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Wildlings #2
Over My Head
Life is complicated in the once-quiet beach town of Santa Feliz. Over the past six months many teens have inexplicably become animal shape-shifters known as Wildlings. The town is rife with fear, and Wildlings have quickly learned to keep their animal identities hidden or face persecution.
Now that Josh Saunders has a mountain lion living under his skin, his life seems to careen from one crisis to another. His best friends have just helped him narrowly escape cruel medical experimentation, and now that he's back home Josh wants at least a few more days of living like a normal teenager. But the FBI is tailing him, a vengeful school bully is out to hurt and expose him, and a formidable Wildling Elder has secretly arranged to have him killed by the hand of one of his own Wildling friends.
In Charles de Lint's dramatic follow-up novel to Under My Skin, Josh must confront all the inherent dangers of his new life, including violent street gangs and the threat of treachery on the part of some his very best friends. His longtime confidante, Marina, is once again keeping secrets from him, and as Josh discovers how to harness and wield his newfound powers, he faces crucial decisions about the bonds of leadership, love and loyalty.
Now that Josh Saunders has a mountain lion living under his skin, his life seems to careen from one crisis to another. His best friends have just helped him narrowly escape cruel medical experimentation, and now that he's back home Josh wants at least a few more days of living like a normal teenager. But the FBI is tailing him, a vengeful school bully is out to hurt and expose him, and a formidable Wildling Elder has secretly arranged to have him killed by the hand of one of his own Wildling friends.
In Charles de Lint's dramatic follow-up novel to Under My Skin, Josh must confront all the inherent dangers of his new life, including violent street gangs and the threat of treachery on the part of some his very best friends. His longtime confidante, Marina, is once again keeping secrets from him, and as Josh discovers how to harness and wield his newfound powers, he faces crucial decisions about the bonds of leadership, love and loyalty.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2013
17 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
About the author
Charles de Lint
446 books4,001 followersCharles de Lint is the much beloved author of more than seventy adult, young adult, and children's books. Renowned as one of the trailblazers of the modern fantasy genre, he is the recipient of the World Fantasy, Aurora, Sunburst, and White Pine awards, among others. Modern Library's Top 100 Books of the 20th Century poll, conducted by Random House and voted on by readers, put eight of de Lint's books among the top 100.
De Lint is a poet, folklorist, artist, songwriter and performer. He has written critical essays, music reviews, opinion columns and entries to encyclopedias, and he's been the main book reviewer for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction since 1987. De Lint served as Writer-in-residence for two public libraries in Ottawa and has taught creative writing workshops for adults and children in Canada and the United States. He's been a judge for several prominent awards, including the Nebula, World Fantasy, Theodore Sturgeon and Bram Stoker.
Born in the Netherlands in 1951, de Lint immigrated to Canada with his family as an infant. The family moved often during de Lint's childhood because of his father's job with an international surveying company, but by the time Charles was twelve—having lived in Western Canada, Turkey and Lebanon—they had settled in Lucerne, Quebec, not far from where he now resides in Ottawa, Ontario.
In 1980, de Lint married the love of his life, MaryAnn Harris, who works closely with him as his first editor, business manager and creative partner. They share their love and home with a cheery little dog named Johnny Cash.
Charles de Lint is best described as a romantic: a believer in compassion, hope and human potential. His skilled portrayal of character and settings has earned him a loyal readership and glowing praise from peers, reviewers and readers.
Charles de Lint writes like a magician. He draws out the strange inside our own world, weaving stories that feel more real than we are when we read them. He is, simply put, the best.
—Holly Black (bestselling author)
Charles de Lint is the modern master of urban fantasy. Folktale, myth, fairy tale, dreams, urban legend—all of it adds up to pure magic in de Lint's vivid, original world. No one does it better.
—Alice Hoffman (bestselling author)
To read de Lint is to fall under the spell of a master storyteller, to be reminded of the greatness of life, of the beauty and majesty lurking in shadows and empty doorways.
