General Winston's Daughter by Sharon Shinn

Strong-minded, willful and independent Averie is setting sail to join her father, the General, and her fiancée, Colonel Morgan Stode, in the conquered Chiarrin where they are stationed. Averie is fascinated by Chiarrin and is desperate to explore the country and learn about its culture. She rescues Jalessa, a Chiarrizi woman, after a marketplace attack and convinces her to remain at her home as Averie’s lady’s maid. As Jalessa teaches her about Chiarrizi culture, Averie begins to question the ethics and wisdom of colonial government and finds herself drawn increasingly more to Lieutenant Ket Du’kai, an officer of non-Aerbrian descent. As rebels begin to overthrow the Aerbrian rule, Averie learns important lessons about betrayal, the will to survive, and the importance of love.

General Winston’s Daughter is an interesting blend of romance and fantasy with historical and political overtones. The stunning scene, complex characters, and a plot with twists and turns readers do not anticipate will appeal to many readers- young and old. This heart-wrenching and thought-provoking novel would make an interesting book discussion.