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R.J.'s Reviews > Crown Duel
Crown Duel (Crown & Court, #1-2)
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I enjoyed this book (well, technically "these books," but omnibus edition, so "book" is also accurate) the first time I read it a few years ago, but this time I downright loved it. I don't know why it only occurred to me on this reading that it's essentially a high-fantasy-with-war version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, because it now seems almost absurdly obvious, but that just makes it even more wonderful in my estimation. Sherwood Smith does great worldbuilding, lively characters moved by deep loyalties and powerful emotions (or powerful restraints, in the case of a certain drawling courtier), charming repartee, and deliciously smart, subtle, slow-burn romance -- my favorite kind. Meliara's stubbornness about holding a certain grudge in Book 1 and her inability to see what is right in front of her nose in Book 2 strains credulity at times, but the text lampshades it fairly well and the payoff is so great that I really can't complain. (Besides, the same thing could be said of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, so Smith is in excellent company.)
Definitely one of my favorite fantasy novels, and I can only wish I'd discovered it earlier so I could claim it as an influence. Though given a couple of familiar-sounding phrases and observations I noted in the book, I suspect there are a few currently popular YA fantasy authors out there who can claim it as such...
Definitely one of my favorite fantasy novels, and I can only wish I'd discovered it earlier so I could claim it as an influence. Though given a couple of familiar-sounding phrases and observations I noted in the book, I suspect there are a few currently popular YA fantasy authors out there who can claim it as such...
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Reading Progress
April 27, 2008
– Shelved
Started Reading
April 21, 2015
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Finished Reading
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Rose
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rated it 5 stars
Apr 23, 2015 06:22PM
I can definitely see why you'd love it. I read it long ago and also recently encountered it again and loved it all over again. Some perfect moments of payoff in it!
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Rose wrote: "I can definitely see why you'd love it. I read it long ago and also recently encountered it again and loved it all over again. Some perfect moments of payoff in it!"EXACTLY. *flails* :D
SO fun to see one of my favorite writers reviewing a longtime favorite from my bookshelf! Yes, the payoff is perfect...this is one of the first books I threw at my new friends as a freshman in college, the other being Rinaldi's Time Enough for Drums. I don't think either of them sat on my bookshelf for more than a few weeks at a time all year.
Laura wrote: "SO fun to see one of my favorite writers reviewing a longtime favorite from my bookshelf!Thank you! That is very kind. And yes, good books are even more fun when shared!
I had never heard of the Rinaldi book, but it sounds delightful. Adding it to my TBR shelf now!
R.J. wrote: "I had never heard of the Rinaldi book...."I am sure you will love it! Like Crown Duel, it has a perfect moment of payoff...it forces me to beam with happiness and then a few pages later I'm almost in tears. As a coming-of-age story and romance, it shines.
By the way, since I'm lucky enough to have ended up in a dialogue with you, I have to say that Darkness and Light has been a much-read, much-loved favorite for over a decade. In the 2000s I typeset and printed my 5 or so favorite fics. Imogen--perfection. Those cauldron-patterned boxers--what more can be said?! Thanks for imagining and and writing such a nuanced and mature take on the wizarding world and my favorite Slytherin!
!!!! Wow, thank you for loving the fics so much. I'm glad you enjoyed Imogen -- she was great fun to write. :D
