Fantasy book hunt

[elainegrey]

I vaguely remember a book about a kingdom that only allowed men to ascend to the throne, in fact women are not allowed on point of death to sit on the throne. Ruler had a daughter. His brother, far away, disguised and raised his daughter as a son. The hidden daughter becomes heir apparent and eventually travels to be present in her uncle's court. Her cousin flirts with her. One day the king encourages the heir to sit on the throne for one of those "everyone present their grievance to the king" occasions. The cousin shows up and accuses the heir of getting her pregnant.

And i don't remember - -was that the end and i never read the sequel? Did i forget the end? WHAT HAPPENED.

And i want to reread it, with my many years behind me.

Anyone recognize this?

Comments

[annie_r]

It sounds like a trilogy we both read, and you had sent me the second book when you had finished it. I've since culled my paperback collection and can't remember the details. But I think it's the one where there were twins, and the boy twin dies at birth, so they magically disguise the girl twin to be a boy/heir, but eventually she finds out and has to deal with being herself. I don't remember the cousin, so maybe it's a different book.

[elainegrey]

Hrm, i think that was before i started keeping as good records of what i read as i do now. I think i read this much longer ago, though, because i feel i didn't read it with as sharp an eye for the handling of gender as i would have since Christien's transition.

[oakmouse]

I've either read it or read a review of it, but I can't remember the title or author or ending. I'll see if I can cudgel my brains into producing something concrete for you.

[elainegrey]

I have this uncomortable feeling that it was a short story and the writer threw up their hands and wrote they couldn't resolve it.

[oakmouse]

I think you're right, actually. I tried to find it online last night with no luck, but was hunting a novel. I'll try again looking for a story, possibly incomplete.