I had fun reading this book, and I plan to continue the series, but there were a few things that kept it from being totally awesome for me. The references to history and music and art and literature seemed obscure. I haven't read The Prisoner of Zenda. Was that my problem?Dobrenica felt like a real country with its own unique history, politics, and culture. That was cool! But at times I felt like the story got weighed down with too many descriptions of said history, politics, and culture--look at my cool world-building instead of telling the story.First-person can be unforgiving. I often got the feeling that Kim was tooting her own horn. I loved the Eyrie/sword-fighting scene! Kim was a very interesting character. Ms. Smith seems to enjoy thrusting unsuspecting women, who have been trained in sword fighting and have impossibly long hair, into the role of princess and further adventure. I admit, I also like that premise. For that alone, I have to recommend this book. Unlike her others, Ms. Smith keeps this one contemporary, set in a made up country in Eastern Europe. Lots of fun escapes and one great fight. The romance wasn't bad. However, there were long passages of politics and references to literature I didn't follow. The main characters were intelligent and the responsibilities on their shoulders felt as heavy as they were meant to. I guess I just wanted to like them more.
Do You like book Coronets And Steel (2010)?
It was not my favorite of hers. I liked the plot, but I got tired of the swearing.
—millerjlea
The feminine version of The Prisoner of Zenda. Not really a fantasy novel though.
—Jenny
I really enjoyed it right up until the ending which dropped it from a 4 to a 2
—Fukthisitsshir
eh, ok, predictable, and contains too much information. not her best.
—dleng
