Blog #2: Frusterating

After Mel has been captured and humiliated in front of court, she is locked in a dungeon where she receives unexpected and certainly secret gifts. Such as food and blankets and water. The Marquis of Shavraeth obviously granted Mel these secret gifts and wished that she surrender so she is not killed. (Out of love. I just know it.) Of course Mel escapes and spends the majority of the reading hiding from horseback. It is so obvious that the Marquis loves her! Mel is so stubborn and so ignorant to notice, however, how much effort he gives to keep her from being caught! One time he even looks into her eyes when he and others are searching a building, smiles slightly, but does not say a word to the other searchers. Mel, of course, does not understand his behaviour and thinks it is because the Marquis wishes to finish her off himself. (She has to be wrong. I just know it.) I am getting a little annoyed at how much she analyzes other people's reaction toward her. She believes that every person on the planet has something against her. She believes that there is an undercurrent, secret meanings, to everything people say to her. And it frusterates me that she always wishes to escape when, clearly, the Marquis is helping her! Mel thought, "All right, defeat so far, I thought as I winced and gritted my way through arranging my leg much as it had been on the previous ride. All I have to do is catch him in a single unwary moment... He mounted behind me and we started off, while I indulged myself with the image of grabbing that stick and conking him right across his smiling face." (Another sign of an unspoken love!)

Blog #1: A great beginning?

Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith begins with Countess Meliara and her brother Branaric mourning their father's death. It seems that this book never really had an exposition, chapter, or even a paragraph describing the setting. The reader is thrown straight into a war. I started reading this and was confused and bored right away. I cannot read about war strategies, my mind just wanders so the beginning of Crown Duel was difficult to get through. But the information Sherwood Smith was giving seemed important for the rest of the book, so I did not let myself get discouraged. I found out, however, that Crown Duel is not just a story about war strategies: it is one of suspense and action. By page 43, Mel falls into a trap, a literal trap that badly injures her leg. She is captured by the Court Shmuck a Marquis, Varandic Shevraeth. I did not understand or even like the beginning of this book! But now that Mel has been captured, it all of a sudden has wonderful suspense and action. Sherwood Smith ends almost every chapter with a sentence such as, "And then I was captured." Or, "And then everything went black." Wonderful supsense. The action is plentiful as well. Mel can fight with and without a sword, on horseback and off. Even the snobby Marquis can fight. He does, in fact save Mel's life more than once. And I think it is because he fancies her. And despite her intense hatred toward him, she, as well, fancies him. Ah, so much to talk about!

Introduction to Outside Reading

“A fast-moving tale of adventure, intrigue, and honor, with Mel a likable heroine and a lively narrator,” Booklist described. The Horn Book also commented, “A delightful read.” Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith is a story of war, deceit and intrigue. The reviews and the synopsis on the back cover draw me to this book. “A realm in trouble, a spirited female hero with magic to surround her, mystery, romance, an enigmatic marquis, court etiquette and secret messages- this is the stuff of dreams!” Tamora Pierce wrote.