Beyonders by Brandon Mull

If you haven't checked out this series and you need a book to read, I would highly recommend The Beyonders series.  Here is a summary.
Jason Walker a 13 year old boy finds his way to Lyrian, a world in need heroes.  He finds his way to the Repository of learning and finds himself on a quest to find all the syllables to a Edomic phrase (Edomic is Lyrian's magic) that will destroy the evil emperor Maldor the last true wizard. Along the way Rachel a girl with extraordinary aptitude for Edomic (aptitude is someone's ability to preform Edomic she has a rare aptitude) joins Jason on his quest. With help from the Blind King and Tark the Susalax player (a big tuba like instrument), he is also a miner and is good with a knife, and Ferrin the displacer. Join them on their quest if you dare.