Corie is the illegitimate half-sister of the heir-to-the-throne's fiance, and as such she spends every summer at Castle Auburn. The rest of the year, she trains as an herbalist with her demanding grandmother. The story follows Corie and her sister, Elisandra, as they grow up and prepare to take the places the world has assigned them. I was impressed with the insight into the girls' minds--they really came alive for me. The plot is not intricately crafted, but it is still a more realistic, darker take on fairy tale romances. I would not recommend this for younger kids.
