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I have been a fan of Charles de Lint's books for a long time. They range so much from romance to horror to action. What I've loved most is the gradual building of the community of Newford, especially its circles of artists and musicians who step in and out of the realms of the fey, and of North American mythological beings. Magic can happen at any time in Newford, and it's never predictable. My absolute favorites of de Lint's many fantastical creatures have been the Crow Girls, who dance and chatter and flit through the stories, loosely connected to Raven who made the world. In Widdershins de Lint features two characters, Jilly Coppercorn, and Georgie Liddel, an artist and a fiddler, who have served as wise figures through so many of his stories, short and long. This, at last, is their story. Wise, sometimes scary, often funny, sweet, poignant, it's a tale not just for the young and passionate--but for the older and passionate, those aware of the press of time. Not to say that the young are overlooked, no. There's the wonderful Lizzie, who kicks serious bad guy butt--and there's Rabedy, a bogan who think's he's weak because no one has ever spoken the word 'compassion' around him . . . oh, I don't dare say much more. There are many POVs in this story, and that works splendidly because de Lint keeps a sure rein on where and when everyone is. What a pleasure to read--a wonderful book.

The satisfying conclusion to Lynn Flewing's trilogy that began with The Bone Doll's Twin and Hidden Warrior is The Oracle's Queen.

In the first novel, terrible magic is done to hide the girl twin in what would have been the body of her brother. The brother becomes a ghost to haunt Tobin as she/he grows in the court of King Erius, who is killing females in order to circumvent a prophesy. The book gripped a wide readership, including fantasy connoisseurs like George R. R. Martin. What makes Flewelling so good is that she pays attention to the realistic details of how people act ordinary circumstances so that her extraordinary circumstances are both compelling and convincing.

In the second novel, Tobin becomes Tamir--while events force her to battle. The prince, Korin, trained to be a leader, hasn't what it takes--and Tobin/Tamir does. Not by wishing, nor by a magic dingus, but by virtue of grit, determination, and hard drill. Then comes the cost of leadership.

The third novel delves deeply into the psychological effects of razzle-dazzle magic, thrones, swords, and the rest, and makes for a terrific read. Tamír isn't gorgeous--she's ordinary--and she has to come to terms with the physical aspects of being a girl. So do her friends. And the mages. And the people of high and low degree.

Everyone in this book has believable motivations--including the evil Niryn, whose road to evil is explained early on. And keep your eye on the supposedly helpless Nalia, princess in the tower. Meanwhile, Tamír has to face the Oracle, bringing her full circle with the magic that put her in her current place, and that's not easy. She has to deal with events that are inexorable forcing her toward battle with Korin--and that includes facing with steel many former friends. And, she has to deal with the emotional fallout of turning into a girl just about the time she and her best friend, Ki, have hit their mid teens, and their feelings were already in turmoil. Finally, it's not Eeeevil guys versus plucky heroes facing one another at the end, but deeply conflicted people, some of whom have been friends and companions . . . A very compelling read.

I am certainly no expert in the Eddas or the Northern tales, but I know enough to recognize the good stuff when I see it. For example, Douglas "Dag" Rossman's The Northern Path.

The subtitle is Norse Myths and Legends Retold . . . and What they Reveal. That only partly describes what you get in this book. Rossman does indeed tell the stories in clear, vivid prose with a generous dollop of humor. There's a strong sense of the story-teller's rhythm in Rossman's version of these tales-- they beg to be read aloud at the fireside--which is exactly right for Norse myths. Rossman gives a brief description of the Eddas and of the scene of the old Viking homestead and hall--the skald at the hearth, earning his living as a storyteller. The tales follow, and then afterward there is a wealth of wonderful extras: a discussion of myth, the place of myth, sources of the myths--runestones, dragons, the Light Elves. He gives a table of the Elder Futhark, with Runic Meanings and commentary. And at the end is an excellent bibliography. This book is ideal for a newcomer to the Norse material, for kids who are curious, and for the person who, like me, is somewhat familiar with the tales--enough to particularly enjoy Rossman's take on them.

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