This is one of my favorite Charles de Lint books.

Yes, you will find the familiar formula of a young woman who, at first, feels uncertain about herself and her life. She then embarks on a journey of sorts, making friends and enemies along the way. In the final showdown, she defeats a force of darkness.

But there's a reason this formula is seen in a lot of literature. It's a basic metaphor for what we all experience at various stages in our lives. Although our real-life experiences don't usually involve elves, boggarts, magicians, and wars between faerie courts, dealing with malicious office gossip, illness, betrayals of friends, difficult bosses, identity theft, domestic abuse, lawsuits, divorce, and car accidents can be just as frightening.

These stories are also appealing because through the characters' struggles, mistakes, and self-doubts, they ultimately do the right thing and discover more strength and wisdom within themselves than they knew they had. In the midst of our own perilous and uncertain trials, it can be very reassuring to connect with a character like Jackie, de Lint's heroine.

De Lint is a master at telling these kinds of stories. He seamlessly blends folklore into a modern setting filled with adventure, wit, magic, bravery, heart, and just enough grittiness, darkness, and danger. His main characters are flawed but likable and don't quite fit into the mainstream. Reading his stories, including this one, is both satisfying and entertaining. And don't worry, it won't be too sweet to the point of being sickly.

Oh, and his skill with language is very impressive. So what are you waiting for? Slip on your red cap and step right in.

I truly relished the integration of fairy tale elements into a contemporary setting. However, I had a sense that I missed out on some aspects of the modern setting as I had never visited those cities. The location of the Lord's Court, for instance, held no particular significance for me.

Another aspect that I appreciate about these books is the portrayal of realistic yet strong female characters, along with the wonderful friendships. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot of the first book and thought it was executed extremely well. The second book, in contrast, seemed to wander aimlessly and failed to deliver on what the blurb on the back had promised. I felt that it required a bit more development and substance. Nevertheless, all of your favorite characters are present, and new ones are embarking on their own journeys, so in the long term, it remains an enjoyable read.

I absolutely LOVE this story!

It is truly a masterpiece. deLint is an incredibly talented master storyteller. He has this amazing ability to take old mythologies and breathe new life into them by weaving in fresh and engaging stories. It's like he has a magical touch that makes the ancient tales come alive in a whole new way. The way he combines the familiar with the new creates a captivating and unique reading experience. One can't help but be drawn into the world he creates, filled with rich characters and exciting adventures. Each page is a delight, and you find yourself completely immersed in the story, eager to see what happens next. It's a testament to his skill as a writer that he can make these old mythologies feel so relevant and exciting in today's world. This story is definitely one that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

Charles De Lint is a well-known name in the urban fantasy genre, highly regarded by many. Having read works by his contemporaries like Emma Bull, Tim Power, and James Blaylock, he seemed like an author worth exploring, especially with his fervent fan base.

This omnibus combines two novels centered around Jacky Kinrowan. A young woman dealing with a breakup, she cuts her hair and accidentally stumbles into the world of faerie. There, she must navigate the Seelie and Unseelie Courts and their never-ending war, despite having no magical abilities. However, she has the accidental luck of Inspector Gadget on her side.
These early novels by De Lint show a writer still finding his style. The stories have moments that remind one of better scenes in other fantasy works. In De Lint's world, the faerie realm exists parallel to ours, and once seen, it draws the protagonist into a world of magic, wonder, and danger. But many of the problems in the stories feel weightless and lack depth.
In "Jack, the Giant Killer," Jacky witnesses the Wild Hunt, which reminds the reader of a similar but more effective scene in Matt Wagner's "Mage." She quickly gets involved in a rescue mission, enlisting the help of new friends and relying on her best friend, Kate. De Lint has done his research, and setting the action in Ottawa is a nice touch. But at times, the story feels like a collection of "plot coupons," where Jacky must collect magical objects or talk to certain people to progress.
The characters, while nice, are somewhat innocuous. The romance between Jacky and another faerie lacks chemistry. The scenery and the parade of mystical beings are impressive, but De Lint struggles to make the story feel truly magical. Compared to the works of John Crowley or Neil Gaiman, his writing often feels平淡.
In "Drink Down the Moon," Jacky and Kate have new jobs, but the story focuses more on new characters. De Lint spends too much time on them and not enough on Jacky's first real crisis and its consequences. The supporting characters are often colorless, and the villain lacks mystery and menace. The climax comes too easily and quickly, ending on a lightweight note.
Overall, these novels are missed opportunities. De Lint seems to be coasting on our memories of other, better works. If you've exhausted your fantasy library and must read something about faeries, this is a harmless but forgettable option. There are far more worthwhile works out there, perhaps even by De Lint himself. This is merely a shadow of what could have been.