Synopses & Reviews
Minda Sealy is afraid to go to sleep, for when she does she is trapped inside the same terrible, dark nightmare. Over and over it happens, until she is ragged and raw. Then, one night, she dreams she is somewhere else walking a high, peaceful moor. There she meets Jan, the "heart of the moors," who has been imprisoned by Ildran the Dreammaster the same being who controls Minda's nightmares.
In exchange for her promise to free him, Jan gives Minda three things: a new name, Talenyn, meaning "Little Wren"; a pouch of pebbles that can function as a gate between worlds; and an acorn pendant that will keep the evil Ildran from invading her dreams.
Minda sets out the very next night, leaving the safety of her old life to begin a journey from world to world, a journey both to save Jan and to solve "the riddle of the Wren" which is the riddle of her very self.
Review
"A tale of high fantasy that reaches out almost spell-like to entwine about, and entrance, the imagination." Green Man Review
Review
"Mr. de Lint's handling of bits of ancient folklore to weave into an entirely new pattern has never, to my knowledge, been equalled. This is one of those books which one reads first in a gulp and then rereads with closer attention to savor the fine flavor." Andre Norton
Review
"Charles de Lint is a folksinger as well as a writer, and it is that voice we hear in Riddle of the Wren, both new and old, lyric, longing, touched by magic." Jane Yolen
Synopsis
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 and to solve "the riddle of the Wren"-which is the riddle of her very self. The Riddle of the Wren was Charles de Lint's first novel, and has been unavailable for years. Fans and newcomers alike will relish it.
About the Author
Charles de Lint is the World Fantasy Award-winning author of many widely acclaimed novels and short-story collections, including Moonlight and Vines, Forests of the Heart, The Onion Girl, and Waifs and Strays. He lives with his wife kindred spirit, fellow musician, and artist MaryAnn Harris, in Ottawa, Canada. Visit his website at www.charlesdelint.com.