This isn't a big book - only 206 pages in the hardcover edition - but that doesn't matter at all. This is one of those stories that just grabs you from the start and sucks you right into the mythological world that Charles de Lint creates so well. It's not an action-packed book, nothing like that. Instead it follows the interactions of about seven individuals over the course of a few days. He makes the interactions between the "real" people and the people of myth totally believable. I never find myself saying, "Oh, how can that be?". Nope, I just go along happily for the ride.

After reading this book, I want to go and actually see the deserts of the Southwest. I want to learn more about the mythology of the region. That is one of the secrets to de Lint's writing, I think - it's very easy to visualize the settings, to become intrigued by the mysteries surrounding the characters. To want more.

I enjoyed the nod he gave to Terri Windling, and I would second the recommendation another reviewer gave about Windling's "The Wood Wife" - it's another excellent book. For those of you who may have read de Lint's "Forests of the Heart", there's a brief appearance of Bettina and one of her uncles in this book, which was a pleasant surprise.

Read this book.

Almost every De Lint book I have read has sucked me in instantly. All of his books are great but the Newford Series are my absolute favs. I would sugest starting with one of them, then getting into his other books. His horor novels are just that, the mental aspect will have you lieing awake at night.

I would sugest reading Forests of the Heart first before this novel, but you do not have to. All delint books stand on their own.