Bronze Medalist in Young Adult Fiction, Moonbeam Children's Book Awards, 2008; Finalist in Young Adult Fiction, National Best Books Awards, 2008.
Summary
Princess Alera of Hytanica resents that she is duty-bound to wed Steldor, the arrogant and hot-tempered suitor her father has chosen as successor to the throne, but the more she learns of palace intrigue and ancient feuds, the less sure she is of right and wrong.