The children of world leaders are held hostage in an attempt to keep the peace in this ``slyly humorous, starkly thought-provoking`` ( Kirkus Reviews , starred review) novel.
The system.
Start a war and your hostage dies.
This is how the game is played: if you want to rule, you must give one of your children as a hostage.
She is also a Child of Peace, a hostage held by the de facto ruler of the world, the great Artificial Intelligence, Talis.
Greta is a Duchess and a Crown Princess.
The children of world leaders are held hostage in an attempt to keep the peace in this ``slyly humorous, starkly thought-provoking`` ( Kirkus Reviews , starred review) novel