The Dragonstone

PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS

OF DENNIS L. McKIERNAN

City of Jade

“An entertaining adventure tale.”

—Alternative Worlds

“[A] good introduction to McKiernan and Mithgar, as well as a solid treat for long-haul fans.”

—
Booklist

“Aravan is a terrific swashbuckling hero…. The cast makes Mithgar seem a genuine realm where magic and the paranormal are the norm…. Longtime fans will relish sailing the waters of Mithgar aboard the Eroean.”

—SFRevu

“McKiernan’s talent for charming characters and exciting adventures of derring-do make this a good addition to most fantasy collections and an essential purchase.”

—
Library Journal

“A fun story, with exciting battle scenes and a sweeping vista of adventure.”

—
Romantic Times

“Makes Mithgar seem like a place I’d like to get to know better.”

—Romance Reviews Today

Once Upon a Winter’s Night

“Exuberant…never less than graceful…a solid, well-rounded fantasy that readers will enjoy as much on a summer beach as on a winter’s night.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“Engaging.”

—
Locus

“Intelligently told, romantic…and filled with the qualities of the best of the traditional fairy stories.”

—
Chronicle

“A superb fairy tale…. The story line is charming and magical as it takes readers on quite a ride in the realm of Fairy. Dennis McKiernan escorts fantasy lovers into an enchanted place that deserves more tales.”

—
Midwest Book Review

“Imaginative…. [McKiernan displays] a certain mastery in his ability to imitate older poetic forms of composition…. Those who enjoy fairy tales and folklore will likely be delighted.”

—SF Site

Once Upon a Summer Day

“An interesting twist…. McKiernan’s writing is evocative, and much of the novel’s enjoyment comes from sinking into the story. He paints vivid landscapes and provides lots of good action sequences. The book is valuable as much for the journey as for the destination.”

—
The Davis Enterprise

“Romantics rejoice! McKiernan’s retelling of Sleeping Beauty is the way it should have been done the first time around…. The lines between good and evil are clear, and romance and chivalry and true love are alive and flourishing. McKiernan’s magic invites readers to dive completely into the story, as children do, and conjures the same overwhelming wonder that children experience.”

—
Booklist
(starred review)

“McKiernan embellishes another classic fairy tale in this enjoyably frothy fantasy…keep[s] the reader turning the pages.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“McKiernan takes the tale in some unexpected directions. He also offers an engaging, clever, and resourceful hero in Borel, as well as entertaining sidekicks in Flic, Buzzer, and Chelle herself. Recommended.”

—SFRevu

“Steeped in tradition and timelessness and should appeal to fairy-tale lovers of all ages.”

—
Library Journal

Once Upon an Autumn Eve

“McKiernan’s latest entry in his four-part fairy-tale cycle goes beyond the reworking of the classic fairy tale
The Glass Mountain
to depict a world of magic and enchantment.”

—
Library Journal

“Using a fairy tale as its basis, McKiernan creates all-new heroes and heroines, placing them in a fantastical setting and giving them tribulations that would overwhelm the Brothers Grimm…. Readers who enjoy a well-told tale, full of enchantment and high adventure, will discover wonders and marvels to beguile their time.”

—SFRevu

“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.”

—
Booklist

Once Upon a Spring Morn

“Entertaining…. The relentless, fantastical action will satisfy series fans.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“Dennis L. McKiernan is a wonderful world builder who reminds readers of the magic that can be found in fairy tales…an enchanting tale that will have readers spellbound.”

—
Midwest Book Review

“An inspired reenvisioning of two classic tales of love and adventure.”

—
Library Journal

“McKiernan seamlessly sews together two fairy tales and adds unique twists and enhancements in his fourth volume of a world of Faery that ought to have been.”

—
Booklist

Once Upon a Dreadful Time

“A magical and beautiful fairytale.”

—Alternative Worlds

“Exhibits the author’s unflinching charm and obvious mastery of his art.”

—
Library Journal

“Solid…. Series fans should be satisfied.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“Features the author’s takes on a diverse group of fairy tales—complete with riddles, challenges, trickery, and a surprise ending.”

—
Library Journal

“[Dennis McKiernan] is one of the few writers who can hold my interest…. [
Once Upon a Dreadful Time
has] some clever tricks with time and magic that were more than usually amusing.”

—Critical Mass

“A satisfying conclusion to an imaginative world.”

—Monsters and Critics

THE DRAGONSTONE

A Novel of Mithgar

Dennis L. McKiernan

ROC

Published by the Penguin Group

Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street,

New York, New York 10014, USA

USA / Canada/ UK / Ireland / Australia / New Zealand / India / South Africa / China

Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

For more information about the Penguin Group visit penguin.com.

Published by Roc, an imprint of New American Library, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Previously published in a Roc hardcover edition.

First Roc Mass Market Printing, September 1997

Copyright © Dennis L. McKiernan, 1996

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

REGISTERED TRADEMARK—MARCA REGISTRADA

ISBN: 978-1-101-62642-9

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

To my brother

Larry Edward

And

to my friend of more than fifty years

Richard Lee Rose

and to all our kindred and friends everywhere,

from those we’ve known the longest

to those we’ve yet to meet