Swordfi ghts, midnight rides, castles and dungeons… The Prisoner of Zenda is the classic romanti adventure! When Rudolf Rassendyll decides to take a journey to see his distant cousin crowned king of Ruritania, it soon becomes apparent that it is not going to be a normal trip. The fi rst indicati on of this comes with the realisati on that he bears an uncanny resemblance to his cousin. Added to that there is the discovery that Black Michael, a relati ve of the rightf ul king, is determined to prevent the coronati on taking place, so that he might receive the crown himself.What follows is an adventure involving abducti on, imprisonment and deceit. As the story races to its conclusion, Rudolf Rassendyll faces choices that will determine not only his future, but the futures of King Rudolf, Princess Flavia and the whole of Ruritania. Published in 1894, The Prisoner of Zenda launched Hope’s writi ng career, and was followed by the sequel, Rupert of Hentzau.less