What happens when your wildest gaming fantasies become real? In Andrew Auseon’s Spellbinders series, readers are whisked into a hilarious and heartfelt world where imagination and reality collide, and the rules of the game are constantly being rewritten. With illustrations that capture every burst of magic and mayhem, this series has earned praise from readers and authors alike, including Last Kids on Earth creator Max Brallier, who calls it “my favorite new fantasy series.”
The adventure begins in Spellbinders: The Not-So-Chosen One, where seventh grader Ben Whitlock’s ordinary life of homework and role-playing games takes an extraordinary turn. Mistaken for a prophesied hero and transported into a wild fantasy realm, Ben faces flying narwhals, ancient prophecies, and a mysterious assassin who might actually believe in him. It’s a laugh-out-loud adventure that reminds readers that courage isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you build, one impossible quest at a time.
In Spellbinders: Break the Game, Ben’s taste for adventure isn’t easily satisfied. After saving one realm, he’s not ready to return to the dull world of chores and school. But when magical chaos invades his own reality, Ben and his team of unlikely heroes (Niara, Merv, Drake, and newcomer Agnes) must cross the multiverse to stop a shadowy enemy bent on collecting the powerful Spellbinder books. With zombie rats, pool noodle squids, and cross-dimensional mayhem, this fast-paced sequel proves that being a hero is as dangerous as it is exhilarating.
And now, the epic continues in Spellbinders: Overpowered. After the universe-altering events of book two, Ben finds himself trapped in a magical dream, while his friends set out across multiple realms to save him. But as the boundaries between dreams and reality blur, the group must face their deepest fears, and discover that when it comes to magic, nothing is ever what it seems. Auseon delivers another brilliant blend of comedy, action, and heart, crafting a finale that’s both mind-bending and emotionally rich.
Andrew Auseon’s background as a video game writer shines through in the series’ cinematic storytelling and witty dialogue. His mix of humor, adventure, and friendship makes Spellbinders an irresistible pick for middle-grade readers who love fantasy with a modern twist. It’s a celebration of imagination, teamwork, and the power of storytelling itself. It’s proof that even the “not-so-chosen” can rise to the occasion when the world needs a hero.
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