Spell Hunter (US/Canadian)

by R.J. Anderson
New York: Harpercollins, c2009.
329 p.

Filled with fantasy, adventure, and a hint of romance, Spell Hunter is the perfect read for middle-grade girls looking for a “Twilight” of their own.

As the Queen’s Hunter, Knife spends her days, and many of her nights, away from her dying community in the large oak tree at the end of the garden. With freedom and her skills as a hunter it isn’t long before she enters the human house to find a weapon better than her simple bone knife. Once armed with a steel blade (a pen nib), Knife can finally defend herself and her sisters from the old crow that hunts them. But during a brutal confrontation, Knife’s wing is damaged. Her only hope for escape is to fly right in the path of the young human she’s heard called Paul.

These aren’t your “Rainbow Magic” fairies! Knife, Thorn, Mallow and the others are clever, quick, and at times quite ruthless. Anderson does a wonderful job of creating a very real society that lacks the basic humanity we take for granted. Within the Oak, words like “thank you” carry meanings that both Paul and the reader can not begin to understand. The completely female community and lack of magic also add to this strange world of Oakenwyld.

Of course you are probably wondering how all of this leads us to a “Twilight” read? Starting from their first childhood glimpse of one-another, Knife and Paul are the perfect couple for middle-grade readers. Their romance develops slowly and realistically, from strangers to friends, ending in just the hint of what more there is to come. Knife has no real understanding of romance, or even emotions, leaving the reader to interpret her behavior and learn about love along side her.

Overall R.J. Anderson creates a world for her faeries that is quite unlike many we have seen before. Anderson’s faeries are realistic, not cute or evil, nor overly dark or rainbow colored. If only US and Canadian audiences had been given the UK title and artwork. Then maybe this fantastic read would attract readers ready for the mature and “un-pink” world of Oakenwyld.

I am a Children’s and Youth Librarian living and working just north of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. I’ve been a Volunteer Reviewer for School Library Journal for 4 years and a member of the White Pine Steering & Selection Committees for the past year. I love great fantasy, and can be sharply critical of bad fantasy.

Thank you very much for stopping by and reading with me by Fairy Light.