Crown Duel

Crown Duel, Sherwood Smith, which is apparently actually a duology of what used to be Crown Duel and Court Duel. Fun YA fantasy - the first half is a teen noblewoman running around trying to help lead a rebellion, the second half is what comes after and her learning to play the court game. Shevraeth felt like he came from the same catalog as Peter Wimsey or aged-up-Draco-Malfoy, what is it with perpetually amused blonds and their air of superiority.