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Chronicles of Faerie #1-3
The Chronicles of Faerie
This gorgeous new collection of the first three volumes of the Chronicles of Faerie has been specially designed to appeal to young adult readers ages fourteen and up. It includes:
The Hunter's Moon
Findabhair and her cousin Gwen have always believed in magic and the other world, and their dream is to find a way to enter it. Where better to begin than at royal Tara, seat of the High Kings of Ireland? Eager for adventure, they challenge an ancient law by spending the night in the sacred Sidbemound. When Gwen awakens, she is horrified to discover that Findabhair has disappeared, abducted by the King of the Faeries. How will Gwen rescue her cousin?
The Summer King
Seventeen-year-old Laurel Blackburn has come to Ireland to escape the sorrow of her twin sister's death in Canada. After a magical experience involving her sister, Laurel's grandfather tells her the Irish once believed that Faerie was the land of the after-life. Then a cluricaun, of the Clan Leprechaun, gives Laurel a mission: To help her sister enter Faerie, Laurel must find the lost King of the West.
The Light-bearer's Daughter
Dana's broken family is about to immigrate to Canada from Ireland, despite her protests. Then the King of Faerie charges her with a mission: She must carry an urgent message to his second-in-command deep in the mountains. Why has he chosen Dana, and what has it to do with her long-lost mother?
The Hunter's Moon
Findabhair and her cousin Gwen have always believed in magic and the other world, and their dream is to find a way to enter it. Where better to begin than at royal Tara, seat of the High Kings of Ireland? Eager for adventure, they challenge an ancient law by spending the night in the sacred Sidbemound. When Gwen awakens, she is horrified to discover that Findabhair has disappeared, abducted by the King of the Faeries. How will Gwen rescue her cousin?
The Summer King
Seventeen-year-old Laurel Blackburn has come to Ireland to escape the sorrow of her twin sister's death in Canada. After a magical experience involving her sister, Laurel's grandfather tells her the Irish once believed that Faerie was the land of the after-life. Then a cluricaun, of the Clan Leprechaun, gives Laurel a mission: To help her sister enter Faerie, Laurel must find the lost King of the West.
The Light-bearer's Daughter
Dana's broken family is about to immigrate to Canada from Ireland, despite her protests. Then the King of Faerie charges her with a mission: She must carry an urgent message to his second-in-command deep in the mountains. Why has he chosen Dana, and what has it to do with her long-lost mother?
610 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
6 people are currently reading
368 people want to read
About the author
O.R. Melling
24 books479 followersBorn in Ireland, raised and educated in Toronto, Canada along with my seven sisters and two brothers, now living back in Ireland again. I have a beautiful daughter, Findabhair, doing her M.A. in Marine Biology and a beautiful cat, Emma, who would love to eat the fish Finn (great name for a marine biologist, eh?) wants to protect. My favourite author of all time is CS Lewis. I've read everything he ever wrote including non-fiction and adult fiction, but the Chronicles of Narnia are the best of all.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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January 9, 2010saw this in Reggie's hands on Dead Like Me
December 28, 2018
In brief: The first three of four books set in an Ireland full of faeries, adventure, and hidden danger. All feature girls on quests to save Faerie, rescue people, and find themselves.
Full disclosure: The first book in this series, The Hunter’s Moon, was one of my favourites between about ages 10 to 12. My review of this book and series will be coloured by that, probably with a fair bit of rosy-glasses thinking.
Thoughts: I liked the novels in this omnibus, though I have issues with the insta-love and I remember Melling’s writing being more compelling and evocative as a kid. (I think this means that, for kids, they’ll still be pretty compelling, especially since Melling’s voice doesn’t change all that much from book to book.) Gwen, the heroine of The Hunter’s Moon, is still my favourite because her struggles mirror mine the most, but I appreciated that Melling didn’t stick with her or cookie-cutter versions, but instead chose girls who had different personalities. I also liked the way she wove in the faeries and folklore, and that the stories kind of span Ireland, instead of sticking to one county.
