This book combines two very well-known tropes in young adult books. Brennan blends the plot line about the young princess who must end the grinding, centuries-long war AND the two girls at horse camp who can't stand each other into a reasonably well-laid story. Our heroine, Princess Elen, had been charged by her Queen mother to end the two centuries of fighting between the
I recommend this book to fantasy-loving, horse-mad girls who are good readers but might be on the emotionally immature side. There is nothing emotionally (or physically) mature in this book, only the well-examined questions of when a grudge is long past expiration, and when listening to your better nature can really solve problems.
Why I picked it: This is one of the books that I picked up due to reading the first chapter in Opening Acts, which is the opening chapters of 25 books, available for free download.
New-to-me Books for 2012
January
House of the Star by Caitlin Brennan, YA fantasy. 3/5 stars on Goodreads (3 = "liked it"), 4/5 stars on Amazon (4 = "liked it")