“A Child Called Faye” by Jess Senff

A Child Called Faye

Jess Senff       
Wattle Tree Press (2025)
ISBN: 978-1764038805
Reviewed by Jennifer Bishop for Reader Views (01/2025)

How would you handle growing up being bullied about parents you had never met? Would it grow you and make you stronger? Or would you allow it to break you? Faye, in A Child Called Faye by Jess Senff, decides to embrace who she is, even when others judge, and becomes stronger for it. In this novel, she is born in a healer’s home, and her mother dies after her birth. Instead of shipping her off to an orphanage, the healer decides to care for her and raise her. As she grows older, she is accepted to the Austin Academy, and there she must truly learn who she is and where she wants to go in life.

This book was so good! I really enjoyed the parts that were mysterious and also the beautiful found-family aspect to it. I loved that while she was bullied at home, she was able to find good friends when adventuring into the unknown of school. The characters in this story are all so unique, and all have signs of growth, which is something not always done in stories. 

I also loved reading about the world. It’s a magical world where most people have some sort of Fey heritage, although none are 100% anything. And those who can use magic, the color of it depends on their lineage, which was also really cool to me. The only people that haven’t been seen for years, and are believed to be extinct, are the Elves.

My favorite thing about the entire book, though, is that Faye is unapologetically herself throughout the story. She does not aspire to be anyone else. While I know the majority of 12-year-olds struggle with their identity and who they are, there are those of us who do not care what the world expects. I think it is so important for us to also be represented in books. Senff was able to do this so well, and I really felt connected to Faye in that way.

The story itself flowed very well. The balance of action and more peaceful learning moments was done well, and the growth of friendships felt realistic. I found myself really enjoying the story and wishing there was even more by the end. This book definitely has the potential to become a longstanding series if Senff so desires! And I will be along for the entire journey!

A Child Called Faye by Jess Senff is a well-rounded teen/YA fantasy adventure that will leave you excited for the next addition to the Pendalin Chronicles series! There were no cursing or romantic aspects inappropriate for a teen/YA level novel. The book hits on found family, staying true to yourself, bullying, and a few other things. I will definitely be sharing this with my children once they are in the age range, as I really loved everything about this book! It can be enjoyed from age 10 and up! Absolutely wonderful book!