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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
Me showing up ten years late to the Queen's Thief fandom:
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Violence
March 2017 re-read
There are two things I feel compelled to say about this novel after the re-read. Things I didn't consider the first time around.
First, this is not young adult, although the main character is rather young (unspecified, but believed the be around 17 or eighteen). It could also not be described as new adult. This is a book aimed at adult. Younger readers will enjoy it for sure, but they may find themselves struggling with the unique representations of both love and war in this novel.
When you think of it, it's only fitting that this novel discuss both these topics in such a unique way, as all is fair in love and war.
Secondly, this is a <i>romance</i>, and I've realized lately that some of my favorite romance novels out there are the ones that you don't realize are romances until the very last chapters (like in Howl's Moving Castle). So both the romantics among you and the anti-romance can relax, this book is both... at the very same time. And I enjoy every second of it.
Third... this book is such a raw examination of pain. Gen's reactions to everything that happen to him are so genuine. He is not a fierce, brave hero, unafraid and unwilling to let thing hinder him. He feels. He reacts. He is sometimes rush in his desire to rid himself of these emotions. He sulks and he takes his anger and frustration and fear on those closest to him. He is so human, and so relate-able, and his pain is palatable.
If any of those things sound appealing to you, as they are to me... pick up this series.
P.S - I find Turner to be such a unique author, because she knows which POV will benefit her novels the most and is unafraid to shake things up, even though she must know her reader expect a certain thing. Delightful.
There are two things I feel compelled to say about this novel after the re-read. Things I didn't consider the first time around.
First, this is not young adult, although the main character is rather young (unspecified, but believed the be around 17 or eighteen). It could also not be described as new adult. This is a book aimed at adult. Younger readers will enjoy it for sure, but they may find themselves struggling with the unique representations of both love and war in this novel.
When you think of it, it's only fitting that this novel discuss both these topics in such a unique way, as all is fair in love and war.
Secondly, this is a <i>romance</i>, and I've realized lately that some of my favorite romance novels out there are the ones that you don't realize are romances until the very last chapters (like in Howl's Moving Castle). So both the romantics among you and the anti-romance can relax, this book is both... at the very same time. And I enjoy every second of it.
Third... this book is such a raw examination of pain. Gen's reactions to everything that happen to him are so genuine. He is not a fierce, brave hero, unafraid and unwilling to let thing hinder him. He feels. He reacts. He is sometimes rush in his desire to rid himself of these emotions. He sulks and he takes his anger and frustration and fear on those closest to him. He is so human, and so relate-able, and his pain is palatable.
If any of those things sound appealing to you, as they are to me... pick up this series.
P.S - I find Turner to be such a unique author, because she knows which POV will benefit her novels the most and is unafraid to shake things up, even though she must know her reader expect a certain thing. Delightful.
Original Review
This book. OMG. Where do I begin. AHHH. I don't know. Geez, this book. THIS BOOK. I thought I knew what to expect from this book after reading the first. I DIDN'T. Oh my god. This book took me by surprise. I cannot believe the author did this. I am happy she did, cause I freakin' loved it. But... OMG. This book. I'm freakin' out. Okay, give me a sec. *takes a deep breaths* people, whether you read past this little attack of how-the-hell-do-I-talk-about-this-book-oh-my-the-feels or not.... READ THIS BOOK. Cause that'll be the bottom line of this review, and I don't want you to miss it.
As I said, and is clearly evident from the beginning, I did not expect this book. Rare are the times you find a series to be unique, in completely different ways, from book to book. I never thought I would have my heart broken in the first 70 pages. That I would be looking at the book with my eyes wide open, in denial, thinking "This can't be happening. It's a trick". And then crying a lot when I realized it wasn't.
Then there was the entire vibe of the book. It handled the subject of war in a way that I felt was unique and fresh. It didn't make the war the center of the book, it didn't let it confuse us or weight on us. It was important to the plot, and helped advance it, but we didn't see the fights or the battles and didn't spend too much time discussing them. Personally, I loved it.
Then there was the romance, which definitely surprised me as well. I knew with whom the love would be... an yet, Turner managed to completely shock me. I never thought it will go that way. I found it both utterly charming, and a bit unsatisfying at places at first... but the more I think about it, the more I get it. The more I understand them both. The more I think it's perfect for this story and these characters. And boy, am I looking forward to the next book, in which I'm hoping there will be more relationship and dare I hope for some adorableness?
And even Gen, who I thought I'd knew so well from book one, surprised me as well. Dare I swoon for him? Yes. Huge, big yes. His essence doesn't change; he is still quite a softie... but he earns a roughness in this book that ages him. Makes him less of a "boy" and more of a "man". And he is still as bloody brilliant as always. There's a really good reason he is feared... even if often it doesn't go as planned in this installment.
As for the namesake of this book, Attolia... I loved her (though I wish she'd stop slapping Gen, and... you know. What she did at first. Why??) She's just such a lost girl, but a strong and wise ruler, and I really felt sorry for her for a most of the read. Though at the beginning I might have... ahem... wished her dead. Just a tiny bit.
I want to read the next book so badly. Hopefully I'll manage to get it for next month cause I am HUNGRY to know what's next and what Turner will do in the next installment.
There are two things I feel compelled to say about this novel after the re-read. Things I didn't consider the first time around.
