A story of love and a power that echoes through time. A prophecy foretold by the Council. A sword forged by the Ladies of the Lake. A child born from love and the hope of thousands. Seventeen-year-old Idrisa is a student from Dumont Orphan School. When the Emperor of Dumonia invites all citizens to a birthday gala for Prince Merrick, she attends and becomes entangled in a world beyond belief. At the party, Idrisa begins to hear strange voices that urge her to go to the lake. A student from school follows and tries to kill her, but in the fight for her survival, Idrisa gains possession of an eternal sword-gifted by the Ladies of the Lake. The Emperor demands it, but only Idrisa can wield the sword, so he imprisons her. Her only hope is Prince Merrick, but he is grieving the death of his mother and doesn't care about anything happening around him. While held captive, Idrisa uncovers secrets that challenge everything she thought she knew about Dumonia. Enemies and allies emerge when they hear news of the sword, and she must unlock the mystery of the weapon before darkness descends on the empire forever. "A refreshing new take on a timeless classic tale with a beautiful message for girls/women. Ting has given us an exciting adventure with a resilient heroine. A fantastic story filled with inner conflict, while still being brave and pure of heart amid the treachery she faces. I didn't want to put the book down." USA Today Bestselling Author, Quinn Loftis "Only Mary Ting can take the tales we know so well and transform them into something as beautifully magical as Once Upon a Legend." Casey L. Bond, author of Where Oceans Burn "A unique world, intriguing magic, family drama, and deceit! Once Upon a Legend has it all. This well-crafted fantasy will keep you turning the pages." Dorothy Dreyer, USA Today Bestselling Author "Mary Ting proves once again that she's a powerhouse in the literary landscape! Once Upon a Legend is a well-crafted masterpiece of stories we know weaved into a fresh tapestry of bold adventure and page-turning intrigue. A must-read!" Award-winning author Stacey Rourke "An amazing new world with characters I fell in love with. Full of action and edge-of-your-seat suspense. I didn't want to put this book down." Jenny Zimmerman, Black Words-White Pages. "This story takes you for a ride you don't want to get off. The story is gripping and fast-paced with multiple points of view. It leaves you wanting more. - Goodreads Review "Enchanted... mesmerized... bewitched! An enchanting tale with mesmerizing characters shrouded in mystery & prophecy, loaded with action & heartfelt moments, in a rush for survival & justice against the seemingly endless evil awaiting. Think The Mists of Avalon & The Sword in the Stone meet Fantastic Beasts with a Maze Runner vibe. There's a legion of darkness full of enemies & beasts lurking, magic wielders coming of age while learning nothing is as it seems, & truths shared that will change everything! Be careful whom you trust!! Once bewitched, you may not break free. I am so excited to read more of this series! Too many possibilities to know which way Ting will take us." Jennifer Garrison Treviño "What a gripping and powerful story. What I love the most about it is how it takes off from page one. No downtime. Fast-paced with commendable characters. Highly recommended. Goodreads Review "Mind blown! What an amazing origin story for a legend we all know and love. The details in the world-building are amazing. I can see it all so clearly in my mind. The characters are fantastically written, instantly attaching you to some and instantly knowing some are evil to their core, and a few to keep you guessing as well. A story unlike any other with twists and turns to keep you on your toes and always stupefied to see what befalls these amazing characters." Cheree Castellanos Edits "Ms. Ting Born in Seoul, Korea, author Mary Ting is an international bestselling, multi-gold award-winning author. Her books span a wide range of genres, and her storytelling talents have earned a devoted legion of fans, as well as garnered critical praise. She is a diverse voice who writes diverse characters, often dealing with a catastrophic world. Becoming an author happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother and inspired by a dream she had in high school. After realizing she wanted to become a full-time author, Mary retired from teaching. She also had the privilege of touring with the Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children's chapter book: No Bullies Allowed.