Seeker of the Crown

Gr 3–6—Valor is back and ready to save her people from danger. Picking up a few weeks after the end of the first book, this installment begins with Prince Anatol, friend of Valor and her twin sister Sasha, imprisoned by his mother for treason. Finding themselves summoned by Queen Ana herself, Valor is tasked with finding the truly traitorous Princess Anastasia so that the kingdom and the prince will be safe and free again. Things do not go according to plan, as per usual for Valor and her clever group of unlikely companions including a palace guard, two thieves, and her sister. Just as the kingdom is teetering on destruction from aggressive neighboring kingdoms, Queen Ana is kidnapped by the princess, and the royal niece named regent in her place appears to be a usurper. They have foiled the plans of Princess Anastasia only to play into her plans to spark war with neighboring Pyots'kan. Readers will want to start with the first book to get the full feel of the barren world and icy city of Demidova. Although this plot lacks the emotional urgency of that first adventure, the suspense is held throughout as various plot turns reflect Valor's missteps. Fans of the series will be happy to revisit the characters. With some dangers to the kingdom unresolved, there is promise of more adventures with the sharpshooting archer Valor and her diplomatic sister.