Crown Duel » (Reprint)

A deathbed promise to their father sends a daring girl and her brother off to war. Filled with intrigue, romance, and magic, this spellbinding novel is a dramatic coming-of-age story about a girl who rises from impoverished beginnings to take command of her own fate.

VOYA

This is Book One of The Crown & Court Duet. Remalna is a country with magical Hill Folk and their warmth-giving Fire Sticks, as well as the poverty-stricken Countess Meliara (Mel) and her brother Branaric. A revolution is underway against a greedy king who covets Remalna and will break the Covenant-a promise to sustain and protect the remarkable colortrees in Remalna forests. Ferociously courageous and defiant, Mel proves a worthy adversary to both real and perceived enemies. Her lovely, yet smudged face on the book jacket seems peculiar until readers realized that the scratches and bruises speak truly of Mel's bold adventures. The larger theme of war and those who ultimately pay the price adds depth to an exciting fantasy featuring an endearing, exasperating heroine, her loyal brother, a mere hint of romance, and the promise of further tales. Sure to please fans of Tamora Pierce's Alanna (Macmillan, 1983-1988) and Wild Magic (Macmillan, 1992 +) series, Smith's nifty Mel is a guaranteed champion. VOYA Codes: 4Q 4P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses, Broad general YA appeal, Middle School-defined as grades 6 to 8 and Junior High-defined as grades 7 to 9).