Crown Duel Review
Crown Duel was initially released as two separate books, Crown Duel and Court Duel, but has been reissued as a single volume.
Meliara Astiar of Tlanth—or Mel, as she’s called—isn’t your typical countess. She and her brother Branaric, known as Bran, were raised away from the royal court by their widowed father. Mel spent most of her childhood running free with the village kids, enjoying a carefree life due to her father’s absence.
However, a looming threat quickly disrupts their peace. The king of Remalna, Galdran Merindar, has broken a covenant, endangering the realm’s people. His ambition to seize the forests inhabited by the Hill Folk and steal the Fire Sticks they use for light and warmth is leading the kingdom to war.
On his deathbed, Mel and Bran’s father makes them promise to lead a rebellion against Galdran to uphold the covenant. Unfortunately, neither Mel nor Bran is prepared to lead an army, much less one that’s even less equipped for battle. Despite their lack of resources, they begin the revolution, quickly realizing that Galdran’s forces greatly outnumber their own. Mel creatively coordinates surprise attacks to confuse and slow down the enemy.
As the weeks go by, Mel’s side loses ground, prompting her to take a bold step by infiltrating the enemy camp to assess their strength. On her return, she gets caught in a trap ironically set by her own troops. Injured and captured, Mel plans several escapes, but they all fail. The Marquis of Shevraeth captures her, intending to take her to the capital to present her to Galdran. Although escape seems impossible with her broken foot, Mel keeps trying.
At the capital, Mel remains defiant but is humiliated publicly by the king and his court. While imprisoned, she receives a visit from the Marquis, who appears to be much more complex than she initially thought. When someone mysteriously unlocks her cell, she escapes to rural areas, intending to reunite with Bran and their followers. Despite being helped back to health by a family, she must flee again with the royal army close behind. Her chase across the kingdom involves the relentless, enigmatic Marquis. As she fights for her people, Mel knows her physical and mental limits but persists with determination.
Will Mel find a way to overthrow Galdran as she originally intended? Can she liberate her people from tyranny?
In the book’s second half, the stakes change significantly. Mel must now navigate court politics, something she understands even less than warfare. Maneuvering through the glittering, deceptive world of courtiers vying for power, she struggles to find her path. The ever-mysterious Marquis may hold more secrets than he shares, making it hard for Mel to trust him. Among other courtiers, Mel finds a few allies willing to teach her the nuances of court life, including her brother’s fiancée, Nee.
Crown Duel shines through Mel, a relatable and engaging protagonist who humorously describes her surroundings without sugarcoating anything. Alongside Mel, the novel’s characters, especially the enigmatic Marquis, keep readers intrigued. Smith’s vividly depicted world of Remalna makes for a compelling read that is enjoyable even on multiple revisits.
Sherwood Smith’s skillful writing seamlessly blends complex political drama into an engaging fantasy narrative that appeals to a broad audience. The novel, distinctively split into two parts—one focused on war, the other on romance—creates a balanced, captivating story. Starred characters like Mel and the mysterious Marquis continually engage the reader, making Crown Duel a delightful literary journey.
