Crown Duel

Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith is fast action novel about a young countess in medieval times. The king is getting greedy, and taking Countess Meliara’s people to death. Meliara’s dying father make her and her brother, Branaric swear that they will fight the king. So they fight the king with ill-prepared troops, and manage to hold their own for a while. Finally the war ends, the king is dead, and things are returning to normal. But Bran decides to stay at court, while Mel chooses to return home. Nearly a year later, Bran returns home with some guests, including his new fiancée, Nimiar. When they leave, Mel decides to go with them. Soon she is mixed up in the crazy politics and ways of the court. Besides that, she has a secret admirer as well.
Mel is a spunky small young woman with a fiery temper to match her auburn hair. She is determined and clever, especially when it came to keeping that promise she made to her father. Then when she discovers her ignorance in the ways of the court, she is determined to learn. I loved this book and I think any teen will also.