Into the Green – Charles de Lint

Read for the Once Upon a Time VIII Reading Challenge.

Well here’s something you don’t see every day – a non-Newford Charles de Lint book.

Angharad is a tinker.     When her entire family is killed by a plague, she’s not sure how to go on, but the fey of the land gift her a harp, and give her the task of roaming the land, to find the folk that have the Summer Magic in their blood, and awaken it if they do not know it’s there.

In her travels, Angharad comes across a whiff of evil magic – something that will kill the Green.     It’s in a city that’s wary of those with Summer Blood, so Angharad must use all the skills of a tinker, witch and bard to find the evil and banish it.

This is a surprisingly quick read.    It was originally a short story that the author has fleshed out, and the short story roots do show.      There’s definitely an arc there, but I’ll admit, I found myself wanting more from a book-length story.