Wayfinders

by Bryan Chick

From the author of the bestselling Secret Zoo series, Wayfinders is a delightful tale of a father and daughter who set out on a quest to save a group of fairy tale creatures. Between school and family drama, Chloe Summers has more than enough on her plate. But when a giant literally crashes into her house—not to mention the mermaid in the bathtub and the unicorn in the barn—Chloe and her dad find themselves on a wild adventure to save a group of fairy tale creatures and help return them to their home. To do so, they must find a way to reopen a secret portal to a magical world while preventing others from taking the magic for themselves. Chloe and her dad must be brave, work together, and face their biggest fears, or they risk losing their magical new friends forever. Wayfinders introduces a brand-new world of enchantment and adventure, perfect for fans of The Girl Who Drank the Moon , Crenshaw , and When You Trap a Tiger .

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Audiobook, Adventure, Childrens

Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 2024

About the author

The idea of The Secret Zoo came to me when I was just nine years old. I wondered what it would be like if zoo exhibits had secret passages that allowed kids to get in and animals to get out. Over twenty years, this idea matured in complexity and length until it had become an epic story, to be told in ten full-length novels. When I'm not exploring the worlds in my head, I spend time speaking to likeminded peers at elementary schools across the nation. If you would like me to come visit your school, please contact info@BryanChick.com for more information or go to www.TheSecretZoo.com. Come visit my Facebook page at for updates at www.facebook.com/TheSecretZoo
Thanks for checking out my books!

Reviews

[Esme · Rating 3 out of 5]

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. (she's very much entering her horse girl era)

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

[Rita · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5*

I was given an ARC by Blackstone Publishing through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Well. Unfortunately, I'm quite disappointed I won't lie. This really sounded like a fun middle grade book but it was very much not that. I felt mostly sad, anxious and/or uncomfortable while reading.

I get what Chick was going for with the adultified child but it just made me feel uncomfortable tbh. I don't think the execution was successful since the child aspect of the adultified child was essentially non-existent.

Because of the way the story was framed and how Chloe - the MC - tells it, it was also hard to care about anything but the beginning and ending of the story. All of the fairy-tale stuff felt like a distraction to Chloe's internal conflict and process of grief. Additionally, the fairy-tale characters barely had any depth or bonding scenes with Chloe so I really did not care about them.
I can't speak on the portrayal of her dad and specifically his mental illness so I will leave that to ppl who are more educated. I will say that their relationship was believable, though.

A thing that bothered me was the obsession with skin colour?? Most of the characters get introduced by what shade their skin is. Meanwhile the topic of race is never addressed. Idk. That kinda made me uncomfortable ngl. Also, the villainification of bikers and ppl with tattoos is so tired and overdone 🙄 We all know those are usually the chillest ppl around.

Anyway- overall, this is not a book I would recommend.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Ok, This is a fun read indeed, I couldn't put it down. And to read it with a buddy aloud makes it even better when the excitement comes through and we start reading faster and louder, already standing up because there's a lot of fun action.

The author creates a very fun dynamic with a father who is afraid of almost everything, his daughter who does not believe in magic (not for long) a dwarf, a mermaid a giant, and a unicorn. They all need the father and daughter's help to return to safety... I can almost see it in my head as a great animated movie.

The dialogue is fun, and the adventure is great. There are evil witches, fable creatures, wands, magic, faeries... and on a more serious note lessons to be learned on letting go, moving forward, and growing up.

Great new project from the author of the Secret Zoo series.

[Río · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book was what you would expect of a children's fantasy. A child (Chloe) from a family that has struggles (Dad with OCD) encounters magical creatures who the child must save (in this case by driving them to a portal back to their land) and, in doing so, the child learns their family is not so bad after all, oh and it has the bonus of helping the kid process past trauma

a rough summary, but it gets the idea across

Review
while the premise overall made sense I think the execution was fairly clunky. the main elements that stood out for me included:

too much description
this might be more of a me thing, but the author seemed more concerned with exact interactions and body language more than the overall progression of the plot. this resulted in a slower pace overall and fairly tedious conflict scenes at the end
additionally, the level of description in the conflict scenes seemed a bit more harsh than I would typically associate with jfic, and I felt the need to double check it wasn't yfic and I had just forgotten

extended tension on main characters background trauma
while it is hinted early on that Chloe suffered something traumatic around her former pet horse, the author took so long teasing it out that by the time the last detail was shared at the end of the book I was more relieved than sad, because at least now I wouldn't have to suffer through vague yet detailed hints any longer

mental health rep
It is challenging to respectfully portray someone with mental health issues, especially when they are at the severity (OCD, anxiety) as the dad experiences them.The narrator does not condemn the dad for his actions (e.g. unplugging electronics during storms), but Chloe is still irritated that he asks her to do frivolous (at least to her) things to ease his anxiety.

