MOONLIGHT AND VINES

A second collection of tales set in the North American city of Newford (Dreams Underfoot, 1993). The milieu is “Urban Faerie,” a modern setting where characters blended from Old European and Native American myths and legends not only still exist but also interact with those inhabitants inclined to perceive them. One of the latter is author Christy Riddell, who narrates, or is told, stories deriving from this interplay. The twenty-two pieces include two original stories, four others that appeared only as limited edition chapbooks, and an original poem; the remainder are drawn from various collections and magazines. A proportion of Newford’s seemingly human population have “animal blood;” some can shape shift; others have godlike powers (or are gods) and interfere in mortal lives. These, like Crow girls Maida and Zia, art teacher Jilly Coppercorn, or the mysterious street trader Bones (he’s also a Native American mystic) weave in and out of the stories or occasionally claim a tale on their own account. Often intriguing, with a dreamily original flavor and atmosphere, though lacking the impact of de Lint’s Newford novels (Someplace to be Flying, 1998, etc.).