Wayfarer

Title : Wayfarer

Author : R. J. Anderson

Citation : Anderson, R. J. (Rebecca J.). Wayfarer. New York : HarperTeen, 2010.

The only hope for surviving the faeries of the Oak who are in danger of extinction rests in fifteen-year-old Linden. Geared with the last of her people's magic, she sets on bravely into the modern human world. Then she makes a reluctant ally with a human boy named Timothy. The danger discovered by Linden and Tim is much worse than the Oakenfolk's loss of magic which is a threat of a potential evil. Therefore, they both must risk their lives to look for an ancient power before it's too late to save everyone they love. As the situation becomes darker, the danger is more pronounced and the risks are greater than ever. Linden and Tim tell the stories in alternating narratives and their individual issues give substance and suspense to occasionally predictable story lines. The author has managed to craft an artfully stunning magic world with thrilling adventure and delicate beauty which makes the book is addicted to read. The dark plot and fast-paced will straightaway draw readers to keep reading until the end. Although this compelling story has some religious elements, most readers will appreciate the growing understanding of personal responsibility and the importance of compassion reflected from the characters.

Other book in the Faery Rebels : Spell hunter (2009), Arrow (2011), and Swift (2011).

Graceling

Title : Graceling

Author : Kristin Cashore

Citation : Cashore, Kristin. Graceling. Orlando, Fla. : Harcourt, 2008.

Grace, that is a term for people born with an extreme skill, are feared and exploited. One of them is Katsa who carries the burden of the skill, the Grace of killing. Living under the command of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, she is expected to punish and torture anyone who displeases the king. Then, meeting Prince Po who is Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no idea of how her life is about to change: to learn the truth about her own Grace and the secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms. Those who are Tamora Pierce fans must love this thrilling, action-packed fantasy adventure with a slight hint of steamy romance. Every character is depicted with the same meticulous devotion to human understanding, making this novel is compelling with its strong heroine, political intrigue and action. The author juggles her complicated plot with effortlessness rivalling Katsa's. Although there are some undeveloped plots, the exquisitely drawn romance will satisfy the thirst of Twilight fans, but one measure of this compelling novel's achievements lies in its broad appeal

The Riddle of the Wren

Title : The riddle of the wren

Author : Charles de Lint

Citation : De Lint, Charles. The riddle of the wren. New York : Firebird, 2002.

Who's afraid of nightmares? Trapping on her nightmare one day, she meets Jan, the Lord of the the Moors who has been captured by Ildran the Dream-master-the same being who traps Minda. In exchange for her promise to set him free, Jan gives her three tokens. Then, she embarks on a journey leaving the comfort of her old life to new world to save Jan, to confront Ildran and to solve the riddle of the wren. This is the first novel of Charles de Lint, who is an extraordinary prolific writer of fantasy works. The author succeeds in introducing the incremental changes happening to Minda, not only the changes that she's unaware but the ones she sees as she travels. The story is not written with complicated plot that makes it easy to read. Also, the pace is rapidly fast but does not make the readers lost. Readers could never get bored as some surprising plot point is revealed. That's why this novel was the winner of the World Fantasy Award.

The Wild Orchid

Title : The wild orchid

Author : Cameron Dokey

Citation : Dokey, Cameron. The wild orchid : a retelling of the ballad of Mulan. New York : Simon Pulse, 2009.

A classic timeless fairy tales with the background of Chinese culture, Mulan, unlike any other girl in China, she has an ability to wield a sword as deftly as an embroidery needle. Determined by her wish to spare her aging father and bring honour to her family, when the emperor summons all male to fight, she disguises herself and get involved in the fight. In the middle of Mulan's courage with a bow and arrow, she never expects to find a friend in the commander of her division. Will she have the courage to reveal her true identity and feelings with Prince Jian? With a touch of Chinese folklore, this story happens to have a character-drive storyline, suspenseful tone and compelling writing style. No wonder that Dokey has made this book an award winners of YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults as Twists on the tale for the year of 2010.

The Sower of Tales

Title : The sower of tales

Author : Rachna Gilmore

Citation : Gilmore, Rachna.  The sower of tales. Markham, Ontario : Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 2005.

Dreaming and muddling her way through days, putting off her chores and infuriating her mother, Calantha only wants one thing. It is to apprentice with the Gatherer and to dedicate herself entirely to the Story Pods and the Tales. Until that one evening, she becomes open and attentive to everything. Everything goes harmoniously including the Gathering, the words of release and the villagers whose worries put away for a moment watch the seeds grow peacefully. Until something horrible happens where the Story Pods stop growing in every ditch across the Plains. Therefore, Calantha sets out on a journey to seek the legendary Sower of Tales and to find out what is really happening on the Plains especially when the threat from the Northern Kind is worrisome. Winner of the National Chapter of Canada IODE Violet Downey Book award, the author Gilmore, combines an amazing fantasy world and a stirring adventure with a taste of suspenseful tone and compelling style. An epic quest that makes the book is highly enjoyable.