Once upon an autumn eve, a wounded knight named Sieur Luc rides into the Autumnwood-and into the heart of Princess Liaze. But even as love blooms between them, dark forces snatch him away. Guided by the enigmatic Fates, Liaze sets out on a desperate quest to follow the trail of her true love no matter what perils she may encounter.

From Publishers Weekly

Strictly for younger readers and those who favor frothy extended fairy tales, McKiernan's third seasonal fantasy (after Once Upon a Winter's Night and Once Upon a Summer Day) is set in the wondrous land of Faery, "a place of marvel and adventure and magic and peril, populated by mythical and mystical creatures and uncommon beings." When plucky amber-eyed Princess Liaze of the Autumnwoods rescues handsome and mysterious indigo-eyed knight-errant Luc from marauding goblins, the two instantly fall in love. Then Luc is kidnapped, and enemy wizard Orbane and his acolytes—the three witch sisters Hradian, Iniquí and Nefasí—are implicated. Based loosely on the fairy tale of the Glass Mountain and the Scottish ballad of Tam Lin, the novel turns on the truth behind Luc's parentage, but one-dimensional characters and minimal tension won't hold fans of McKiernan's better known Mithgar series (The Dragonstone, etc.). (Apr.)
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From Booklist

Starred Review One chill autumn eve, a handsome young knight rides into the life and the heart of Liaze, princess of the Autumnwood, who has long awaited her true love. Unfortunately, he is badly wounded and pursued by trolls. Liaze quickly dispatches the most immediate trolls--so gratifying to see a princess really fight her own battles--hauls the unconscious knight back on his war horse, hops on behind him, and tears off toward home. Luc--the knight--heals and falls in love but, having been raised by a woodsman, hasn't a clue who he really is. Judging from his courtly manners and battle training, Liaze suspects there's more to him, and when a vile witch kidnaps him and places him, under a spell, atop a glass mountain, she aims to get him back, despite such major setbacks as having no trail to follow. The Fates, who seem to have a soft spot in their hearts for Liaze's family, get involved but can offer aid only in the form of riddles. Meanwhile, time is running out so very, very quickly. No one beats McKiernan at the traditionally styled adult fairy tale, with something for everyone: beautiful princess oblivious to all states of personal dishabille, handsome prince, impossible challenges, despicably evil creatures, and romance, romance, romance! Quite simply enchanting. Paula Luedtke
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Once Upon an Autumn Eve

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