Andrea Spalding’s prologue to the first book of her fantasy quartet set in the White Horse Hills of Oxfordshire crackles: “In the Place Beyond Morning, terrible trouble arose.” We’re listening in as the great white horse Equus (one of four ancient creatures called Wise Ones) bemoans the threat of dark forces gathering. For all his power, Equus is hobbled. His people have forgotten him and no longer believe in the old magic. He needs a seven-year-old child who believes in magic and the force of believing children.

Enter Canadian Chantel Maxwell and her brother Adam, who have been dispatched to England to spend a month with their cousins while their parents sort out their marital woes. The children help the noble Equus find his mate and regain his magic talisman.

Though the “Englishness” of the cousins could have been ratcheted up to further differentiate the individual personalities of the children, Chantel is a likable heroine and her brother is credibly resentful as the potential weak link in the quest. Spalding’s delight with her subject matter is infectious. She fast-cuts in and out of ancient histories and King Alfred’s time to move the plot at a galloping clip. Not only does she do away with the ponderous exposition that can afflict this genre, she also holds tightly to the reins of her story.

Rather than ride the standard good-versus-evil storyline, Spalding refreshingly emphasizes the necessity of a balance between dark and light. It will be interesting to see how she pursues this theme throughout the rest of the series. Echoing well-loved touchstones, myths, and tales, Spalding creates a fine gateway into fantasy literature for readers younger than the publisher’s suggested age of 12 and up. This book works really well as entry-level fantasy for 10- to 12-year-olds.