—Quill & Quire
His Newford books, which make up most of de Lint's body of work between 1993 and 2009, confirmed his reputation for bringing a vivid setting and repertory cast of characters to life on the page. Though not a consecutive series, the twenty-five standalone books set in (or connected to) Newford give readers a feeling of visiting a favourite city and seeing old friends.
More recently, his young adult Wildlings trilogy—Under My Skin, Over My Head, and Out of This World—came out from Penguin Canada and Triskell Press in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Under My Skin won 2013 Aurora Award. A novel for middle-grade readers, The Cats of Tanglewood Forest, published by Little Brown in 2013, won the Sunburst Award, earned starred reviews in both Publishers Weekly and Quill & Quire, and was chosen by the New York Times Editors as one of the top six children's books for 2013. His most recent adult novel, The Mystery of Grace (2009), is a fascinating ghost story about love, passion and faith. It was a finalist for both the Sunburst and Evergreen awards.
De Lint is presently writing a new adult novel. His storytelling skills also shine in his original songs. He and MaryAnn (also a musician) recently released companion CDs of their original songs, samples of which can be heard on de Lin
De Lint is a poet, folklorist, artist, songwriter and performer. He has written critical essays, music reviews, opinion columns and entries to encyclopedias, and he's been the main book reviewer for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction since 1987. De Lint served as Writer-in-residence for two public libraries in Ottawa and has taught creative writing workshops for adults and children in Canada and the United States. He's been a judge for several prominent awards, including the Nebula, World Fantasy, Theodore Sturgeon and Bram Stoker.
Born in the Netherlands in 1951, de Lint immigrated to Canada with his family as an infant. The family moved often during de Lint's childhood because of his father's job with an international surveying company, but by the time Charles was twelve—having lived in Western Canada, Turkey and Lebanon—they had settled in Lucerne, Quebec, not far from where he now resides in Ottawa, Ontario.
In 1980, de Lint married the love of his life, MaryAnn Harris, who works closely with him as his first editor, business manager and creative partner. They share their love and home with a cheery little dog named Johnny Cash.
Charles de Lint is best described as a romantic: a believer in compassion, hope and human potential. His skilled portrayal of character and settings has earned him a loyal readership and glowing praise from peers, reviewers and readers.
Charles de Lint writes like a magician. He draws out the strange inside our own world, weaving stories that feel more real than we are when we read them. He is, simply put, the best.
—Holly Black (bestselling author)
Charles de Lint is the modern master of urban fantasy. Folktale, myth, fairy tale, dreams, urban legend—all of it adds up to pure magic in de Lint's vivid, original world. No one does it better.
—Alice Hoffman (bestselling author)
To read de Lint is to fall under the spell of a master storyteller, to be reminded of the greatness of life, of the beauty and majesty lurking in shadows and empty doorways.
—Quill & Quire
His Newford books, which make up most of de Lint's body of work between 1993 and 2009, confirmed his reputation for bringing a vivid setting and repertory cast of characters to life on the page. Though not a consecutive series, the twenty-five standalone books set in (or connected to) Newford give readers a feeling of visiting a favourite city and seeing old friends.
More recently, his young adult Wildlings trilogy—Under My Skin, Over My Head, and Out of This World—came out from Penguin Canada and Triskell Press in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Under My Skin won 2013 Aurora Award. A novel for middle-grade readers, The Cats of Tanglewood Forest, published by Little Brown in 2013, won the Sunburst Award, earned starred reviews in both Publishers Weekly and Quill & Quire, and was chosen by the New York Times Editors as one of the top six children's books for 2013. His most recent adult novel, The Mystery of Grace (2009), is a fascinating ghost story about love, passion and faith. It was a finalist for both the Sunburst and Evergreen awards.
De Lint is presently writing a new adult novel. His storytelling skills also shine in his original songs. He and MaryAnn (also a musician) recently released companion CDs of their original songs, samples of which can be heard on de Lin
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 10, 2017
got it from Canada!!!
