What is Protector of Beyond about?
A young teenage girl must attend a ceremony to see if she will be leaving home forever. If she ‘sparks’ during the ceremony she will be sent to attend a school which teaches its students to be Protectors of their Realm.
Elder is torn between leaving home where her mother ignores her, or the uncertain chance to see her older sister who left to train years before. But Elder’s spark is like none seen before – she makes the cut for the school, but is under suspicion before she even arrives.
She makes friends and enemies at the school, and must be given special training to keep the other students safe. Going through a series of trials will determine who makes the next cut for an academy that will train them further in keeping their world safe.
It’s a difficult road for Elder, but with her loyal friends by her side, and determination and courage, she continues toward her goal of staying with her friends old and new, human and creature.
Review
Protector of Beyond is a gripping action fuelled middle grade fantasy for fans of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief series or Ice Apprentices. The world of Beyond is a fascinating one with touches of Harry Potter too (Hagrid’s creatures).
Main character Elder’s life has been difficult and continues to be so, even when she passes a trial some have trained their lives for. What made this novel so compelling for me was that is wasn’t just a list of trials to complete for a goal. Elder’s training was uncertain for her and the reader with unexpected results.
She has a gift no one has ever seen, and the leaders are not sure how to handle her. Elder is so powerful which could be an asset or a threat to the Beyond Protectors and the Academy that trains them. She is never certain what her fate will be. The rivalries are well written, and the friendships so enjoyable.
The page turning ending is thrilling and has a twist I never saw coming. Events throughout the book set up more possible shocks, which I’m hoping to see realised in future episodes in this series.
A Great Read.
Book Style
448 Pages / 48 Chapters / A Beastiary in the end of the book
FAQ’s
What age is it for?
9+
Where & When is it set?
In a fictional fantasy world called the Beyond, and the Arbiter.
What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?
First person / Present Tense
Is there Violence?
Fight scenes with Monsters
What genre is Protector of Beyond?
Middle Grade Fantasy
Themes
Monsters / Friendship / Betrayal / Fantasy / Courage / Relationships
Is it part of a series?
Yes
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Author
Shara Curlett
Publisher
Penguin Random House Australia
(2026, Penguin Random House Australia, Spark, Training, Friendship, Betrayal, Courage, Training School, Rivalries, Series, Powers, Action, Conflict, Family, School)