I do not recall any moment where Chloe is angry at her dad for having the disability, but she still gets upset at how it impacts her life (e.g. when everyone else is in the car and her dad runs inside, needing to switch lights on and off seven times in each room as he prepares for departure. Chloe sighs at it happening, but does not scold or try to stop him).

It is natural to be irritated by inconveniences - I cannot image the struggles of being raised by a parent with such significant OCD - but I feel like he was primarily portrayed as a nuisance or a silly child for a solid chunk at the start of them book. Even as we saw him push through his fears and anxieties to do what needed to be done, he was still primarily viewed through the irritated lense of his daughter. I am glad that the daughter eventually recognized some of that as well, but I still did not love how long the dad was referred to with a bitter lense.

horse details
This story felt like it was written by an adult who rode horses as a child but has not ridden for years reminiscing about the feeling of what they loved. A follow up to my note about being bogged down in details, the details around horse interactions were vivid and accurate, making me think the author would be happy to write a book just about riding horses (who knows? maybe they have and I just haven't seen it). This is not a bad thing, but it feels worth noting


Conclusion
I think this book was fine. I appreciated it including a neurodivergent character, but ultimately the story was just not that interesting to me. It got too bogged down in details which made it harder to maintain interest.

I think this book would be fine for any kid wanting to read a simple adventure story, or maybe it could be cathartic for people who have loved ones with significant OCD, overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone, but neither would I steer them away.

[Freya · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for my honest review.

What I loved about this book is the fantastic cover! And although Chloe, our 13 year old main character is not very likeable, she is a very well written character. I really felt her emotions and struggles and we really get to know her on a deeper level from the start. And I did really love how the fairytale world and the real world were combined. It felt surreal and real at the same time :).

But .. Chloe is supposed to be 13 but she feels more like a strange combination of a 16 year old teenager and an adult. The way she judges her parents (a lot) and rolls her eyes when talking to them… Teenager ;). But the way she thinks and how she knows and is involved in so many adult things.. Like knowing and understanding everything in detail about her father’s mental ilnesses (not that she ever showed any compassion) and how she is made a part of and is asked to help with solving fights between her parents. Adult? All that and her being so judgemental, disrespectful, frustrated and not the friendliest person, made this a frustrating and negative feeling read. I spent more time feeling sorry for Chloe and wondering what will become of her, because of how lonely and frustrated and angry she is and how inappropriately involved she is in adult issues and the adult responsibilities that are bestowed upon her, than actually enjoying this but it was not bad and I kept reading because the fairytale part was so cool and fascinating as soon as it started and I guess I hoped Chloe would at least change somewhat and hopefully her parents too.

What made me eventually DNF this book at 20% is the awful horsemanship. It was wrong, dangerous and cruel. Chloe is supposed to be an experienced horse owner and rider like I am but she shows us the opposite in this book. I just couldn’t take any more and had to stop reading.

Bad horsemanship and the other issues I had with this kinda depressing/negative read, made me rate this low but I am grateful for getting the opportunity to read this and I hope others do enjoy it but do not handle horses like they are handled here, for their own safety and the horses’ wellbeing.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publishers - Blackstone Publishing – for giving me access to this book as an E-ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Like with so many books I was drawn in by the nice cover of this book, and I liked the description of a father-daughter duo meeting all these fairy tale creatures, and it was a cute story. I think the intended audience will love this story and connect to the characters – something I feel like middle grade stories and characters tend to do.

[Pine Reads Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Chloe feels the wind in her face, the mane in her fingers, and the hope in her chest. She keeps her head up and her gaze facing forward. It feels like the world is watching.
I’m here, world. This is me.”

Chloe’s life takes a dramatic turn one stormy night when a crew of mythical creatures barge into her family home. These magical intruders draw Chloe and her incredibly anxious father into a magical quest to return to their homeland, the whimsical world of Brynmoor, and save Adrina, a mermaid who is suffering from being so far from water. The eccentric cast of characters finds themselves involved in a variety of antics and adventures on their return to Brynmoor, which can only be accessed by a hidden portal. Throughout this quest, Chloe and her father rescue not only these mythical beings but also themselves; they are forced to come to terms with the unresolved issues that have affected their lives and their relationship to one another.

