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Letzenstein Chronicles #1
The Crystal Snowstorm
On the eve of 1848 as small revolutions begin all over Europe, thirteen-year-old Catherine Ayre finds herself involved in dangerous political intrigue in the small but troubled country of Letzenstein where her grandfather, the Grand Duke Edmond, is ruler.
209 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1997
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144 people want to read
About the author
Meriol Trevor
60 books22 followersThe prolific Meriol Trevor, BA, FRSL was a writer of novels, biographies, and children's books. A convert to Roman Catholicism, Trevor wrote a two-volume biography of John Henry Newman (The Pillar of the Cloud and Light in Winter) which won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in 1962.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 29, 2019
A very entertaining story about a 19th-century orphan who learns her grandfather is the Grand Duke of Letzenstein, a small country near Germany, and she has been summoned from England when he considers disinheriting the rightful heir and putting her in his place like a puppet. But Catherine, although shy, develops a mind of her own when given the opportunity to make her own assessment of the political situation . . .
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September 24, 2015
This was a lovely adventure story for children, set in a fictional Grand Duchy in Germany during the 1848 revolutions. Palace intrigue, dueling heirs, adventure and a dash of romance makes the story a delightful Prisoner of Zenda analogue for younger children... or anyone still young enough to enjoy romantic Ruritanian yarns!
October 12, 2017
Trevor does a brilliant job of creating a fictional country, the tiny Duchy of Letzenstein, existing in between France and Italy, hitting the mark with all the linguistic and cultural details.
Thirteen year-old Catherine Ayre is whisked away from the quiet, boring life she has always known in England and brought to the small duchy of Letzenstein to meet her grandfather, the Grand Duke Edmund. Before long she is caught up in the troubles of her long-lost family and the powder-keg politics of a country divided between the old ways of the royals and the clamoring revolutionaries who want change.
Catherine, alone and isolated outside of an aunt and governess since the death of her parents as an infant, suddenly finds herself with an uncle and cousins, as well as her domineering grandfather. Her unassuming Uncle Constant has been disinherited by his father who despises his son in favor of his arrogant and ambitious nephew Julius. The Princess Yolande of Valmay is destined to wed whoever becomes the next Grand Duke. Catherine's cousins the de Altenberg's are a rambling, warm family and their son Edward becomes a staunch ally and friend. But it is Catherine's distant cousin Rafael le Marre, son of the last grand duke, who completely changes her life. He is a gifted artist whose ramshackle lifestyle led to a terrible accident that has left him with a severely injured back. His return after years abroad wandering following his running away as a teen leads him into Catherine's life and back into Constant's and the rest of the family at a precarious time for the country.
There is plenty of political maneuvering as Catherine is used as a pawn in the struggles between the various factions. She has to contend with mobs, abduction, a harrowing night adrift in a snowstorm, not to mention trying to fit her grandfather's image of a proper heir.
Amidst all the adventure, Trevor weaves truths about honor and courage and nobility.
This was also one of the first books where I found myself and a greater understanding of who I wanted to be.
Thirteen year-old Catherine Ayre is whisked away from the quiet, boring life she has always known in England and brought to the small duchy of Letzenstein to meet her grandfather, the Grand Duke Edmund. Before long she is caught up in the troubles of her long-lost family and the powder-keg politics of a country divided between the old ways of the royals and the clamoring revolutionaries who want change.
Catherine, alone and isolated outside of an aunt and governess since the death of her parents as an infant, suddenly finds herself with an uncle and cousins, as well as her domineering grandfather. Her unassuming Uncle Constant has been disinherited by his father who despises his son in favor of his arrogant and ambitious nephew Julius. The Princess Yolande of Valmay is destined to wed whoever becomes the next Grand Duke. Catherine's cousins the de Altenberg's are a rambling, warm family and their son Edward becomes a staunch ally and friend. But it is Catherine's distant cousin Rafael le Marre, son of the last grand duke, who completely changes her life. He is a gifted artist whose ramshackle lifestyle led to a terrible accident that has left him with a severely injured back. His return after years abroad wandering following his running away as a teen leads him into Catherine's life and back into Constant's and the rest of the family at a precarious time for the country.
There is plenty of political maneuvering as Catherine is used as a pawn in the struggles between the various factions. She has to contend with mobs, abduction, a harrowing night adrift in a snowstorm, not to mention trying to fit her grandfather's image of a proper heir.
Amidst all the adventure, Trevor weaves truths about honor and courage and nobility.
This was also one of the first books where I found myself and a greater understanding of who I wanted to be.
November 17, 2017
This is alright in its own way, I suppose. And such was my
very, exceedingly, ridiculously wonderfully
helpful review.
February 5, 2022
(Read on my blog: https://charmingchum.blogspot.com/202... )
The first time I read this book, I was in middle school and it quickly became one of my absolute favorites. Even after nearly a decade (and too many rereads to count) my love for The Crystal Snowstorm (and the following Letzenstein books) has not diminished.
The Letzenstein Chronicles follows the happenings of a small European country on the brink of revolution. Catherine, an adolescent visiting her estranged Grandfather the Grand duke and ruler, finds herself caught in the crossfire of not only the revolution, but the feud within her own family.
