Crown Duel (Crown Duel / Court Duel)
by Sherwood Smith
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Book Summary Information
Author: Sherwood SmithEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2002-06-10
ISBN: 0142301515
Number of pages: 480
Publisher: Firebird
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780142301517
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of Crown Duel (Crown Duel / Court Duel)
Book Review: Crown Duel, my first journey into Sartorias-deles
Summary: 5 Stars
Surely this book doesn't need anymore five-star reviews from the generous amount of love here, but I recently reviewed this book for an online magazine, so here it is.
Despite my best efforts to keep my copy of Crown Duel in pristine condition, the rough edges, cracked spine and well-worn cover are just further proof of how well-loved the book has been. Originally two separate books, Crown Duel and Court Duel, the Firebird 2002 edition includes both in the manner the story should be enjoyed--how Sherwood Smith intended it. Though the story is, on first read, rather straightforward and enjoyable, the reader is able to discover layers upon layers of deeper meaning. I would even call Crown Duel a study of government and human ambition cunningly disguised--and extremely successful as--a young adult romance-adventure.
Smith's work is some of the most thorough and diligent I've ever read; everything about Crown Duel is deliberate, even if it may not seem so. Along with her brother Bran, Meliara Astiar of Tlanth, our engaging protagonist, swears to her dying father to stop the spread of King Galdran's poison in their beloved country, Remalna. The barefoot countess, growing up with the village brats as far as possible from the complications of court life, begins her narrative as idealistic as she is ignorant. The hilly county of Tlanth prepares for a civil war with little more than a paltry defense against Galdran's trained warriors. Galdran, of course, pegs the Tlanth siblings as traitors of the worst kind, with a price on their capture. The Tlanth defense does well against Galdran's inept cousin, Baron Debegri, using the terrain and its enemy's sloppy command to their advantage. But when Galdran sends the elusive and bland-faced Marquis of Shevraeth to replace the baron, circumstances exacerbate. Despite the Marquis' reputation as a "court decoration and a fop," he is competent in battle. The Tlanth side's spirits sink when Meliara's foot is caught in a trap--set by their own side, no less--and she is captured and interrogated by the enemy.
Now an obvious ransom for the Tlanth surrender, Mel must try to escape. Crown Duel chronicles Meliara's adventures running across the countryside on a bad foot to the political entanglements that follow, including the consequences of her actions. Smith takes care to make Mel inherently likable without being flawless. Mel takes on two worlds, one of action and revolution, and one of court intrigue where human motives are even more difficult to comprehend. Smith makes her heroine work for her efforts, and we see her as others do--an accidental and perhaps unintentional beauty.
The novel is well-paced, with a fantastic set of characters as complex as they are endearing. The beautiful and icy Tamara sees Meliara as a rival, the chilly but accomodating king's sister Arthal sends a letter to Mel with her support, the Duke of Savona is as false in his flattery as he is sincere in his friendship, and the Marquis himself is less shallow and concerned about clothes as Meliara was led to believe. Though Mel eventually educates herself in government and ruling, she needs quiet and kind Nee to teach her about proper court behaviour. The little touches, like fan language, court fashions, sharp dialogue and subtly amusing scenes (why yes, she did lob a candlestick at his head) is only matched by the understated yet ultimately satisfying romance. All of these elements only attest to Smith's skill as a writer. Though some scenes feel like coincidences, you still believe they happened, because the logic checks out and you're just nodding, nodding in absolute wonder.
We only receive an oh-so-brief hint of a fully developed world because we see it through Mel's eyes. Indeed, with Mel as our window, we feel her passionate nationalism, genuine if ill-planned courage, moments of embarrassment and quick surges of anger and surprise--but not necessarily the scope of political danger and sneaky court tactics. Those, of course, can be extrapolated upon close reading. In short, we learn as she learns, disregarding each reader's level of observation. Some may see the plot coming a mile a way, and some may be as clueless as Mel herself; regardless, in the end Smith treats the reader to an intricate and compelling tale. I admit, I may be biased as I know these characters far too well, dissected their motivations, soaked up every detail and still discover more on every subsequent read.
Summary of Crown Duel (Crown Duel / Court Duel)
Young Countess Meliara swears to her dying father that she and her brother will defend their people from the growing greed of the king. That promise leads them into a war for which they are ill-prepared, which threatens the very people they are trying to protect. But war is simple compared to what follows, in peacetime. Meliara is summoned to live at the royal palace, where friends and enemies look alike, and intrigue fills the dance halls and the drawing rooms. If she is to survive, Meliara must learn a whole new way of fighting-with wits and words and secret alliances.
In war, at least, she knew in whom she could trust. Now she can trust no one.
The Firebird edition of Crown Duel combines the hardcover editions of Crown Duel and Court Duel-and features a never-before-published story by Sherwood Smith!
In war, at least, she knew in whom she could trust. Now she can trust no one.
The Firebird edition of Crown Duel combines the hardcover editions of Crown Duel and Court Duel-and features a never-before-published story by Sherwood Smith!
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