Faery Rebels

August 1, 2009
Gr 5-7-The faery world is crumbling. During a disaster called the Sundering, these small, fragile, winged creatures lost all of their magic save that which allows them to fly, and they live inside a great oak tree, fearful of people and animals. True friendship and love are foreign to them. Worse, they are falling victim to a kind of dementia they call the Silence, and are dying. Into this picture comes Knife: tough, brave, adventurous, and soon taking on the job of Queen's Hunter. While defending herself against an attacking crow, she is rescued and taken home by a human. Knife becomes convinced that the mystery of their lost magic and the dementia are connected to the faeries' fear of humans and becomes committed to saving her community. The heart of the book lies in the relationship that develops between Knife and the human Paul, who is a paraplegic. Anderson draws on echoes from countless fairy tales and legends about the relationships between human men and faerie women to enrich this gripping and involving story. While the main characters are vividly drawn, some of the secondary characters and background story are sketched more hastily. Though the book looks like it's for a younger audience, middle-school readers who are willing to stay with the story through its first third will find ample rewards as the relationship between Knife and Paul evolves."Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2009
Grades 7-10 In the fairy kingdom of Oakenwyld, all magic, creativity, and compassion have been swept away by the Sundering, leaving only a dying realm of secretive, suspicious, tiny women. Their young hunter, Knife, has begun to explore the nearby House, gradually cultivating a forbidden relationship with Paul, a young human crippled in a hit-and-run accident and now confined to a wheelchair. Knifes crossing into the human world threatens to both destroy and save the Oakenfolk. First-time novelist Anderson has created a vivid, dysfunctional world that is destined to die out because its fairies are afraid to trust and connect with others. Filled with delicate, fantastical creatures; evil and dangerous crows; and a human who believes in love, this is a highly readable, sophisticated tale of romance and self-sacrifice, and readers will hope for more from this talented new author.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)