Chronicles of Faerie: The Hunter's Moon [Paperback]

O.R. Melling (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Chronicles of Faerie

American Gwen and her Irish cousin, Findabhair, have long planned this summer of backpacking around Ireland, visiting sites out of the old legends of fairy folk. Little do they know that it is the summer of the Hunter's Moon, a dangerous time for mortals who meddle with the kingdom of Faerie. One night camping out on old ruins, Finn is kidnapped by the Faerie king, who wants her for a bride and possible sacrifice. It is up to Gwen, the more indecisive of the two, to rescue her cousin. Beautifully written, romantic, exciting, and evocative of both modern-day and mystical Ireland, this is a treat for girl fantasy readers.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 8 Up–Idealistic Findabhair and her cautious cousin Gwen have always shared a love of fantasy and hunted for a door into other worlds. The teens plan to spend their summer hitchhiking through Ireland, but when Findabhair is abducted from a barrow by the King of the Faeries himself, Gwen has to become self-reliant and overcome her fears in order to rescue her cousin. When she finds a gateway into the Faeries' world, she is unprepared for the beauty of their land, and for her cousin's decision to stay. Complicating the matter is Gwen's memory of the words from a dream: "I, too, was the Hunted and the Sacrificed." Fearing for her cousin's life, Gwen must take help in whatever form it comes to see Findabhair safely delivered from the Faerie lands. Originally published in Ireland (1992) and Canada (1993) to much acclaim, this novel is a compelling blend of Irish mythology and geography. Characters that breathe and connect with readers, and a picturesque landscape that shifts between the present and the past, bring readers into the experience. Melling's taut plotting, with its unexpected turns, moves the story quickly to a climax and leaves readers wanting more. Fortunately, this is the first book in a trilogy.–Melissa Moore, Union University Library, Jackson, TN
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 8-11. Melling's fantasy series, the Chronicles of Faerie, is popular in Canada. For its U.S. debut, the author has expanded this title, which is the series' first installment. Gwen, an American, and her Irish cousin, Findabhair, hope to spend Gwen's visit to Ireland seeking "the Faraway World." Both 16-year-olds are enamored with fantasy and Irish lore, but neither is prepared when, on the first night of their trip, the King of the Faeries whisks Findabhair away. Gwen's race around Ireland in pursuit of her cousin escalates into a mortal battle against archetypal, spiritual forces. Melling is an Irish history scholar, and she layers her fantasy with ancient battles, royalty, and Irish phrases (translated in an appended glossary) that, while sometimes purposefully inserted, add great depth to the thrilling action. Fans of Holly Black's Tithe (2003) will recognize a similarly dexterous juxtaposition of shifting worlds--opulent and mystical, realistic and contemporary--and they'll easily connect with both the story's timeless legends and modern teen emotions. Readers will cheer for timid Gwen, who, by the end of her quest, has become "a braveheart and a trueheart," and teen girls will swoon over the dashing love interests who round out the appealing supporting characters. Shimmering with magic, myth, and romance, this is a lyrically told, richly satisfying adventure that will leave fantasy fans, like Gwen, feeling "lost and glad, caught up in the flow of forever." Expect the sequel next spring. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; Revised edition (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810958570
• ISBN-13: 978-0810958579
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,822,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A well-written, entertaining, novel, August 31, 2005

By 

Dena Landon "writer girl" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chronicles of Faerie: The Hunter's Moon (Paperback)

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.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent At Any Age, November 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Hunter's Moon, The (Paperback)

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable... for a Tween or Young Teenager, July 27, 2007

By 

Liberty A. Frederick (Cobb, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Chronicles of Faerie: The Hunter's Moon (Paperback)

While I enjoyed some of the moments of the book, the flow seemed awkward and there were times when I felt the characters were a little too one dimensional and contrived.

Once I was finished reading the book, I gifted it to a girl who attends the same ballet school as my daughter. She later said she absolutely loved the book. Perhaps the teenage girls in the book were more "realistic" to a twelve-year-old than a thirty-something-year-old. Or maybe free books just read better than $8 books do.

Overall, good brain candy for a quicky read and an interesting and fun look into the world of the fae, but nothing that drove me to wanting to read more of the Chronicles of Faerie books.