R.J. Anderson of Stratford, Ontario, won praise for her 2009 novel, Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter, which introduced readers to the faery world of the Oak. In Wayfarer, the next book in the series, trouble looms from the opening scene. With their magic stolen and their ability to protect their dying queen slipping away, the Oakenfolk take drastic action: they send the youngest and most inexperienced faery, Linden, out into the world to find help.

Anderson’s tale effectively taps into the classic fantasy conceit of overlapping worlds. As a magic-challenged faery away from home, 15-year-old Linden must use all of her resources and skills to survive. She enlists the unwilling aid of a human boy, Timothy, who has his own challenges to face. Recently expelled from boarding school for punching another boy, Timothy runs away from home, only to discover Linden hitchhiking in his backpack. Faery and boy must work together to evade their enemies and reach the distant clan that can help the Oakenfolk restore their magic.

It’s easy to keep the large cast of characters straight thanks to Anderson’s gifts for dialogue and description, and she deftly keeps readers guessing about which characters can be trusted. Nothing is certain on this quest. Will Linden’s depleted reserves of magic provide enough protection? Will Timothy stay to help, or will he abandon Linden and focus on his own muddled problems?

Wayfarer is a compelling story with spunky, appealing protagonists. Luckily for fantasy fans, Anderson has promised two more books in the series.