Customer Reviews

Court Duel: The Crown & Court Duet, Book II

5 star:		(209)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

All I have to say right now is "WOW!" When I got this book I really didn't know what to expect, but once I started reading I couldn't put this book down! I stayed up all night reading it. I fell in love with all of the charaters the way they were woven into the story by Sherwood Smith. The Marquis of Shevraeth especialy makes the story move with grace and wonder - just as Mel makes you read on to see just what she will do next. (...), but read this book, you won't regret it!

Court Duel is a very good book. Its actually my favorite. This is the second book of the Crown and the Court Duet. This book starts with teenage Countess Meliara of Tlanth cleaning and repairing her family's house and building her new library. Her brother, Bran, who has been staying in Remalna's capital ever since the downfall of Remalna's evil king, makes a sudden visit and brings with him his new fiance and the Marquis of Shevraeth. Despite her loathing of court life and courtiers themselves, Mel goes with her brother back to Remalna-city to settle personal scores.

Mel has changed a lot since her revolt against the late king of Remalna. She has become more humble and wary of her actions, so she does not make as many mistakes. She also learns of her ignorance and tries to change it by reading every book she can. One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the descriptions of court life, which, in my opinion, were just as good as the descriptive battle scenes. Spending time at court changes Mel too. She becomes more aware of everything, and shows flashes of being a potential ruler.

At court, Mel also learns about the flirtations that take place at court. A very intriguing part of this book was Mel's corrispondence, and courtship, with her secret admirer, to whom she constantly turned to for advice. Although for those who can take a hint, Mel's "Unknown" is obvious, the moment in which he finally shows Mel who he is so romantic it really doesn't matter.

The book finishes with a bang, where a rival tries to take the throne, using very powerful magic. He threatens Mel and the entire kingdom to death if he cannot become king. This is the only part of the book with real action, but I still find it better than Crown Duel. A very satisfying conclusion, in which Mel finds happiness and love at last, in a place she never thought she'd find it.

This book has recently become my favorite book. After I finished all the books by Tamora Pierce,(all of which I really reccomend that you read) I looked hopelessly for another book to replace it. So I read Court Duel(which should be read after Crown Duel). I absolutely loved it. Court Duel is the second book of The Crown and the Court Duet. In this book, Countess Meliara continues her adventures, only this time, at court. She learns to adapt to the life she once despised. A world where a single movement could make you look good or bad, where everyone masked their true feelings. A world of flirtation and political intrigue. Mel must once again defeat an ambitious ruler from taking advantage of the throne. Not only that, but she finally finds happiness, laughter, and love, and learns to follow her heart.

When I first got Crown Duel, I thought that I wouldn't really like it. There have been so many books that I was really excited to read but was just disapointed when I finaly finished the book. It was totally different with this one. I was instantly connected with Mel, the smart and saucy heroine. The book kept you on your toes and as the plot progressed you were no longer the reader, you were there inside the book. Then when I was done reading it, I ran right out and bought the sequel. Court Duel was my favorite out of the two but I still am deeply in love with both. Mel amazed me agian and agian with her sharpt wit and disregard for people's opinions. The ending made me wanting more and also wishing that there were more books in the series. Guess I'll just have to wait and see if there will be more about Mel and her amazing adventures. If you ever read this Sherwood Smith, then please write more in this amazing series.

...and an absolute delight to read. I bought the Crown and Court duet because of the great reviews and recommendations (and beautiful covers, true), and believe me, I was not disappointed. This book has just surpassed what was my favorite book of all time-'Ella Enchanted'- to become one of, if not the best, book I've ever read.

The main storyline is simple enough, though highly interesting (beginning with Crown Duel): a young girl (who happens to be a Countess) and her brother are sick of the evil king's greed and tyranny over the land, and so they organize a revolt of a small group of rebels attacking sporadically in guerilla warfare. They are doing relatively well enough (at least they're succeeding in infuriating the king and his cousin), until Meliara (the Countess) gets caught and is imprisoned by an impudent Marquis. She faces a series of challenges that nearly kill her (such as her broken foot, being in a torture chamber, and being face-to-face with enemies that are more than a little intimidating...), though she always bounces back with humor and manages to help her revolt turn into a true war that finally knocks the king off his throne and out of power. The question now is: where does the power go? (Court Duel) Meliara now has retreated back to her home in Tlanth and spends her days peacefully with her old friends while reading up on family history, when she is yet again bothered by political affairs. Her brother wants her to join him in court to help him fight a new war in the palace Athanarel in Remalna-city. She reluctantly agrees, and is soon swept up in a fast-paced world that is completely new to her, filled with lies and deception behind every fan, and she must overcome a new type of battle...

Some wonderful little additions to this book that I found very interesting were things such as the Colorwoods, the time schedule (first blue, second green, etc.), and the wonderful names of characters (Branaric, Meliara, Nimiar) and of the land Remalna (Tlanth, Renselaeus) that are completely unique. I compliment the author on her innovative imagination on the creation of the setting.

