Once Upon a Spring Morn

Faery #4

by Dennis L. McKiernan

Falling in love with Celeste, princess of Springwood, Roel finally has a chance at true happiness, until his sister is abducted by a horrific lord with the power to steal the souls he has taken, forcing Roel and his beloved to embark on a desperate odyssey to save his sister before the dark of the moon. Reprint.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fairy Tales, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Novels, Fairy Tale Retellings

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

McKiernan was born in Moberly, Missouri, where he lived until he served the U.S. Air Force for four years, stationed within US territory during the Korean War. After military service, he attended the University of Missouri and received a B.S. in electrical engineering in 1958 and an M.S. in the same field from Duke University in 1964. He worked as an engineer at AT&T, initially at Western Electric but soon at Bell Laboratories, from 1958 until 1989. In 1989, after early retirement from engineering, McKiernan began writing on a full-time basis.

In 1977, while riding his motorcycle, McKiernan was hit by a car which had crossed the center-line, and was confined to a bed, first in traction and then in a hip spica cast, for many months. During his recuperation, he boldly began a sequel to J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. The publisher Doubleday showed an interest in his work and tried to obtain authorization from Tolkien's estate but was denied. Doubleday then asked McKiernan to rewrite his story, placing the characters in a different fictitious world, and also to write a prequel supporting it. The prequel, of necessity, resembles The Lord of the Rings; the decision of Doubleday to issue the work as a trilogy increased that resemblance; and some critics have seen McKiernan as simply imitating Tolkien's epic work. McKiernan has subsequently developed stories in the series that followed along a story line different from those that plausibly could have been taken by Tolkien.

McKiernan's Faery Series expands tales draw from Andrew Lang's Fairy Books, additionally tying the selected tales together with a larger plot.

McKiernan currently lives in Tucson, Arizona.

(Biography taken from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Lbd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Dennis McKiernan's writing style. He's taken fairy tales and molded them into what "Might have beens" if we had the full story. This series of "tales" has been fun to read.

[Sheryl A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good fun. Exciting pace. Fresh story with a well developed mythology. Definite distinction between good and evil.

Interesting take on time travel. The world of four seasons is ruled by 4 monarchs w/a dash if democracy in this universe, but there is a type of netherworld between them. The villain forces uses surprise, history, and overwhelming forces to try and capture the worlds of light.

[Lisette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like the instant love relationship. The go from meeting to bethrotted in 9 days, and some of them he was unconsious. I thought the book was very predictable and it couldn't hold my interest for long.

[Sheryl McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging story; realistic fantasy

[LibraryDanielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

the only thing that bothers me about Spring and Autumn is that Céleste and Liaze, while having the potential to be strong characters, are still weak and to be protected. they each rule their own realm, are warriors in their own right, and can think for themselves, but are still to be coddled. Céleste cries when she is asked a riddle and Liaze stays home like a good little woman. sigh.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again, the main character falls in love way too fast. I wasn't too impressed with the story. Even the little deviances it takes from the repeatable plot (that's appearing in each book of the series) wasn't too interesting. I'm very disappointed.

[Kipahni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is by far the best in the series though the way the story is told is still choppy and cheesey. I mean who would ever say. " and at that moment he knew he would woo her?"
please.....

[Tonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining fantasy novel.

[Therese · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once you get to the 4th book in this series, the format is pretty predictable.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like McKiernan, and fairy tales, you will like this series overall. If you don't like classic style fantasy, don't bother to pick it up. If you do, it is worth a read.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series because it is not like anything I have already read!

[The Fairy Godmother]

Fourth book in the series. Retelling of Childe Rolandand Le Bel Inconnu.