| $@%&! level: None “Bedroom” level: None (but some kissing) Violence level: Medium (few deaths, but several attempts) Back Cover: “When Miri and a few of the girls from Mount Eskel's princess academy travel to the capital to help the princess-to-be get ready for her wedding, they have no idea what to expect. Some are worried about leaving their beloved mountain for the first time, others are thrilled about going to the big city, and Miri is mostly just happy to see her best friend. But not everything in Asland is as perfect as the mountain girls hoped. As Miri learns more about her new home, she finds herself deep in the middle of an upheaval that affects everyone she loves. Torn between her loyalty to the princess and her belief in her new friends' daring ideas, and between an old love and a new crush, Miri must test the strengths and skills she gained in the princess academy.” |
The subject matter here is surprisingly deep. It isn't often that someone prevents the equivalent of the French Revolution in a fantasy novel. And certainly not by setting the King down and introducing him to a few harsh realities that his counselors may have seen fit to keep hidden from him. That's partly where the Rhetoric comes in. Then there's the Ethics, which is very ably exemplified with Miri's dilemma—to support the princess and royal family, who she really likes, or to support the revolution, who she agrees with. At least, she agrees that things need to change, and the King isn't willing to change them. On the other hand, when she learns about what actually happened in the neighboring kingdom when they tried the French Revolution method sort of cools her revolutionary ardor. Like I said, this is a pretty deep subject, and I really enjoyed being with her as she tries to sort it all out. I also think her solution is pretty darn excellent all around. And I love how totally un-cowed she is by royalty. Still respectful, but not at all willing to give the King his own way just because he is the King.