Apprentice Alliance

By Millie Florence

Sorrel is the unruly daughter of the heads of the Mage Council, protectors of the secret realm of the Mage Pocket, where libraries float through the sky, cats turn invisible, and sunlight is magic.

Theo is the reluctant apprentice of the Dark Mage, the terror of the Mage Pocket, waiting in the shadows for her chance to act.

When her parents die in a house fire, Sorrel refuses to believe it's an accident. Theo knows it's not, because he saw his mentor do it. He helped his mentor do it. He's still haunted by the smell of smoke.

Sorrel is bent on finding answers, but that will require learning some complex magic. Theo is trying to break his magical apprenticeship contract, but that will require a lot of research.

Together, they form an unlikely alliance-Theo will teach Sorrel to Cast, Sorrel will help him research. But both are keeping secrets, and neither one knows the other's true identity. As their friendship grows, so do the consequences of discovering the truth.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1732878943
• ISBN13: 9781732878945
• Release Date: October 2025
• Publisher: Sprouting Pen Press
• Length: 392 Pages
• Weight: 1.03 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

Delightful Middle-grade Fantasy

Such a delightful fantasy read! The Apprentice Alliance, the first book in the Mage Pocket trilogy, is a great starting point for this new middle grade fantasy series... Sorrel's parents were tragically killed in house fire that she is certain was no accident and she aims to prove it. Theo has been an apprentice to the Dark Mage since he was just 7 years old. After a terrifying mission, Theo begins to realize that he does not agree with the Dark Mage's quest for power and is desperate to find a way to break his apprenticeship. In a twist of fate, these two characters form an alliance to help each other accomplish both of their goals...but each of them is keeping secrets that will bring consequences to their blossoming friendship. They are both great characters that show a lot of emotion and growth over the course of the book... you really get invested in both of them! There are also some charming side characters that really round out the story. The fantasy world of the Mage Pocket is well crafted. The magical world is interesting and whimsical, but not overly complicated/hard to follow. I especially LOVE the fun things like a library in the clouds with an elevator, library cards that magically transport you to the library, and the invisible cat named Marbles! This book would be a great family read aloud choice. I also appreciate that this is a "clean" middle grade fantasy book, which makes it great for the whole family. I have read several other titles by Millie Florence, and this is her best work yet! Book 2 cannot come soon enough! I received a complimentary advance reader copy of this book, however, the opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Happy Reading!