Friday means Friday's Forgotten Books hosted by Patti Abbott here. I have told you to read this book before and I am telling you again. Take my word for it. You will be glad you did.
"The truth might never have come to light had the King not gotten drunk at his wedding banquet and choked to death on a pheasant bone."
"The truth might never have come to light had the King not gotten drunk at his wedding banquet and choked to death on a pheasant bone."
A funny opening sentence to be sure
offered by Elizabeth Burton in The Ugly Princess. This is not an easy book to explain. Simplifying greatly, King Edrick of
Abernal died at the afore mentioned feast. The only reason King Edrick was even
having a wedding feast was that the previous Queen, whom he could not divorce
because of extreme financial penalties, has finally died. He banished her to
the far reaches of the Kingdom years ago and with word of her death, it is time
for another political marriage. He must have a son, legitimate, preferably
since all the illegitimate children are dead, to take over his Kingly duties
someday. Upon word of the Queen's death, plans are quickly made for King Edrick
to marry Yolanthe of Nadwich, the young daughter of King Benifaz. Upon meeting
King Edrick, she is clearly less than thrilled with the repulsive idea but is
powerless to stop it.
As it turns out, she is spared
consummating the marriage with King Edrick thanks to his sudden death. The only
living heir, known as The Ugly Princess and the spawn of a previous political
union is needed to keep the throne in the family. She is rumored to be
hideously deformed but since killing her wasn't an option, she has lived for
the last twenty years at the far edges of the empire in a keep high in the
foothills. There she is attended to by trolls, the only ones who can deal with
her vulgar appearance.
Knowing that the ministers of the
Royal Court seek to consolidate their power and have her killed, the Royal
Champion Sir Christopher Evergild, leaves to bring her back. As the next
rightful holder of the throne, he will swear an oath of fealty to her and then
return her to the castle and the throne that is rightfully hers. At the same
time, Bartrim Ruford, Seneschal of House Rediman is left to deal with King
Benifaz's attempt to claim King Edrick's vacant throne as his as well as the
political machinations of traitors within the palace walls that seek their own
power.
Shifting in viewpoint from Bartrim
to Sir Christopher, the novel is an enjoyable tale of palace intrigue where the
dark forces may not all be mankind's making. Featuring complex characters,
plenty of action and twists, humor and romance, this novel keeps the reader
enthralled as it works toward the inevitable confrontations on many different
levels. While this review simply does not do the book justice, do not let that
deter you from this very good read.
The Ugly Princess: The Karlathia Chronicles
Elizabeth Burton
Zumaya Publications
2003
ISBN# 978-1894942096
Paperback (e-book version available)
216
Pages
$14.99
Material was supplied by the author long, long ago for my use in an objective review. Substantial portions of this review have appeared online here and elsewhere in the past. Minor changes were made for the use today to provide clarity and to update the publishing record of the book.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2014
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