From the very first page, Wayfinders drew me in, and I felt so immersed in the story that at times it was like I was watching a movie. The book effectively balanced heart-pounding action with heartwarming relationships, and I appreciated Chick’s portrayal of the healing process. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that this adventure is just as beneficial for Chloe and her father as is for the characters trying to return home. Their relationship is strained following a riding accident that led to the death of Chloe’s horse and the intensification of Chloe’s father’s anxiety. Chloe constantly expresses annoyance with her father and his anxious/obsessive-compulsive tendencies, but she is very attuned to his emotions and concerns. The understanding the two have of one another shows that no matter how much loved ones might get on one’s nerves, a profound care for them will always exist. The courage these two show in a myriad of ways is truly inspiring for readers of all ages. From the beauty of these character depictions stems one of my only critiques of the novel: in some cases, I wish certain characters and/or plot points had been explored in further detail. Elements of character backstory were sprinkled throughout the piece but often never elaborated on, leaving me wanting to know more about the world Chick built. Overall, I appreciated the full-circle resolution of the novel, which demonstrated that, while healing is not linear, it is possible with the help of a strong and caring support system.

I would recommend this book to all middle-grade readers. Wayfinders contains a vivid cast of characters that tell a compelling story of love, family, friendship, and courage.

Pine Reads Review would like to thank Blackstone Publishing for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!

[Court · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an easy read and full of surprises.

We have our main character who is  grieving and struggling with big events in her life, and conflict between her parents. We have a character struggling with mental illness, and how it impacts them and the people in their life.

Then we get the addition of magic and mystery and adventure, it was great.

We again touch on some deeper themes of judgment and prejudice throughout, and I think its done in a meaningful way, but without affecting the entire flow of the story

[Amy Low · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC of Wayfinders by Bryan Chick and Blackstone Publishing. The review of this book is my opinion.

This middle-grade story is full of fantasy, adventure, and how a young girl overcomes her grief over a much-beloved horse.

Chloe's world is upended when she discovers a mermaid in her bathtub brought in by a giant. Chloe and her anxious father know that the best way to save the mermaid is to do things that they have never dreamed of doing let alone thought of doing. Chloe braves the world beyond her home and leads her father on a quest to help her newfound friends. Chloe learns more about her grief of losing a special horse and opens her heart to a new one. Chloe's father learns to push through his anxiety and feelings of "can't" to help his daughter.

This story was cute, adventurous, and charming. All the characters were well-developed. Mental illness was represented in this story as well as grief. The fairy tale creatures were written to be believed. I gave this four stars. I only hoped that Chloe would gain more passion for her father about his anxiety. She seemed put out about it and having to "parent" him.

This is a great book for a younger middle-grade audience that enjoys fantasy, adventure and horses.

[Engel Dreizehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Copy...fans of the author's previous works will be happy to know, still is going to be a fun and magical read that's invades the "mundane" realm. In this case it is more on the road trip caper with some of the more mythical brand of magic.

[Steff Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bryan Chick’s Wayfinders is more than just a whimsical fantasy adventure—at its heart, it is a deeply meaningful story about healing, responsibility, and learning how to balance love and self-care when navigating growing up with a parent who has a significant mental illness. While the book includes plenty of classic fantasy elements—magical creatures, a daring journey, and high-stakes adventure—the true magic lies in the emotional arc of Chloe Summers and her father.

One of the most compelling aspects of Wayfinders is how it portrays the adultification of Chloe as a result of her father’s anxiety and severe OCD. This is a reality that many children face, yet it’s rarely represented in children’s literature. Chloe’s experience—feeling responsible for her father, adapting to his struggles, and carrying a weight that most kids her age don’t—feels deeply authentic. More importantly, the story never shames her for her frustration or the emotion that comes with it. Instead, it gives her the space to grow, process her own needs, and realize that while she loves her father, she does not have to bear his burdens alone. The way the book handles this subject is both compassionate and necessary, offering young readers who may see themselves in Chloe an opportunity to feel understood.

The fantasy elements of the story provide a vivid and engaging backdrop for this emotional journey. Chloe and her father’s mission to return magical creatures to their rightful world adds a layer of excitement, but even this adventure is intricately tied to Chloe’s personal growth. She must also confront another kind of grief—losing her beloved pet horse. While this might seem like a smaller part of the story, it’s an experience that many children can relate to and Chick handles it with care. Just as Chloe must find balance with her father, she must also learn how to carry her grief without letting it consume her.

