Books with author Charles de Lint

When Sara and Jamie discovered the seemingly ordinary artifacts, they sensed the pull of a dim and distant place. A world of mists and forests, of ancient magics, mythical beings, ageless bards...and restless evil.Now, with their friends and enemies alike--Blue, the biker; Keiran, the folk musician; the Inspector from the RCMP; and the mysterious Tom Hengyr--Sara and Jamie are drawn into this enchanted land through the portals of Tamson House, that sprawling downtown edifice that straddles two worlds.Sweeping from ancient Wales to the streets of Ottawa today, Moonheart will entrance you with its tale of this world and the other one at the very edge of sight...and the unforgettable people caught up in the affairs of both. A tale of music, and motorcycles, and fey folk beyond the shadows of the moon. A tale of true magic; the tale of Moonheart.

Moonheart is the award-winning novel that propelled Charles de Lint to his status as a master of urban fantasy. Unique to this Triskell Press edition is a new afterword by de Lint reminiscing on the impact of his seminal work. We are grateful to Charles Vess for the use of his cover and interior illustrations.When Sara Kendell opens a box of oddments in the storeroom of the Merry Dancers Old Book and Antique Emporium, she has no idea that she'll stumble across anything unusual. But those seemingly ordinary artifacts—a painting, a ring and a flat bone disc—will turn Sara's world upside down and lead her to places she never dreamed could exist: a world of mists and forests, ancient magics, mythical beings, ageless bards...and restless evil. In a tale sweeping from ancient Wales to the streets of modern Ottawa, de Lint's unforgettable characters—Sara Kendell; her beloved uncle Jamie; Blue the biker; Kieran the folk musician; RCMP Inspector Tucker; Pukwudji the trickster; the inscrutable Tom Hengwr; and the magic of Tamson House itself—will stay with you forever. Readers placed Moonheart (1984) on Modern Library's 100 Best Novels of the 20th Century list. It also won the William Crawford Award from the International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts.

Nina and her cousin Ash don’t get along, but now have to share a room. Plagued by nightly dreams about becoming an animal, Nina fears that Ash, who dabbles in the occult, is responsible. More terrifying still, the nightmares start to invade Nina’s waking hours. But an ancient evil has marked one of them, and if either is going to survive they’ll have to stand united against the greater threat.One of the most original fantasy writers currently working.—BooklistThis is a wonderful story, and highly recommended for young adults as well as adults.—Australian SF OnlineCharles de Lint has crafted a complex and engaging novel. De Lint, recognized as a poet as well as a novelist, almost always limns images rich in sensory detail. It is indeed remarkable how much relevant and fascinating detail de Lint has packed into a mere 138 pages… The writing is balanced and beautiful; the story is intricate and satisfying.—SFRA Newsletter, October 1991: This is another excellent urban fantasy from de Lint. The Dreaming Place is beautifully written, with appealing and believable characters inhabiting a slightly skewed universe that's on the edge of reality.—Locus Magazine, December 1990De Lint likes to explore the myths and legends of different ethnic groups, but he blends them so skillfully with 20th century life that the border between fantasy and reality blurs. He has a fine ear for dialogue and an eye for the details that give a story body.—The Ottawa Citizen, January 1991 I think it's safe to say that Charles de Lint is the master of urban fantasy, a true groundbreaker in the field. With almost 50 novels behind him, he continues to take new strides in the contemporary fantasy field. While The Dreaming Place is actually not a new novel (the original Atheneum edition, with illustrations by Brian Froud, is long out of print), it helps introduce younger readers to his style of work without straying far from the content and themes of his other novels.Once again de Lint proves his ability to create engaging characters, this time focusing on young adults. He skillfully weaves mythology and folklore with believable conflicts, and continues to explore the theme of looking beyond yourself to help others. Nina and Ash's struggles are realistic ones that young adults can identify with; the setting of the otherworld serves to reinforce the inner landscape of their thoughts and feelings.—Rambles

