The Riddle of the Wren

This book was disappointing. I read de Lint's urban fantasy The Blue Girl earlier this year and thought it was wonderful, so when I was at the library, I picked up another of his books. This one is high fantasy, though, not urban, and it is...just...blah. Everything is Standard Fantasy; Standard

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Fantasy main character, Standard Fantasy plot devices, Standard Fantasy help along the way. It's just boring.

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Not much of a riddle.Fantasy. Plot was too, too traditional high fantasy straightforward, and not enough characterization. Some of the settings were interesting, though; particularly that odd post-industrial depopulated world.

A very early example of de Lint's work. I'd recommend his later novels instead (his Newford urban fantasy/magical realism books are wonderful). This reads well enough as straight high-fantasy and, with that young heroine coming into her strength, had a very YA feel. It wasn't to my taste but a

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well-written tale nonetheless. I'd recommend it to rather young readers and particularly rabid fans of de Lint.

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Charles de Lint’s first novel (not his first published, but his first written) before he moved on to his Newford books. Minda Sealy has always had bad dreams in which she is terrified. One night while asleep she meets Jan (Lord of the Moors) who has been imprisoned by Ildran the Dream Master. He

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is trying to capture Minda and imprison her too in his rise for power. Jan gives Minda three tokens and the next morning she finds a way to flee her father and begin a journey to find and rescue Jan.

On her travels she uses standing stones to travel between different worlds. She makes many friends, some are human and others are various different fae creatures and animals who can speak. Together they must battle Ildran and the evil creatures he sends after Minda in their many forms.

De Lint incorporates much Celtic lore and mythology in this many-worlds novel which I really enjoyed. It is a story of discovery and coming of age as well. I have only read some of his Newford books and short stories prior to this and it is very different, but still has his lyrical storytelling and excellent characterisation. Recommended to all fantasy and Charles de Lint fans.

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A sentimental favorite since it was my first de Lint. However, trying to judge it somewhat objectively, I'd say it shows that it was one of his earliest works. It's a fun read for the target YA audience but he has gotten better as an author as his career progressed.

A good early book of Charles de Lint's, and one that is in contrast to his later works, including the ones like "Moonheart" set in modern-day Toronto and early Britain and his more established Newford works.

It pulls from much Celtic mythology, with the Erlkin standing in for Elves, tall menhir,

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gates to travel between the worlds, and a version of the Tuatha de Danaan who are the undiminished Good Folk. Young Minda is living with a man she knows is her father who is an innkeeper and a mean, abusive dolt. Fortunately she has friends and support, and when her dreams are keeping her from going to sleep she learns that it is time for her to move on. Her adventure takes her to a menhir where Jan, trapped inside, gives her a protective talisman and a new name, "Talenyn" meaning "Little Wren."

Her flight from Ildran, the Dream Master who has been sending these nightmares, takes her to other worlds and a slew of new people, including a scholar, Huorn the Hunter, a talking badger, and a mischievous tinker. She learns to believe in herself and her own strength by the very end, and the worlds are better for it.

It is obviously an early work of de Lint's, with a slew of almost-Celtic terms abounding (almost too many) and a female protagonist whom he treats with respect and dignity, and creates a place where her story can grow. The idea of taw comes in here, as does an elder race and the idea of a world that is not-quite-ours. Our world is richer for this book.

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