A vivid and colorful setting, with enchanted magic, high romance, and pleasent prose. This is the best of the series of fairy books by Dennis McKieran (so Far), and all the others are good as well. But, the plot line is getting slightly repeatitive, other wise this would have scored even higher.

Score:A-
Setting: A+. Characters: A+. Readability: A. Plot: C+ Action: B (light) Romance: A. Age: 12 and up. Sex: mild. Violence: mild.

The problem with the book is that I feel like I've read it before - and not the original "Glass Mountain" fairy tale. It is almost the same story as the first book in the series, "Once Upon A Winter's Night" - cursed young loves are separated through magical misdoings and one has to go on a quest to find the other (or find a cure) with a very specific time limitation. The lack of originality doesn't come from the fact that this is a reinvention of an older tale, but that it's a rehashing of a plot already worn thin.

Even so, I probably would have enjoyed the story if not for the twee and hackneyed use of language - 'round instead of around, 'neath instead of beneath. Overly flowery and repetative speeches and palid characterizations make me glad I got this from the library. At least it's a quick read so I won't have to worry about late fees.

It was perfect. I was in the Faery within the first few words, and stayed there until the story was done. As usual, Mr. McKiernan did it to me again. I was laughing and crying and frightened for the lovers until the very end.

I can't wait for Once upon a Spring Morn!

The knight with blood pouring from his wounds enters Autumnwood in the magical land of Faery. Goblins pursue him until he falls from his horse as if dead. Princess Liaze quickly chases the goblins away from the fallen warrior. Realizing he still lives, she takes him to her home to heal while shocked that somehow he already has entered her heart.

Sieur Luc and Liaze fall in love at first sight. However, someone abducts Luc from the safety of Liaze's demesne. Clues provided by the Fates point towards Liaze's enemy the Wizard Orbane and his three witches Hradian, Iniquý and Nefasý though why Luc is taken makes no sense to Liaze. She begins a quest to rescue her beloved with only the limited help of the Fates and the true love connection between their hearts to guide her.

The third once upon a season fantasy (see ONCE UPON A WINTER'S NIGHT and ONCE UPON A SUMMER DAY) contains a delightful gender bender heroine coming to the rescue of the captured knight rather than the other way as happens in the somewhat similarly plotted fairy tale Glass Mountain. The story line is fast-paced, but the villains seem more like caricatures than fully realistic evil people. Still with a terrific twist involving Luc and a fabulous female champion, young fans of feature length fairy tales will enjoy Dennis McKiernan's latest trek into the land of Fairy.

Harriet Klausner