Melling’s also a good enough writer that she doesn’t repeat herself much beyond the quest narrative structure (which still doesn’t feel quite predictable) and the apparently obligatory romances. She’s good at character and scenery and things, with a light touch that leaves a lot to the imagination, and toes the line between middle grade and young adult very well, with heroines in both age ranges, a middle grade tone, and adventures that are exciting but believable, scary but not life-threatening.
That said, the books aren’t perfect. There are some timeline problems—characters travelling for a day but making comments like it’s been a week—and, like I keep mentioning, the romance elements. Both Gwen and Laurel, the heroine of the second book, The Summer King, meet boys and within hours have basically realized they are The One. (Dana, the heroine of The Lightbearer’s Daughter, is ten so gets exempted, but stay tuned for tomorrow.) They’re also a little dated in that some of the reactions and themes are a little more simplistic than I’m used to, like if they were written today there’d be more moral greyness, and reluctance or denial from the heroines, and Dana’s story is probably the least believable of the three, because getting a ten-year-old safely through a fantasy quest involves a lot of coincidence. That said, if I were ten, I probably wouldn’t notice, given that I didn’t pick up on the timeline stuff in The Hunter’s Moon.
In sum: An enjoyable series, good writing, possibly not the best out there but certainly strong. I’d cheerfully rec these books to a kid or a teen looking for a fantasy adventure that entertains without being challenging. Melling definitely captures what makes reading magical (and magic, magical too). I’m glad I read this but don’t see myself rereading it again like I might have done as a kid.
Warnings: Insta-love. That thing people do where twins are Connected™. Probably mentions of the g-slur, though it’s been a month by this point so I don’t remember for sure. (It’ll be related to fashion if it’s there.)
7/10
Full disclosure: The first book in this series, The Hunter’s Moon, was one of my favourites between about ages 10 to 12. My review of this book and series will be coloured by that, probably with a fair bit of rosy-glasses thinking.
Thoughts: I liked the novels in this omnibus, though I have issues with the insta-love and I remember Melling’s writing being more compelling and evocative as a kid. (I think this means that, for kids, they’ll still be pretty compelling, especially since Melling’s voice doesn’t change all that much from book to book.) Gwen, the heroine of The Hunter’s Moon, is still my favourite because her struggles mirror mine the most, but I appreciated that Melling didn’t stick with her or cookie-cutter versions, but instead chose girls who had different personalities. I also liked the way she wove in the faeries and folklore, and that the stories kind of span Ireland, instead of sticking to one county.
Melling’s also a good enough writer that she doesn’t repeat herself much beyond the quest narrative structure (which still doesn’t feel quite predictable) and the apparently obligatory romances. She’s good at character and scenery and things, with a light touch that leaves a lot to the imagination, and toes the line between middle grade and young adult very well, with heroines in both age ranges, a middle grade tone, and adventures that are exciting but believable, scary but not life-threatening.
That said, the books aren’t perfect. There are some timeline problems—characters travelling for a day but making comments like it’s been a week—and, like I keep mentioning, the romance elements. Both Gwen and Laurel, the heroine of the second book, The Summer King, meet boys and within hours have basically realized they are The One. (Dana, the heroine of The Lightbearer’s Daughter, is ten so gets exempted, but stay tuned for tomorrow.) They’re also a little dated in that some of the reactions and themes are a little more simplistic than I’m used to, like if they were written today there’d be more moral greyness, and reluctance or denial from the heroines, and Dana’s story is probably the least believable of the three, because getting a ten-year-old safely through a fantasy quest involves a lot of coincidence. That said, if I were ten, I probably wouldn’t notice, given that I didn’t pick up on the timeline stuff in The Hunter’s Moon.
In sum: An enjoyable series, good writing, possibly not the best out there but certainly strong. I’d cheerfully rec these books to a kid or a teen looking for a fantasy adventure that entertains without being challenging. Melling definitely captures what makes reading magical (and magic, magical too). I’m glad I read this but don’t see myself rereading it again like I might have done as a kid.
