Tyralt City, Tyralt

Aurelia is the eldest daughter of the King of Tyralt and the crown princess of Tyralt. She may act the part, but she longs for the freedom away from court and all its pomp and circumstance. And even more worrisome is that she must start thinking about a husband, someone she can rule with for the good of her country. As her younger half-sister Melody enjoys her coming out, Aurelia must do her duty for the people and begin her journey into becoming not just a princess but a queen.

There is something Aurelia does not know, and that is she is marked for death. Her old school mate and confidant, Robert Vantauge, has come back to Tyralt at the urging of his king. Actually, the king wrote to Robert's father since his father was the king's spy for fifteen years. Now the Vantauge family lives on the frontier, away from the court and the palace. But since Aurelia's life is in danger, Robert volunteers to protect her and find out who would want to kill the adored princess of the people.

Aurelia has no idea that every time she sneaks into town or wears a disguise she is placing herself in danger. But Robert is her shadow and by her side always. She is beyond thrilled that Robert is back, but their relationship has changed from when they were children. Robert may act as if they are just friends, but when he looks at Aurelia, she sees another story in his eyes. Eventually Aurelia finds out the truth about Robert and the danger to her own life. Instead of cowering in fear, she works with Robert to find the villain who wants to eliminate her, even though the person could be someone she cares for and is as close as Robert is to her.

As an adult reading a young adult novel, AURELIA was enjoyable on so many levels that it didn't matter that this was a book for the younger generation. I was lost in the world of Tyralt and the adventurous princess who is strong, witty and also very stubborn. Aurelia is a super heroine who is no weeping willow. She takes everything in stride and has a good head on her shoulders. This is a young woman who is very much a queen in the making. I could go on and on about Aurelia's attributes, she has so many. And I found Robert to be her equal. He is not only a romantic interest, but an honest and true friend who cares for the person she is and not about his place in court or a longing for a higher position. I can really see great things happening between Aurelia and Robert as they grow in maturity.

I really had no clue who could be the one responsible for harming Aurelia. It could have been anyone from her cold stepmother, who will never truly have the king's heart, to her half-sister Melody, who seems to have no worries, but who also has secrets she doesn't even share with the sister she says she loves. Aurelia has no one to trust except for Robert, and it doesn't help matters that her father will not listen to her and wants her to marry an enemy decades older than herself.

This is one exceptionally written book, and Anne Osterlund has awed and astounded with AURELIA. For a young adult read that can be enjoyed by teens and adults alike, this deserves RRT's Perfect 10 award!

Kate Garrabrant