Resumo de The Solitaire Prince

Once upon a time there was a King who never listened to his daughter begins The Solitaire Prince: a medieval fairy tale with a twist. Princess Christine?s fairy godmother, Eloise, arms her charge with incredible beauty, intelligence, wit, and a penchant for the lonely game of Solitaire. Christine?s mother, Queen Isabella, lost her throne over 18 years ago to her acquired husband, King Henry, who having deemed only males are fit to rule, plots to secure his daughter a husband who will succeed the throne after his death. King Henry sends Princess Christine?s cousin, Agnes, to watch over his wayward daughter after he banishes his outspoken wife to the Windy Isle because he is afraid that a clause written into the laws of the land allowing a princess to state stipulations for a husband will hamper his goals. Eloise tries to help Christine form stipulations regarding her upcoming marriage using the game of Solitaire. The King suspects Eloise will try to interfere and has a sorcerer cast a spell around the castle to keep all magic out and the fairy is literarily sucked from the Princess? room before she can really help. The two princesses have only their brains and knowledge of Solitaire to help them form the right stipulations.

After a great deal of thought Princess Christine states her stipulations to King Henry and his advisors. The three stipulations seem simple; a successful suitor must win three games of Solitaire, he must play continuously, and he must score 50 points during each round of seven games or his head is forfeit. The King, not understanding the fickle nature of the game, agrees to his daughter?s strange requests and the scene is set for the game to begin!

The suitors begin to line up to win the lovely Christine?s hand as well as the vast kingdom of Huntswell, none realizing that their first round of Solitaire may well be their last. After a particularly odious suitor named Augustus loses the game and his head, all involved realize Solitaire is no laughing matter. Still, dozens of suitors line up for the privilege of playing the game and all subsequently lose their heads. King Henry is furious. His simple plan for marrying off his daughter and gaining a son have proved futile and soon the stream of suitors definitely slacks off as the wise realize they would rather keep their heads than try for the beautiful princess? hand. Christine remains hard-hearted when the King suggests she change the consequences of losing the game and the King realizes he may soon be beaten. It occurs to both Princess Agnes and Christine that if the King cannot obtain a son-in-law in the manner he chooses, he may very well get rid of his annoying daughter.

Unbeknownst to Princess Christine, whose very heart seems to be turning to stone at the fate of all those unfortunate enough to try and win her hand, her cousin Agnes has met a mysterious stranger in the vast gardens of the palace. He simply goes by the name of Peter and mistakes Agnes for her fair cousin. Peter appreciates Agnes? compassion and gentleness and falls deeply in love with the dark haired princess whom he nicknames his ?canary.? At the time Agnes is conducting her secret love affair, a suitor named Prince Charles plays the game with both wit and style. The young man succeeds in softening the heart of the stony princess and Christine secretly hopes he will succeed at his suit and the game.

Prince Charles is quite successful at Solitaire but at a pivotal moment in the game chokes on a fish bone and faints dead away. The stricken princess determines that she will personally care for the unconscious prince and unbeknownst to all continues to dose him with sleeping draughts so he can?t awaken and most probably lose the game. Christine believes that if Prince Charles remains in a stupor until her 17th birthday, she can manipulate her father into allowing her to rule along with the prince as a compromise.
The King seems amiable to her plan and isabout to declare Charles the victor and winner of his daughter?s hand. Peter, in love with Princess Agnes and believing that his beloved will be forced to marry the unconscious Prince Charles, decides he will win her hand fairly by playing Solitaire himself.

How this medieval tale of chance ends up seems to be anyone?s call, but one thing?s for certain; King Henry and his kingdom will never be the same! A great book for ages ten and up, it tells the reader in gentle terms that no one should be ?ruled? out because of their sex. I highly recommend this clever book!

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