Adam Hoult's otherwise mundane existence takes a turn for the Kafka-esque one day, when he finds himself accused of a crime he did not commit. His dreams begin to blur inextricably with reality and then he receives a mysterious telephone call from an aunt he had supposed dead. From the moment Adam meets his aunt, the fantastically named Gwendolyn Wood, he finds himself swept away on a journey filled with magic, folklore and men who irritate and intrigue him all at once.The Wayward, written and beautifully illustrated by James, is fast-paced and utterly absorbing. James blends magic and modernity seamlessly, his vivid descriptions and realistic portrayal of Adam's teenage insecurity make the fantasy world he has created feel tangible.Adam is unsure and angst-ridden. He is defensive and wary of the strange new people in his life. He is also open-minded, optimistic and achingly human. His foray into the world of magic serves as a charming metaphor for that awkward space between leaving adolescence and entering the adult world. Freed from the constraints of the conventional world at a hotel populated entirely by androgynous and unorthodox individuals, Adam feels able to explore his desires and broaden his outlook without fear of moral judgement.James keeps us hanging on till the very end for a conclusion that is both explosive and hugely satisfying.