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Glancing Through the Glimmer
In the modern Kingdom of Ireland, few mortals believe in the fairy folk. Without that belief, the fairies are dying. Finvarra, the King of the Fairies, would rather dance than worry—but he must have a mortal dancing partner.When Janet Gleason’s grandfather becomes the new U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, the sixteen-year-old orphan must leave Boston and her friends behind. Janet is lonely in Dublin and unused to her grandparents’ stuffy social life. An invitation to a royal ball terrifies her. She can’t even waltz and dreads embarrassment. Finvarra’s fairy witch overhears her fervent wish to learn to dance.Seventeen-year-old Prince Liam Boru loathes the idea of escorting another spoiled American girl to a ball. In fact, he detests most of his royal duties. He dresses down to move through Dublin unnoticed and finds himself on his royal backside when Janet crashes into him. Intrigued, he asks to see her again, and she willingly agrees. Unaware of each other’s identities, they arrange to meet. When they do, the fairies steal Janet away.Liam’s attempts to find her trigger a series of frustrating misadventures. Can he and Janet outwit a treacherous fairy king who’s been hoodwinking mortals for centuries?
209 pages, Paperback
First published November 11, 2011
5 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Pat McDermott
15 books32 followersPat McDermott writes tales of action/adventure, romance, and fantasy. The Glimmer Books, young adult paranormal adventures starring Ireland’s mischievous fairies, are “prequels” to her popular Band of Roses Series. Unholy Crossing is a ghost story set in Boston and Ireland in 1912. The Rosewood Whistle, The Bogwood Horse, and The Cherrywood Banjo, are contemporary romances featuring Ireland’s music and myths. Going Back on Old Times is her first short story anthology.
Pat’s favorite non-writing activities include cooking, hiking, reading, and traveling, especially to Ireland. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, she lives and writes in New Hampshire, USA.
Pat’s favorite non-writing activities include cooking, hiking, reading, and traveling, especially to Ireland. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, she lives and writes in New Hampshire, USA.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 13, 2020
Lovely story set in Ireland. An ambassador's granddaughter and a modern day prince have a fantastic adventure mixing both facts and legends of the place. It was a beautiful read about young love with elements of fantasy woven in from the stories of the fairies. Enjoyed it.
September 3, 2024
Another book that took me long time to decide to read and ended up loving it. Great writing and interesting. Kings, queens, fairies that cause chaos, and young adults who become friends in Ireland. The story has adventure and suspense. Kept me reading. Janet and Liam are a great match and curious to see where it might go in another book. Plus, Fairie king has something up his sleeve, satisfied for now with the friendship with the mortal king and family but I wonder???? I will read the next one, way sooner than I did this time. The castle sounds cool, but I love castles just don't want to meet up with a Fairie king and his magic.
March 11, 2018
The first one of Pat McDermott’s books I read was “Autumn Glimmer”; and, since I’d enjoyed it so thoroughly, when I found out that it’s actually the sequel to “Glancing through the Glimmer”, I though I just had to read that, too, because I was sure it would be equally wonderful. And oh yes, it most certainly is!
It is here that we first get introduced to Janet, granddaughter of the new American ambassador to Ireland, and Liam, son of the Irish king. What – is Ireland still a monarchy, then? Yes, in Pat McDermott’s world it actually is! And, of course, there actually are fairies living there as well; you’ve just got to believe in them! But that is exactly their problem: people don’t tend to believe in the ‘good people’ anymore, and that is what has weakened their magic and left their palaces crumbling. They love partying, though, and Finvarra, king of the Connaught fairies, longs to have a human girl at one of his dances again, like in the old days, and he sends out his witch Becula to find one – and she happens to choose Janet…
Meanwhile, Janet has met young Liam by chance in the streets of Dublin, knowing nothing of his real identity – even though they are supposed to dance together at the big ball Liam’s father, King Brian, is giving in a few days! She finds him rather charming and agrees to a walk in the countryside – and that is where Becula catches up with them and lures Janet into the fairy underworld. Liam follows them and tries to save Janet from the clutches of the fairy king – but it seems that the fairies’ magic is stronger than human power…
A fantastic read in every way, “Glancing through the Glimmer” manages to combine down-to-earth YA issues like relationships with parents and grandparents, problems with having to move to another country, and blossoming romance with a most hilarious world of fairies and witches! The references to Irish mythology and history (King Brian is a descendant of the great 11th century warrior king Brian Boru) will delight all fans of Celtic lore, and will make many others start getting interested in it. Lots of action, a wonderful sense of humour, and a lovely bit of innocent romance will leave everybody simply enthralled!
