Crown Duel (Smith, Sherwood. Crown and Court Duet, Bk. 1-2.)

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Summary: I love this book so much!
Review: I've recommended this book to several of my friends (teenagers) and they've loved is also. This is the book that caused my bookcase to be filled with fantasy, particularly fantasy that contains court-life etc. It's just so good!
I've read it so many times that the front cover fell off (i probably should buy a new one, i just am kind of attached to it) and i never get tired of it.
The characters seem so real, despite being in a well written fantasy world and you really start to feel for them and want things for them. I never had a book that i've loved the main character in so much. Meliara is not the typical female fantasy heroine, she can't fight (she's too scrawny) and she mistrusts nobles and court. There is something about her that you love though.
My favourite books aren't usually first person, but this is and it really works. I normally dislike the presence of an omniscient narrator, but you get really attached to Meliara this way and experience everything through her eyes. It also makes the twists (of which there are several) all the more exciting.
So in conclusion, this book is just so good and i really recommend it, especially the two-in-one book, which is the most convenient and less frustrating (once you finish the first book, you just have to read the second). Trust me, once you've read it you'll realise why all us reviewers are so enthusiastic about it.

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Summary: Really GOOD!!
Review: I loved this book. You should definitely read it! :) It was filled with action and romance. It was AWESOME!

Rating:
Summary: One of the best I've read in a long time
Review: This story has everything a strong story should have. Enjoyable characters, well-developed plot, enduring themes. I much enjoyed the narrator, especially on her struggle against herself. She gradually outgrows her weaknesses and blossoms by the end of the book.

I also much enjoyed the progress of Mel and Vidanric's relationship. They did not, by all accounts, start off to a smooth start. Vidanric's patience and Mel's growth solidified the foundation for a long-lasting and devoted relationship.

The only issue I had was the way these novels are written. I understand that they were caterd to a young adult audience yet no one is too old or too young to enjoy these novels. I did, however, grow tired of the 'which' and 'whichevers'. Surely there are better transitions to string two and two together. Other than this minor detail, Crown Duel and Court Duel is by far a highly enjoyable read!



Rating:
Summary: Wow! Awesome book!
Review: I, like many others, first read these books separately. But upon misplacing my original copies, I went out and bought this edition (which I was happy to see also included a new short story at the end). These books are a must-read for any fantasy fan. Battles, daring escapes, court intrigue, romance, magic, politics, and a constant question of who's good and who's evil: it's all here. These belong with my favorite books of all time. Sherwood Smith's writing is fresh and addictive and even on the second time through I had trouble putting the book down to eat and sleep. Meliara is a wonderfully entertaining narrator whose commentary makes all of her exploits both moving and amusing. She is a quirky and lovable lead in a story full of adventure and twists. I highly recommend these books for anyone who has taken the time to read this review. I assure you, you will not be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: a sticky one
Review: I don't know what it is about this pair of books. I read them twice the first time I checked them out of the library, and then went out and immediately bought my own copies. They stick in my head. Several months go by, and I find myself picking them up again to reread. The characters and motivations are so HUMAN in that frustratingly miscommunicating way that people are...

Rating:
Summary: ,,
Review: I found this book really enjoyable, though i believe the first book has better. With more action and everything.

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Summary: Gosh I wish people wrote more books like this!!
Review: Well I didn't read this particular edition of these books, I read them seperately instead of the duet, but I think it's easier to write it under this edition because I can write one review for two books! Anyway I find this an amazing book!!! Though the 1st book, Crown Duel, was kind of strangely written(parts were way too slow, other parts were rushed) the 2nd, Court duel, more than made up for it! I LOVE the Marquis of Shevraeth! That guy is the sleekest little vision of chic I have ever seen(or rather, read). He reminds me a lot of Legolas from Lord of the Rings(he's the kind of person you can perfectly imagine being some elf king) Boy does that dude know how to keep it together. Before I keep rambling on about the Marquis, I suppose I should tell you about the other parts of the story. The main character is Meliara, a stubborn tomboy-ish countess. The story begins with her having to defeat this greedy king, Galdran, who I personally thought had serious mental issues. All the more reason to need to kick his fat butt off the throne. So Mel sets off to dispose of him. However she gets caught in a trap, and is obviously captured by the king's 'people'. One of them happens to be the Marquis. Throughout the 1st book you are wondering whether he's the good guy or the bad. It turns out he's good. Don't worry, you'd find out within twenty pages of meeting him anyway. So blah blah blah, they travel, blah blah blah. Then it's ended. I won't tell you the ending. What I like about these books is that Mel isn't your average heroine. She makes mistakes, and lots of them. Then comes the 2nd book. Her brother's fiance convinces her to go to court. She agrees, and then she is wisked away to a life of manners and unlocking the language of fans. Actually most of the story revolves around the Marquis. Does she love him or hate him? Plus she has these strange letters from an unknown man...it's quite easy to figure out who this guy is after a little while. blah blah blah court issues blah blah blah, and then it ends on a very interesting and captivating note. They are WONDERFUL books, and I recommend them to all fantasy lovers. Though I have to say, if it wasn't for that darn Marquis, I very well might not have liked it. Read this book!!!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Read!
Review: I really enjoyed this book a lot. I usually love books where the main character gets captured, and escapes, gets captured again, and escapes again... and this one really did it well! The characters were all fairly well thought out, but I did feel that Mel didn't always act her age. Also, the romance was completely predictable. I don't want to give it away, but when you first meet the "unknown" I knew instantly what would happen. A few aspects of the created world didn't fit for me. Mostly the magic, fire sticks, and Code of War. It's like the author had an idea that they liked a lot and weren't willing to give it up. The climaxs were a little iffy. Not bad in the first one, but I felt the second one didn't have quite enough info leading up to it. Even though I've criticized it this much, I still loved it! You finish it and immediately wish to read it again. I really hope the author decides to write more with these characters, or at least in the same world.