Well, finished this. HOLY COW. Where WHERE ***WHEREEEEEE*** is book 3? What a cliffhanger ending. Not Nice Mr. de Lint!
Well, finished this. HOLY COW. Where WHERE ***WHEREEEEEE*** is book 3? What a cliffhanger ending. Not Nice Mr. de Lint!
April 26, 2018
На ясно съм, че е средната книга от трилогия, но е първата ми попаднала от де Линт, която не може да се чете като самостоятелно приключение.
Полето на действие отново е Санта Фелиз, Южна Калифорния, а Джош няма никакъв шанс за нормално юношество. ФБР все още го тормозят, както и гамените в училище. На всичкото от горе приятелката му го заряза, група „братовчеди” са решили да го правят водач на хората-животни, а няколко групички се опитват да му светят маслото. За капак успява да се замеси и в гангстерска война с латиносите, както и в конфликт с един от най-древните и зли животински кланове – този на кондора. Единствено los Tios - група древни жреци-войни - му подават ръка, но явно и те ще искат нещо голямо от него.
Действието, този път се води през очите на три от хлапетата – Джош (естествено), Марина и Чейнганг, чийто образ търпи много добро развитие (е, тук го има и моят афинитет към малолетни престъпници...)
Залозите се вдигат постоянно, но развръзката е оставена изцяло за третата част. Финалът е толкова отворен, че хванах плеврит.
Полето на действие отново е Санта Фелиз, Южна Калифорния, а Джош няма никакъв шанс за нормално юношество. ФБР все още го тормозят, както и гамените в училище. На всичкото от горе приятелката му го заряза, група „братовчеди” са решили да го правят водач на хората-животни, а няколко групички се опитват да му светят маслото. За капак успява да се замеси и в гангстерска война с латиносите, както и в конфликт с един от най-древните и зли животински кланове – този на кондора. Единствено los Tios - група древни жреци-войни - му подават ръка, но явно и те ще искат нещо голямо от него.
Действието, този път се води през очите на три от хлапетата – Джош (естествено), Марина и Чейнганг, чийто образ търпи много добро развитие (е, тук го има и моят афинитет към малолетни престъпници...)
Залозите се вдигат постоянно, но развръзката е оставена изцяло за третата част. Финалът е толкова отворен, че хванах плеврит.
June 1, 2014
Over my Head is the second book in author Charles de Lint's YA Wildling series. The first book is Under My Skin and the third and final book of the trilogy will be out in the Fall of 2014.
There is never a boring moment in this book. The events take place in only a few days. De Lint manages to captivate the reader with an action packed storyline without having to resorting to monsters jumping out of every corner at every chapter or long overly descriptive fighting scenes. I am a huge De Lint fan, but usually prefer his adult novels. I read this because my 16 year old was doing a school report on it and I wanted to be able to discuss it with him. Although Over My Head is a YA book, it is not dumbed down.
As always, what I appreciate is although De Lint works with mythic themes and fantastical situations, his works are never simply escapist fantasy. As De lint himself put it when he so kindly answered my sons questions regarding themes: "I rarely have just one theme in a book. In the case of the Wildling series I wanted to touch on what are constant themes in my work: the family of choice, loyalty to one's friends, an awareness of the environment needing to be protected, tolerance of those who appear to be different, and the connectedness of everything. That said, these books were also an exploration of the idea of responsibility--that which is thrust upon us and that which we take on for ourselves. In that sense it's a coming of age story in which Josh needs to figure out a balance between who he wants to be and what others expect of him."
Over My Head incorporates the idea of "First People" or "Animal People" found in a lot of First Nation(Native American) Mythology in a present day setting.