It is here that we first get introduced to Janet, granddaughter of the new American ambassador to Ireland, and Liam, son of the Irish king. What – is Ireland still a monarchy, then? Yes, in Pat McDermott’s world it actually is! And, of course, there actually are fairies living there as well; you’ve just got to believe in them! But that is exactly their problem: people don’t tend to believe in the ‘good people’ anymore, and that is what has weakened their magic and left their palaces crumbling. They love partying, though, and Finvarra, king of the Connaught fairies, longs to have a human girl at one of his dances again, like in the old days, and he sends out his witch Becula to find one – and she happens to choose Janet…
Meanwhile, Janet has met young Liam by chance in the streets of Dublin, knowing nothing of his real identity – even though they are supposed to dance together at the big ball Liam’s father, King Brian, is giving in a few days! She finds him rather charming and agrees to a walk in the countryside – and that is where Becula catches up with them and lures Janet into the fairy underworld. Liam follows them and tries to save Janet from the clutches of the fairy king – but it seems that the fairies’ magic is stronger than human power…
A fantastic read in every way, “Glancing through the Glimmer” manages to combine down-to-earth YA issues like relationships with parents and grandparents, problems with having to move to another country, and blossoming romance with a most hilarious world of fairies and witches! The references to Irish mythology and history (King Brian is a descendant of the great 11th century warrior king Brian Boru) will delight all fans of Celtic lore, and will make many others start getting interested in it. Lots of action, a wonderful sense of humour, and a lovely bit of innocent romance will leave everybody simply enthralled!
July 19, 2022
I really enjoyed this one. It has that "grungy real world meets the fae" vibe.
It reminded me of Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones.
It reminded me of Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones.
March 30, 2012
I placed this review first on Amazon US & UK.
In Glancing Through the Glimmer, author Pat McDermott turns Irish history on its head and draws us into a fantasy so real we never want to leave. This novel is full of wonderful characters we want to spend time with. Enchanted, we roam Dublin’s fair city, dance with ancient fairies veiled in glimmer, and wander the magical labyrinths within the hills of Howth and beneath a royal castle.
On entering this magical world with American teen, Janet Gleason, granddaughter of the American Ambassador, and her friend Matti, we meet handsome Liam Boru – the prince who might have been – and Finvarra, King of the Fairies who depends on…no…demands royal patronage. Then there is the memorable Nora, with the power to charm and deceive, who turns up at the right and wrong times, and the lovely Princess Talty, Crown Princess of Ms McDermott’s mythical Ireland.
Janet dreads meeting the royal family and having to dance with the prince because she can’t dance, and Prince Liam doesn’t want to escort another American upstart to this year’s Royal Ball. So, it is fortunate that young love blossoms between the pair when both are still unaware of each other’s true identity.
However, mischief, cunning and selfishness born of need are traits attributed to the desperate fairies. They are dangerous to unwary humans. Janet and Liam find themselves separated and adrift in their own frightening adventures.
Written from the heart, Ms McDermott’s hauntingly lovely story will enthral both young and adult readers. I love Glancing Through The Glimmer. It feels personal.
So, when you step inside these pages, heed my simple warning, ‘Beware bewitching music on the misty hills above the Irish sea.’
In Glancing Through the Glimmer, author Pat McDermott turns Irish history on its head and draws us into a fantasy so real we never want to leave. This novel is full of wonderful characters we want to spend time with. Enchanted, we roam Dublin’s fair city, dance with ancient fairies veiled in glimmer, and wander the magical labyrinths within the hills of Howth and beneath a royal castle.
On entering this magical world with American teen, Janet Gleason, granddaughter of the American Ambassador, and her friend Matti, we meet handsome Liam Boru – the prince who might have been – and Finvarra, King of the Fairies who depends on…no…demands royal patronage. Then there is the memorable Nora, with the power to charm and deceive, who turns up at the right and wrong times, and the lovely Princess Talty, Crown Princess of Ms McDermott’s mythical Ireland.
Janet dreads meeting the royal family and having to dance with the prince because she can’t dance, and Prince Liam doesn’t want to escort another American upstart to this year’s Royal Ball. So, it is fortunate that young love blossoms between the pair when both are still unaware of each other’s true identity.
However, mischief, cunning and selfishness born of need are traits attributed to the desperate fairies. They are dangerous to unwary humans. Janet and Liam find themselves separated and adrift in their own frightening adventures.
Written from the heart, Ms McDermott’s hauntingly lovely story will enthral both young and adult readers. I love Glancing Through The Glimmer. It feels personal.
So, when you step inside these pages, heed my simple warning, ‘Beware bewitching music on the misty hills above the Irish sea.’
January 6, 2012
Loved this storyline! Just the sort of book I would have picked in my junior high days: Ireland, fairies, a hint of romance, and lots of adventure!! Perfect for ages 12-16. I highly recommend for young readers.
February 28, 2015
I only wanted to dance.
Oh those fairies and the Irish. They make such wonderful stories. But sometimes they can get out of hand. And that kept the story going. I was not ready for it to stop.
Oh those fairies and the Irish. They make such wonderful stories. But sometimes they can get out of hand. And that kept the story going. I was not ready for it to stop.
February 7, 2017
3 1/2 Stars
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews