Wednesday, June 9, 2010

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.

 
CymLowell

Waiting on Wednesday - June 9



"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I haven't participated in awhile, but was playing around on Amazon the other day and saw this one and I really want to read it when it comes out.  I haven't read last years' release, Black Hills yet, but have been keeping  up with the Bride Quartet.  The Search looks good and I really like the cover.




The Search by Nora Roberts
Release: July 6, 2010
To most people, Fiona Bristow seems to have an idyllic life-a quaint house on an island off Seattle's coast, a thriving dog-training school, and a challenging volunteer job performing canine search and rescues. Not to mention her three intensely loyal Labs. But Fiona got to this point by surviving a nightmare...

Several years ago, Fiona was the only survivor of the Red Scarf serial killer, who shot and killed Fiona's cop fiancé and his K-9 partner.

On Orcas Island, Fiona found the peace and solitude she needed to rebuild her life. But all that changes on the day Simon Doyle barrels up her drive, desperate for her help. He's the reluctant owner of an out-of-control puppy, foisted upon him by his mother. Jaws has eaten through Simon's house, and he's at his wit's end.

To Fiona, Jaws is nothing she can't handle. Simon, however, is another matter. A newcomer to Orcas, he's a rugged and in-tensely private artist, known for the exquisite furniture he creates from wood. Simon never wanted a puppy-and he most definitely doesn't want a woman. Besides, the lanky redhead is not his type. But tell that to his hormones.

As Fiona embarks on training Jaws, and Simon begins to appreciate both dog and trainer, the past tears back into Fiona's life. A copycat killer has emerged out of the shadows, a man whose bloodlust has been channeled by a master with one motive: to reclaim the woman who slipped out of his hands...
So what are you waiting on this week?