Warnings: Insta-love. That thing people do where twins are Connected™. Probably mentions of the g-slur, though it’s been a month by this point so I don’t remember for sure. (It’ll be related to fashion if it’s there.)
7/10
November 28, 2023
Great trilogy and I flew right through the 892 pages.
There are many things I liked and really enjoyed and just one thing that I found disappointing and worthy of a star removal.
Likes:
Interweaving the Gaelic and English. The author is well versed in Ireland and it's lore which I loved and it was great fun reminiscing about places I've been and experienced.
Introducing new characters and referring to characters in the other books was very cohesive and a nice touch.
The lore was brought to life with great skill.
Wonderful rich characters and locations and good pacing.
Dislikes:
The only thing that I found disappointing was the payoff in the conclusion. The author had done such a marvellous job setting up and the journey was terrific. The climax of each book was a real letdown and seems rushed and as if the author wanted to get it out of the way. So, they left me feeling flat and wanting much more.
Great set of books and I recommend.
There are many things I liked and really enjoyed and just one thing that I found disappointing and worthy of a star removal.
Likes:
Interweaving the Gaelic and English. The author is well versed in Ireland and it's lore which I loved and it was great fun reminiscing about places I've been and experienced.
Introducing new characters and referring to characters in the other books was very cohesive and a nice touch.
The lore was brought to life with great skill.
Wonderful rich characters and locations and good pacing.
Dislikes:
The only thing that I found disappointing was the payoff in the conclusion. The author had done such a marvellous job setting up and the journey was terrific. The climax of each book was a real letdown and seems rushed and as if the author wanted to get it out of the way. So, they left me feeling flat and wanting much more.
Great set of books and I recommend.
February 10, 2023
I remember reading this in grade 7 or 8 I think, my teacher had this edition on her shelf of books we could borrow whenever we wanted. I fell in love and borrowed it to re-read multiple times that year.
I've been trying to remember it *forever* and just discovered it on good reads today. I'm so happy to have rediscovered it and look forward to reading it again! And to reading the fourth book I didn't know existed!!!
I've been trying to remember it *forever* and just discovered it on good reads today. I'm so happy to have rediscovered it and look forward to reading it again! And to reading the fourth book I didn't know existed!!!
July 13, 2010
i believe i first read this series is grade eight for a book report… and boy has it stuck with me since then. this ranges as one of the first ‘adult’ fairy books i’ve read and inspired me to further my fairy obsession. and when i say adult i don’t mean ‘adult’, i refer to the fact that this story isn’t about the fairies we use to entertain children. stories like this one draw their content from the fairies of mythology, from irish/ british myth and legends.
in this book there are three stories, there is a fourth and concluding story, but that’s not in this edition of the book. basically, the series focuses on different girls and their interactions with the fairy world. in the first two, the hunter’s moon and the summer king, there are two girls and one get taken away by the fairies because she has caught the eye of a fairy king and we the readers are left with the girl left behind, who goes in search of the missing girl. the girl the reader is with eventually comes into contact with the fairies (which takes a lot of work as we might imagine) and she discovers that there is a problem. in the first it was the hunter’s moon, a monster that demanded sacrifice (which they fought) and in the second the problem’s focus is on (you guessed it) the summer king. i won’t go into a lot of detail because it’s been a while since i’ve read them and i don’t want to spoil anything. the third story is a bit different than the first two it’s called the light- bearer’s daughter and there’s only one girl in the story… the light bearer’s daughter (the title’s are really helpful). the girl in this story is half fairy (that would be the light- bearer side) and she goes in search of her fairy mother. this story is continued in the final installation, or i should say expanded upon because there is something of an appropriate ending in this book.
all of the stories have strong, proactive heroines and are rich with fairy lore, making the possibility of fairies come alive for a new, younger generation. a good thing about the series is that the characters from the previous books will make an appearance later on in the series as a minor character, kind threading it all together.
