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23rd out of 55 books
—
17 voters
The Riddle of the Wren
Minda Sealy is afraid of her own nightmares. Then, one night, while asleep, she meets Jan, the Lord of the Moors, who has been imprisoned by Ildran the Dream-master-the same being who traps Minda. In exchange for her promise to free him, Jan gives Minda three tokens. She sets out, leaving the safety of her old life to begin a journey from world to world, both to save Jan a...more
Paperback, 295 pages
Published
September 16th 2002
by Firebird
(first published 1984)
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Charles de Lint is one of the major writers of what has come to be termed 'urban fantasy'. My current goal is to pick some key sf/fantasy writers and read their works from earliest to most current. This might not be the brightest idea I've ever had: Many, if not most, writers grow into their work over time, particularily if they've done a large body of work.
The Riddle of the Wren (De Lint's first book in terms of when he started writing) is a case in point. It's a competently written standard c...more
The Riddle of the Wren (De Lint's first book in terms of when he started writing) is a case in point. It's a competently written standard c...more
I cannot hope to write a review that eloquently states what an emotional and creative impact Riddle of the Wren had on me as a young teenager. In school, I was one of those quiet, shy girls who turned to stories for escape, for adventures and magic. I have no idea how many times I have read ROTW, but to this day I escape into the friendships and characters, the Celtic world of standing stones, dreams, Wild Folk and fiddle music. The magic is still there, every time I read it. I am so happy this...more
When I started this book, I expected it to be your average young adult fantasy novel. My expectations were met until I reached the one hundred page mark. At that point, everything began cascading downhill. This mostly had to do with the fact that a giant, telepathic, wizard badger appeared. I can deal with this sort of thing in comedic fantasy novels, but Charles de Lint takes himself too seriously and his seriousness is the cause of many unintentionally funny moments from this point on. The sto...more
This was not the best fantasy I've read lately, and I know (well, strongly believe) I'm going to read at least one this year that will dwarf its quality by a magnitude I can't calculate. BUT...
there pretty much has to be a but here, right?
BUT...this character, this world (better, these worlds), the supporting characters...there's something about them all that just works. More than works, charms you and wins you over.
de Lint does a great job of introducing the incremental changes happening to Min...more
there pretty much has to be a but here, right?
BUT...this character, this world (better, these worlds), the supporting characters...there's something about them all that just works. More than works, charms you and wins you over.
de Lint does a great job of introducing the incremental changes happening to Min...more
This was a pretty interesting page turner that for some reason took me a while to read. It knocked me off my goal of a book a week for 2012, which confuses me because I found it pretty interesting. I think it might have to do with the first seventh or eighth of the book being a little boring but looking back it really wasn't that boring, plus this is a young adult book so I don't know what I was expecting.
The book doesn't have a crazy complicated plot that takes hundreds of pages to flesh out b...more
The book doesn't have a crazy complicated plot that takes hundreds of pages to flesh out b...more
This is one of my all-time favorite books. It is a very-well written story with lots of wonderful details. And it has everything! A town with cobblestone streets and an open air market. A charming bookstore. Stonehenges that allow travel between worlds. A post-apocalyptic planet with cars and buildings but no people. Talking animals, elves, a giant and a tinker. It as gods – good, evil and neutral – and a myriad of species that follow the different gods. The tale was influenced by the works of J...more
The Riddle of the Wren is not the first Charles de Lint book I have read. However, it is the first time I've read a book set in his own created worlds (previous reads were set in Farmer's Dungeon series). Many people had given the book very good reviews.
So, I tracked it down...and WOW! This book was exactly what I had hoped for. The story had a flow about it that I found very easy to get immersed in.
The first thing I noticed was just how likable the main character, Minda, really is. As a reade...more
So, I tracked it down...and WOW! This book was exactly what I had hoped for. The story had a flow about it that I found very easy to get immersed in.
The first thing I noticed was just how likable the main character, Minda, really is. As a reade...more
This one is better than Harp of the Grey Rose by far, but it is still nowhere close to being on par with his current books. It is a little bit dated - my opinion would probably be better if I'd read it back in the 80's while this sort of plot was still in fashion.
The good - There were echoes of his current themes - strong female main characters from sad backgrounds, gods that gain their power from their worshipers, the dreaming realm, etc.
The bad - The main character being physically abused in t...more
The good - There were echoes of his current themes - strong female main characters from sad backgrounds, gods that gain their power from their worshipers, the dreaming realm, etc.
The bad - The main character being physically abused in t...more
Sep 26, 2007
Lauren Giova
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
High Fantasy readers who want a slight break from it.
I rather enjoyed this book. I felt for the character in all her struggles even if i couldn't identify with her. Minda was innocent enough but she wasn't weak. I can't stand weak or indecisive characters. I understand that in some points in the story there are going to be times when these two characteristics will show themselves but they have to be sparing and believable. De Lint was definitely able to keep the balance.
The glossary in the back of the book was a plus when i didn't understand so...more
The glossary in the back of the book was a plus when i didn't understand so...more
This was actually the first book I had ever read by Charles de Lint. It was over 15 years ago when I came across this book at the bookstore and absolutely had to find out what happened inside such a stunning cover. Needless to say I fell in love with the story and the amazing imagination of the author. It is one of those stories that one seems to come across every now and then when they are in need of an adventure. This one totally delivered and is one that I get reacquainted with just about eve...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Still struggling through this book after 6 months. Just not very much to keep me interested (or awake). The plot ideas are somewhat interesting, but I've seen them before. Abandoned Washington DC or NYC, anyone? Jumping from world to world. A main character plucked from nowhere is someone special. Will try to find a few hours to commit and see if the book pulls me in. If not, I doubt I'll finish it.