The heart-pounding conclusion to the thrilling Wildlings trilogy. At the end of Over My Head, Josh has propelled himself into the Otherworld where he believes his former girlfriend Elzie is in imminent danger. He leaves behind his closest friends: Marina, whose fledgling romance with Theo is increasingly complicated by her undeniable feelings for Josh, and Des, who is trying to figure out his own role amongst his Wildling friends. In this unpredictable world a side-step from our own, Josh discovers more about the awesome power he holds within as he deals with hostility from certain animal clans and elders. Back in Santa Feliz his friends are facing a huge anti-Wildling rally that threatens all Wildling teens with segregation and incarceration. In the most tense and perilous of circumstances in both worlds, Josh and his friends must rely on each other’s love, ingenuity and loyalty just to survive.“Charles de Lint writes like a magician. He draws out the strange inside our own world, weaving stories that feel more real than we are when we read them. He is, simply put, the best.”— Holly Black“Charles de Lint's greatest strength...is his obvious love for his characters, and empathy for people generally. ...he is showing us people living up to their potential, rather than down to it. And that is what makes de Lint's books rewarding.”– Locus Magazine“De Lint’s evocative images, both ordinary and fantastic, jolt the imagination.”– Publishers Weekly“Unlike most fantasy writers who deal with battles between ultimate good and evil, de Lint concentrates on smaller, very personal conflicts. Perhaps this is what makes him accessible to the non-fantasy audience as well as the hard-core fans. Perhaps it’s just damned fine writing.” – Quill & Quire

Life is complicated in the once-quiet beach town of Santa Feliz. Over the past six months many teens have inexplicably become animal shape-shifters known as Wildlings. The town is rife with fear, and Wildlings have quickly learned to keep their animal identities hidden or face persecution. Now that Josh Saunders has a mountain lion living under his skin, his life seems to careen from one crisis to another. His best friends have just helped him narrowly escape cruel medical experimentation, and now that he's back home Josh wants at least a few more days of living like a normal teenager. But the FBI is tailing him, a vengeful school bully is out to hurt and expose him, and a formidable Wildling Elder has secretly arranged to have him killed by the hand of one of his own Wildling friends.In Charles de Lint's dramatic follow-up novel to Under My Skin, Josh must confront all the inherent dangers of his new life, including violent street gangs and the threat of treachery on the part of some his very best friends. His longtime confidante, Marina, is once again keeping secrets from him, and as Josh discovers how to harness and wield his newfound powers, he faces crucial decisions about the bonds of leadership, love and loyalty.

The heart-pounding conclusion to the thrilling Wildlings trilogy. At the end of Over My Head, Josh has propelled himself into the Otherworld where he believes his former girlfriend Elzie is in imminent danger. He leaves behind his closest friends: Marina, whose fledgling romance with Theo is increasingly complicated by her undeniable feelings for Josh, and Des, who is trying to figure out his own role amongst his Wildling friends. In this unpredictable world a side-step from our own, Josh discovers more about the awesome power he holds within as he deals with hostility from certain animal clans and elders. Back in Santa Feliz his friends are facing a huge anti-Wildling rally that threatens all Wildling teens with segregation and incarceration. In the most tense and perilous of circumstances in both worlds, Josh and his friends must rely on each other’s love, ingenuity and loyalty just to survive.“Charles de Lint writes like a magician. He draws out the strange inside our own world, weaving stories that feel more real than we are when we read them. He is, simply put, the best.”— Holly Black“Charles de Lint's greatest strength...is his obvious love for his characters, and empathy for people generally. ...he is showing us people living up to their potential, rather than down to it. And that is what makes de Lint's books rewarding.”– Locus Magazine“De Lint’s evocative images, both ordinary and fantastic, jolt the imagination.”– Publishers Weekly“Unlike most fantasy writers who deal with battles between ultimate good and evil, de Lint concentrates on smaller, very personal conflicts. Perhaps this is what makes him accessible to the non-fantasy audience as well as the hard-core fans. Perhaps it’s just damned fine writing.” – Quill & Quire

Jay Li should be in Chicago, finishing high school and working at his family's restaurant. Instead, as a born member of the Yellow Dragon Clan-part human, part dragon, like his grandmother-he is on a quest even he does not understand. His journey takes him to Santo del Vado Viejo in the Arizona desert, a town overrun by gangs, haunted by members of other animal clans, perfumed by delicious food, and set to the beat of Malo Malo, a barrio rock band whose female lead guitarist captures Jay's heart. He must face a series of dangerous, otherworldly-and very human-challenges to become the man, and dragon, he is meant to be. This is Charles de Lint at his best!

