In her sophomore effort, B.C. actor-turned-author Joëlle Anthony steers clear of the futuristic complexities of her debut, 2010’s dystopian fantasy Restoring Harmony. With The Right and the Real, Anthony roots her tale firmly in the present, telling the satisfying story of a young girl’s search for love and identity amid a cult-like church community.

Jamie stumbles into the fundamentalist ministry thanks to a crush on schoolmate Josh, the son of a devotee. Torn between her head and her heart, Jamie turns to her father for advice, only to see him join the sect himself. When he marries one of the flock, Jamie is furious, and her reaction gets her kicked out of the congregation and her home. Only a crisis with her father brings about a reconciliation of sorts.

The book offers a lot to like; a smooth narrative arc, solid characterization, and swift dialogue make for a sure and speedy read. Mood, tone, and setting are also handled very well. And, despite weighing in at almost 300 pages, there is little filler. In fact, Anthony’s greatest strength as a storyteller might be in the things she doesn’t say, often inviting the reader to fill in the blanks.

Anthony also succeeds in avoiding many of the usual pitfalls and stereotypes prevalent in YA fiction. Happily missing are the typical teen angst, abusive/alcoholic/absent parents, annoying siblings, and pretentious peers. Instead we are given an intelligent, articulate teenaged protagonist who, even in the midst of uncertainty, is age-appropriate and real.