i strongly recommend this series. i have very fond memories of it when i was younger and have actually purchased it not that long ago. it’s a great intro to faeries for those who are unaware, and for those who are, well its a fun ride. it’s aimed towards a late elementary school, early teen audience, but can be enjoyed by anyone with a like interest. it’s pretty well written and doesn’t take much time to get through. i recommend.
in this book there are three stories, there is a fourth and concluding story, but that’s not in this edition of the book. basically, the series focuses on different girls and their interactions with the fairy world. in the first two, the hunter’s moon and the summer king, there are two girls and one get taken away by the fairies because she has caught the eye of a fairy king and we the readers are left with the girl left behind, who goes in search of the missing girl. the girl the reader is with eventually comes into contact with the fairies (which takes a lot of work as we might imagine) and she discovers that there is a problem. in the first it was the hunter’s moon, a monster that demanded sacrifice (which they fought) and in the second the problem’s focus is on (you guessed it) the summer king. i won’t go into a lot of detail because it’s been a while since i’ve read them and i don’t want to spoil anything. the third story is a bit different than the first two it’s called the light- bearer’s daughter and there’s only one girl in the story… the light bearer’s daughter (the title’s are really helpful). the girl in this story is half fairy (that would be the light- bearer side) and she goes in search of her fairy mother. this story is continued in the final installation, or i should say expanded upon because there is something of an appropriate ending in this book.
all of the stories have strong, proactive heroines and are rich with fairy lore, making the possibility of fairies come alive for a new, younger generation. a good thing about the series is that the characters from the previous books will make an appearance later on in the series as a minor character, kind threading it all together.
i strongly recommend this series. i have very fond memories of it when i was younger and have actually purchased it not that long ago. it’s a great intro to faeries for those who are unaware, and for those who are, well its a fun ride. it’s aimed towards a late elementary school, early teen audience, but can be enjoyed by anyone with a like interest. it’s pretty well written and doesn’t take much time to get through. i recommend.
February 1, 2016
This book was my first foray into fantasy-style novels when I was probably 15, and it was the perfect choice. The plot is fascinating, and the author's use of connections between Canada and Ireland will make any Canadian or Irish citizen feel connected to the other. The stories, folklore, magic, and drama kept me reading until the late hours of the night. It reads well, in that it doesn't read "too easy" or "too dense". I was able to sit for hours reading it without feeling too overwhelmed by the writing style, but I still felt that it included good writing and word choice. I definitely recommend this book, especially to teens who enjoy fantasy/magic novels.
February 11, 2012
Spectacular and bone chilling to say the least. This book has made me believe all that much more in Faeries. I love how it uses actually myths and legends, like how to ward off evil spirits by sprinkling salt around the window sills and doors. Good to know ;). This is my all time favourite book and author. Not to mention that O.R. Melling herself replied to an e-mail I sent her, telling me one of her real Faerie experiences and Ireland and complimenting my name, saying it sounds like a Faerie name. Must read for any one of any age who enjoys getting lost in magical worlds.
April 27, 2015
This is a book I read more than 10 years ago but I have thought about it many times since. The story has stuck with me, and some of the details have inspired some of the stories I now tell my 5 year old daughter. I remember believing in fairies as a young child, and by the time I read this book (possibly around the age of 20), a little part of me believed again. I think I might try to find this book and read it a second time one day, which is not something I ever do.
June 8, 2008
Any of the wondrous books by O R Melling are a delight for children and young adults. The stories masterfully combine reality with the mystic world of Irish myth and legend.
Read them...and believe in faeries
Read them...and believe in faeries
July 30, 2011
For any faerie fiction lover, this is a must read! It takes her three Chronicles of Faerie book and puts them into one cover. If read continuously and ending with the penultimate of The Book of Dreams, I was not disappointed.
October 18, 2016
A beautiful book that includes three of OR Melling's finest Irish stories: The Hunter's Moon, The Summer King, and the Light-Bearer's Daughter. Urban fantasy. I return to this book again and again for comfort and inspiration.
July 5, 2011
I remember really liking this book as a child, since it made me become fascinated with the Fae. It also inspired me to start writing at a young age. Definitely worth rereading.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews