Guardians Series

CAN YOU SAVE THE WORLD FROM THE ENEMY WITHIN?

In the sequel to the New York Times bestselling fantasy Forbidden Mountain, two friends on a quest to protect their home find out whether their supernatural abilities and spirit guardian will be their salvation, or their downfall—from the beloved author of the Fablehaven and Beyonders series.

Mako spent his life dreaming of the day he could train to be a warrior, and risked everything by bonding with one of the Accursed spirit guardians . . . a choice that means death if discovered. His journey led him to Arden, whose ability to read others made her dreams of adventure a dangerous reality. But neither of them suspected the kind of devastation that they barely survived with their friend Tuck.

Now, after being attacked by the Accursed and forced into hiding, the three young teens are on the run, desperate to find allies they can trust and facing new betrayals at each turn. Arden must use her powers to navigate the shifting landscape around them, and Mako struggles to protect his friends when that means relying more on his guardian, Narrix—someone he can’t trust, and who has established Mako as an enemy of his own people.

Arden hopes to find her father. Mako yearns to redeem his name. Their world grows larger and stranger as they discover more of the magic and secrets of the Empire they are hoping to save, but all the while the threat of evil is closing in on them. Arden’s and Mako’s skills and loyalties will be tested, leading to shocking discoveries—and even more shocking choices.

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 children bond with a spiritual guide—some promising greatness and glory, while others, destruction and death.

**This deluxe hardcover edition features exquisitely designed sprayed edges complete with gold swords!**

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.