The Hostage Prince by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple (review)

The long-simmering war between the Unseelie and the Seelie fey has been kept at bay since the exchange of young princes between the royal families seven years ago. Prince Aspen, a Seelie, has never quite taken to the messy chaos of the Unseelie court, and when his only confidante informs him that war has finally been declared—in spite of the hostage princes—Aspen decides to flee before he is killed. Meanwhile, Snail, a midwife's apprentice, accidentally angers the queen and finds herself on route to the dungeons, where she discovers Aspen mid-escape, saving his life from an angry ogre and joining him in his flight. The two journey across an ever-shifting no-man's land to reach the Seelie court, only to discover that Aspen's father refuses to protect the prince. The exposition and set up of the book's first half is helped along by the dual focus on Snail and Aspen's differing experiences in the Unseelie world, setting a steady pace until the action really gets going as the pair escape toothy mermaids, hungry (and pregnant) trolls, and bounty hunters. Brassy and smart, Snail is far more likable than the mostly whiny Aspen, and her perspective allows readers to understand that there is nothing particularly noble about this war—it is a petty skirmish between royal families that will likely end up hurting people like Snail without ever really affecting the actual courts. What begins as a typical fantasy quest therefore actually turns out to be a rather thoughtful look at conflict, loyalty, and courage, and the discussion sparked here will hopefully continue with the proposed sequels.