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.