The first in an extraordinary middle-grade fantasy series that takes the traditional "chosen one" narrative and flips it on its head. Think Nevermoor and The School for Good and Evil, but with a thrilling twist!"A wonderful debut, bursting with magic." Jess French, author of Beastlands: Race to Frostfall MountainA boy with no memory. A world searching for a hero. Casander Darkbloom has no memory, lives outside a curiosity shop, and experiences random surges of uncontrollable energy in his limbs. When he inexplicably brings a stuffed raven to life, he unravels a strange and thrilling magical world. A world waiting for Cas to save it. Cas is the Foretold, the one prophesied to defeat the malevolent Master of All. Under the protection of Wayward School, Cas must learn to master his magical abilities. But, as he soon discovers, all may not be quite as it seems - and Cas will need to take control of his own destiny if he is to find the strength to fight the powers of evil. Spectacular and imaginative, this thrilling fantasy novel celebrates difference and how what makes us unique is also our greatest strength. "This is fantasy at its best; a bold, beautiful world, characters who tug on your heart threads, and a fast-paced, intricately developed story about power and magic in all its forms." Clare Povey, author of The Unexpected Tale of Bastien Bonlivre