Crown Duel

Quite simply, these books are fabulous! I would recommend them to anyone who has enjoyed the works of Tamora Pierce, Robin McKinley or Gail Carson Levine. Not only is the 'Crown Duel' duet an absolute page-turner, but they are also uniquely written, taking a refreshingly different perspective on the usual 'Medieval with Magic' setting that we all know and love so well. The heroine here - 16 year old Countess Meliara - is so feisty and full of anger but at the same time so wryly humourous and self-depreciating that it is impossible not to like her. Taking the duet to a whole new level however, is the Hero. To name him would be a spoiler for those who have not yet read these (in which case, what are you waiting for?) but he really is so...indescribably...obnoxious, that it is a wonder how Mel refrains from strangling him with her bare hands. Which of course, is why he's so utterly fabulous. Not even Tamora Pierce's Duke Roger can equal him for sheer slipperly sexiness. Sigh... Anyhow, I would definately count these as some of my favorites, and they now hold a space on my keeper shelf. I await anything and anything else written by this autor with bated breath.

When Meliara and her brother Branaric's father dies they make a promise to him on his death bed that they will keep the covenant, defend their lands, and fight agaist the evil king. But what the two don't realize is how hard it will be to rage a war. WHen Mel is caputured by the Marquis she is taken to the castle and starts on a whirlwind chase to get back home. Followed in persuit by enemy court royals she can stay in one place for so long. Will she even return home to finish fighting the battle with Bran? Or will she be killed in running.This story was a good tale of adventure. Mel is a high spirited, subborn heroine who you'll immeaditally fall in love with. The other charecters like the Marquis and Bran are equally adictive. If you like adventure stories with a dash of magic (and a possible romance perhaps?) read this story. You'll love it I guarentee.

If I could give this Book six,even seven stars out of five I would do so without hesitation. I loved everything about it,the characters the suspense,the adventure,like I said everything!The story takes place in Remalna,a country wich has lived by the code of war and the convent for centuries.The code of war forbids the use of bows and arrows and permits only wepons held or thrown by hand.The convent is a pact with the hill folk,the people who live in the mountains among the trees and resemble these more then humans.Young countess Meliara has grown up in Tlanth,in the hills,dancing with her friends,the village brats, and the hill folk under the moon.When her brother Branaric and herself promise to their dying father to defend the country from the king there is nothing left to do save prepare for war.The rebels begin the war by doing things such as flooding the camp,confusing them by changing signs and such.Their tricks work well on baron Debegri but then the Marquis of Shevraeth takes command of the troups,and although he is rumered to be a fool this quickly prooves not the case.The rebels are desperate for information so Meliara decides to take matters in to her on hands by sneeking into the enemy's camp.She fails miserably by getting caught in a steel trap and captured by the enemy.Mel is taken to Remalna City where she escapes from the prison.I will tell you no more exept that I wanted to shout about it so loud the entire world would here about how fantastic thi book is.

I could hardly put down this book once I started it. All of the characters, from the clever but at times naive Meliara and her loyal and friendly brother Bran to the intelligent and dangerous Shevraeth (what a fabulous name!), are compelling, interesting, and engaging. The world with its troubles is well-drawn, and the scope of the book allows many tantalizing glimpses into various aspects of life that Smith has imagined.Although the plot is definitely exciting with its twists and turns and high stakes of the adventure, what makes this book are without a doubt the characters. Smith never generalizes about them nor makes excuses for their problems. As the book is written in the first-person from the point of view of Countess Meliara, we see her character the most clearly. Though she can be quick to judge and sometimes incredibly wrong about others, we cannot help but be sympathetic to her struggles and to her great spunk and honor throughout. Her perceptions obviously color her experiences, but on some level that makes the journey more interesting. We see her try to start a rebellion, get injured and captured, and deal with a whole host of people outside of her provincial and fairly sheltered life, and we are able to experience her insecurities as well as her triumphs. She is a compelling character, and the circumstances in which she, her brother, and her friends find themselves force them all to live to the best of their abilities. One cannot help but be drawn in.I definitely recommend this book for lovers of good stories. As an adult, I enjoyed this book enormously, and I cannot thank Sherwood Smith enough for writing it. I'm starting Court Duel today, and I am thrilled that there is more ahead of Meliara, Branaric, Shevraeth (a fantastic character in this novel, and I can't wait to see more of him ahead), and the others.

As a veteran fantasy reader, I was a amazed by the sense of realism and believability Sherwood Smith instilled into the 'Crown Duel'.So many other fantasy stories just drop you in wherever, and expect you to take the magic, the powers and the different races for granted. In Remalna, you see here growth for a frightened rebellious youth, to a mighty and skilled young woman. It was a new experience to see how a Thlanthian comes about, how normal people in fantasy worlds feel about magic powers and other races. How trees are sacred, how they can't even be killed for wood.I have never had another book move me to the same depths of emotion as the 'Crown Duel'. Like others, I stayed up all night, not being able to put the book down. I remember clearly it being about 4am that I burst into tears and sobbed for about 15 minutes. I was not the only time I cried in the book. I also laughed at times, and grew to love Meliara and her friends.If you love fantasy books, then this is a must read. A hint though, don't read the second book of the duet until you read the first! You won't be able to romp around with the characters, watching their personal growth, and emotions arise.I don't know how many times I have read the books, too many times to recall. I pray for more books about Meliara and her world! From, Blythe