Title: The Dreaming PlaceAuthor: Charles de Lint
Pages: 134
Genre: Teen Fantasy
Publisher: Firebird, 1990
Synopsis: A young woman locked in rage yet seeking magic, Ash is drawn into a wondrous Otherworld of totems and dryads, living tarots and mystic charms. At the same time, Ash's cousin Nina is stalked by an Otherworld demon-a manitou who can force her mind and soul into the bodies of beasts. Ash must find the strength to overcome her own anger, learn the full power of magic, and save Nina before she becomes the manitou's weapon, turning the faerie realm into an arctic wasteland. De Lint fans will relish this urban and otherworldly fantasy, partially set in the author's trademark Newford.
Review: This book is a little odd. It's mainly about two teenage girls, Ash and Nina, but it's written by a grown man. It's a little unbelievable at times, not because of the Fantasy portions of it but because of the interactions of the teenage girls. Maybe I'm wrong, but they just seem too much like what a man expects teenage girls to be like. It's hard to explain, but that's how I felt.
By the author's reading recommendation, this is the first book in the Newford series, which I finally have a complete set of (less the short story collections and one children's book). I can't abide short stories unless they are really great (think Stephen King) and I am not interested in a children's book, so this is the complete set for me.
Thankfully, not all of them are rated for teen readers. I've already started the next book in the series and it's proving to be much, much, much better. But, this book is short enough to read in one sitting and it does set some background for the Otherworld, so I'm glad I read it.
Rating: 3.5 / 10
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