Aurelia [Paperback]

Anne Osterlund (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 2008

An impressive debut, equal parts commercial appeal and literary prowess.

Princess Aurelia is next in line to rule the kingdom of Tyralt, but she would rather be one of the common folk, free to learn and roam and . . . not marry the next tyrannical prince that comes courting. Naturally, the king wants Aurelia to marry for political power. Aurelia wants to marry for love. And someone in the kingdom wants her . . . dead. Assigned to investigate and protect Aurelia is Robert, the son of the king’s former royal spy and one of Aurelia’s oldest friends. As Aurelia and Robert slowly uncover clues as to who is threatening her, their friendship turns to romance. With everything possible on the line—her life, her kingdom, her heart—Aurelia is forced to take matters into her own hands, no matter the cost.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The story begins with a clandestine outing in a menacing alley and builds to a melodramatic climax of swords and stallions. Along the way, all manner of balls and betrayals pepper a  concoction frothy in tenor but heavy with intrigue. Aurelia, the rebellious crown princess of Tyralt, pulls against the constraints of court composure and political etiquette. Brash and outspoken, she is forever challenging the statesmanship of her father and stepmother, particularly their efforts to find her a suitable (read rich) husband. But that’s far less troubling than the fact that someone is trying to kill her. Enter Robert, dashing, earnest son of the king’s own spy, to rescue the comely Aurelia and track down the assassin. The mystery is well conceived and satisfactorily resolved, and the court full of royal tropes veneered with contemporary sensibilities is irresistible. Plausible, no; entertaining, yes. Grades 7-12. --Thom Barthelmess

About the Author

Anne Osterlund lives in Oregon.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Speak (April 17, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142405795
• ISBN-13: 978-0142405796
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #691,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anne Osterlund, author of Aurelia, Academy 7, and Exile, grew up in the sunshine of eastern Oregon. She enjoys teaching and presenting to groups who share her passion for language, literature, and imagination. She lives in a cute little yellow house with her best feline friend, Dance, and her own library of young adult books. Anne is currently immersed in writing her fourth novel, with dreams of many more in the future. Come unveil the intrigue at her website. www.anneosterlund.com


Anne's Literary Facts

Favorite Part of Writing: The characters! They talk. Some of them very loud and opinionated, like Aurelia. Others deep and wounded like Aerin. Some of them who just can't wait to make everything on the page explode. Can you say Dane? But they all make writing exhilarating.

Favorite Book: Peter Pan by James Barrie. Because the magic is real. The island is real. The danger is real. What I love about the book is that it all feels real!

Favorite Authors: Tamora Pierce, Sharon Shinn, S.E. Hinton, Louisa May Alcott, Ann Rinaldi, L.M. Montgomery, John Marsden, Maria V. Snyder, Meg Cabot, Sally Watson, Mark Twain, William Shakespeare, and on and on and on.

Favorite Literary Place: Scotland!

Required When Writing: A cat. At least one. Preferably more.

Favorite Movie Based on a Book: Anne of Green Gables

Favorite Literary Event: Sirens, Women in Fantasy Literature Conference in Vail, CO

Best Advice for Aspiring Authors: Write the story you love! The one that refuses to go away or disappear. And then write the next and the next and the next.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Aurelia, September 4, 2008

By 

Violet Lovelace "China Doll" (Southern USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aurelia (Paperback)

This book was one of the best innocent romances that I have ever read. The love story is sweet and written well. The characters have a lot of depth and wonderful personalities. If you are looking for a more heady story, I wouldn't pick this however. It would be considered, by most people, as a young teen romance, simply for the lack of a lot of the physical part of relationships. Though, if you want more emotion and less sexual content, this is the book for you.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Young Adult Novel (B+ Grade), April 18, 2008

By 

Katie Babs "Katiebabs" (NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Aurelia (Paperback)

Aurelia is the eldest daughter of the King of Tyralt and the crown princess of Tyralt. As her younger half-sister 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.
But, 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. 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.
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. 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. Robert 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.
This is one exceptionally written book, and Anne Osterlund has awed and astounded with Aurelia. This is one young adult read that can be enjoyed by teens and adults alike. A very recommended book.


Katiebabs

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Girl powered princess adventure, May 13, 2008

By 

HHK "Fantasy/History Fan" (Plano, TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Aurelia (Paperback)

I was drawn to this book by the lovely cover. I am not a YA but have enjoyed several YA novels recently (for example the Libba Bray series).This was a pleasant read primarily geared towards young girls- probably age 12 to 15. The adventure,mystery and romance might be somewhat tame for older teens.

As an adult reading this book I found the writing style and prose very simple and the plot sterotypical. But a young girl reading this might view the book as an exciting adventure between a fiesty princess and her dashing childhood friend.For Moms looking for nice clean books with adventure and a dash of romance for their young daughters to read,this book fits the bill.

If you or your daughter enjoyed this book, then I would suggest Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith, The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley, a Posse of Princessess by Sherwood Smith and Princess Ben by Catherine Murdock. IMHO Crown Duel and The Hero and the Crown are the Classics in this genre and are very readable for both young girls and not so young gals who are young at heart.