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The Ugly Princess by Elizabeth K. Burton
As a young child, the Lady Jahmelle was banished to a prison keep on order
of her father, King Edrick Rediman, for the simple crime of being her
mother's daughter. But with the king dead, the unwanted princess stands as
his sole heir. Sir Christopher Evergild, champion of the dead king is tasked
to bring Lady Jahmelle from her forbidding keep that has been guarded by
trolls. But things are not so simple as the scrupulous knight is led to
believe: Jahmelle is hardly the mad abomination rumour has made out, and
once returned to the king's estate, he realizes that his old master's
councilors have as little use for Lady Jahmelle as the king did. It is the
ensuing political intrigue of this corrupt court wherein dwells the true
ugliness of the story.
The passages of The Ugly Princess are in large part related through the
observances of Bartrim, Senseschal to the old King's household. A moral but
discreetly prudent man, his relating of the story lends an enlightenment to
the natures of the more important characters. Through the relationship
between Bartrim and his wife, the reader understands, too, there is a deep
sense of right and wrong that abides in the land, one which transcends the
machinations of those in power.
The dialogue of the novel sparkles through Burton's gift for dry humor. I
also am also impressed with how she has crafted her romantic scenes. Not as
erotic as Dreams of Darkness, the relationship between Evergild and Lady
Jahmelle is still tender and passionate, and central to the theme.
This novel is sure to satisfy the tastes of fantasy connoisseurs. But more
so, The Ugly Princess is a delightful offering for the lover of dark
fairy-tales.
Reviewed by Maria Osborne Perry
December 26, 2002
Coming Soon from Zumaya Publications! DoubleDragon ebooks ISBN 1-55404-012-4
The Ugly Princess, from writer Elizabeth K. Burton is a complimentary sidestory to her Everdark Wars series, and in itself, a bold and memorablefairy-tale adventure.
