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.

The Goose Girl

Title : The goose girl

Author : Shannon Hale

Citation : Hale, Shannon. The goose girl. New York : Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2003.

The Crown Princess of Kildenree, Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, spends the first years of her life under the guidance of her aunt to learn to communicate with animals. Developing the skills of animal speech as she grows up, she is never comfortable when speaking with people. Then, Ani is helpless and cannot persuade anyone to assist her when her silver-tongued lady-in-waiting steals her identity and distract control of the guards during Ani's journey in a foreign land, Bayern. She, eventually, acknowledge her own special powers to find her way to her true destiny. This retelling story maintains many similarities to the original tale of Brothers Grimm, including the harsh punishment for treason. Also, similar to Robin McKinley's heroines, this leisurely-paced story is rich, full of eloquent description and beautiful imagery with a complex plot, a large cast of characters and a strong female protagonist. Readers who enjoy getting lost in an enchanted world will be satisfied not only by the conclusion but also by the suspenseful tone, full of danger and surprising twists. These appealing elements make the novel the winner of Jossette Frank Award and of Utah State Book Award.

Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador's Gate

Title : Secret speakers and the search for Selador's Gate

Author : K. S. R. Kingsworth

Citation : Kingsworth, K. S. R. Secret speakers and the search for Selador's Gate. Canada : Rawle & Windsor, 2010.

Hidden in the depth of Cloven Grace, the harsh trickster Harrold King hides a secret the parents know absolutely nothing. A thirteen year-old Fair O'Nelli eventually assumes it's safe to be seen after spending nine years hidden in a cellar. Knowing that her father and brother are missing or possibly dead, she sets off in the company of three guardians to search for Selador's Gate and to seek for Harrold King's secret. Along the way she discovers that they key to survival is learning to see things as they are. This metaphorical tales is similar to the Narnia, Lord of the Rings and Wizard of Oz due to the likable heroine as Fair discovers courage, conviction and friendship along her quest to Selador. Also, the author has created a rich and detailed fantasy that is unique, charming and with whimsical touches, such as some religious symbolism that can be found on this novel. The world-building storyline and plot-driven make readers enjoy the adventure and the sudden twists in some events.

The Feverbird's Claw

Title : The feverbird's claw

Author : Jane Kurtz

Citation : Kurtz, Jane. The feverbird's claw. New York : Greenwillow Books, c2004.

Being kidnapped by the Arkera after saving herself the first time, Moralin of Delagua is seeing death coming straight at her. The Arkera dress in rough clothes and use language Moralin cannot understand, but one thing she understands is she doesn’t understand why they kidnapped her. Why are they taking her into the heart of the red forest, where the fire-breathing skulkuk lives? And if Moralin can escape, can she survive the skulkuk and the other perils of the wilderness? From the author of "The Storyteller's Beads comes this story set in an ancient world, Delagua city, where only boys are allowed to fight. This fantasy fiction is trying to break down the taboo by setting a character of Moralin, a young girl who disguises herself and is trained to become an excellent warrior. Due to the book's genre, this intriguing story with its strong heroine is appealing to avid readers, although it is often confusing and with emphasis on plot over rich character development. It may be slow-moving in terms of pace, but in the end, the author rewards readers with simple yet profound insights about how the societies work.

Guinevere's Gift

Title : Guinevere's gift

Author : Nancy McKenzie

Citation : McKenzie, Nancy. Guinevere's gift. New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2008.

Thirteen years have passed after a prophecy foretelling that Guinevere would one day be highest lady in the land and married to a great king. The fact now, Guinevere is an orphan living with her aunt and uncle, the king and queen of Gwynedd. Nobody takes the prophecy seriously, not even Gwen who is tomboy, awkward and no great beauty. Then, one day she meets a young man in the forest who claims to be part of ancient tribe whose mission is to guard and be her protector. She, then, stumbles across a sinister plot and fearlessly helps rescue her cousin from kidnappers who are plotting to overthrow the king. Gwen's true gift is to inspire love and admiration in people. Therefore, the author has succeeded in detailing everyday royal life with all of its conflicts. With subtle details of Arthurian legends are woven into the story, the author seems to allow each character to rise to surprising heroism. Her female characters are strong such as Gwen and Queen Alyse who are strong and fearful and take responsibilities while the mean are not around. This appealing factor makes this a good "girl power" story.