The characters in this novel and it's predecessor were extremely well developed. I soon knew how every vital character would react to any situation, but the dialogue was humorous and well spoken enough that I couldn't guess as to what they would say specifically, which kept me hanging on. I soon felt like I was another of the characters, experiencing everything, and I knew the character's weaknesses and strengths, making them all the more realistic to me. It's an especially astonishing feat for the author, considering she writes from Meliara's perspective, first person, yet still allows the reader to get inside everyone's minds in a round-about way.

The reader can relate to nearly every character in this novel, even if they don't agree with the person, which proves just how well developed Smith makes her characters. Antagonistic characters from both books in the Duet, such as Galdran, Debegri, and Flauvic, were well portrayed as dangerous, cruel people, and while I couldn't connect with them (who could?), I thought they were well executed. Meliara was a spunky, intelligent heroine and it was refreshing to view the world through her eyes. Branaric was startlingly blunt sometimes, but also a hearty, likeable person. Nimiar was sweet and wonderfully pleasant throughout the story, and people such as Tamara and Savona were a bit two faced at times, but were portrayed exactly as most court people probably did act. As for the Marquis of Shevraeth, what can I say? I absolutely fell in love with him. He was incredibly intelligent and well-spoken, good-looking, wise about political and personal issues, and he can wield a sword and ride a horse like no other. Savona was pretty captivating as well...

The only reason I didn't say 'Perfect' in my review title is because nothing ever is completely perfect. There were some things I didn't like, true, but they were small things that probably only I would notice, and were far and between. Some small things were how Branaric became slightly distant and court-snotty in the second book, which bothered me for a bit, but when I though about it, it was necessary to the plot to have him change a bit. Another thing that really startled me more than I didn't like it was the abrupt romance between Meliara and Vidanric at the end of the story, though when I thought about that one, I saw that the build up kept people guessing and also made the romance that much more anticipated.

Overall, I think I've already summed up my purpose of this review: read this book! It's excellent, and I wish it got my publicity than Ella Enchanted did, because I truly believe it's better. This book will be one you will cherish, and I recommend buying the Crown and Court books separately (mostly because they look beautiful standing together hardcover on your bookshelf), though I heard that if you buy them together there is an extra paragraph or so at the end that is supposed to be great. I still have yet to find out for myself. As for which of the Crown and Court Duet books is better, I'd say neither, because they compliment each other with their differences. The only thing that could possibly tip the scale (which is why I have my review for the second book and not the first) is the romance at the end, which I had been sort of waiting for, though I wish I could have the Marquis for my own! Now go and buy both books, and make sure you get them on a weekend, because you can't stop reading...I found out first hand how addictive they are, and I'm hungry for another book. You just don't want the story to stop. Sherwood Smith, please write more!

This book is amazing. I absolutely love the descriptions in the book. Of course you can't go wrong with the incredibly sexy Vidanric, the Marquis. The book was overall very great and I have to say, very addicting.

I first read this book when I was in my preteens. As soon as I finished reading it the first time, I started again. I don't quite know why I loved it so much. Maybe it was the fact that I wanted to be like the heroine and envied her the world she lived in and the adventures she had. Most of all, I loved Shevraeth and the anonymous letter. It has everything. Good writing, fantasy,strong characterization, and romance. Read it. If you like it, you might try Mercedes Lackey or Anne Bishop.

Court Duel is one of the best books that I've ever read. It starts off in a castle, where barefoot Countess Meliara Astair of Tlanth is staring out of her window, pondering a letter that she recived from court. She is waiting for her brother, Bran, to visit, and little does she expect the people that he brings with him!
One is his (!) fiancee, and the other is Mel's old arch-nemisis, the Marquis of Shevraeth. Bran's fiancee, Nee, convices Mel to go to court with them. Mel stumbles around court, but with Nee guiding her, she pulls it off.
Then Mel starts recieving notes from a secret admirer who knows what's really going on behind the elegant Court masks.
I love how, in this book, you don't expect Mel to get married to Shevraeth, but when you think about it, it's kind of imminent. I also love the bet that she makes with him-the stakes-a kiss.

Court Duel, the sequel to Crown Duel, (and in my opinion, even better than Crown Duel because of the romance), is absloutly WONDERFUL! At first, I was reluctant at having to buy a hardcover edition, but I'm now very glad I did, because if I hadn't, the book would probably have fallen apart by now. Yes, I read it that much.
The Plot:
The book starts when Meliara's brother returns from being at court for a year. He is now engaged. Meliara reluctantly agrees to return with him (and his fiance, and the Marquis of Shevraeth) to court. She quickly becomes caught up in court life, and begins recieving letters from a mysterious suitor.

A really good book, especally for teen girls craving a good romance story!

This book was a really good read. I liked it better than court duel because court duel was a bit confusing and moved to fast but this book was great filled with dry humor and sweet romance, ya i know but i still like when the characters fall in love-better yet what they hate each other at first!! ... believe me it was perfect. OOh good read-daughter of the forest