Once Upon a Dreadful Time

September 10, 2007
Technically a stand-alone, McKiernan’s solid fifth and final Once Upon fantasy (after 2006’s Once Upon a Spring Morn
) focuses on the battle to keep the dreadful witch Hradian and scheming wizard Orbane from despoiling Winterwood, Springwood, Summerwood, Autumnwood and the River of Time itself. After King Valeray and Queen Saissa’s children and their consorts destroy Hradian’s three wicked sisters and take possession of the seasonal lands, Hradian becomes determined to exact revenge. Toward this end, she decides to free the wizard Orbane, whose evil machinations soon exceed even Hradian’s foul desires. Fey allies and the enigmatic guidance of the Fates are required to counter Orbane, and success is far from assured. Series fans should be satisfied, though some may be disappointed that this one is more about war than romance and that background information, presumably for the benefit of newcomers, slows the plot in places.

October 15, 2007
The four children of King Valeray and Queen Saissa, who together rule the domain of the Seasons in the realm of Faerie, have undergone trials to win their respective true loves, and now some are starting families of their own. Along their journeys of love, they've encountered and often slayed the monsters Fate puts in their paths. Now the evil witch Hradian has conceived a plan to avenge her three sisters' deaths. This fourth book in the five-volume "Once Upon" series (following "Once Upon a Spring Morn") features the author's takes on a diverse group of fairy talese.g., "East of the Sun and West of the Moon," "Sleeping Beauty," and "Tam Lin"complete with riddles, challenges, trickery, and a surprise ending. While the characters lack complexityunsurprising, considering the large number of heroes and heroinesthe story exhibits the author's unflinching charm and obvious mastery of his art. A welcome addition (along with its predecessors) to any library.

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2007
When a big fair is held at the Palace of Seasons, the entire royal family comes from Springwood, Summerwood, Autumnwood, and Winterwood for a reunion, affording the witch Hradian the perfect opportunity to steal the amulet that will release the wizard Orbane from his imprisonment in the Castle of Shadows. Mortals, a dragon, an elf, and a network of sprites are the first ones trying to stop Hradian and Orbane from bringing about the end of the world as it is. As groups of heroes sally forth in four directions, the three fates give them puzzling redes that will help only when and if what they mean is figured out. With the forces of good pitted against those of evil, the fairy kings bastard grandson, Regar, enlists his grandsires help. With flowery language, an enormous cast, and ample backstory, the fifth and final book in McKiernans Faery series stands alone, though perhaps readers of its predecessors will enjoy it more.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)