Fantasy readers in search of the romance of Kristin Cashore's Fire and the political intrigue of Megan Whalen Turner's The Thief will be spellbound by this debut novel.
Ella, the second-born princess of a small but influential kingdom, has always known that she was "the chosen one." But chosen for what? Marked at birth with a magical jewel embedded in her navel, she gains no apparent benefit from it. Ella's older sister is beautiful, intelligent and beloved by all, while 16-year-old Ella--timid, ill-mannered and overweight--manages her anxiety by compulsively eating. Ella's saving grace is that she is bright and well read. When her family marries her off to a handsome, emotionally distant king for a political alliance, Ella begins a transformative adventure. The plot twists and turns, and nothing is as it seems. Apparent enemies become allies as Ella grows in confidence in her own power and abilities. Carson creates a well-constructed fantasy world with an empathetic protagonist. --Lisa Von Drasek, librarian at Bank Street College of Education's School for Children