There is never a boring moment in this book. The events take place in only a few days. De Lint manages to captivate the reader with an action packed storyline without having to resorting to monsters jumping out of every corner at every chapter or long overly descriptive fighting scenes. I am a huge De Lint fan, but usually prefer his adult novels. I read this because my 16 year old was doing a school report on it and I wanted to be able to discuss it with him. Although Over My Head is a YA book, it is not dumbed down.
As always, what I appreciate is although De Lint works with mythic themes and fantastical situations, his works are never simply escapist fantasy. As De lint himself put it when he so kindly answered my sons questions regarding themes: "I rarely have just one theme in a book. In the case of the Wildling series I wanted to touch on what are constant themes in my work: the family of choice, loyalty to one's friends, an awareness of the environment needing to be protected, tolerance of those who appear to be different, and the connectedness of everything. That said, these books were also an exploration of the idea of responsibility--that which is thrust upon us and that which we take on for ourselves. In that sense it's a coming of age story in which Josh needs to figure out a balance between who he wants to be and what others expect of him."
Over My Head incorporates the idea of "First People" or "Animal People" found in a lot of First Nation(Native American) Mythology in a present day setting.
July 1, 2016
What a page-turner! Halfway through I stopped to compare how much I'd read to how much was left because I couldn't put it down, but I didn't want it to end anytime soon! A riveting, fast-paced plot with realistic young characters who are easy to root for and complex antagonists who aren't cardboard "villains". And what a relief to find cool, committed, competent teens who DON'T want to kill everyone on "the other side", but struggle to find a better solution. There's enough research into native North American and Mexican mythology to make this an interesting and realistic urban fantasy without bogging down the story. I finished it and went right out to get the third book in this excellent trilogy.
October 12, 2025
I have been a fan of de Lint’s for many years and I’ve enjoyed his YA selections as much as his adult novels. He has a great way of storytelling that often talks about the turmoils inside ourselves and how we become more aware of them and work through them. He has a great understanding of the human condition and blends indigenous philosophy and mythology with our modern day. This is the second book in the Wildlings series where a number of west coast US kids have been given (afflicted?) with the ability to shape change into an animal/bird/reptile etc and the ramifications this is having (much along the lines of Marvel comics mutant solutions (ie paranoia, testing, fear, etc). The story moves along at a good pace and the characters are still engaging. I look forward to reading the third book.
September 7, 2022
I read the first book in this series not knowing it was a YA novel. I probably would not have read it if I had known and I would not have bought the second book, but got them as a package deal. Since I had the second book, I decided to read it even though the first book was disappointing. Charles De Lint is a fantastic story teller and even thought Over MY Head is still a YA book, this one caught and held my attention and I enjoyed it significantly more than the first book. I may even "have to" get the final book in the series which I would not have predicted after finishing the first.
May 18, 2018
It just gets better...
You know that feeling when you’re up too late reading, but you just can’t put the book down? Well, this book definitely falls into that category for me.
How will this end? Will Theo and Marina really stay together? Why is it that Des seems so comfortable with the Wildings? Who will replace Auntie Min now that Tomas is out of the picture? Will Josh find Elzie?
I guess I just have to move on to Book 3, but first I need a little sleep.
You know that feeling when you’re up too late reading, but you just can’t put the book down? Well, this book definitely falls into that category for me.
How will this end? Will Theo and Marina really stay together? Why is it that Des seems so comfortable with the Wildings? Who will replace Auntie Min now that Tomas is out of the picture? Will Josh find Elzie?
I guess I just have to move on to Book 3, but first I need a little sleep.
December 18, 2019
Good, of course. I will be looking for the third book in the trilogy next.
Read
March 13, 2020Cant wait to read the first book got me sooooo hooked
December 6, 2022
A great sequel where the exploitation of more characters point of view really help the plot and characters develop to a deeper and more exciting level. Well worth the time to read!
June 12, 2013
The series is called The Wildlings, each book having its own title. This is book 2 from that series.
