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Sherwood Smith kept being recommended to me as something I would like given that I like Megan Whalen Turner, Diana Wynne Jones, and the like. So I got all the books our library had by her (a grand total of two... as I keep remarking, our library is a bit hit-or-miss), which are the two in the title.

Crown Duel was an early book, I think; at least, it feels very much like it. I never really did get into this one. I think part of it is that I need to read the sequel, but still, it never quite... went deeply enough.

A Posse of Princesses was picked up by our babysitter (college freshman) before I got to it, and she really liked it. And, you know, I did too. It's really really cute. It's like... Pride and Prejudice written for teenagers, with magic and princesses. I mean, it's definitely a kid's book, no doubt. But it's adorable, like a kitten, as is the main character, and doesn't pretend to be horribly serious (whereas I kind of got the impression that Crown Duel was supposed to be serious, but it wasn't). Also, kudos for having an important supporting character who is both an airhead and is seriously talented. Because people are really like that!

Date: 2010-05-23 12:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] thistleingrey.livejournal.com
Crown Duel has been revised and republished twice--once as Court & Crown Duet, that is, the original Crown and its sequel in one volume confusingly titled Crown Duel; and recently as an e-book containing two additional short stories.

It is early--she wrote it during her early twenties, IIRC. (Some thirty years ago.)

You might try Inda if you don't mind doorstoppers; the sequence is complete in four volumes, as of last year sometime. I am waitingwaitingwaiting for the mmpb of #4, because though I own the hc, it's too heavy for commute reading, for me. Stupid wrists.

Something of a fan, here, though I don't do well with her books for somewhat younger readers (Wren and the Mearsies Heili notebooks).

Date: 2010-05-23 12:39 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] thistleingrey.livejournal.com
And now that I have seen the library part--Inda is much more about the complex politics, distinct cultures whose individuals live in proximity, character depth, careful worldbuilding, etc. It's set technically in the same world as CD, but at a rather different time.

Date: 2010-05-25 04:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] charlie-ego.livejournal.com
THIRTY years ago? Why have I not heard about it until, umm, the last couple of years? I think I would have loved it had I read it as a teenager. I'm just too old and jaded now :)

I did really like Posse, which was noticeably more skillfully written as well as more thoughtful. I'll see if I can find Inda around, because it sounds like I would enjoy that.

(ugh. I have long-standing wrist issues too and it SUCKS.)

Date: 2010-05-27 06:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] julianyap.livejournal.com
I have old editions of Crown Duel and Court Duel, which I never got around to reading, but never gave away either because they have beautiful covers. Perhaps I should check out Inda

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