Review of "The Ivory and the Horn"

by James E. Henderson

A continuation of the "cycle of myths" surrounding the imaginary city of Newford, "The Ivory and the Horn" completes some of the tales told in "Dreams Underfoot" while adding new and unique stories to the magical collection. Here Charles de Lint speaks mostly from the viewpoint of his heroines. He gave these words to the angel with the broken wing who came to Newford to heal:

"It's as though we stand in the dark of the moon and anything is possible. We're hidden from the sun's light, from anything that might try to remind us that we only borrow these lives we live, we don't own them."

My view of magic, if it were to exist, is best expressed by one of de Lint's characters:

Gina always believed there was magic in the world. "But it doesn't work the way it does in fairy tales," she told me. "It doesn't save us. We have to save ourselves."

Jilly Coppercorn is back, as is Coyote, in several guises. Several other familiar faces will crop up. The city is there, constantly changing but with a familiar feel to it much of the time.

These are stories of magic. Perhaps I should mention that they are not for children.

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