Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith

Synopsis:
It begins in a cold and shabby tower room, where 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 fro which they are ill-prepared, a war that threatens the homes and lives of the very people they are trying to protect.

But war is simple compared to what follows, when the bloody fighting is done and a fragile peace is at hand. Although she wants to turn her back on politics and the crown, Meliara is summoned to the royal palace. There, she soon discovers, 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 wit and words and secret alliances. In war, at least, she knew whom she could trust. Now, she can trust no one...

My Review:
This book is unique in that it's not merely a physical battle for power, but also an intellectual one. First, you experience a war and then court intrigue.

Meliara is a truly human character from humble origins and in full awareness of her faults. But she is also a strong and determined young woman. I loved reading her story and waited with fear to see which of her "friends" she could actually trust.

Also, there is a love story within the larger tale. It is adorable, but not the main focus. This makes Crown Duel appealing to both boys and girls as well as many age groups.

The ending had a twinge of predictability, but in the best way possible. Especially if you are able to read a copy with the additional short story that Sherwood Smith wrote like was.

* * * * 4/5 Stars