What is the author's style in The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley?

The language of the novel, like the setting, has the potential to take over the plot. However, the author is careful not to include too many words that are particular to her setting. There are a few words that are unusual, such as the addition of sol and sola to the names of the king's daughter and his heirs, but these are easily explained and used infrequently in everyday speech.