Senrid — Sherwood Smith

Teen-aged king Leander Tlennen-Hess has barely ruled a year when he and his step-sister Kitty (or Princess Kyale, as she wishes to be known) are surprised by two visitors. The first is an adventure-loving girl, Faline, who helps Leander defend his tiny kingdom from invasion by the menacing warrior kingdom Marloven Hess, using only imagination and a bit of magic. The second visitor is a nice, friendly boy... who asks too many questions about the recent defeat of those evil Marlovens.

The nice, friendly visitor turns out to be Senrid, king of Marloven Hess.

But Senrid is king in name only. His uncle, the regent, holds power and Senrid must prove himself to be sufficiently strong by abducting for execution the two kids who thwarted the invasion.

The only way to save them is to enter the stronghold of the enemy, in flimsy disguise...

Sherwood Smith is the beloved author of over 25 books, best known for her stories for children and young adults. She has been writing in this fantasy milieu since age eight, and her first novel set there, CROWN DUEL, is currently in its ninth printing.

"Sherwood Smith's SENRID, written when she was fifteen, offers an extraordinary window into the development of a wonderful writer. Here in embryo are all the elements that Smith's fans have come to love."
-- Justine Larbalestier

"There's a lot of camaraderie, as well as budding sexual tension and never-a-dull-moment momentum."
-- Kirkus Reviews on WREN'S QUEST

"A realm in trouble, a spirited female hero with magic to surround her, mystery, romance, an enigmatic marquis, court etiquette and secret messages -- this is the stuff of dreams!"
-- Tamora Pierce on CROWN DUEL