Rhani Gazi is a young princess who is cursed into a quest on her seventeenth birthday. She is forced to embark on an adventure to the Eigen States with sage mage Jak, Keran the brooding wolfhound, and a talking lizard named Naga. But don’t be deceived; Rhani is not your typical storybook princess. She is strong and well trained. The only thing faster than her kilij is her wit. She is a clever girl and isn’t above scheming to avoid being forced into some mold by her royal parents. Goblins, ogres, trolls, angry mobs with pitchforks, and magic with varying degrees of effectiveness try to get in Rahni’s way of achieving her goal…just getting home without too much adventure.
This book blew me away! I slipped right into the fantastical world in the first few paragraphs. The characters are well defined and quite charming. There is a depth to them but the story never feels too weighty. And Rhani is hilarious! She is witty and sassy and somebody I’d like to grab a cup of coffee with! She is a princess and is born to great privilege and of course great responsibility. Alda Yuan tells a lovely tale of a young woman fitting into and finding her way in the (crazy, magical, shape-shifting continent, animals talk) world. I cannot recommend this book enough. Quests and Quandaries is a must read for anybody who enjoys fantasy with a touch of humor. But be forewarned…It’s part of a huge series. So make time!
