I was a little surprised by this book. I thought that it was a wonderful coming-of-age type story. But it could really translate well for adults as well because of the circumstances of war Mel and Bran (all the characters actually) seemed older than I believe they were. It was good though because it means the story can be re-read many times over. 
 I should probably state that the version I read of this book is two books in one (Crown Duel & Court Duel, along with some fun extras). Originally I suppose these stories were released separately. 
 Even though I enjoyed the book, I really felt like it seemed to go on and on. The beginning, even though moving through a space of months in a matter of pages seemed to drag on a little, but of course as soon as Sheverath came into the picture it started moving along faster. From that point, however, I think it moved in a very circular pattern. Mel would get hurt then she would pass out (it seemed like a lot of scene transitions were when Mel would pass out and we would find her waking up), she runs away and the cycle begins all over again. 
 Even though some of the sequences seemed repetative, I still enjoyed the story. You can really see an early incantation of some of our current strong YA heroines in Mel. I liked her courage. She was injured and faced death numerous time throughout this book, yet she was still strong. She was very naive about the war they were fighting. I believe until she was captured she thought of it more as a game, thinking of clever ways to throw off the enemy without having to actually enter into physical fighting. 
 Like I said previously the book starts to really pick up when Sheverath steps onto the scene. The exchanges between him and Mel are great. At first we see him as a villain, but then we start to question where his loyalties really lie. I think (the story being told from Mel's point of view) the reader could clearly see by the end that he was not trying to mislead her, but Mel is a stubborn character and a little untrusting after what she has experienced. I would have like to have seen her realize his truth sooner than she did. Honestly I didn't like that she ran away at the end (I certainly saw it as running away because she didn't tell anyone she was leaving). I understand her wanting to go home, but not sneaking out the way she did. 
 The next story, picks up about 6 months after the first ended. We see Mel transforming her home into a habitable place. I liked seeing her do something successful, changing something for the better and doing good at it. I didn't like that she had been so isolated from the characters in the first installment, but that soon changes when her brother makes a surprise visit with guests. 
 I didn't care for her brother in this book. In the first one they both seemed to take the other into consideration. In this book it seemed that Bran's time at court had changed him. He seemed to forget a little about his sister and the type of person she was. I did like that his fiance was not a "home wrecker" type. I liked that Mel found a friend in her, and she too saw Mel's brother's somtimes ignorance. 
 The time at court, I'll admit, was a little confusing. But looking back I wonder if that was the way it supposed to feel to the reader. So many little intericacies and mannerisms. Everything with the fan was difficult to imagine. I think what was being conveyed here was that at court among these royals, nothing is as it seems. There are illusions everywhere as the case may be. Then Mel comes and I think tries to fit into that court mold, but she doesn't really understand it herself so she decides to be true to herself and it works out better. 
 I liked the idea of her "secret admirer". Of course I knew who it was, but there were a couple times I checked myself wondering if I really knew who it was. I liked the way the reveal was handled towards the end. Very up front and no nonsense about it (I mean they had been, up to this point, beating around the bush about seeing each other face-to-face). You could really see her grow in this installment. She thought out her actions more and just really educated herself more on matters before jumping into a situation. You could also see her feelings change (well slightly since the feelings were probably there the whole time) for Sheverath. She definitely matured in the way she conversed with him. I was really happy when she decided not to fight with him every time they were in the same room together. 
 The revolt that happens towards the end was a little over shadowed by the love story in this book. Whereas the first book gave no indication of a romance, one could focus on the war. Overall it was a nice happy ending. I would liked to have had more of the magic influence in the stories. It was bisically just thrown in here and there as a way to deal with certain situations. I'm a little sad that this isn't a continuing series. I would like to know more of Mel's story. 
 Well....in this version we do get a little glimpse of life for Mel and Sheverath after marriage and coronation. I liked the little bit at the end. I think it rounded out the story as a whole and gave it a more solid ending. 
 Also included are select scenes from both stories told from Sheverath's point of view. I like it when authors do that. I like to see a situation from another's perspective since we only get Mel's for the duration of the stories. I have to say that if the two points of view were intermingled for both stories we would have seen more of a love story in the first installment. Interesting how something like that can change the mood of a book just a little. Anyway, this is a book that I can see myself re-reading in the future. Until Then!