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rtherese's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Even better than the already amazing second book. The ending was even better!
Life in the royal court of Attolia is just one entertaining, significant day after another. You just want to keep on reading to see what happens next, then to see what happens next after that.
If you were like me, and you were bummed at the beginning because we seem to go further away from Gen once again, don’t worry! At first, I was like who tf are these people? Who is this irrelevant Costis? But as you read on you’ll see that Eugenides is plenty present in the story, and he is still the center of it all, as always!
Thank you author for an amazing read!
Life in the royal court of Attolia is just one entertaining, significant day after another. You just want to keep on reading to see what happens next, then to see what happens next after that.
If you were like me, and you were bummed at the beginning because we seem to go further away from Gen once again, don’t worry! At first, I was like who tf are these people? Who is this irrelevant Costis? But as you read on you’ll see that Eugenides is plenty present in the story, and he is still the center of it all, as always!
Thank you author for an amazing read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Medical content, Physical abuse, and Torture
Minor: Vomit, War, Animal death, Violence, and Toxic relationship
bzliz's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This tale sees Eugenides gaining the backing of the soldiers of Attolia using the same type of cunning he employed in the first book against the Magus. As an audience, we are aware of his capabilities now and know that the people of the castle are vastly underestimating him.
Much of the book is told through the eyes of Costis as he slowly gains respect and admiration for his new king. Gen walks a fine line as he manipulates people and toys with their fates. He frequently spares their lives to preserve his wife’s few genuine connections while cleverly undermining enemy barons and while the nation prepares for war against the Mede empire.
I like this book more than the previous one because I delight in seeing someone be so clever. There were also less quick cuts to see what was happening in another part of the world, which annoy me in excess. There is a subplot laid that Sophos- Gen’s friend and heir to Sunis- is missing, but it is unresolved at the end of this book. I look forward to continuing the series.
Much of the book is told through the eyes of Costis as he slowly gains respect and admiration for his new king. Gen walks a fine line as he manipulates people and toys with their fates. He frequently spares their lives to preserve his wife’s few genuine connections while cleverly undermining enemy barons and while the nation prepares for war against the Mede empire.
I like this book more than the previous one because I delight in seeing someone be so clever. There were also less quick cuts to see what was happening in another part of the world, which annoy me in excess. There is a subplot laid that Sophos- Gen’s friend and heir to Sunis- is missing, but it is unresolved at the end of this book. I look forward to continuing the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood and Alcohol
littlestbiscuit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
One of my favorite books from my favorite series. Megan Whalen Turner is a masterful writer, there are so many small details you miss on a first read that make rereads just as exciting as the first.
I am also, of course, obsessed with her characters and the ways she shows Just enough for you to be emotionally devastated while still leaving relationships between characters private in a way I haven’t seen other authors do.
I am also, of course, obsessed with her characters and the ways she shows Just enough for you to be emotionally devastated while still leaving relationships between characters private in a way I haven’t seen other authors do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder, Torture, and Violence
lavenderlight's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
jenjerusha's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Ten gold cups.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Ableism
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Violence, and Domestic abuse
quasinaut's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book lost a bit of the series's momentum, though it was still enjoyable to see Eugenides settle into his new role -- and see everyone else begin to realize who Eugenides is, too! This book doesn't have that much plot or action, but Turner continues to build her world and characters, and I'm here for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Medical content
nyssbomb's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Bullying
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Torture, and Violence
luckykosmos's review against another edition
funny
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Apparently last time I read this, I gave it 4/5. I have to increase it - maybe this speaks to what a fantastic job West did as narrator in the audiobook. The comedy hit sharper, the politics felt more nuanced and clever. There's a joy in watching Eugenidies from an outsider's point of view; where the first books hinged on the narrator knowing something and holding just enough of it away, and letting us fall in love with these characters from what we saw, here we instead knew exactly what everyone was capable of and watched from the eyes of someone unassuming and unbelieving he still had those talents after everything in QoA.
Content Warnings
Minor: Trafficking and Violence
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