Hm. On rereading, I still found Talia very likeable, and I think I'm better able to appreciate how all of the special positions and abilities she acquires don't suddenly erase her self-esteem issues.

The main thing I had trouble getting around was Elspeth as the Brat, and how Talia was the only one who could help. Like, NOBODY else in the capitol was able to handle a difficult child? Really? I suppose the kid's status as the Queen's daughter complicated things.

And due to changing cultural norms since the book was published, the spanking/corporal punishment doesn't seem as reasonable as I'm sure it used to.