This seventeen-story collection takes Charles de Lint fans back to their favorite urban center Newford where magic is a way of life. Sixteen of the stories have been released in other publications, but not in one book. One tale is brand new. Each story contains an assortment of seeming losers obtaining a new lease on life either by the help of a kindhearted magical being or overcoming a malevolent essence. The stories are well written fantasies, but intended for the Newford crowd. Any other reader should try one of Charles de Lint’s novels such as THE ONION GIRL first.

Harriet Klausner