Of Sorcery and Science

A teen who is The Chosen One in a fantasy realm finds himself a nobody back home--that is, until magic appears in the real world and he must re-enter the portal to save a doomed realm.

Months after entering a portal, becoming a powerful mage, and saving a distant realm, disgruntled Asian American high schooler Andy Lao returns home to find that absolutely no one believes what happened to him. In fact, things are worse than ever before as his subpar science and math grades make him a target of his parents' disappointment. But how do you think about tests and college applications when you're The Chosen One of a magical land?

One day, at the portal's location, Andy sees a glowing bit of mana on the ground. And with that, magic is possible again. But when a mysterious, surly teen girl comes through the portal, she claims to be the Chosen One ... and that Andy's the one who doomed the realm. Together, they'll save magic--because the answer lies in modern science.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Published: 09/08/2026
ISBN: 9798894141121
Pages: 288

Review Citations: Publishers Weekly 06/15/2026
School Library Journal 06/12/2026 pg. 1
Kirkus Reviews 07/01/2026
Booklist 07/01/2026