Meliara and her brother Branaric are technically a countess and count now that their father has died, but they've spent their childhoods in backwater hill country in a falling-down castle with no windows, huddling with their servants for warmth and wandering the countryside as they please. Meliara has even grown up speaking with the hill folk, the magical race of people who provide them with valuable fire sticks to use for warmth, cooking, and survival. Meliara is mostly content with her life, but when her family's sole spy sends word that the current ruler is planning on breaking the all-important covenant with the hill folk for his own gain, Mel and Bran know they cannot stand by -- they must mount a revolution and take the throne for themselves, despite their entirely unsuited for court backgrounds. But things quickly spiral out of control, and Mel finds herself fighting for her life -- first on the run from royal forces and a certain mysterious, annoying Marquess, and then in a more metaphorical fashion at court, where she doesn't understand the intrigues and complicated customs she's been thrust into.

This is a book I remember loving as a teenager. I enjoyed it this time around, too, although it definitely felt less groundbreaking and Mel came off as a little dense sometimes. 4 stars. ( )

Smudgy. Not just the cover. Couldn't get my bearings for the first bit. ( )

ok, so this is not the first time i’ve read Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith

nor the second

or third

more like 300 millionth…

I love love love this book! It is most def one of my favorites and i read it at least once a year! I love the story, the characters, the plot, absolutely everything about the book. Everything!

GO READ IT!

Happy Readings

( )

I first read this book years ago, and figured I'd re-read it after Gail Carriger recommended it. I feel like I liked it less this time, maybe because it was familiar and not new, but I also think Meliara seemed kind of whiny. I know she's quite young and it's maybe understandable, but I felt she was a bit ridiculous. Still a good story though. ( )

"Comedy of manners. Protagonist comes off as a bit of a Sue, as does her hated enemy. Still, a good yarn with very good writing and nice wish fufillment." ( )