The relationships between the characters are genuine and natural. In the author’s note, Ms. Trevor explained when she writes stories about difficult topics for children (such as political turmoil and revolutions) she tries to focus on the adventures of the characters foremost and it works beautifully here. These are friendships that I could see happening in real life. These characters, Catherine, Yolande, Edward, and especially Rafiel LeMarre have stuck with me the way Luke Skywalker, Samwise Gamgee, and Katniss Everdeen did.
Our heroine, Catherine, is another highlight of the story. She would rather live a quiet life and get to know her newly found family than be involved with the politics her Grandfather has ensnared her in. However, she still strives to do what she can to help even if what she does seems very small. Catherine does fail at times and feels hopeless and frustrated but she does not become apathetic.
I also enjoyed seeing Catherine, a very quiet girl at the beginning, develop unique friendships with different people. She comes to love and care about Con, Yolande, Edward, and Raf, but each relationship does something different for Catherine and the story. I will give special notice to Catherine and Yolande’s relationship because it is a sisterly friendship between a young girl and a young woman, something I do not see very often in fiction.
My only complaint (if it could be called that) is, I would have liked it if Countess Imelda, the sister of our antagonist Duke Julius, had been a bit more involved in the story. She mostly acts as a messenger for other characters. However, Catherine and co. have more than enough problems and as I reiterated all the other characters are very developed and this by no means ruined the story for me.
Overall, the Crystal Snowstorm is a solid first entry in a series that satisfied but also left me curious for the next installment. I would recommend it for children (and adults) who enjoy historical fiction and character focused stories. I feel it is appropriate for kids 10 and up, but this is subjective to the individual child’s reading level.
The first time I read this book, I was in middle school and it quickly became one of my absolute favorites. Even after nearly a decade (and too many rereads to count) my love for The Crystal Snowstorm (and the following Letzenstein books) has not diminished.
The Letzenstein Chronicles follows the happenings of a small European country on the brink of revolution. Catherine, an adolescent visiting her estranged Grandfather the Grand duke and ruler, finds herself caught in the crossfire of not only the revolution, but the feud within her own family.
The relationships between the characters are genuine and natural. In the author’s note, Ms. Trevor explained when she writes stories about difficult topics for children (such as political turmoil and revolutions) she tries to focus on the adventures of the characters foremost and it works beautifully here. These are friendships that I could see happening in real life. These characters, Catherine, Yolande, Edward, and especially Rafiel LeMarre have stuck with me the way Luke Skywalker, Samwise Gamgee, and Katniss Everdeen did.
Our heroine, Catherine, is another highlight of the story. She would rather live a quiet life and get to know her newly found family than be involved with the politics her Grandfather has ensnared her in. However, she still strives to do what she can to help even if what she does seems very small. Catherine does fail at times and feels hopeless and frustrated but she does not become apathetic.
I also enjoyed seeing Catherine, a very quiet girl at the beginning, develop unique friendships with different people. She comes to love and care about Con, Yolande, Edward, and Raf, but each relationship does something different for Catherine and the story. I will give special notice to Catherine and Yolande’s relationship because it is a sisterly friendship between a young girl and a young woman, something I do not see very often in fiction.
My only complaint (if it could be called that) is, I would have liked it if Countess Imelda, the sister of our antagonist Duke Julius, had been a bit more involved in the story. She mostly acts as a messenger for other characters. However, Catherine and co. have more than enough problems and as I reiterated all the other characters are very developed and this by no means ruined the story for me.
Overall, the Crystal Snowstorm is a solid first entry in a series that satisfied but also left me curious for the next installment. I would recommend it for children (and adults) who enjoy historical fiction and character focused stories. I feel it is appropriate for kids 10 and up, but this is subjective to the individual child’s reading level.
September 17, 2017
"It is 1847, a time of revolutions throughout Europe. Young Catherine Ayre has been called from her quiet home in England by a grandfather she scarcely knows, Grand Duke Edmond of Letzenstein. She becomes a pawn in the political unrest of the small country. Why does her grandfather so hate her uncle Constant, the rightful heir? And just who is Rafael le Marre? Catherine is swept into exciting adventures before she can feel herself a part of the small but fascinating country of Letzenstein."
September 11, 2021
I would give it a 4.5 if there were half stars. This was just a really fun wholesome story set in a fictionalized Luxembourg in 1848 (the year of Revolutions across Europe). It has some nice little Catholic elements without that being a focus. Perfect for Junior High students.
October 20, 2025
homework
They used this for my homework and I hate book reports I’m being nice today so 2 star -_- it’s okay honestly
They used this for my homework and I hate book reports I’m being nice today so 2 star -_- it’s okay honestly
December 30, 2011
I don't particularly mind that this book was written for kids- it is incredible. I have been reading and re-reading this book for seven years now and have never once been bored. Raf and Con are two of my favorite characters- ever, I think- and the plot is both realistic and exciting, all the while keeping good sense about it. I love this book and find myself grateful towards the author for it as I read yet again.
April 20, 2008
I was bored so I sat down to read. My mom thought I'd like this one so she made me read it. Boy, am I glad she did!
April 30, 2009
Read this aloud with Abra. She enjoyed the adventure and characters. We will read the rest of the series. She gave it 5 stars.
March 28, 2010
Loved it can't wait to read the second!
Read
January 5, 2012i thought this was a great book that everyone would enjoy it has adventure, drama, and all that other stuff its a nice book to read when your bored!
February 20, 2015
This book was just so so good! I read it in twenty-four hours and I can't wait to read the next one!!
February 2, 2010
Well done
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews