While visiting the zoo, Jason Walker is suddenly transported to. Death and betrayal often dominate the plot, but Mull moves his story at a brisk pace, preventing the tragedies from overwhelming the adventure, while offering ample action and feisty dialogue to keep fantasy lovers entertained. : A World Without Heroes (Beyonders) (9781442337350) by Mull, Brandon and a great selection of similar New, Used and Collectible Books available. A World Without Heroes Brandon Mull 4.12 39,488 ratings3,136 reviews Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Middle Grade & Children's (2011) Jason Walker has often wished his life could be a bit less predictable-until a routine day at the zoo ends with Jason suddenly transporting from the hippo tank to a place unlike anything he's ever seen. New York Times best-selling author Brandon Mull is an acclaimed voice in childrens fantasy. Mull throws some magical creatures-including a race that can be dismembered and still live-and plenty of challenges at Jason and Rachel, who must use their wits to survive. He's given this task by the Blind King, the last man to discover the word, who also introduces him to Rachel, another refugee from Earth. After witnessing some horrific deaths and learning the history of Lyrian, Jason discovers that his quest to return home might be impossible without defeating Maldor, which can only be done by finding the syllables of a long-lost magic word that erases itself from the memory of those who utter it.

Thirteen-year-old Jason is transported (via hippopotamus gullet, no less) from Colorado to Lyrian, a magical world ruled by the despotic sorcerer Maldor. Mull (the Fablehaven series) launches the Beyonders trilogy with a dark tale that updates classic tropes with solid contemporary characters. With the help of a few scattered rebels, Jason and Rachel become entangled in a quest to piece together the word of power that can destroy the emperor, and learn that their best hope to find a way home will be to save this world without heroes.

A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull