"The Inkeeper's Song" by Peter S. Beagle

I love Beagle's writing.  Its descriptive and poetic, like strolling in a museum of odd, beautiful, disturbing paintings.

This work, like so many of his, has a kind of mystical, dreamlike quality.  Things happen, of course, and the multiple points of view make for a delightful sense of perspectives (one voice is that of a sentient fox).  There is magic and symbolism and a surprise or two.  It makes for an unexpected, fresh tale.  

My only complaint is that Peter Beagle rarely follows up with sequels after taking all the time to create these rich vistas.  By all means, dig in and let yourself wander through a very different world.