The Best by Charles de Lint is an absolute gem that you simply must read!

Charles de Lint has a remarkable talent for creating vivid and enchanting worlds within his stories. In this particular work, he weaves a narrative that is both captivating and thought-provoking.

The characters are richly developed, each with their own unique personalities and struggles. You'll find yourself easily connecting with them and becoming invested in their fates.

The plot is filled with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. It explores themes such as love, loss, and the power of imagination in a truly engaging way.

Whether you're a fan of fantasy, literature, or simply a good story, The Best by Charles de Lint is a must-read. So don't hesitate, pick up a copy today and prepare to be transported to a world you won't soon forget!

I think I probably first read this in college.

It is part of Windling's Faerie Tale Series. This book actually contains two full-length novels. The first one is Jack the Giant Killer and the second one is Drink Down the Moon.

Both of them are excellent. However, I feel that Jack the Giant Killer was a much better and more dynamic book.

It had a captivating plot that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. The characters were well-developed and the world-building was truly remarkable.

I could vividly imagine the giant and the challenges that Jack had to face. The story was full of action, adventure, and magic, which made it a thrilling read.

On the other hand, while Drink Down the Moon was also a good book, it didn't quite have the same level of excitement and energy as Jack the Giant Killer.

Nonetheless, both novels are definitely worth reading and are great additions to the Faerie Tale Series.

I truly enjoyed it.

Particularly, the scenes set in the park, under the hedges, or within the garden were simply captivating.

What I recall vividly (even now, three months later), aside from the essential framework of the story, is how exquisitely the greenery was depicted.

I could almost sense, smell, and taste the outdoors as if I were right there.

This is undoubtedly due to the fact that I was confined indoors, first in the hospital and then in rehab, following a heart attack.

The description of the natural surroundings provided a much-needed escape and a connection to the outside world that I craved during my recovery.

It made me long for the days when I could freely漫步 in the park, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the beauty of nature once again.

The author's ability to bring the greenery to life through words was truly remarkable and added an extra layer of depth and enjoyment to the overall experience.

This book is a remarkable combination of two of de Lint's “Jack” novels – namely, Jack the Giant Killer and Drink Down the Moon.

The world that de Lint has created within these pages is an absolute delight. It presents a unique blend where the 1980s/90s Ottawa coexists with the realm of the fae, which is drawn more or less directly from European and Celtic folklore, yet with some entertaining modern twists.

However, my favorite aspect of this book was the remarkable realism of the main characters. When we speak of a Strong Female Character, Jacky and Kate truly embody what it should mean. They are indeed strong, brave, intelligent, and determined. But at the same time, they are also human, which means they can sometimes be frightened or confused, and they make mistakes. De Lint allows his female characters to be fully human, and as a result, they are not only extremely realistic but also incredibly easy to identify with.

The same meticulous attention to detail is also lavished upon each and every one of his side characters. I have no doubt that even the most minor of characters possess a backstory that could easily fill an entire novel on its own.

- Robin, IT dept

As soon as the library gets it in, it will be processed and added to the collection. The librarians will carefully catalog the item, noting its title, author, publication date, and other relevant details. This helps to ensure that it can be easily located by patrons when they are searching for materials.

Once cataloged, the item will be shelved in the appropriate section of the library. This could be based on its subject matter, genre, or other classification system. The library staff will also make sure that the item is in good condition and ready for use.

In addition to adding new items to the collection, the library may also remove items that are no longer relevant or in good condition. This helps to keep the collection up-to-date and useful for patrons. Overall, the process of adding new items to the library collection is an important part of ensuring that the library can provide a wide range of materials to meet the needs of its users.

Oo...kay.

I was attempting to add a review for _Muse and Reverie_. However, whenever I try to select that title, it persistently gives me an entry for Jack of Kinrowan.

