Crown Duel is the story of a barefoot countess who with her brother, and a few allies, tries to overthrow the evil tyrannical rule of King Galdran.
Click here to see the rest of this review...
Countess of Tlanth, Meliara "Mel" Astiar, is driven by her sense of duty as a noble person to protect the Covenant made with the Hill Folk, magical beings that inhabit the fantasy world of Sartorias-deles, and to overthrow King Galdran and bring peace to Remalna who seeks to break the sacred covenant with the Hill Folk.
King Galdran sends forces to the the mountains of Tlanth, but they are not successful because the people of Tlanth led by the Astiars have home court advantage. However, their resources begin to wear thin, and in an attempt to spy on the enemy Mel is captured by the Marquise of Shevraeth. Who is secretly pursuing the same goals as Mel, but by different means.
Still pretending to be faithful to Galdran, he has to take her to Remalna-city to face Galdran. However, he helps her escape! Unbeknownst to Mel of his aid, she manages to leave Remalna-city and make her way toward home. She is injured, and sick, but with some help manages to get evade capture for awhile. One of Galdran's evil commanders finds her before the Marquise, and she is sent to a torture dungeon, but then the Marquise manages to save her just in time.
Best part of story, including ending:
It is an interesting, dramatic story set in a lovely, fantasy world.
Best scene in story:
When Mel discovers the Marquise of Shevraeth was on her side the entire time.
Opinion about the main character:
I like how she is a strong, independent person, who tries her best to do the right thing. I love that she has masculine and feminine qualities.
This book is about a young countess named Meliara and her brother, Branaic. Before their father dies, they promise to start a revolt in thier land. They want to take the evil King off his throne. However, one night Mel is out spying on the enemy camp and she falls into one of their own people's traps. This is the start of a wild adventure where Mel is taken to the King by The Marquis of Shevraeth, escapes and is on the run. She is captured yet again by an evil cousin of the King and taken to a torture room, but as the torturers come towards Mel, The Marquis of Shevraeth comes and saves the day! He then sends Mel with a couple of his trusted friends and soliders to his palace.
There Mel sees her brother and they head back to their country. On the way there, Bran and Mel are ambushed by a group of soliders of the enemy. Mel runs to her people who stage a fight against The Marquis of Shevreath because they think he betrayed them. At the battle a messanger comes and requests that Mel comes with him inside the camp. She follows him and leads him to the Marquis, who taks her to another camp where she finds her brother well and alive. That night they planned for the final battle against the evil King.
The review of this Book prepared by Marcie
Tlanth is in trouble. Its impoverished leaders, Countess Meliara Astair and her brother, Count Branaric, endeavor to hold it together with little help from King Galdran, whose taxes continue to rise. But when Galdran breaks the ancient Covenant with the Hill People, cutting down valuable colorwood trees, Mel and Bran defend them, going to war with the little resources they have and only a few loyal people to fight for them.
The review of this Book prepared by Kate
