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Meliara Astiar has only ever known her crumbling castle home and the surrounding mountains. Even though she’s the daughter of a count, she’s much more at home among the villagers or dancing barefoot under the moon with the legendary Hill Folk than thinking of politics or ballgowns. But when a deathbed promise to her father sends Mel and her brother, Bran, to wage war against the king, she begins to realize how much more there is to their world then just the mountains she calls home.
The king has raised the taxes yet again, and he’s about to break a longstanding treaty with the Hill Folk that could put their country in jeopardy. He has to be stopped, but Mel and Bran know nothing about waging war. At times, they feel like mere children playing a deadly game.
When Mel is taken captive by the enemy, she begins to realize just now much she does not know about her world, her people, and the game they all secretly play. How can a girl and her brother who come from such impoverished beginnings take back a kingdom? And even if they do manage to survive this war, does that really make them fit to rule?
After a slow start, Crown Duel is a fast-paced coming-of-age story. Mel is an interesting character. She can be prickly and brash, cunning and foolish, thoughtful and stubborn, and occasionally exasperating, but I enjoyed watching her grow to become someone who was not above acknowledging and admitting her ignorance. I also enjoyed the natural feel magic lent this story, even as I wished to find out more about the mysterious Hill Folk and their powers. Overall, this is a fun, simple fantasy for anyone craving a fast read.
Rated: None. There are some politics, war planning, and general peril. Any violence and action that make an appearance are very mild.
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