Synopses & Reviews
With tensions rising between the kingdoms of Westria and Austlind, Molly and Tobias accompany King Alaric to Cortova, where he hopes to form an alliance with the powerful King Gonzalo—an alliance that would be sealed by Alaric's marriage to Gonzalo's daughter, the beautiful princess Elizabetta. But the devious Gonzalo has many surprises up his sleeve, beginning with the revelation that Alaric is not the only suitor.
As the days pass, Alaric is trapped in a nightmarish bidding war in which the price keeps spiraling up and the terms become ever more outrageous. Yet he cannot afford to walk away. Then comes the first attempt on Alaric's life.
Through it all, Molly is powerless to help him, for her magical Gift sends her nothing now but terrible forebodings—and visions of an enormous talking cat. And as for Princess Elizabetta, who is as clever as she is beautiful—is she really Molly's friend or just another player in her father's crafty game?
The thrilling story that began with the acclaimed novels The Silver Bowl and The Cup and the Crown comes to a spectacular and surprising conclusion in The Princess of Cortova.
Review
“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.” Booklist (starred review)
Review
“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.” School Library Journal
Synopsis
Molly's exciting story concludes in this final book of Diane Stanley's acclaimed trilogy, which began with
The Silver Bowl and
The Cup and the Crown—a perfect series for fans of Megan Whalen Turner.
With tensions rising between the kingdoms of Westria and Austlind, Molly and Tobias accompany King Alaric to Cortova, where he hopes to form an alliance with the powerful King Gonzalo—an alliance that would be sealed by Alaric's marriage to Gonzalo's daughter, the beautiful princess Elizabetta. But the devious Gonzalo has plans of his own. Upon arriving in Cortova, Alaric is shocked to find that there is already another suitor vying for Princess Elizabetta's hand: his own cousin, Prince Rupert of Austlind.
As the days pass, Alaric, Molly, and Tobias find themselves trapped in a suspenseful game of courtly intrigue that soon takes a dangerous turn. For once, Molly's magical visions are little help—they reveal nothing beyond hazy threats. Everything turns around Princess Elizabetta, but is she truly a friend or simply another player in her father's crafty game?
About the Author
Diane Stanley is the author and illustrator of beloved books for young readers, including
The Silver Bowl, which received three starred reviews, was named a best book of the year by
Kirkus Reviews and
Book Links Lasting Connections, and was an ALA
Booklist Editors' Choice;
The Cup and the Crown;
Saving Sky, winner of the Arab American Museum's Arab American Book Award and a Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year;
Bella at Midnight, a
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year and an ALA
Booklist Editors' Choice;
The Mysterious Case of the Allbright Academy;
The Mysterious Matter of I. M. Fine; and
A Time Apart. Well known as the author and illustrator of award-winning picture-book biographies, she is the recipient of the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children and the
Washington Post-Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award for her body of work.
Ms. Stanley has also written and illustrated numerous picture books, including three creatively reimagined fairy tales: The Giant and the Beanstalk, Goldie and the Three Bears, and Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.