The Princess of Cortova

November 1, 2013

Gr 4-8-An ancient seaside villa is the setting for this follow-up to The Silver Bowl (2011) and The Cup and the Crown (2012, both HarperCollins). The previous books featured Molly, a commoner gifted with magic who became King Alaric's most trusted advisor, but this novel focuses on enigmatic Princess Elizabetta, the only daughter of King Gonzalo of Cortova. Her scheming father contrives to pit King Alaric and Prince Rupert, rivals from neighboring kingdoms, against one another for Betta's hand in marriage and an alliance with the Cortovan kingdom. Betta surprises her father by proving that she is not just beautiful, but is also a brilliant strategist. When Alaric and his court arrive, Molly immediately senses great danger and is on her guard, but finds she can't resist Betta's candid warmth. Their growing friendship is tempered by the political tension, but their cautious and clever conversations over chess are one of the book's delights. Each section begins with definitions of chess terms, all metaphors for the action that follows. Like a chessboard, the cast is large and the plotting takes precedence over characterization. Apart from Betta, a real understanding of the players must come from the previous books, and the writing labors a bit to get readers up to speed in this third book. Still, it's a story full of political intrigue, deep friendships, and undeclared loves that begins with the princess enjoying the solitary quiet of a morning and builds to a tumultuous, violent, and triumphant ending. This trilogy should be a staple in school and public libraries.-Martha Baden, Prescott Public Library, AZ

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2014
This is the final novel in the trilogy that began with The Silver Bowl. Here, Molly, Tobias, and King Alaric are trapped in King Gonzalo's plan to control three kingdoms by brokering his daughter's marriage. Castle intrigue, friendship, love, and real danger weave together into a fast-paced story. Molly is a terrific heroine--talented, loyal, and thoughtful.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

September 1, 2013
Molly, Alaric and Tobias return to share a final adventure that will intrigue, sadden and ultimately satisfy admirers of their earlier escapades (The Cup and the Crown, 2012, etc.). Having gained his throne (though it's still a bit precarious) and possession of a magical loving cup, Alaric has decided to strengthen his position by courting his brother's widow to create an alliance between the countries of Westria and Cortova. He's unhappy, to say the least, when he discovers that his uncle (and rival for the crown) seeks to marry his son to the princess. The return of this former adversary as well as the introduction of two clever and unpredictable characters whose intentions and alliances are unclear keeps the suspense high despite the length of the text and the fact that much of the action is relatively subdued. Flowing naturally from prior events, Stanley's complex plot allows her main characters to display their hard-won wisdom and maturity. Magical elements aren't woven in quite as seamlessly as before and are likely to seem as confusing to readers as they do to Molly. By contrast, using the game of chess as a framework succeeds splendidly, echoing the complex political maneuvering that is at the heart of the tale. Like the earlier volumes, this is an excellent blend of familiar fantasy tropes and original ideas and elements that will please readers while giving them plenty to ponder. (Fantasy. 10-14)

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Starred review from July 1, 2013
Grades 5-8 *Starred Review* In this conclusion to the trilogy that began with The Silver Bowl (2011), prescient Molly and her friendsyoung King Alaric and stalwart Tobiasjourney from Westria to the Kingdom of Cortova in search of an alliance that will include Alaric's betrothal to Princess Elizabetta. To complicate matters, however, Alaric's cousin, the foxy Reynard, King of Austlind, has arrived with a similar goal. Who will win the hand of the fair Elizabetta? And with such high stakes, can treachery be far behind? In a word, no. For Alaric soon finds his life in danger, and in her attempts to help, Molly discovers that her gift of precognition seems to be failing. Stanley has done an uncommonly good job of integrating material from the previous companion novels to ensure a stand-alone adventure. Richly plotted, the narrative evolves like a game of chess. From opening to endgame, the story proceeds at an ever-increasing pace, infused with suspense, unexpected moves, and strategic surprises. Once again Stanley demonstrates her mastery of character, dialogue, and setting, and her fantastical world operates with both the logic necessary for plausibility and the imagination necessary for a successful fantasy. The result is an unforgettable entertainment.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)