  | Princess of Cortova Author: Stanley, Diane | |
| Price: $6.50 | ||
Summary:
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.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 5.90 Points: 9.0 Quiz: 164968 | Reading Counts Information: Interest Level: 6-8 Reading Level: 5.50 Points: 15.0 Quiz: 62348 | |
Common Core Standards
Grade 5 → Reading → RL Literature → 5.RL Key Ideas & Details
Grade 5 → Reading → RL Literature → 5.RL Craft & Structure
Grade 5 → Reading → RL Literature → 5.RL Integration & Knowledge of Ideas
Grade 5 → Reading → RL Literature → 5.RL Range of Reading & Level of Text Complexity
Grade 5 → Reading → RL Literature → Texts Illustrating the Complexity, Quality, & Rang
Grade 6 → Reading → RL Literature → 6.RL Key Ideas & Details
Grade 6 → Reading → RL Literature → 6.RL Craft & Structure
Grade 6 → Reading → RL Literature → 6.RL Integration of Knowledge & Ideas
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (09/01/13)
School Library Journal (11/01/13)
Booklist (+) (07/01/13)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 07/01/2013 *Starred Review* In this conclusion to the trilogy that began with The Silver Bowl (2011), prescient Molly and her friends—young King Alaric and stalwart Tobias—journey from Westria to the Kingdom of Cortova in search of an alliance that will include Alaric’s betrothal to Princess Elizabetta. To complicate matters, however, Alaric’s cousin, the foxy Reynard, King of Austlind, has arrived with a similar goal. Who will win the hand of the fair Elizabetta? And with such high stakes, can treachery be far behind? In a word, no. For Alaric soon finds his life in danger, and in her attempts to help, Molly discovers that her gift of precognition seems to be failing. Stanley has done an uncommonly good job of integrating material from the previous companion novels to ensure a stand-alone adventure. Richly plotted, the narrative evolves like a game of chess. From opening to endgame, the story proceeds at an ever-increasing pace, infused with suspense, unexpected moves, and strategic surprises. 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. - Copyright 2013 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 11/01/2013 Gr 4–8—An ancient seaside villa is the setting for this follow-up to The Silver Bowl (2011) and The Cup and the Crown (2012, both HarperCollins). The previous books featured Molly, a commoner gifted with magic who became King Alaric's most trusted advisor, but this novel focuses on enigmatic Princess Elizabetta, the only daughter of King Gonzalo of Cortova. Her scheming father contrives to pit King Alaric and Prince Rupert, rivals from neighboring kingdoms, against one another for Betta's hand in marriage and an alliance with the Cortovan kingdom. Betta surprises her father by proving that she is not just beautiful, but is also a brilliant strategist. When Alaric and his court arrive, Molly immediately senses great danger and is on her guard, but finds she can't resist Betta's candid warmth. Their growing friendship is tempered by the political tension, but their cautious and clever conversations over chess are one of the book's delights. Each section begins with definitions of chess terms, all metaphors for the action that follows. Like a chessboard, the cast is large and the plotting takes precedence over characterization. Apart from Betta, a real understanding of the players must come from the previous books, and the writing labors a bit to get readers up to speed in this third book. Still, it's 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.—Martha Baden, Prescott Public Library, AZ - Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