High school senior Miguel's life is turned upside down when he meets new girl Lainey, whose family has just moved from Australia. With her tumbled red-gold hair, her instant understanding of who he is, and her unusual dog--a real Australian dingo--she's unforgettable. And, as he quickly learns, she is on the run from an ancient bargain made by her ancestors. There's no question that Miguel will do whatever he can to help her--but what price will each of them have to pay? Dingo is quintessential Charles de Lint, set close to his beloved, invented city of Newford--a mixture of darkness and hope, humor and mystery, and the friendship within love.

In the bohemian city of Newford, young artist Isabelle Copley becomes the only student of the famous yet reclusive painter, Vincent Rushkin. This riveting novel is about the magic and power of art; love, loyalty and the depths of friendship; innocence, cruelty, greed and denial; and the intertwining of these. It’s about facing buried memories and dreams, and ultimately, the strength of the human spirit.Unique to this Triskell Press edition is a new (2014) afterword by Charles de Lint discussing how art has affected his writing, and this book in particular. It is hard to imagine urban fantasy done better than it is by de Lint at his best, and this book shows his imagination and craft at their highest levels. De Lint's folkloric scholarship is as outstanding as ever; he never lets it slide into academicism or pretension… Memory and Dream deserves the highest recommendation and the widest readership.—Booklist, American Library AssociationEasily Canada’s top fantasy scribe…a major international force in the genre. Here is a biped who has steadfastly avoided stereotyping in his work from the beginning…de Lint has developed a considerable talent for injecting magic into everyday contemporary life. —The Edmonton JournalDe Lint takes a hard look at reality in Memory and Dream, especially at the personal burdens we all carry. He seamlessly blends urban landscapes, with all their sometimes ugly complications, with a magic that feels so true it’s hard not to believe he knows something the rest of us don’t.—Quill & Quire…in top form here. His multi-voiced, time-shifting narrative (the story spans 20 years) beautifully evokes a sense of creative community, making it almost possible to believe that the rarified aesthetic atmosphere might well be capable of conjuring up a spirit or two. —Publishers Weekly If there is an inherent flaw within the sub-genre of urban fantasy, it lies in the fact that many writers rely too heavily on established mythology. The familiar fantasy becomes a crutch, and holds the story back from fulfilling its true potential. The punk-rocker elf has become a cliché, as has the dragon living in the sewer. In Memory & Dream, Canadian fantasist Charles de Lint avoids this pitfall, and in doing so, sets himself apart from the crowd with his most complex, engaging and artistically challenging novel to date.—Folk Tales

Dog Boys is an original short story, set in the fictional Southwestern desert city of Santo del Vado Viejo, and is available here for the first time in any format.Brandon is the new boy at Rose Creek High and he quickly figures out that the one thing you don’t do in this school is get mixed up in the struggle between the Latino streetgangs and the Native kids from the rez. But when he sees a big Latino boy bullying a diminutive Native girl named Rita, he can’t just turn away.Unfortunately, the bully is a member of the 66 Bandas and now Brandon finds himself pulled into a spiral of escalating violence. His only allies are Rita’s family, but even their help isn’t going to be enough. In the end, the only way he can survive is to change in ways he didn’t think were possible.

This short story related to The Cats of Tanglewood Forest features Lillian at 17 years old. Her discovery of a long-lost paint box in the forest, her love of making art, her very first kiss, and the draw of a magical world all combine in this bittersweet tale about having to make a difficult choice.First published in The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest, edited by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling (Viking, 2002). Also appeared in the collection Muse & Reverie.One of the most original fantasy writers currently working.—BooklistCharles de Lint is the modern master of urban fantasy. Folktale, myth, fairy tale, dreams, urban legend—all of it adds up to pure magic in de Lint's vivid, original world. No one does it better.— Alice HoffmanCharles de Lint writes like a magician. He draws out the strange inside our own world, weaving stories that feel more real than we are when we read them. He is, simply put, the best.— Holly BlackDe Lint is probably the finest contemporary author of fantasy– Booklist, American Library Association Unlike most fantasy writers who deal with battles between ultimate good and evil, de Lint concentrates on smaller, very personal conflicts. Perhaps this is what makes him accessible to the non-fantasy audience as well as the hard-core fans. Perhaps it’s just damned fine writing. – Quill & Quire De Lint’s evocative images, both ordinary and fantastic, jolt the imagination.– Publishers Weekly