Court Duel: The Crown & Court Duet, Book II [Hardcover]

Grade 6-9?In this sequel to Crown Duel (Harcourt, 1997), the teenage Countess Meliara finds herself compelled for political reasons to leave her small castle in county Tlanth to stay at the royal palace Athanarel in the capital city, Remalna. She is completely unprepared for court life, preferring to run barefoot over the hills rather than learning how to hold her fan correctly, but luckily her brother's new fiancee takes Meliara under her wing and teaches her the nuances of court etiquette. Mel soon finds herself swept up in a dizzying whirl of flirtation and political intrigue, and she remains confused about both until a plot to take over the throne brings many secrets to light. Court Duel stands well on its own, although readers will immediately want to go back and read the first book. Mel is a likable heroine who is constantly chastising herself for her ignorance and quick temper, and the other characters are fully realized and fascinating in their own right. There isn't much action until the very end, but readers will enjoy immersing themselves in the subtleties of courtly life and love.?Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 5^-8. Different in setting, structure, and tone from Crown Duel (1997), the first volume of the Crown & Court Duet, this book begins with Meliara back at the home castle, reading a letter from a powerful courtier and trying to decide if the writer is friend or foe. When she travels to court, Meliara finds herself constantly trying to tell friends from enemies as she endeavors to learn the subtle language of the courtiers, who communicate in a language of gesture and intimation that is quite foreign to her native bluntness. Readers who loved Crown Duel for its strongly realized fantasy world, adventurous characters, and scenes of action may find the sequel disappointing. The character and voice of Meliara are as compelling as ever, and several others are intriguing as well; however, readers will find it difficult to maintain a high level of engagement, given the more static setting, the many details of courtly behavior, and the general lack of something happening. Still, libraries with readers for the first volume should offer the second as well, since Meliara's story is incomplete without it. Carolyn Phelan

The stirring sequel to Crown Duel finds young Meliara at the center of a deadly court intrigue.

Sherwood Smith writes fantasy and science fiction for young adult as well as adults. She has participated in and organized writing groups (both on- and off-line) for many years.
Smith's works include the YA novel Crown Duel. Smith also collaborated with Dave Trowbridge in writing the Exordium series and with Andre Norton in writing two of the books in the Solar Queen universe, and two Time Traders.

In 2001 her short story "Mom and Dad at the Home Front" was a finalist for the Nebula Award for Best Short Story. Moreover, her children's books have made it on many library Best Books lists, and Wren's War was an Anne Spencer Lindbergh Honor book and a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award finalist. [close] Sherwood Smith writes fantasy and science fiction for young adult as well as adults. She has participated in and organized writing groups (both on- and off-line) for many years.
Smith's works include the YA novel Crown Duel. Smith also collaborated with Dave Trowbridge in writing the Exordium series and with Andre Norton in writing two of the books in the Solar Queen universe, and two Time Traders.

In 2001 her short story "Mom and Dad at the Home Front" was a finalist for the Nebula Award for Best Short Story. Moreover, her children's books have made it on many library Best Books lists, and Wren's War was an Anne Spencer Lindbergh Honor book and a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award finalist. [close]