Wolf Moon is a 1988 fantasy novel by Charles de Lint

Charles de Lint

Charles de Lint is a Canadian fantasy author and folk musician. He is also the chief book critic for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction....

. The "wolf moon" is the first moon of winter, when the climax of the story takes place.

Plot summary

A werewolf is hunted by a harper; trying to escape, Kern finds himself at an inn and decides to stay. His past has a tale of trying to find acceptance as a man and a werewolf and being nearly killed for revealing what he truly is. He decides at this inn to love the woman there and never reveal his animal nature. However, the harper has found him and threatens everything Kern now holds dear.

Characters

• Kern - the main character. A werewolf by birth, he was scorned by his parents and a loved one once they found out what he was. He is forced to run from village to village and into the wilderness, but seeks refuge at the Yellow Tinker.
• Tuiloch - a wicked harper who hunts werewolves and is tracking Kern. With the use of his harp, he has the ability to make people do his bidding with music, if they are not strong-willed enough to fend him off.
• Feragh - A large musteline and silver-furred creature summoned into existence by Tuiloch's harping. Most feared by Kern.
• Ainsy - Kern's love interest. Owner and caretaker of the Yellow Tinker, an inn, where the novel takes place.
• Fion - A worker at the Yellow Tinker and friend to Ainsy.
• Tolly - The stable boy at the Yellow Tinker, who is killed by the feragh.
• Wat - The simple-minded animal caretaker
• Tomtim - The uncle of Ainsy who is saved by Kern from thieves who rob and torture him.