Dragonfly by Julia Golding

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Princess Taoshira of the Blue Crescent Islands is appalled when she is ordered to marry Prince Ramil of Gerfal in order to unite their lands. And he's not too pleased, either. They hate each other on sight. So, when Tashi and Ramil are kidnapped, they fear there's no escape - from their kidnappers or from each other. Can they put aside their differences long enough to survive ambush, unarmed combat, brainwashing, and imprisonment? And will the people they meet on their adventure help them or betray them to the enemy?
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A welcome return to traditional YA fantasy.

The story is well built and executed containing both humour, love and action. The world and surroundings are very believable and I loved the culture clash between the characters and the nations. Tashi is very correct and formal and has high faith in her Goddess, where Ramil is more your typical prince with no particular religious tendencies and far more interested in having fun. They must both rise to the occasion as both their lives and their respective kingdoms depend on it.

Though very much a traditional fantasy story, it was far from predictable and it kept me entertained throughout the entire book. The characters were all very likeable and well written.

One thing though, apparently it's aimed at children age 9-10. I wouldn't expect those below 14 to actually understand the concepts the story handles and it does also hint at more gory situations as well as sexual ones, though never graphically.

344 pages / published in 2008
Review by Iben Jakobsen, BoB, 2010