BOOK REVIEW - WAYFINDERS By Bryan Chick

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Grab your backpacks and buckle up, fellow adventurers, because "Wayfinders" is one wild ride through a land of unicorns, mermaids, and maybe even a gnome or two! As someone who's always up for a good fantasy romp, I must say, Bryan Chick's book had me grinning like a Cheshire cat from start to finish.

Now, let's be real here: this book is like a magical rollercoaster designed specifically for the younger middle-grade crowd. It's got all the right ingredients for a spellbinding read, complete with courageous heroes, dastardly villains, and more twists and turns than a dragon's tail.

Chloe, our fearless main character, isn't your typical knight in shining armour. Nope, she's more of a pony club, adventure-seeking dynamo who's about to have her world turned upside down by a gang of fairy-tale creatures crashing into her barn. And let me tell you, watching her and her dad navigate this crazy adventure is like witnessing a magical train wreck – in the best possible way, of course!

Sure, it doesn't offer the deep philosophical ponderings of some other middle-grade books, but who needs existential crises when you've got a unicorn on the loose and a giant with a heart of gold?

So, if you're ready to unleash your inner adventurer and embark on a quest that's equal parts hilarious and heartwarming, then saddle up and dive into Wayfinders.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing and Bryan Chick for a copy of the audiobook for review.

This was a very fun fantasy for young readers. My favorite things were: the bravery of Chloe, the main character; and the strong relationship between Chloe and her dad. Chloe put herself in danger to do what was right, and her dad was so supportive. The narrator was excellent, and I really felt tense worrying how it would turn out. I think middle school kids will love this adventure. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this audiobook

I liked the idea of this one... but the execution left me wanting a little bit more.

Chloe has suffered the loss of her beloved horse, Cody. She's slowly coming to terms with her loss when her world is turned upside down with the appearance of a unicorn, a dwarf, a giant, a mermaid and 3 fairies. A storm hits, so maybe it's just a trick of the light. But when Chloe's dad comes home and see the same fairy tale creatures crashing his house, Chloe knows some strong magic is afoot. After hearing their desperate need to get back to a portal to get back home, Chloe agrees to help them get to where they need to be. Chloe's dad takes a little coaxing to drive the Winnebago to get them where they need to go; he reluctantly starts to drive. The quest hits a few major road bumps: turns out the unicorn has a witch after him which makes their travels quite perilous.

There are a few flaws in the logic of this quest and the progression at parts makes it hard to get into the story.

Overall, if you suspend disbelief, this is a fun, magical adventure.

Really enjoyed this audiobook over the weekend, I found the narrator really helped bring me into the story

Wayfinders is a heartfelt middle grade fantasy romp. Chloe is a former horse girl struggling with the loss of her beloved horse, while her dad struggles with increased anxiety and OCD. Left alone together while Chloe’s mom goes on a trip, the father/daughter duo is in for a big adventure that will push both of them to face their fears and grief in unexpected ways. A unicorn, a mermaid, a giant, a dwarf, and a collection of fairies end up hiding out in Chloe’s barn after a forest fire destroys the portal to their world. It’s up to Chloe and her dad to get them to safety before the biker gang that wants to capture the unicorn can catch up to them.

All of these characters are well developed and interesting, which is always a plus for an adventuring team. Their dynamic makes the story heartfelt, while the plot moves at a good clip throughout. Chloe tackles grief over what seems like a past life and frustration at her father for his mental health issues in a believable way for a middle school kid. I appreciate how her relationship with her dad is complicated, but overall loving. It shows how a parent’s mental illness affects their children and how they can work together to manage their symptoms. And all of this happens with a fun backdrop of a road trip filled with fantasy shenanigans that will keep readers turning pages.

"Wayfinders" by Bryan Chick, narrated by Jeanette Illidge, is a delightful middle-grade fantasy adventure that's perfect for listeners of all ages. With a charming cast of characters and a magical story line, this audiobook had me captivated from beginning to end.

Despite wishing for a slight age adjustment for the protagonist, Chloe, to better match her actions, the heartwarming relationship between her and her dad added depth to the story. Jeanette Illidge's narration brought the tale to life beautifully, making it an even more enjoyable experience.

Overall, "Wayfinders" is a fast-paced and fun fantasy journey filled with magic and mystery. It's a story that will appeal to young readers and anyone young at heart.

This was an adorable story that tackled so very much! Wayfinders is a delightful tale of a father and daughter who set out on a quest to save a group of fairy-tale creatures. One of the many things that this book does well is creating characters that you both love and you get to see develop through this story. There was something special about this tale that bright me back each time for more.

This was an entertaining middle grade story, full of magic and adventure and more than a little family drama and dysfunction. I was, at times, a bit put off by Chloe's impatience and anger with her father. I suspect this comes largely from my position as an adult in the world and not really the target audience here. While I can appreciate that it is no doubt very difficult to live with a parent with OCD/less than optimal mental health, I'm far enough away from the impotence of childhood that her anger struck me as aggressive and selfish at times, rather than based in fear and uncertainty - but I suspect my almost-11 year old would see it very differently, given her respective place in the world. I tried to bear that in mind while listening, but must confess that I occasionally found Chloe's attitude irritating in a way that affected my ability to fully engage with the story. I did enjoy the wide variety of magical and mythical creatures presented in the story, and the adventure was a fun one to embark upon, full of clever world building and likely to appeal to its target audience.

3.75 ⭐

A very sweet and whimsical read! I loved our group of characters a lot. I do wish Chloe would have been aged up just a bit to maybe 15, so it would have still been under the middle grade umbrella but would have matched her actions better. I really liked Chloe's relationship with her dad. I always love books that bring magic to a mundane life. A great mildly chaotic, very magical road trip to help save a bunch of fairytale creatures and send them back home.

I really liked the audiobook! the narrator did a great job with the book!

Overall I do think I'll be getting a copy of this for my little cousin since I think she will absolutely love this.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you Blackstone publishing and NetGalley for the electronic audio review copy of this great book. This fast paced, fun fantasy adventure is full of magic, mystery, well-developed characters, and horses. There are great lessons to be learned along the way. I recommend this story to middle grade readers of all ages.