Here I am again about 3 months later. Still only about 1/2 way through. The writing is sooooo bad...more
Here I am again about 3 months later. Still only about 1/2 way through. The writing is sooooo bad...more
The first half of the book (I though) was poorly written. However, the last half was amazing! I think, however, that if De Lint had stretched it into 2 or 3 books, then it would have been a richer story.
Another one from de Lint that's too epic for my tastes, and written way too much in a style that doesn't come naturally to him (not to mention sounding stilted to the reader). Still good for what it is.
(3.5 stars)
Classic high fantasy, 80's style. I found myself enjoying the tone a lot as I read, even as I acknowleged that the story was overrun by young-girl-epic-quest cliches. Still, an enjoyable work, by an author whose body of work is enormous. I am flabbergasted that this is the first work I have read of his, and am interested in hunting some more down. I was most intrigued by this book when the heroine was picking her way through the ruins of what felt like a long-abandoned NYC, and am exc...more
Classic high fantasy, 80's style. I found myself enjoying the tone a lot as I read, even as I acknowleged that the story was overrun by young-girl-epic-quest cliches. Still, an enjoyable work, by an author whose body of work is enormous. I am flabbergasted that this is the first work I have read of his, and am interested in hunting some more down. I was most intrigued by this book when the heroine was picking her way through the ruins of what felt like a long-abandoned NYC, and am exc...more
This book was about a girl named Minda, who was haunted by dreams created by Illdran, a dream master. She ends up searching for this Illdran and travel between different worlds. At the end, she discovers who she really was, and what she must do will save the world.
When I first pick up this book, I could not get myself interested in reading this. But after to first hundred of pages, i could not put it down. But overall i thought it was not very original. Even though i read a lot of adventure and...more
When I first pick up this book, I could not get myself interested in reading this. But after to first hundred of pages, i could not put it down. But overall i thought it was not very original. Even though i read a lot of adventure and...more
A bit hard to follow the lore of the new world(s) in this book - feels like it should have been part of a series where you could learn more of it. But good for an early deLint!
I felt that the ending was a little rushed, de Lint's writing is gorgeous. The description, the plot, the characters were all amazing.
This book really disappointed me--I love his books, but this one was derivative, unoriginal, choppy, and not that engaging. Everybody makes mistakes...
This is one of de Lint's earliest works, and it shows. The story and prose are wonderful, but the characters are a little flat and the pacing is awkward in places.
One of my fave books as a late teenager! DeLint has a magical way with language. Great story, too.
As with most of Charles de Lint's early works, The Riddle of the Wren hints at the aspects that he will later write about in more detail in other novels as well as short stories. Such as the subjects of magic, child abuse, different cultures getting along/facing/putting aside their differences, the spirits of the land, music and the arts, all have their places in this novel.
In my opinion, not his greatest book, but definitely a shining early book. A must-read for anyone that loves Charles de Li...more
In my opinion, not his greatest book, but definitely a shining early book. A must-read for anyone that loves Charles de Li...more
Meh. Other books I've read by Mr. De Lint have been mind-blowingly incredible but this one seemed pale and two-dimensional, as if he had not yet found his voice and was trying to borrow Tolkien's.
I still cannot express in words how well done this book is to me. There isn't a part I could say I hated, and I love reading about fantasy that takes place in a paganistic world.
It's folklore and it's details are amazing. I really did enjoy this book when I was in high school I even enjoy this book now as an adult. It helped me escape the bad times I was facing in reality and brought me into the world of Minda's.
It's folklore and it's details are amazing. I really did enjoy this book when I was in high school I even enjoy this book now as an adult. It helped me escape the bad times I was facing in reality and brought me into the world of Minda's.
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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 well-written tale nonetheless. I'd recommend it to rather young readers and particularly rabid fans of de Lint.
Part of my Charles deLint canon re-read. Though it seems like a typical fantasy novel with magic swords and elves, the protagonist--a seventeen year old girl--makes it interesting. An ordinary young woman is thrown into extraordinary circumstances and finds herself growing and learning in new ways. The adventure leads to self-knowledge without losing her core self.
I really enjoyed it!
I really enjoyed it!
I remember reading this in Ireland and being utterly facinated with the melding of real and fantasy in a setting that looked so like that which surrounded me. This is a quick read, maybe a good place to start with de Lint. I've wanted to read so much more by him, but never really got into many of his other novels. I don't know why because everything I have read by him is amazing.
I decided I should get back into reading, so I went to my bookshelf and picked a book more or less at random. I suppose my only criteria was that I would be interested enough to finish it, and it lived up to my expectations. Riddle of the Wren had an interesting storyline, even if it was somewhat predictable at times. I suppose all fantasy novels are.
A great story...as usual...but the heroine is so whiny...
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.
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.
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Charles de Lint (born December 22, 1951) is a World Fantasy Award winning author. In 1974 he met MaryAnn Harris, and married her in 1980.
Along with writers like Terri Windling and John Crowley, de Lint popularized in the 1980s the genre of urban fantasy, most notably through the Bordeland series of books. His fantasy fiction is described under the fantasy sub-genres Urban Fantasy, contemporary M...more
More about Charles de Lint...
Along with writers like Terri Windling and John Crowley, de Lint popularized in the 1980s the genre of urban fantasy, most notably through the Bordeland series of books. His fantasy fiction is described under the fantasy sub-genres Urban Fantasy, contemporary M...more
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Dec 29, 2011 08:23pm