GIRL ON THE RUN

Author: Jennie Klassel ISBN: 0505525968 6/2004 HISTORICAL Publisher: Dorchester
Time Period: Medieval

Seventeen-year-old Lady Kaia was gong to throw Lord Eben from the battlements if he called her "little one" again. And if her father bleated for the thousandth time that "a man does not want learning in a wife," he was going over as well. MEn could be so thickheaded! But Kaia controlled her destiny: She was headed to the distant land where women were educated and could marry the man of their choosing. When Lord Eben finally caught up to Lady Kaia, he was confounded by the chaotic feelings she evoked in him. Why in heaven's name did he kiss her senseless? And when had his childhood playmate turned so desirable? As Kaia slipped from his grasp once more, Eben realized that to capture the lady would take more than wisdom. He would offer his heart—and hope she chose to stop running and start loving.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Lady Kaia is in a difficult position given the time she lives in. She is cousin to the King, and expected to allow her father to marry her off to another without quibbling about it. Much to her father's distress, she's never been a simply obedient daughter. She wants to learn—to read and write. She actually wants to make use of the brain she has. Lady Kaia has another problem that no one, save her best friend, knows about. She is in love with Lord Eben. She's been in love with him all her life and, especially since she was 12, determined to gain his notice.

Lord Eben has not been ignorant of Lady Kaia. He's known her since she was a babe and watched her grow up. She's been like another little sister to him. They've played countless pranks on one another. He's saved her from countless situations she's gotten herself into. Now it's up to Lord Eben to save her from her lastest folly. Lady Kaia has run away from the convent, where her father has sent her to learn obedience, believing she can travel to the future; to a place where women can learn what they want and marry whom they want. Along the way he discovers she is not 'Little Kaia' anymore, but struggles with this new awareness and the fact that she's been like a sister to him. Lady Kaia, true to form, is not about to make it easy for him.

What a fun and enjoyable book this was! While reading it, I wanted to compare this author to Julie Garwood and Jill Barnett. And yet, Jenny Klassell is definitely her own author—she's not trying to imitate either. GIRL ON THE RUN is considered an historical, but it's not your run-of-the-mill historical. Jenny Klassell has put a twist on it by skipping the facts and people of the medieval times, and making up her own. The nobility is ranked by 'houses' rather than dukes, earls, etc. Lady Kaia, being the King's cousin, is of the Second House. The King, Jibril, never existed in truth. The only familiar name you will see in this story is Merlin, and even his story of wizardry is different. All in all, Kassell has put a fresh face on old stories.

For those of you who like to read books in order, there is a prequel to this book called SHE WHO LAUGHS LAST.

Sue Cloud