with harshly.

Nearby, in the deadly Ash Forest, survival is the only name a boy needs—especially when you’ve only got one arm and the forest seems hungry. But when the only person who ever cared for him is sentenced to a very public end in the King’s crocodile moat, survival stops being enough.

To stop the King and his army of rock demons, the boy must find a fabled sword said “to join the land by splitting it.” Its power could restore magic… or tear the world apart.

Joined by a girl with a dangerous secret, a giant wolf with a heart of gold, and a wooden puppet with a troubling lack of self-control, the boy with no name is about to discover that you don’t have to be whole to save a broken world.

Inside this epic (and often funny) adventure, you’ll find:

• Man-eating plants—and other things that bite.
• A mythical sword with inconvenient prophecies.
• A heartfelt quest filled with danger, wonder, and hope.

Ash Forest (and the King’s Gold) is a wholesome middle-grade fantasy (ages 8–13) that blends Arthurian legend with Norse grit and a sharp sense of humor. Featuring a brave hero with a limb difference and a strong female lead, it’s a story about found family, courage, and standing up to power—told with sword fights, witches, and more than a few surprises.

Perfect for readers who enjoy The Princess Bride, Percy Jackson, and The Lord of the Rings—with an uplifting, satisfying ending.