The Blue Sword

Title : The blue sword

Author : Robin McKinley

Citation : McKinley, Robin. The blue sword. New York : Greenwillow Books, c1982.

An orphan girl, Harry Crewe, leaves her Homeland to live in a desert country called Damar, after the dead of her father. Damar is a bleak landscape where Homelanders and the secretive magical Hillfolk share the area that once part of the great kingdom. She then gets kidnapped by Corlath, the Hillfolk King, who takes her deep into the desert. Without knowing the Hillfolk language, she is wondering why she has been chosen by Corlath who does know that she is to be trained in the arts of war. Will she be ready to accept her true destiny's that of the heir to the Blue Sword, Gonturan?  There had no woman who can handle and use weapons as skillful as the Lady Aerin that gone into battle with the North in the Hill-King's army. The Blue Sword is the first installment of the Damar series. A world-building storyline, fast-paced and strong sense of place mix together with a descriptive and engaging style have made this book of New York Times bestseller.  

Other book in the Damar Series : The hero and the crown (1984)

Un lun dun

Title : Un lun dun

Author : China Mieville

Citation : Mieville, China. Un lun dun. New York : Del Rey, 2007.

A twelve-year-old heroine Zanna and her friend Deeba find a secret door leading out of London and into a strange city, Un Lun Dun. It is a city awaiting its hero whose coming was predicted long time ago and happened to be set down for all time in the pages of a talking book. In the setting, the city is a place where words are alive; a jungle exists unobserved behind the door of an ordinary house, carnivorous giraffes walk stiffly down the streets and a dark cloud dreams about burning the world. In short, through the looking glass, Un Lun Dun is an urban Wonderland of uncanny delights where all the lost and broking thing of London end up, including Brokkenbroll, a boss of the broken umbrellas; and Obaday Fing, a tailor whose head is a gigantic pin-cushion and Curdle. The compelling style and the fantasy journey of this book are combination of unexpected opportunities for heroism and magic. The unexpected twist will make readers to keep turning the pages until they have reached the end.

The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf

Title : The savage damsel and the dwarf

Author : Gerald Morris

Citation : Morris, Gerald. The savage damsel and the dwarf. Boston : Houghton Mifflin, c2000.

  

Teenaged Lady Lynet sets out for help from King Arthur who can free her family from the siege of an evil knight. Along the way, she makes friend with an odd dwarf named Roger and a scruffy kitche hand named Beaumains. When the three return to Lynet's castle, they face shocking adventures including the duel with the uncanny Squire Terence, his master, Sir Gawain and the majestic sorceress Morgan. This Morris's latest Arthurian novel is a highly comic tale of hidden identities withe mysterious knights, faeries and enchantments. With its medieval setting, some of the most courageous knights are presented to be none too bright that explains why they risk their lives so whole-heartedly. Although some vocabulary in this richly detailed work, the readers will be engrossed by the magical world of knights, dwarves and damsels in distress. This element makes the story is enjoyable.

The Third Eye

Title : The third eye

Author : Mahtab Narsimhan

Citation : Narsimhan, Mahtab. The third eye. Toronto : Dundurn Group, c2007.

For Tara and her brother, a nightmare is defined by the year their mother and grandfather fled the village of Morni in the middle of the night. Having a new stepmother who is cruel and deceptive makes her wanting to protect her brother, especially when men of the village have been disappearing because the village is lacking healers. Then, a mysterious man with a third eye possessing an odd power, Zarku, appears in Morni and everybody is fascinated by his magic, except Tara. She see through his evil disguise. Without nothing but her own courage and wit, can she find her missing mother and grandfather who is the true healer, in time to save her village? This story is such an interesting combination of elements of classic fairy tales, such as Hansel and Gretel with Indian mythology. Its original and entertaining couple with tone of strong sense of place will make readers enjoy the lushly described Indian setting as well as some cultural references such as Hindu Gods. The novel opens with a compelling scene that should captive the heart of fantasy fans. For avid readers, the novel is well worth the extra effort to try it. With its unique setting and beautiful prose, readers can't say no to the next book.

