Reviews with content warning for War - A Conspiracy of Kings

Reviews tagging 'War'

A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner

8 reviews

rtherese's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

A very solid book, amazingly written as always. The pure-heartedness of Sophos is so refreshing after the cynical, serious, cruel personalities of the central characters before. Not my favorite in the series, but I see its value in setting up future story lines as well as tying in ones that have been planted since the very first book,

For example, Eddis’s marriage with Sounis, and the volcanic explosion threatening Eddis

.

This is the book that made me realize just how superior this series is to others, as the story doesn’t just progress as time goes on. Rather, the story unfolds itself, exactly the way it should, and as it was planted in the beginning. It sort of reminds me of prophecies, where the fate of the characters are already laid out, and everything happens as it should, just not as expected. Overall I am glad to have read this book, and objectively I see its quality, I just wasn’t as emotionally invested in this as I was for the second and third book.

What this book did for me is make me realize that Attolia is my favorite country among the three.

I was filled with delight when Sophos left Sounis and went to Attolia.

I think Eddis would be my favorite as well, however we never really spend much time there in the story :( I hope Eddis would be a more central character too because her success in gaining the trust of her countrymen is really unique compared to whatever the hell the Attolias and Sounis are doing.

I also loved seeing Gen and Sophos bond. Theyre just two little guys. who are also kings.

Content Warnings

bzliz's review against another edition

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adventurous tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

For the first time in the series, we move to Sounis for the majority of the story. A subplot in the previous book mentioned that Sophos was missing. In retrospect, we follow the story of how Sophos gains control of his country after his uncle’s death. New challenges are faced, like rebel barons and more political intrigue than we’ve previously seen. Readers be warned that Sophie does spend a long portion of the book either literally enslaved to a rebel baron or lavishly incarcerated by similar foes.

I still enjoyed it but I prefer the earlier books, which are more heavily weighted toward adventure and discovery rather than courtly politics and war. Sophos makes for a lovable protagonist thanks to his kind heart and inquisitive nature. The dynamic between him and the other monarchs of the area settles into a nice place and I so desperately want them to be a team against the conquering force headed their way.

Content Warnings