Another great classic fairytale turned on its head and given back to us in urban fantasy form by Charles de Lint! What I think makes his stories so compelling is not only do they have intricately crafted stories with plenty of adventure, but that he creates such interesting, relatable, and realistic characters for us to follow. Even though these books were originally published in 1987 and 1990 they still seem highly modern, even if the characters don't have the benefits of modern technology that we take for granted. De Lint's engaging writing draws us quickly into the adventures of Jacky (the Jack of Kinrowan) and brings the faerie-filled streets (and parks) of modern Ottawa alive as we see her being drawn unwittingly into a conflict between the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, and then have to fend off an evil wizard type who's hell-bent on stealing the luck of the court to feed his everlasting life. ( )

This is an omnibus edition containing "Jack the Giant-Killer" and its sequel, "Drink Down the Moon." I'd read the first novel before, but not the second.
Both concern two young human women – Jacky, and her best friend Kate, who turn out to be destined to be particularly useful to Faerie – the magical world which co-exists with our own, but which most people do not see. Although much reduced in modern times, the Seelie and Unseelie courts are still in conflict with one another – not to mention there may be other and greater threats. Although untried and seemingly unlikely heroes, Jacky and Kate may be the only ones who can save Kinrowan. ( )

In Jack the Giant Killer, the first of two novellas in this book, Jacky Rowan has just realized that her life is not going where she wants it to go. She drifts along, refusing to take care of her life and just staying at home doing nothing. She decides to change her life after a nasty breakup. In a fit of pique, she goes out drinking alone. Staggering home, she sees a little man being chased by 9 men on motorcycles. She tries to help him, but the little man is killed. She runs to a nearby house to try to get help, but no one answers the door. She runs back to where the little man's body was, only to see it disappear, leaving behind only a red cap.

The next day, she almost convinces herself that the alcohol was just making her see things that weren't there, but she can't explain where she got the cap from. She puts it on and starts to see people straight out of Faerie. She eventually finds out that the Unseelie Court has been getting stronger and stronger and has actually stolen the local Laird's daughter. The Seelie Court is so weak that everyone is afraid to go in search of the poor girl. Jacky decides to just go looking herself. With a hob's stitcheries giving her invisibility and swiftness, the help of her best friend Kate, and a whole heap of a Jack's luck, Jacky sets out to set the local Faerie courts to rights.

I loved how Jack becomes Jacky in this story. Who says women can't be clever, lucky tricksters? She fills the role of Jack perfectly, coming up with ingenious solutions to problems and avoiding pitfalls in the tradition of the best fairy tales. I also loved how Jacky reached out and took control of her life. It obviously can be done, but it's usually easier to just keep going with the flow. It takes real bravery to make a real change.

What I have always loved about Charles de Lint is the way he weaves fantasy into modern life. Yeah, urban fantasy is common now, but de Lint was one of the earliest authors in the genre. Reading this for the first time years ago, I loved how urban Faerie have developed a tolerance for iron. And why wouldn't the Wild Hunt appear on Harleys? This is taking place in the 20th century after all. I just liked the idea that there is more to the world than meets the eye, and fairies are not fragile creatures who can only survive in the wilds. They would have to be adaptable.

I love Charles de Lint because of his characters. I can't say that Jacky and her friend Kate are some of my favorites, but I do love to read about their friendship. They are silly and brave and honest with each other, and neither would ever abandon the other.

The other novella, Drink Down the Moon, was not as strong for me. Jacky has gotten a little over-confident and makes some big mistakes. As a result, an evil force has wrought havoc on the wild faerie and has started causing big damage in her area of Faerie, Kinrowan. Kate is the true hero who realizes what's going on and starts acting on it.

There are two parallel plots throughout most of this story. I was most interested in Jacky and Kate's story. On a straight read, it gets a little old to read about the humans Johnny and Henk going through the same bewilderment that Jacky and Kate went through as they adapted to Faerie in Jack the Giant Killer. The books were published years apart and reprinted together later, so that's not entirely de Lint's fault.

The wild faeries that Johnny and Henk stumble onto are a little too belligerent and blood-thirsty for my taste. They have been through a lot, but it's not the humans' fault. I did like mercurial Jemi and her relationship with Johnny, but the rest were very angry and bitter.

So, 4 stars for Jack the Giant Killer and 3 stars for Drink Down the Moon. I'll round up to 4 because I love de Lint so much. His Newford books are still my favorites, but this was a very strong entry in his body of work. ( )

I found this book excellent the first time I read it, several years ago. It wasn't quite as good the second time around, but perhaps that was only because I wasn't as interested in the source material this time. All in all, its a very good book, well written, keeps you reading. A classic urban fairytale. I liked the characters, and it kept me interested. There were no dull moments. ( )

Jack of Kinrowan by Charles de Lint

Comprising of :

1 - Jack the Giant Killer

This story, set in modern-day Ottawa, tells the story of Jacky Rowan, who stumbles across Faerie magic one night and impulsively offers her help to the beleaguered Sidhe (de Lint having transported Faerie-kind from the Old Country (Ireland) to the New Country (Canada)).

Though I can't find any fault with the book, somehow, the story didn't grab me. The genre (urban fantasy) doesn't usually work for me - the disparity between gritty, industrialised reality and ethereal fantasy realms is too harsh for me to reconcile. So I'm giving this 3 stars, though I suspect it deserves more.

2 - Drink Down the Moon

This story worked better for me. It is also about Jacky Rowan and her friend Kate Hazel (known as Crackernuts) in the seelie world (that's 'good guys' in kid-speak) helping to fend off the unseelie host (what my kids would call 'bad guys'); but it also introduces new characters, with musicians helping the fiaina Sidhe - in the person of the Pook of Puxhill - who owe no allegiance to either the seelie or unseelie courts.

Maybe there was more fantasy in this, or maybe I was used to the setting, but I found this more readable. I like the way the humans, now working in the Faerie (not fairy) world, find their way through the magic, and find allies in various faerie creatures along the way.

Just to add, native Ottawans - or anyone else familiar with the city - will probably be thrilled to recognise local landmarks (and discover their equivalent in Faerie)

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