Other book in the Tara Trilogy: The silver anklet (2009), The deadly conch (2011)

Sabriel

Title : Sabriel

Author : Garth Nix

Citation : Nix, Garth. Sabriel. New York : HarperCollins, c1995.

This is an Australian fiction about Sabriel, a young girl sent to a boarding school in Ancelstierre to be a necromancer, a person who fight the dead who seek to return to life.   She has little experience with the random power of Free Magic or the Dead who refuse to stay dead in the Old Kingdom. But then when her father, Abhorsen, goes missing, she must enter the kingdom to save him. Accompanied by Mogget, a raging natural force contained in the form of a cat, and Touchstone, a young Charter Mage long imprisoned by magic, every step of the way bring them closer to the battle of life and death. This first instalment of the Abhorsen trilogy incorporates the virility and compassionate love of a young girl making her a sympathetic heroine. With a rich, complex, world-building and fast-paced, the novel makes it hard to put down. Although it is bleak, readers who enjoy the intricate tales of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials, will find this trilogy is also appealing.

Other book in the Abhorsen Trilogy: Lirael, daughter of the Clayr (2001); Abhorsen (2003)

Zahrah the Windseeker

Title : Zahrah the windseeker

Author : Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu

Citation : Okorafor-Mbachu, Nnedi. Zahrah the windseeker. Boston : Houghton Mifflin, 2005.

Born with dadalocks-dreadlocks containing living vines, Zahrah does not know that she is believed to have special powers. She lives like a normal girl in the northern Ooni Kingdom as she enjoys everything that nature provides. Even she grows her own flora computer and has mirrors sewn onto her cloths. Being different to other people makes her only have one best friend, Dari, who wants to explore the Forbidden Greeny Jungle and discover its dark and prohibited mysteries. Together, they enter the jungle that is located on the boundary of the kingdom to explore her powers. Then Zahrah has to undertake a dangerous quest alone to seek the remedy for Dari after he is bitten by a war snake and falls into a deep sleep.  In the nature of exotic creatures, a magical forest, and children with superhuman abilities, she must find the courage to defeat her fear using her dada wisdom. The world building storyline that is interesting and the evocative setting will draw experienced fantasy readers to enjoy this amazingly written story with full ideas of friendship, self-discovery and following own heart.

The Shadow Speaker

Title : The shadow speaker

Author : Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu

Citation : Okorafor-Mbachu, Nnedi. The shadow speaker. New York : Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, 2007.

A futuristic fantastical adventure fiction that happens in West Africa in 2070 is about a Muslim teenager, Ejii. After witnessing her father's beheading, a fifteen-year-old "shadow speaker" Ejii sets on a dangerous journey across the Sahara desert to look for Jaa, her father's murderer. Then soon she discovers that there is a greater purpose to her life after knowing her possession of mystical powers. Accompanied by her newfound friend, she realises the need to protect her people from a force seeking to destroy them completely. With a plot of the era of mind-blowing technology and tantalising magic, the book is leisurely paced and has a fascinating lyrical writing style. Readers will be engrossed by the novel's complicated characters, especially its women and the unusual appearance of African with a taste of Muslim tradition. This book by Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu is the second fiction of her first debut, Zahrah the windseeker.

Trickster's Choice

Title : Trickster's choice

Author : Tamora Pierce

Citation : Pierce, Tamora. Trickster's choice. New York : Random House, 2003. 

