Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith
Reviewed by AimeeRatings
Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content
LANGUAGE
VIOLENCE
SEXUAL CONTENT
ADULT THEMES
Rating Explanation
Violence: Meliara and her brother lead an uprising against the King of the land. There is training for war using weapons like swords and arrows. The king’s men are victims of taunting and exploits. Meliara is caught in a trap and hurt. She is captured and put in prison. There is war and fighting. Flauvic is turned into a tree by magic.
Sexual Content: There are a few kisses between Meliara and Shevraeth.
Adult Themes: Magic and sorcery are a part of this book as well as war. Meliara is given a drink that unknowingly makes her drunk.
Synopsis
Meliara and her brother promise their father on his deathbed that they will defend their people against a greedy and evil King. Although her intentions are good, Meliara’s plans don’t always go according to her desires. Her people are ill-prepared for the battle which they undertake. Meliara finds herself caught, hurt and a prisoner to the King. Unexpected allies emerge and a battle is fought. In the fragile peace that comes next, Meliara finds herself in the royal palace where a very different sort of battle is taking place. She must learn a new way of fighting that involves more wit, words and secrets than she has ever known. Meliara decides she cannot trust anyone because friends and enemies look alike.
Meliara is the best sort of heroine. She is brave and strong, yet sometimes she bumbles things up, leading to some grand messes. Her character is believable, and I found myself really enjoying the tale that emerged in this book. I love the fierce loyalty that Meliara has for her people, her family and her land. She desires to honor the “covenant” made with the tree people. It took me a few chapters to really get into this book, but by chapter 8 I was hooked. I loved this book. I even forgot that I was supposed to be reviewing it and taking notes! I guess one of the best parts of this book for me was that I didn’t have to take many notes. It was a good, clean read. This book will make it on my favorites list, for sure. I would recommend 12 and up as a reading level for this book.