So...this review is for _Muse and Reverie_. Overall, it is a good collection. Even though de Lint's typical story lines of simple inner-city musicians coming across the magical are becoming a bit tired. I truly wish he had demonstrated a bit more creativity in this volume. The only stories that really stand out are "Somewhere in My Mind There is a Painting Box" and the story near the end that involves Hellboy. Clearly, the latter must have been written for some sort of "guest anthology" for the comic character, but I found it a bit distracting within this volume.

CdL still has the ability to spin magic, which is why it gets 3 stars. But his story webs seem to wear thin with time and repeated use.

Mediocre at Best

I had such high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, I was greatly disappointed. I'll admit that I'm a huge fan of fantasy, yet I haven't delved too deeply into the urban fantasy genre. Normally, I would question why fairies, hobs, and other mythical creatures, which are usually associated with the earth and Mother Nature, would be living in a polluted, crowded city. And if they did dwell in a city, I would imagine them to be more fiendish and evil. However, I was willing to set aside my initial biases and see where Charles de Lint would take the novel. But he didn't take it very far. It seemed that he only included the urban elements to make the reader relate to the physical area (Ottawa, Canada) and the human world, as well as to be original. There didn't seem to be much difference between the human characters and the magical characters. The evil monsters were just giants who rode Harleys. The magical characters ate at restaurants and the Waffle House and spent human currency. Jacky and Kate were able to see the Faerie world, become invisible to fellow humans and members of the Faerie world, and run amazingly fast, just by having a hob sew some stitches into their coat and shoes. It seems to me that if you're going to have an urban fantasy setting, there should be some point, such as an environmental critique, or the idea that humans' ever-growing need to develop the natural world is forcing the mythical folk to live in cities. However, de Lint doesn't seem to be making any point.

The story is very formulaic, with flat, good versus evil characters and no one in between. When Jacky, the main character, realizes the magical world exists and how the Seelie court is being brutally attacked, she is able, with no magic of her own and no forethought and planning, to defeat the Unseelie court, when for years the great wizards, lords, Gruagaghs, could do nothing to stop them. De Lint tries to show that through bravery and a willingness to sacrifice yourself for the common good, you can defeat your foe. However, this coming-of-age story is very childlike, shallow, predictable, and lacks stimulation. If you're a youth and new to the fantasy genre, this might be a decent book, but otherwise, I would stay away. I gave this book two stars only because some of the ideas in the novel were interesting, even if they were not fully developed. Such as: 1. There are supernatural beings that live among us, but because we don't believe in them, we have lost the ability to see them. 2. That humans have a great tendency to believe in the bad supernatural creatures (ghosts, undead, witches, etc.) rather than the good (fairies, elves, etc.).

This was actually a reread. It's a book that I have read numerous times, but now I feel I have outgrown it.

The best part of the book is the foreword and preamble. They explain how Terii Windling's retelling of faerie stories began. I read "Jack the Giant Killer" under its original separate cover and had to look up the subplot of Kate Crackernuts. The seven swan story was a fading memory, but I hadn't heard of the Orney tale of Kate.

This Jack is female, and her best friend is Kate Hazel, also known as Crackernuts. I like the beginning where Jack has broken up with a boyfriend and cuts off her blonde hair, then goes pubbing with her stubble. It's so typical of 20-something angst, although I bet the drink usually comes before the hasty haircut. One of De Lint's attractions is his understanding of how women, female characters, work.

Jackie comes into her own in the book, and Kate, her loyal friend, also develops into something entirely different. It's a good adventure, and the giants do die. Jackie overcomes the allure of the power of the magic horn by doing something in service of liberty and justice instead. Enslaved people on both sides of the fence are freed, and Jackie ends up living in a Grugragh's Tower with Kate as a cotenant and co-arbitrator.

Returning to the frontispieces, here are some of the references I would like to recall: Madame D'Aubrey's "The White Cat", Mme. Leprince de Beaumont's "Beauty and the Beast", William Morris, Lord Dunsany, GK Chesterton, CS Lewis, TH White, John Bath's "Chimera", John Gardner's "Grendel", Joyce Carol Oates' "Bellefleur", Sylvia Townsend Werner's "Kingdomes of Elfdom", Miguel Angel Asturias, Evangeline Walton, Jane Yolen, Patricia McKillip, Angela Carter, KM Briggs, Alan Gardner. Some of these authors I have sampled, and some not.

