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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Appealling adventure with believable teens-, July 26, 2010
This review is from: Wayfarer (Faery Rebels) (Hardcover)
Like Page (one book at a time) above, I actually liked "Wayfarer" even better than "Spell Hunter", and am also struggling to articulate why. Part of it is the main characters. Linden - brave, honest, gentle, loyal and determined - is a refreshing character; her salient quality is her integrity. She works very well with the human boy, Timothy, who is confused, homesick, angry and questioning - but also musically gifted, brave and capable of considerable loyalty. I liked that these young people were believably, convincingly young.(Timothy, in particular, does a couple of harebrained things - and kids doing harebrained things for what seems to them to be good reason definitely advances the action!)
Other things I loved in this sequel:
1. Paul and Knife do reappear, and I like these characters even better as adults.
2. When Linden and Timothy make their way to London, they encounter real menace.
3. This book has a grittier, more urban feel to it than "Spell Hunter", and may well appeal to fans of Sarah Rees Brennan's "Demon's Lexicon".
4.A couple of ambiguous characters, in particular Rob, who initially seemed a servant of the evil empress. I liked Rob and finished the book quite worried for him (because of the choices he had made) and Linden (because she seemed interested in him.)
The themes of faith and trust also arose quite naturally from the action. I did wonder at the bad guys' constantly gathering in disused churches, and, though I liked and believed in the old couple the kids encounter, it seemed slightly heavy-handed that Timothy got to have a discussion on faith and doubt with an elder from his own church in the midst of his quest. Not that things like this don't happen, of course! But the role faith and right action played in the quest for the Children of Rhys was more resonant, for me. I also had a slight problem with the character of Bluebell - why had she become so ambitious? Was she always this way? And I would still like a map of the Oak and the Oakenwyld!
But I sympathized with Timothy most of the time, loved and admired Linden, and want to know what will happen to them next, as all-out war seems to be menacing them and their friends. I'm looking forward to the sequel!
This one was definitely 4 1/2 stars. If you like faeries, magic and quests, you will love R. J. Anderson's series.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Courtesy of Teens Read Too, June 27, 2010
This review is from: Wayfarer (Faery Rebels) (Hardcover)
One day, Linden's summoned by the dying faery queen, who tells her that she might be their only hope for survival in the near future. Without their magic, the faeries are slowly dying, and they have been for years.
There's only forty-something faeries left in the sacred oak, and very little magic remains.
When Linden visits a faery friend (Knife from SPELL HUNTER), she comes into contact with a human boy. Timothy's having trouble fitting in at school and he's on suspension at the moment. He comes to his cousin's home for refuge to find his cousin and his wife whispering urgently, but not telling him anything. After a fight with them, he decides to run off to London.
Linden views his escape as her chance to find other faeries who might help her tribe regain their magic. She becomes a stowaway inside his backpack. Little does she know that by concealing herself, she will endanger his life. While in London, their path crosses with a dark, evil faery looking to sap Timothy's musical talent.
With no other choice, Linden reveals herself, allowing them both to escape. However, it's only a matter of time before they discover more about the evil faery realm and its ruthless queen.
Linden's story takes place fifteen years following the conclusion of SPELL HUNTER. It takes her from her tree to London and through the countryside of Wales. The faery situation in this addicting series becomes darker, the danger more pronounced, and the risks greater than ever in this beautifully written world created by R. J. Anderson.
Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Fantasy in the Making, June 25, 2010
This review is from: Wayfarer (Faery Rebels) (Hardcover)
The Story: This story takes place fifteen years after the end of Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter. Linden, who was an infant in the first book, is ready to take on an adult role in the Oakenwyld. But she faces a dying world. Her queen, the only faery in the Oak with magic, is dying, and along with her, the glimpse that keeps predators from knowing that a colony of faeries lives inside.
Linden receives a portion of the queen's magic and the assignment to find other faeries who can restore the magic to the dwindling and endangered group.
Meanwhile, a new human moves into the big house--Paul's young nephew Timothy, the son of missionaries who is experiencing a crisis of faith. In days, feeling confused, betrayed and alone, Timothy strikes out on his own.
Except unbeknown to him, Linden goes along. And so their adventures begin. Both their lives and the lives of ones they love are at risk unless they team up to find help.
Strengths: First, the plot was captivating. Complications naturally ratcheted the tension higher, and the stakes became greater. One problem naturally grew out of an effort to solve a previous problem, one choice naturally let to a greater predicament. And the story took off.
Danger, intrigue, surprise. These are the hallmarks of a great plot. But this story was more. It also had great characters--believable, troubled, courageous, ultimately sacrificial. They became admirable and I wanted so very much to see them succeed.
And still there was more. Wayfarer addresses some deep issues, perhaps the central most being the need to take a risk on behalf of others rather than to seek a selfishly safe haven for a few like-minded folk (or faeries).
Weakness: A few reviewers said they liked Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter a bit more than Wayfarer. I didn't feel that way. I loved them equally.
If I had to give a criticism, I'd say this one started a little slow. I was shocked to be in the point of view of a human boy in the first chapter (I blame this on the girlie-girl cover). I also thought he was an unreliable narrator because he found fault with the characters I loved in the first book. So it took me a little while to warm up to Timothy.
The turning point for me was when Linden did the first heroic deed. Because I wanted her to succeed, I also wanted Timothy to succeed, and I was hooked.
Recommendation: I consider this one a must read for fantasy lovers. I give the book my highest recommendation to anyone, young or old, male or female, who loves a good story.
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