The Crystal Snowstorm

The Crystal Snowstorm (Trevor, Meriol. Letzenstein Chronicles, Bk. 1.) by Meriol Trevor
****
Catherine is the granddaughter of the Grand Duke of Letzenstein, a very small imaginary country in Europe in 1848. She is summoned from England to be the Grand Duke's heir after the death of his previously appointed heir. His wise, older son is not considered, for his father perceives him to be a threat to his authority. Catherine is intended to be a pawn in the game for power, but she understands that all is not right, and becomes active in the intrigue at the palace.

The book was written to give an idea of European politics at this time, but on a smaller scale so as to be more easily understood by younger readers. Although Letzenstein is imaginary, it is set in a historical time frame, as well as actually seeming like part of Europe. Catherine asks questions of the princess of another small, imaginary country. The princess says she must marry the heir of the Grand Duke, to forge an alliance between the countries. Did she like the Grand Duke's son that died, Catherine asks. She was puzzled by the response. No, the princess did not like him, but it did not matter, because the alliance was more important.

Despite ideas you may get from the title, this is not a fantasy. The title comes from a gift the prince gives to Catherine, a crystal globe with a castle inside; when she turned the ball she saw a snowstorm in over the castle, which settled after she put it down. The title is appropriate to the rest of the book because of the political turmoil in Letzenstein that winter.

The story never lags for interest, and once I opened it, I had to finish it the same night. Now I can't wait the get the other three in the series.