Ultimately, Wayfinders is a moving, beautifully crafted novel that weaves magic and reality together in a way that feels effortless. It’s a book about adventure, yes, but more than that, it’s a book about healing—about learning when to hold on, when to let go, and how to find yourself in the process. It’s the kind of story that I sincerely hope finds its way into the hands of children who need it most.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chloe lives with her parents, Bob and Shaylah. The relationship is tense. Her Mom has to leave for her grandmother's house to help her after an injury. She does not usually leave her Dad in charge of anything. He is filled with stress, angst, and repeated behaviors that appear manic. Chloe is resigned to make this time her Mom is away work. She assures her father she is fine alone while he goes to work to restock a local store. Later when he calls to have her get something for a friend of his, her anxiety becomes apparent. She is struggling with entering the out building behind the house. Her memories of a horse she had are unsettling her. She notices the strangers looking around the woods near her home and remembers people talking about a unicorn. She brushes it off at first. Later she is certain someone has broken into her home and hides in the closet. The events that follow are a rush of adventure, mystery, drama, and a quest to save some fairy tale creatures from evil that has come to our world in a small town. The characters are very interesting and the connections between the human and fairy tale worlds are completely "natural" throughout the story.

I am certain that my students will be at the edges of their seats if this is read aloud to them. I am also certain that my copies of this book, that I will have on order before the March estimated release, will not be on the shelves for the rest of the year. Kudos to Bryan Chick on this long awaited story. It was worth the wait!

[The Keepers of the Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

After biracial Chloe’s mother goes to take care of an ailing parent, her father and her have trouble seeing eye to eye. Grieving the loss of her horse and her equestrian hobby, Chloe is struggling with her overprotective father, her OCD, and her anxiety. One night, a giant, mermaid and unicorn appear in her backyard. Driven out by devastation in their world, the mythical creatures need Chloe and her father’s help to find a new route home. Hitching up the old Winnebago and horse trailer, the band of misfits heads to find water. Along the way, they encounter a magical motorcycle gang, car trouble, curious mortals, and difficult logistics of transporting a mermaid. Can the group find a way to get the mythical creatures home?

Narrator, Jennifer Illidge’s intonations are distinct and unique. Most of her voices are great and fit the personalities of the characters. However, Chloe and her father’s voices don’t match. Chloe sounds older and her father’s voice sounds like a child’s voice. The narrative pacing is well done for the book. The plot is engaging, but drag in the middle. The characters are likable, relatable, and draw the reader into the story. World building is well done and draws the listener into the story. Listeners who like fantasy, adventure, and books about characters dealing with grief will want to pick this one up. Recommended for library collections where fantasy adventure books are popular.

Please Note: A copy of this audiobook was given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own. No other compensation was received.

[Tory · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Swan Creates · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 / 5

This book was an amazing read. I loved how everything was grounded and felt like I was right along the journey as the characters. I especially loved that even though the book had magic in it, the magic came with rules and felt realistic rather than an easy way out of things. I also enjoyed how nothing was over-explained and we felt all the confusion, fear and urgency right along with Cloe and her dad, trying to help these fairy tale creators get back home.

I especially love the portrayal of Cloe. She's thirteen years old and because she has to parent her parents, she was forced to grow up faster than she was meant to and take on responsibilities that no thirteen-year-old should have to do. I'm glad that during this journey she got to feel like a little girl again and her dad got a little more control over his anxiety.

The only weak spot in the book was the villains. With how well our main characters were portrayed, the villains of the story felt flat in the story. It was understandable why they were doing what they were doing, but it just felt like such a weak reason for how far they went. She's evil for being evil is so boring to me now, but all in all, the book was so much fun to read.

[Robin Pelletier · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a DNF at 10%. For me the book is not the problem. I think it’s the audiobook. This book should be right up my alley. I had it on while I was working and the fact that when my day ended, I couldn’t tell you anything that happened... is the problem. I know they’re on their way to find a unicorn. I think there’s a mermaid and a very interesting cast of characters. For me it’s not the book. In fact, I think if I had read this as a print book, I would probably love it so it’s going on that TBR, but for an audiobook, it didn’t do it for me.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced, fantastical adventure!
The journey that Chloe and her dad are one is not just to save the fantasy creatures they have befriended but to find themselves as well. Chloe has to finally face the debilitating grief & guilt that she has lived with since the death of her horse and her dad must face his debilitating fear of the unknown. Both must push themselves - and each other - past their limits and into a brave new world.

[Bozhena Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things I liked about the book:
-The magical characters
-The horse girl love
-High action

Things I didn't like:
-The anxiety gave me anxiety
-I kept on yelling at the characters to get themselves together
-The biker group headed by a witch

It was a fun read, but not sure if I'll continue the series.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun and well written adventure

Very well written action packed adventure . Chloe is a wonderful Amin character and the magical creatures all play such a fun role in the story. A definitely good read.

[Lj · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read. Well written.

[Yuiko · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gave up on it after about 150 pages kinda boring

[Hannah Melcher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good news, I can comprehend children's fantasy books. Bad news, I still don't like fantasy.