See "Drink Down the Moon" for my impressions of that - I'm running out of room here to do it justice.

It's ironic because, across the board, I have a stronger affinity for CdeL's short stories compared to his novels. However, this particular book consists of two novellas, and I find myself wishing they were more extensive. This is especially true for the first novella, which I firmly believe could have effortlessly been expanded to book length on its own.

It's also rather amusing to read CdeL once again, after countless urban fantasy novels have emerged. Remembering the time when what he was doing seemed so extraordinary and innovative is quite a trip. He's truly one of the granddaddies of the urban fantasy genre, if not the granddaddy himself. There's an indescribable charm to his work, something that sets it apart. It's not merely about magic, vampires, and werewolves roaming the streets of New York, St. Louis, LA, or any other chosen urban setting. It's the sense that he delves deeper into the concept on a greater philosophical level. There's a perception that there's some greater good at stake, necessitating the presence of these Other Things in places beyond the traditional Fantasye Land, which is often disguised as rural England.

By purchasing his book, I'm not just adding to his $7.99 earnings. I'm taking a stand in support of that intangible something more. I'm making a conscious choice to perceive the magic in the world. And the gateway to all of this lies through street musicians, artists, and those who are far cooler than I could ever hope to be. Somehow, they manage to possess great apartments and extensive book collections, despite having no obvious source of income. So, if you believe in fairies, clap! As a teenager, this was all utterly irresistible. As an adult, I'm not so certain. Sometimes, the unwillingness to outgrow something doesn't alter the fact that one has indeed changed.

I had always believed that I had discovered all the enchanting and captivating magic worlds that I could wholeheartedly love and place my unwavering belief in. However, this particular book came along and completely shattered that perception, proving me wrong in the most delightful way.

From the very first page, it felt as if this book wasn't penned by a man at all. And let me clarify, I mean this as the highest form of compliment. The fact that the protagonists are women adds an entirely new and refreshing dimension to the story.

The author has done an outstanding job of creating a world that is both vivid and immersive, filled with complex and relatable female characters. It's a rare find in the literary world, and I'm truly grateful to have come across it.

This book has opened my eyes to new possibilities and has shown me that there are still countless magic worlds out there waiting to be explored and cherished.

Solid urban fantasy

is set in Ottawa and adheres closely to the traditional British Isles faerie creatures. There are Sidhe, the Slaugh, trolls, kelpies, giants, hobs, spriggans, the Wild Hunt, shapechangers, dwarves, pooka, hags, bogans, swan maidens (and swan-men), and goblins. The characters in these two books mention that the fae came to the New World with European settlers and discovered that the natives already had their own magical beings. However, these beings are never seen in these stories. Jack of Kinrowan is actually two books that were originally published separately. This urban fantasy world is rich and detailed, with a diverse cast of faerie creatures. The setting in Ottawa adds an interesting modern twist to the traditional faerie lore. The fact that the native magical beings are only mentioned but not seen creates an air of mystery and leaves room for potential exploration in future stories. Overall, Jack of Kinrowan offers an engaging and unique take on urban fantasy.

October 2011 was a remarkable month as it was a time for a re-read.

Re-reading is a wonderful activity that allows one to discover new details and gain a deeper understanding of a particular work.

During that month, I delved back into the pages of a favorite book, eager to explore its story once again.

The process of re-reading can be both familiar and refreshing. It's like reuniting with an old friend, yet still finding new surprises along the way.

As I turned the pages, I was reminded of the emotions and thoughts that the book had initially evoked in me.

However, this time around, I also noticed things that I had missed before.

It was as if the book had a new layer of meaning that was revealed to me upon re-reading.

October 2011 will always hold a special place in my memory as the month when I embarked on this rewarding re-reading journey.