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Chronicles of Faerie #1: The Hunter's Moon (The Chronicles of Faerie)

Average customer rating:

Interesting start, but feels incomplete, like it's just the author's draft copy...
Compelling and beautifully written novel for any age
A well-written, entertaining, novel
Predictable, but entertaining all the same...
Excellent At Any Age

Chronicles of Faerie #1: The Hunter's Moon (The Chronicles of Faerie)
O.R. Melling
Manufacturer: Harry N. Abrams
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0810958570

Amazon.com

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

Book Description

Finally available in the U.S., this Canadian bestseller is a romantic and atmospheric tale of two teenage girls caught in the world of Faerie.

When she arrives in Ireland to visit her cousin Findabhair, American Gwen expects a fun backpacking trip to sites of the fairy lore they're both fascinated with. What neither cousin knows is that it's the summer of the Hunter's Moon, a dangerous time for mortals to meddle in the kingdom of Faerie. The girls camp out, and deep in the night Finn is kidnapped by the handsome Faerie king! In Gwen's quest to save her cousin, across beautifully evoked settings of modern-day and mystical Ireland, the spunky heroine's biggest challenge may be convincing Finn she needs to be saved! This is the first in a much-lauded and best-selling series from Canada by O.R. Melling, praised as "great stuff, beautifully told" by the Toronto Sun. It's been updated and expanded and is perfect for teen girls who like the work of Anne Rice, Holly Black, and Annette Curtis Klause.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting start, but feels incomplete, like it's just the author's draft copy..........2007-02-17

The idea of "The Hunter's Moon" is that two cousins age 16), one Irish and the other Irish American with a shared love for folk lore are meeting up for the first time in years to back pack Ireland. During thier back backing the more rextroverted one is kidnapped by the fairy king and her cousin sets out to save her, despite her wishes. What follows is a endless tireless account of her journey (predictable in her personal changes: she steps out of her shell and learns to accept herself) and Celtic mythology.

As an Irish American teenager who traveled to Ireland last year, the book was extremely amusing to read with the constant references to tourist atttractions in Dublin, Irish music by Dropkick Muprheys and so forth. The mentions of Irish landmarks like the Hills of Tara and various other locations were fun and the portrayal of Irish culture were certainly interesting to read about (though the wide spread use of hitchhiking as transportation is disturbing...)

The characters were interesting to read about, but weren't exactly believeble (the romance between Finn and the fairy king seems forced and false, but we're meant to belive that it's true love; the relationship between Gwen and her leading man is similar). Furthurmore, I felt that the characters had the potential for me to identify with them, but the author's failure to give them any kind of past (Siblings? Gwen's home city? Childhood? Even a disticnt age?) detracts majorly.

However, my problems with the book is that up to the last quater of it, the time line didn't flow very well. The events occurring (another interaction with the fairy, another friendly stranger) could be the climax or an introduction: the styles and writing were extremely similar. Also, I had trouble decided if the characters were stereotypes or jsut actually how the Irish were. The beautifully handsome fairy king, wise woman with history, spunky Irish teenager with fantasy obsession.

Compelling and beautifully written novel for any age.......2007-01-17

Two cousins from two different parts of the world who share the same name and a passionate belief that faery exists, set out on a summer vacation in Ireland. Gwen, the US cousin, is tentative and dreamy. Findabhair, the Irish native, is passionate, beautiful and impulsive.

At Tara, they dare to spend the night in a Faery mound. Finn answers the call of the Faery King. Gwen is left behind to rescue her.

Time is running out--Hunter's Moon approaches and if Gwen can't get her cousin back, Finn will become the annual sacrifice to the Great Wyrm.

"The Hunter's Moon" is an amazing fantasy adventure told by someone who really KNOWS Irish folklore. Melling's education qualifies her to write non-fiction, yet she's choosing instead to educate us with enchanting tales of Irish folklore.

I highly recommend "The Hunter's Moon" for fantasy lovers of all ages. The story itself is delightful. The guides included relating to Gaelic language and Irish folklore are amazing.

A well-written, entertaining, novel.......2005-09-01

I really enjoyed O.R. Melling's novel. It's a fun coming-of-age adventure in which the main character, Gwen, develops her own strength and learns how to outwit the fairies. At first she is overshadowed by her beautiful cousin Findabhair. But when her cousin is kidnapped, Gwen must go on a quest throughout Ireland to recue her. Melling does an excellent job weaving in traditional fairy myth with beautiful descriptions of modern-day Ireland. Though the plot is thin in places I found the novel as a whole to be entertaining and enjoyable.

Predictable, but entertaining all the same..........2005-07-03

'The Hunter's Moon' has an interesting enough plot-an Irish girl is stolen by the faeries, and her visiting cousin must save her. This book is somewhat educational, providing the reader with interesting info on Ireland. O.R. Melling, according to the 'About the Author' thingy on the flap, was born in Ireland and studied Irish history.
Anyway, back to the story. I especially like the characters...the heroine, Gwen, is by no means perfect. She's short, slightly overweight, and has an *interesting* personality. The faerie king is the kind of person you're unsure about, not knowing whether he's good or evil.
One thing I didn't like about this book was the plot itself was extremely predictable. I won't say much, so not to reveal the ending, but let me just say you know exactly who's going to fall in love with who(the summary on the front flap gave most of that away...), and you pretty much know how it's going to end, or at least close to it. This book occasionally got boring, but I noticed after I read it that the only times it was boring was when the faeries weren't around, heh heh.
All in all I think this is a wonderful choice for fantasy lovers, or people who are interested in Ireland. Although it's a predictable sort of fairy tale, it serves as an enjoyable read.

Excellent At Any Age.......2003-11-07

I first read this book reluctantly for a novel study in grade 7. After finishing it I immediately went out and bought my own copy, as well as other titles by O. R. Melling. Gwen's quest in search of her cousin is a fascinating read as Melling sweeps the reader across Ireland giving a tale nothing short of epic in the eyes of a 13 year old. Now in university and studying the classics, this book is still incredible to me. I have recommended it to friends not of Irish descent who have loved it just as much as I have. It is a universal story of struggle and the right of passage for young girls in the modern world. I absolutely loved this book, and anyone who feels it is beneath them because of its target audience is robbing themselves of an excellent read. I have re-read this book countless times and still find it a joy, using it and others as a bridge between the books I have to study. Anyone looking to get teenagers interested in reading or in need of a good book to escape into should definitely give this a try.

Average customer rating:

Faerie Hunters
Andrew Berubee
Manufacturer: PublishAmerica
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1413706142

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