CSFF Blog Tour - Day 3 - The Final Day

Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter
Friends Come in All Sizes and Places, Both Faery and Human.


(click image for Amazon link or click link below)

*Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/006155474X
Author Web site - http://www.rj-anderson.com/
Author blog - http://rj-anderson.livejournal.com/
Twitter - http://twitter.com/rj_anderson

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy
of this book from the nice people at HarperCollins Publishing.

As Knife/Byrony's story progresses, she seems to feel everyone is against her. Catching sight of a human, leads Byrony to the kitchen where Mallow assigns Byrony the hardest, dirtiest jobs. She felt limited because Wink, her foster mother, watches and restrains her too much. When assigned to Thorn, the Oakenfolk Hunter, Byrony feels Thorn doesn't have any faith in her and is too critical in every attempt. Later, when Byrony wakes to find herself in a strange place she feels trapped by the human, Paul.

Yet, as the story ages and grows, Knife matures herself. From Paul she learns to put others first, and not only do the things that benefit only you. This is at odds with what she has heard and learnt her whole life within the tree. Knife finds that as she opens herself to others, and cares for others, she grows a little herself. With each new expression of compassion and caring, knife strengthens the bonds between herself and others. Increasing her value in the sight of her friends.

It's a good thing too, as each struggling step forward in her quest for truth requires help from these friends she'd earlier thought disliked or ignored her. Thorn's orders and harsh training enabled Knife to survive the outside world and even triumph over larger foes, for Thorn saw Knife's greater potential beyond her early missteps. Wink deeply cared for Byrony, and wanted to protect Byrony from any potential harm, not suffocate her with rules and restrictions. Mallow? Well, she never became a friend as such, but Knife gained her grudging acceptance if not her respect. Paul at one point encloses Knife in a box, but not to trap her; rather to protect her from unknown dangers.

The Gardener put each of these, and others, into Knife's life so that she might accomplish her life's mission. Even Mallow served as purpose in Knife's development. Through Mallow, Knife learned first hand about hard work, and learning not to grumble. You don't give up even when things seem impossibly hard, for there may be a new direction in your life greater than you could ever imagine.

I think that's one of the lessons learned from Faery Rebel. The Gardener has a purpose for everyone. It might not be easy, or even seem fair, but looking back later you may realize that without learning what you did, you would never have arrived at your destination at this point of your life.

If the Faery Rebel blog tour postings piqued your interest that's good. It's not every day you have the opportunity to finish a book that leaves you feeling good about life and maybe a little hopeful. The world of the Oakenfolk is a fun place to visit, and I'm looking forward to R. J. Anderson's return to Faery world.


*Participants’ Links:

Sally Apokedak
Brandon Barr
Amy Browning
Melissa Carswell
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Timothy Hicks
Jason Isbell
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
New Authors Fellowship
Nissa
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
Andrea Schultz
James Somers
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
KM Wilsher