About This Book:
*Review Contributed By Mark Buxton, Staff Reviewer*
Royal intrigue
This book is a finalist for a 2024 Cybils Book Award in Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction.
What worked:
Ash and Splinter each face challenging expectations from the kingdom. Ash returns from six years of education in a small village to disgruntled and disrespectful comments from nobles and members of the court. They think she lacks the qualities of a princess, is an embarrassment, and is out of touch with how life among nobles should be. Her brother even says she should go away. Ash’s crippled walk only lowers their thoughts about her. Splinter dreams of becoming a squire, a knight, and a hero but prospects for girls are limited. Ash asks her to be her squire but Splinter’s teachers are skeptical of her abilities and the other squires tease and laugh at her. The queen is leery of accepting a female squire and Ash must use all of her persuasive talents to change her mother’s mind. Splinter knows everyone is against her success but she refuses to leave Ash’s side.
The author includes a couple of twists and turns, adding intrigue to the plot. Chapters alternate between Ash and Splinter and the book’s first half mostly describes their challenges adjusting to life in the castle. The country is being invaded from the north and there are fears some members of the queen’s court are disloyal. The queen asks her daughter to spy on a noble family suspected of traitorous activities. Ash’s kidnapping is unexpected but the reason behind it is shocking. Splinter’s rocky relationship with the other squires reaches a breaking point with dramatic consequences. She forms a highly improbable alliance with an enemy as they team up to rescue Ash.
Underlying the whole story is a growing unrest among the citizens and nobles. The nobles are disgruntled that the queen doesn’t favor them enough while the people living outside the capital city think she has turned her back on them. Ash’s time living away from the castle has given her an appreciation for the commoners and a lack of empathy for the entitled. She’s learned how to work with her hands and has interests that might not be considered suitable for a princess. Her difficulty walking has made her tough and she refuses to show any signs of being dependent on others. Young readers will admire her kind heart, loyalty, and determination.
What didn’t work as well:
The question of Splinter’s gender comes up throughout the book but the choice of pronouns used may confuse some readers. The story becomes a mystery, of sorts, and an adventure but readers may want a little more action. It could be developed more overall.
The final verdict:
The author creates a captivating story of the friendship between Ash and Splinter but it morphs into an adventure to save the kingdom. Ash must learn to exist amid the politics surrounding the crown while Splinter battles prejudice from her fellow squires and citizens wanting to return to the old ways. Overall, the book is exciting and engaging and I highly recommend you give it a shot.