This is urban fantasy. I know a lot of what I review and read falls into that category but its how I prefer to spend my reading time. I do chose mostly only writers I love tho, or series I find interesting before hand. In other words take that into consideration with my reviews. I also dont really like to give up plot points, so my reviews are often a bit vague for someone trying to learn the story.
Ok not really a beginning to end type of book here. There is a situation that kind of gets resolved,but the story does pick up where the last one left off and it ends with a wide open plot line for next book.
That said its a great story in between, and Mr de Lint is really finding a good pace with these characters.
The last half a year has seen many teenagers turning into shape-shifters, wildlings. There's enough fear and prejudices that many of them have found keeping it a secret is the only way to handle it. Whatever is happening it seems that Josh Saunders is at the center of it. Over My Head continues the sorting of these happenings.
Where the first book kind of explained the situation of this series, in this book the relationships are taking shape, and the characters are finding definition and purpose.
Once again if you're a fan of de Lint, its a cant miss, if you're not then this is a good jumping on point for his more complicated plots and stories. Charles is a great story teller, and he is letting this story unwind in its own time, adding elements, I think, only after the prior ones are completely covered and understood.
I do like this series enough to buy the Canadian hardcover. The US edition is a trade PB. I'm looking forward to book 3 too.
This is urban fantasy. I know a lot of what I review and read falls into that category but its how I prefer to spend my reading time. I do chose mostly only writers I love tho, or series I find interesting before hand. In other words take that into consideration with my reviews. I also dont really like to give up plot points, so my reviews are often a bit vague for someone trying to learn the story.
Ok not really a beginning to end type of book here. There is a situation that kind of gets resolved,but the story does pick up where the last one left off and it ends with a wide open plot line for next book.
That said its a great story in between, and Mr de Lint is really finding a good pace with these characters.
The last half a year has seen many teenagers turning into shape-shifters, wildlings. There's enough fear and prejudices that many of them have found keeping it a secret is the only way to handle it. Whatever is happening it seems that Josh Saunders is at the center of it. Over My Head continues the sorting of these happenings.
Where the first book kind of explained the situation of this series, in this book the relationships are taking shape, and the characters are finding definition and purpose.
Once again if you're a fan of de Lint, its a cant miss, if you're not then this is a good jumping on point for his more complicated plots and stories. Charles is a great story teller, and he is letting this story unwind in its own time, adding elements, I think, only after the prior ones are completely covered and understood.
I do like this series enough to buy the Canadian hardcover. The US edition is a trade PB. I'm looking forward to book 3 too.
July 21, 2014
Why isn’t the third book in this series available for me to read right now? Because it’s coming out in two months. I can wait two months, if I have to. I guess.
Josh, who turns into a mountain lion, but is very small in his human shape, shares the narration of this novel with his friend Marina, who turns into a sea otter and Chaingang aka Theo, who is huge in his human shape, but turns into a mouse. A very old shapechanger comes to Chaingang and orders him to murder Josh, so he can’t be the example other old shapechangers hope he will be.
It’s doesn’t sound like it from the little of the plot I’ve related, but Charles de Lint’s novels and short stories, make the reader happy to be a reader. The heroes and heroines in de Lint’a fiction are people this reader is happy to know. They are good folks. I thought Under My Skin seemed like Santa Cruz, now I think made- up city Santa Feliz is more like Venice, without the rich industry people and tourists.
Ordered and bought at a local independent bookstore on 7/6/14 for $14.99 + $3 shipping.
Josh, who turns into a mountain lion, but is very small in his human shape, shares the narration of this novel with his friend Marina, who turns into a sea otter and Chaingang aka Theo, who is huge in his human shape, but turns into a mouse. A very old shapechanger comes to Chaingang and orders him to murder Josh, so he can’t be the example other old shapechangers hope he will be.
It’s doesn’t sound like it from the little of the plot I’ve related, but Charles de Lint’s novels and short stories, make the reader happy to be a reader. The heroes and heroines in de Lint’a fiction are people this reader is happy to know. They are good folks. I thought Under My Skin seemed like Santa Cruz, now I think made- up city Santa Feliz is more like Venice, without the rich industry people and tourists.