As a daughter of the famed Alanna, the Lioness of Tortall, Alianne Cooper or Aly is expected to be a knight. But her parents do not support her dangerous wish to be a spy like her father. Aly begins a furious argument and then runs away. On her escape, things go horribly wrong. Aly is captured by pirates and sold as a slave to the noble Balitang family of the Copper Isles, where she is straightaway entangled in royal family intrigues. Aly has to create a secret spy network and fighting force to defend her charges from royal assassins. She then discovers that she is about to enter a life and death wager with the Trickster God, Kyprioth. This book is the first installment of the Daughter of the Lioness series. The world-building and action packed storyline seems to go hand in hand with angst-filled and upbeat tone. The author is smart to deliver not only the continuation of the Alanna series but also creates a sassy heroine that is struggling to escape her parent's expectation. This aspect will resonate mostly with teens. The readers will never forget Aly's interesting interest such as transforming from a crow. With some elements of political intrigue, interfering gods and humorous undertones, the readers who have engrossed in the tales of Alanna the Lioness will be equally fascinated by this rich and complex tale of Alanna's teenage daughter.

Other book in the Daughter of the lioness or also known as Trickster Series : Trickster's queen (2004).

Melting Stones

Title : Melting stones

Author : Tamora Pierce

Citation : Pierce, Tamora. Melting stones. New York : Scholastic, 2008.

A call for help to Winding Circle temple has been sent by people on one of the islands south of Emelan. Their concern is their plants, trees and animals that live around are mysteriously dying. A prickly green mage Rosethorn and young stone mage trainee Evvy respond to the call and strive to find the problem that has something to do with a long-dormant volcano. With the help of Luvo, the living stone heart of a mountain, Evvy, then attempts to do whatever it takes to avoid the catastrophic destruction. Will they be able to evacuate the island in time or will they try to shift a volcano? From the author of the Trickster series, Pierce engage the intricate conversational and dialogue-rich writing style and the taste of suspenseful and fast-paced. The world-building storyline seems to be her uniqueness that makes this book hard to put down.

The Golden Compass

Title : The golden compass

Author : Philip Pullman

Citation : Pullman, Philip. The golden compass. New York : A. A. Knopf, 1995.

A terrible experiment separating humans from their daemons, creatures that reflect each person's sinner being, is being conducted and children are disappearing—victims of so-called "Gobblers". Therefore, an orphan named Lyra Belacqua leaves her carefree life among the scholars at Oxford's Jordan College and embarks on a journey to look for her kidnapped bestfriend, Roger. Accompanied by her shape-shifting daemon and a truth-telling instrument, a compass called Alethiometer, she keens of finding out a mystery in the far North including photographs of a mysterious celestial phenomenon called Dust and the dim outline of a city suspended in the Aurora Borealis that is believed to be part of a parallel universe. The Golden Compass is the first book of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. With a world-building storyline, fast-paced, tones of atmospheric and suspenseful, Pullman is a master at combining impeccable characterisations and seamless plotting. The story line moves along at a fast clip, but flags when it comes into philosophical matter. The intricate plot makes the book is really compelling and richly detailed.

Other book in the His Dark Materials Trilogy: The subtle knife (1997), The amber spyglass (2000), Lyra's Oxford (2003).

The Last of the High Kings

Title : The last of the high kings

Author : Kate Thompson

Citation : Thompson, Kate. The last of the high kings. New York : Greenwillow Books, 2008

JJ Liddy, from The New Policeman, has grown up and married to Aisling. He has four children in which the second one, Jenny never felt like she belonged in the family. She wanders barefoot around the Irish countryside instead of going to school. No one in her family believes her when she told that she has a ghost friend and a puka. Being a changeling makes her confused and hurt. Everything has to change when the puka wants Jenny to persuade the ghost that he doesn’t need to guard the beacon any more. And Jenny has to make a choice of where to live. Unlike the first sequel, The New Policeman, whose the  main character is JJ Liddy, this sequel is presented in mysterious, riveting and steeped in Irish legend and music. The author's world-building storyline of Irish folklore playfully weaves modern life with ancient magic. Although much of the story is told from the point of view of adults, this stylistically complex writing style will captive readers by the depiction of the suspenseful battle between unseen and ageless forces. Readers will also be fascinated by the character Jenny, who has the power to rescue or annihilate worlds that grown-ups have ruined.

Other book in the New Policeman Trilogy: The new policeman (2007), The white horse trick (2010)