This is probably closer to a 3.5 for me. I did mostly enjoy it but there were two things that bothered me: 1) the Duchess is essentially the monarch of the land and when the kids tell her there's a possible plot to overthrow her, she bursts out crying; 2) During the middle of a battle, the aunt - who the author has gone to great pains to make clear that this is a hefty no-nonsense woman - stands around wringing her hands. Literally wringing her hands.

Why?

This was written by a woman and features a 14 year old girl as a protagonist. Why have the two most important women in this girl's life be USELESS in times of stress? From the author's note, I see that maybe this wasn't really intended to be a children's book, but as a woman I don't understand why you'd portray a powerful woman that way with respect to the Duchess. I'm not saying she can't have feelings, I just don't think that's a realistic - or frankly, helpful - response for someone who's the most powerful person in the land.