This week's prompt is to recommend an author
similiar to an author you love. I love Tamora Pierce. Her books are some of my
staple rereads whenever I want a YA fantasy with a strong fighting heroine and a
swoon-worthy romance. An author I'd recommend to those who love the works of
Tamora Pierce is...
Now, to be fair, I've only read a few of her
works. When I recommend her as a similar author to Tamora Pierce, I am mainly
referring to Smith's novel Crown Duel (or duology Crown Duel
and Court Duel, depending on how they're packaged). I've heard
that her other novels don't quite reach up to the high standards of this one,
but I'm not sure whether I believe that. I just need to find some time to read
some of her other books.
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.(Goodreads)
Mel is the best kind of herione — a
heroine who has to learn how to become a heroine. She's prickly, has a quick
temper, and has always been super relatable to me. She does have some
similarities to Tamora Pierce's Alanna, but, unlike Alanna, Mel is a normal
human and cannot rely on gods or magic to help her kingdom. She starts off as
the most woefully unprepared savior ever. Mel's introduction to war/tactics, as
well as her introduction to court life, can be considered a comedy of errors.
But what makes Mel an admirable heroine is that she is willing to endure pain
and humiliation in order to stick up for her beliefs. And the relationship she
gradually forms is so wonderful. It's a Pride and Prejudice-esque
relationship, and those are always my favorite kind of relationship to read
about. I have never been able to look at white roses or think of love letters in
the same way since reading Crown Duel. My boyfriend needs to read about
this relationship so that he can take notes (Kidding! Sort of). Along with
Pierce's Alanna, Daine, and Kel, Smith's Mel is totally a comfort heroine of
mine — one of those heroines whose stories I
continue to return to constantly, just to experience her life with her.
Do you love Tamora Pierce and have you read Crown Duel? What other authors have works reminiscient of Pierce's? And be sure to let me know what your similar author picks are!
I really want to read this! I'll have to soon!
ReplyDeleteYou do! I haven't fangirled over this book for quote some time now.
DeleteOkay so... I still have never read anything by Tamora Pierce (SHAME). But I know I would LOVE her and her books! So I'll have to read her stuff first. And of course, I always hear AMAZING things about Crown Duel, as well! Gah... so much to read, so little time...
ReplyDeleteAhh you need to read both authors! When you get ready to read Tamora Pierce's books, I can definitely give you recommendations if you want some haha.
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