Product Description Young Countess Meliara swears to her dying father that she and her brother will defend their people from the growing greed of the king. That promise leads them into a war for which they are ill-prepared, which threatens the very people they are trying to protect. But war is simple compared to what follows, in peacetime. Meliara is summoned to live at the royal palace, where friends and enemies look alike, and intrigue fills the dance halls and the drawing rooms. If she is to survive, Meliara must learn a whole new way of fighting—with wits and words and secret alliances. In war, at least, she knew in whom she could trust. Now she can trust no one. About the Author Sherwood Smith writes fantasy and science fiction for young adult as well as adults. She has participated in and organized writing groups (both on- and off-line) for many years. Smith's works include the YA novel Crown Duel. Smith also collaborated with Dave Trowbridge in writing the Exordium series and with Andre Norton in writing two of the books in the Solar Queen universe, and two Time Traders. In 2001 her short story "Mom and Dad at the Home Front" was a finalist for the Nebula Award for Best Short Story. Moreover, her children's books have made it on many library Best Books lists, and Wren's War was an Anne Spencer Lindbergh Honor book and a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award finalist. [close] Sherwood Smith writes fantasy and science fiction for young adult as well as adults. She has participated in and organized writing groups (both on- and off-line) for many years. Smith's works include the YA novel Crown Duel. Smith also collaborated with Dave Trowbridge in writing the Exordium series and with Andre Norton in writing two of the books in the Solar Queen universe, and two Time Traders. In 2001 her short story "Mom and Dad at the Home Front" was a finalist for the Nebula Award for Best Short Story. Moreover, her children's books have made it on many library Best Books lists