Hunter's Moon, The - Softcover

Melling, O. R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0141309911 ISBN 13: 9780141309910

Publisher: Penguin Books Canada, Limited, 2000

Synopsis

A fantasy "shimmering with magic, myth, and romance,"* now available in paperback

Gwen travels to Ireland to visit her cousin Findabhair, expecting a summer of backpacking, late nights, and the usual road trip adventures. But when Findabhair is kidnapped by the King of Faerie, Gwen must race to save her cousin before the rise of the Hunter's Moon, when the fairies need a human sacrifice.

This first novel in The Chronicles of Faerie was praised for "Melling's taut plotting, with its unexpected turns, [that] moves the story quickly to a climax and leaves readers wanting more." (School Library Journal)

* from Booklist (starred review)

Praise for The Hunter's Moon

*"A compelling blend of Irish mythology and geography." - School Library Journal (starred review)

"...[This] sensation-loaded celebration of Ireland and Faerie will be a powerful draw for many readers." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

About this title

Review

An Irish Canadian author’s lauded fairy fantasies are updated and introduced to U.S. fantasy readers for the first time in O.R. Melling’s Chronicles of Faerie. The first volume, The Hunter’s Moon, follows two cousins, Gwen and Findabhair, as they backpack around Ireland in search of the country’s magical past. But the girls go too far when they dare to spend the night in a known fairy mound. Finn is stolen away by the dark king of Faerie to become his bride sacrifice to the Great Worm, or Hunter. It is up to timid Gwen to rescue her intrepid cousin, and she wonders if the task will be too much the first time she catches a glimpse of the Little People at play. "Gwen quaked inside. This wild abandon...was beyond anything she could imagine...Exquisite chaos." But with the help of a fairy doctress and her handsome grandson, Gwen assembles a rag tag team of heroes determined to bring Finn back -- even if it means the destruction of Faerie itself.

Melling’s scholarship is evident. In fact, some readers may wonder why she just didn’t write a nonfiction book about Ireland’s rich folklore, as her characters often step clumsily out of the narrative to spout a factual, yet hyperbolic speech about a particular cave, lake or legendary creature. But while Melling’s writing is less successful when her characters are on this side of the Veil, her descriptions of Fairie are sweeping and romantic. Fans of writers like Midori Snyder or Clare Dunkle are sure to enjoy them. (Ages 10-15) --Jennifer Hubert

About the Author

O.R. Melling is the author of many, internationally acclaimed novels for young adults, including The Chronicles of Faerie series. She lives in Ireland and visits the U.S. and Canada often.

Edition details

• Publisher: Penguin Books Canada, Limited
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0141309911
• ISBN 13: 9780141309910
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1