Ordered and bought at a local independent bookstore on 7/6/14 for $14.99 + $3 shipping.
December 25, 2013
In this second installation of the Wildings series De Lint introduces two new obstacles for our group of teenage protagonists. The influence of gangs in the barrio is a common theme in many of De Lint's novels of the Southern United States, so his introduction of them into the story is seemless. One of the Wildling boys - Theo aka Chaingang - is a member of the Ocean Avers, but even more realistically, our main guy Josh get involved with the Riverside Kings because he happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. To complicate matters further, Josh and company are being plagued by a group of Cousins (the old school animal people), manifested by the condor Vincenzo, who aren't happy about the Wildlings "going public." The novel ends before the group of Cousins are taken down, so we are primed for the next sure to be exciting third book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2013
Book 2 of the Wildling series. Josh, Marina and Theo "Chaingang", are teenagers in a small California coastal town. The only other thing they have in common is that they are all 'wildlings'--they can change from their human form to an animal form. There are other, older 'cousins; who have always been able to shift between animal and human forms. Some of the cousins look upon the wildlings, especially Josh, as their savior, and some look upon them as a threat. In this book, Josh battles against gangs, cousings, the FBI and his own friends to figure out who he is and what his role is in this new world.
February 5, 2015
Since I was prepared for the tone of this one I liked it better than the first book. Also, we're settling into things, so the world is getting expanded, and there's less exposition.
I did feel like Josh's transition in this book seemed a little sudden. He turned into a badass pretty early in this book, and it's mostly believable, but could have stood to be more gradual. I'm enjoying the story, but I hope the conclusion doesn't emphasize the whole "chosen one" angle too much.
I really liked getting Chaingang's perspective on things. I'm not sure about how this relationship between him and Marina is going to work out, but I'm looking forward to reading the final installment.
I did feel like Josh's transition in this book seemed a little sudden. He turned into a badass pretty early in this book, and it's mostly believable, but could have stood to be more gradual. I'm enjoying the story, but I hope the conclusion doesn't emphasize the whole "chosen one" angle too much.
I really liked getting Chaingang's perspective on things. I'm not sure about how this relationship between him and Marina is going to work out, but I'm looking forward to reading the final installment.
January 21, 2014
After a bumpy start, just as enjoyable as the first book, except that it is not at all self-contained. Book one was a complete story in addition to being part of the series, but book two leaves the reader hanging.
June 27, 2013
Chaingang! My favorite character from now on.
Same as the last book, was overjoyed to learn even more about this new world that Lint created. Want to keep reading.
Same as the last book, was overjoyed to learn even more about this new world that Lint created. Want to keep reading.
August 15, 2013
Always love de Lint, and I like this recent foray into young adult.
April 20, 2013
Book 2 in de Lint's new YA "Wildings" series. I devoured this in a day. Well paced with the expected array of well drawn and likeable characters.
June 5, 2013
Holy fabulous batman! I really liked Under my Skin but I LOVED Over My Head. De Lint is a master of character development!
November 29, 2013
Enjoyed it! What happens next?
How long will it be till we find out?
How long will it be till we find out?
November 2, 2015
Actual rating: 4.5
Oh my GAD what a ride. I love this series to death, and this was just awesome. Now I need to find the third book!
Oh my GAD what a ride. I love this series to death, and this was just awesome. Now I need to find the third book!
May 22, 2015
With great power comes great danger"," apparently.
July 16, 2015
Actually flew through this book in 2 days - it was that good. I liked it even more than the first in the series.
January 7, 2016
Excellent book!
December 20, 2020
In this 2nd novel of the WILDINGS trilogy, Josh Saunders must cope with pursuit by the FBI, murder plots by other Wildings, and strange behaviour from his sweetheart Marina.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews