This has the classic Newford feel, even though I understand this is an attempt at more typical urban fantasy. The urban does come through, particularly in the action scenes. I could have lived without that, quite frankly.
I also thought there was too much of a parade of characters. I only read a handful of Newfords before, so some were familiar, but not all. And quite a few of them didn't seem to serve any purpose aside from recognition for loyal readers and emphasising it is a weird world. ( )

I’m a big fan of Charles de Lint and his Newford stories, most of which I’ve reread.
This new story, set in Newford, is the start of a new urban fantasy series. As de Lint himself states in the foreword, this is a much more conventional urban fantasy than his previous work - despite being hailed as the father of urban fantasy as a genre.
Unfortunately I found it a very meh read.
Starting with the good; the voice is unmistakably de Lint. And as a visit to Newford goes, it allows the reader a Quick view of almost all the characters from previous works and their happily ever after.
The issue to me is mostly that this reads like fan fiction, and Mary Sue fan fiction at that. I am not opposed to authors going fan fic in their own universes - Wen Spencers Project Elfhome is a great example of doing it right - but the Mary Sue qualities are not what I am appreciating in fan fiction. ( )

Really not his best. I'm already forgetting about it. It just didn't have that sense of magic-in-our-world that some of his other works have. Too bad; I love Newford. ( )

A wonderful visit to Newford

To be truthful, I was a little turned off by the title and the cover art. They don’t fit in with his other works — there’s no sense of fantasy or mystery.

Aside from that, I found it a very interesting story. Perhaps a little to light hearted and easy going but a must read if you are a fan of De Lint’s work or the genre. ( )

Dit boek heb ik gelezen ter nagedachtenis aan M, een vriendin van mijn ff-leesclub die onlangs is overleden. Zij was een enorme fan van de boeken van Charles de Lint en als leesclub hebben wij besloten om de twee Juniper Wiles boeken te lezen als SLS (SamenLeesSerie) ter ere van haar.

Ik heb nog nooit eerder iets van CdL gelezen, maar ik denk niet dat het bij deze boeken zal blijven. Ik vind ze namelijk echt leuk. Alternatieve werelden, een verscheidenheid aan personages die allemaal een speciaal magisch talent hebben. Gedaante-verwisselaars, mensen die internet in hun hoofd hebben, weerwolven, geesten uit andere werelden die hun heil zoeken in de wereld van Juniper.
Als zij wordt aangesproken door Ethan en zij hem niet te woord wil staan, komt ze er een dag later achter dat Ethan al een week dood is. Dat zet haar aan het denken en zij en haar vriendin Jilly gaan op onderzoek uit. Erg leuk en prettig leesbaar geschreven. ( )