Book Review: Wayfarer by R.J. Anderson

Wayfarer by R. J. Anderson

Publisher: Harper Teen

Publish Date: June 22, 2010

Hardcover, 304 pages

My Review:
I'm about to admit something astounding, okay maybe not that astounding, but some of  you might think so.  The truth is I have never read a faery book before (at least not that I remember).  I've read vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, angels, demons, but not faeries.  So, Wayfarer is my first exposure to this paranormal entity.

I found the faery world depicted in this book to be fascinating.  I learned after starting this one that it is actually the second in the series, but not reading the first did not take anything away from this story.  I'm sure it would have helped with the world development, but I truly feel that Wayfarer can be read on it's own.  I will go back and read the first in the series though because I am now fascinated with the world of the Oakenfolk.

So what stood out to me about this book?  First the different types of  faeries and how the Oakenfolk were different from the faeries in the outside world.  Second the fact that the Oakenfolk lived in harmony with humans and had a moral code of sorts, where they did not steal and they took words of gratitude as sacred.  In a world of young adult books with little moral code, I found this very refreshing (and I'm not bashing other YA books - I love most that I have read).  It's not pound you over the head this is the only right way - but a subtle we should live by a code to treat others well and not steal, cheat or murder.

I truly enjoyed the character of Linden, she is a young innocent faery, but she knows who she is and will not mold herself to fit what others think she should be.  She is unsure out in the world, but sure of who she is and that helps her on this adventure.  I also liked Timothy, he is searching for himself and what his life as a missionary family's son means.  He has lost his faith and can't seem to fit in at his school, but his time spent with Linden seems to point him back in the right direction.

The plot moves quickly and it's a fast easy read.  There are subplots that come through and are good, but sometimes I felt things were a bit rushed.  There seemed to be more of a story to tell, but not enough pages to tell it in.  The ending is satisfactory, but leaves me eager for the third book which I think is a good thing.

Overall, Wayfarer is a delightful read and because of this book I will be reading other faery books.

My Rating:  4.0/5.0

About the Book:

The faeries of the Oak are dying, and it’s up to a lone faery named Linden to find a way to restore their magic. Linden travels bravely into dangerous new territory, where she enlists the help of an unlikely friend—a human named Timothy. Soon they discover something much worse than the Oakenfolk’s loss of magic: a potent evil that threatens the fate of all faeries. In a fevered, desperate chase across the country, Timothy and Linden risk their lives to seek an ancient power before it’s too late to save everyone they love.
R. J. Anderson has artfully crafted a world of stunning magic, thrilling adventure, and delicate beauty, where a girl far from home must defeat the pervasive evil befalling her beloved faery realm.

About the Author:
R.J. (Rebecca) Anderson was born in Uganda, raised in Ontario, went to school in New Jersey, and has spent much of her life dreaming (and writing) of other worlds entirely.

FTC Information: I received this book through Traveling ARC Tours for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.