The Wayfinder: A Heartland Tale (The Heartland Tales, Band 1)

Tamora Pierce meets Rick Riordian in this riveting fantasy that combines the intriguing abilities to Find what's missing with pulse-pounding suspense.
A great loss has frozen Win's heart.
He cares for nothing.
But a plague is spreading like wildfire across the Heartland.
Win must use his Wayfinding skills to descend into the great Rift, for beyond it lies the Well of Life. Only its waters will heal the plague.
No one has ever returned from a journey into the Rift.
But the Heartland depends on him. Can he put his loss behind him and fight for the Heartland?