Do you have the courage, the wits, and the skill to claim a dragon's hoard? If so, apply within . . .
 
The sign is small, tucked into the corner of Mr. Clutter's bookshop window: “Adventurers Wanted. Apply Within.” No one but fifteen-year-old Alex Taylor even seems to notice it is there. And for Alex, who has wished for a change in his life, it is an irresistible invitation.
 
Upon entering Mr. Clutter's shop, Alex is swept away on an incredible adventure to a faraway land filled with heroic warriors, mysterious elves, and hard-working dwarves.
 
Alex becomes the eighth man in a band of adventurers seeking the lair of Slathbog the Red — and evil dragon with a legendary treasure. Along the way, Alex and his new friends must battle dangerous trolls and bandits, face undead wraiths, and seek the wisdom of the Oracle in her White Tower.
 
Alex's adventure takes him to distant and exotic lands where he learns about courage, integrity, honor, and, most importantly, friendship.
 
Slathbog's Gold is the first book in an exciting new YA epic fantasy series and heralds the arrival of a major new talent in the genre.
 
From Booklist
 
When Alex sees the sign “Adventurers Wanted: Apply Within” in a shop window, he can’t help but inquire. He is soon steamrolled into his first adventure by the shop owner, finding himself packed off to a fantasy world as the eighth member of a group going after the dragon Slathbog. This first novel plays out like a game of Dungeons and Dragons, with the reader in the role of Alex as he learns to play, making the story entertaining but disappointing in its lost potential. Nearly every genre cliché since Tolkien is present, yet Forman does nothing new with his cool premise; the quest and Alex himself are led through predictable paces. While Alex is an agreeable character, he is too perfect to be credible: after the umpteenth time praise is heaped upon him for something that he did accidentally or much too easily, readers will be rolling their eyes. Still, the laws in the Adventurer’s Handbook that govern the group are an entertaining remix of the laws that govern RPGs, and the camaraderie among the group members is a strong draw. For those looking for a straightforward, uncomplicated quest, this will do the trick, and the series potential is limitless. Grades 5-8. --Krista Hutley
 
Reviews
 
"This book is so much fun! The adventure was non-stop from start to finish! I cannot wait for another one to come out. I read it first myself, and then listened to the book on CD with my son. We found ourselves making excuses to go for a ride in the car, just so we could listen to the book! We would even get up and leave for school early, just so we had extra time to listen to it before it was time for him to go into school! It is a fun story for all ages!" -- Evelyn

"M.L. Forman is going to give Brandon Mull and James Dashner a run for the best Young Adult series. Adventurers Wanted: Slathbog's Gold is indeed gold. Alex is a young man looking for a change in his life but little does he know how fast and unexpected that change will be. Forman starts the action right away and doesn't waste any time sucking you into the adventure. The ending is not what this veracious reader expected and it finished off just the way it started-full of excitement and wanting to turn the next page. Great debut novel for Forman and anxiously waiting the next book!!" -- Becky