Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith

Sherwood Smith
Crown Duel
1997

The young Countess Meliara promises her dying father that she and her brother will defend their people from the greedy king. Her promise leads them to war, which they are hardly prepared for. It threatens the very people they have sworn to protect. Meliara's capture leads her through a sea of events, and she finds an ally in an unlikely source who she continues to mistrust. It would seem that this time of battle is easier for Meliara to handle then when she is summoned to live at the royal palace for a time. Her brother and her sworn enemy, also her brother’s best friend, is putting things in order for her enemy's rule, who also happens to be her unlikely ally. Meliara must control her fiery temper and learn the rules of court, and the secret language of fans to get by in this dancing battle. Friends and enemies fill the halls and dance halls, and to survive, Meliara must learn to fight not with a sword but with wits, words and secret alliances.

Pgs 480
Fantasy
Young Adult
Interest Level 10+

-This is my favorite YA Book as of when I first read it.
-Some romance.
-Good for readers who want some action that is physical and internal and a saucy heroine.
-Some may find the story slow
-Good for girls, but boys may enjoy parts of this book