First, this is not young adult, although the main character is rather young (unspecified, but believed the be around 17 or eighteen). It could also not be described as new adult. This is a book aimed at adult. Younger readers will enjoy it for sure, but they may find themselves struggling with the unique representations of both love and war in this novel.
When you think of it, it's only fitting that this novel discuss both these topics in such a unique way, as all is fair in love and war.
Secondly, this is a <i>romance</i>, and I've realized lately that some of my favorite romance novels out there are the ones that you don't realize are romances until the very last chapters (like in Howl's Moving Castle). So both the romantics among you and the anti-romance can relax, this book is both... at the very same time. And I enjoy every second of it.
Third... this book is such a raw examination of pain. Gen's reactions to everything that happen to him are so genuine. He is not a fierce, brave hero, unafraid and unwilling to let thing hinder him. He feels. He reacts. He is sometimes rush in his desire to rid himself of these emotions. He sulks and he takes his anger and frustration and fear on those closest to him. He is so human, and so relate-able, and his pain is palatable.
If any of those things sound appealing to you, as they are to me... pick up this series.
P.S - I find Turner to be such a unique author, because she knows which POV will benefit her novels the most and is unafraid to shake things up, even though she must know her reader expect a certain thing. Delightful.
There are two things I feel compelled to say about this novel after the re-read. Things I didn't consider the first time around.
First, this is not young adult, although the main character is rather young (unspecified, but believed the be around 17 or eighteen). It could also not be described as new adult. This is a book aimed at adult. Younger readers will enjoy it for sure, but they may find themselves struggling with the unique representations of both love and war in this novel.
When you think of it, it's only fitting that this novel discuss both these topics in such a unique way, as all is fair in love and war.
Secondly, this is a <i>romance</i>, and I've realized lately that some of my favorite romance novels out there are the ones that you don't realize are romances until the very last chapters (like in Howl's Moving Castle). So both the romantics among you and the anti-romance can relax, this book is both... at the very same time. And I enjoy every second of it.
Third... this book is such a raw examination of pain. Gen's reactions to everything that happen to him are so genuine. He is not a fierce, brave hero, unafraid and unwilling to let thing hinder him. He feels. He reacts. He is sometimes rush in his desire to rid himself of these emotions. He sulks and he takes his anger and frustration and fear on those closest to him. He is so human, and so relate-able, and his pain is palatable.
If any of those things sound appealing to you, as they are to me... pick up this series.
P.S - I find Turner to be such a unique author, because she knows which POV will benefit her novels the most and is unafraid to shake things up, even though she must know her reader expect a certain thing. Delightful.
Original Review
This book. OMG. Where do I begin. AHHH. I don't know. Geez, this book. THIS BOOK. I thought I knew what to expect from this book after reading the first. I DIDN'T. Oh my god. This book took me by surprise. I cannot believe the author did this. I am happy she did, cause I freakin' loved it. But... OMG. This book. I'm freakin' out. Okay, give me a sec. *takes a deep breaths* people, whether you read past this little attack of how-the-hell-do-I-talk-about-this-book-oh-my-the-feels or not.... READ THIS BOOK. Cause that'll be the bottom line of this review, and I don't want you to miss it.
As I said, and is clearly evident from the beginning, I did not expect this book. Rare are the times you find a series to be unique, in completely different ways, from book to book. I never thought I would have my heart broken in the first 70 pages. That I would be looking at the book with my eyes wide open, in denial, thinking "This can't be happening. It's a trick". And then crying a lot when I realized it wasn't.
Then there was the entire vibe of the book. It handled the subject of war in a way that I felt was unique and fresh. It didn't make the war the center of the book, it didn't let it confuse us or weight on us. It was important to the plot, and helped advance it, but we didn't see the fights or the battles and didn't spend too much time discussing them. Personally, I loved it.
Then there was the romance, which definitely surprised me as well. I knew with whom the love would be... an yet, Turner managed to completely shock me. I never thought it will go that way. I found it both utterly charming, and a bit unsatisfying at places at first... but the more I think about it, the more I get it. The more I understand them both. The more I think it's perfect for this story and these characters. And boy, am I looking forward to the next book, in which I'm hoping there will be more relationship and dare I hope for some adorableness?
And even Gen, who I thought I'd knew so well from book one, surprised me as well. Dare I swoon for him? Yes. Huge, big yes. His essence doesn't change; he is still quite a softie... but he earns a roughness in this book that ages him. Makes him less of a "boy" and more of a "man". And he is still as bloody brilliant as always. There's a really good reason he is feared... even if often it doesn't go as planned in this installment.
As for the namesake of this book, Attolia... I loved her (though I wish she'd stop slapping Gen, and... you know. What she did at first. Why??) She's just such a lost girl, but a strong and wise ruler, and I really felt sorry for her for a most of the read. Though at the beginning I might have... ahem... wished her dead. Just a tiny bit.
I want to read the next book so badly. Hopefully I'll manage to get it for next month cause I am HUNGRY to know what's next and what Turner will do in the next installment.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book like the last kept things hidden or unclear until the end. But not necessarily impossible to figure out. At first, I definitely felt overwhelmed or bored with the politics of the book. But by the end, they made sense and were important to the more personal story of Eugenides. The story is told in a more circumstantial point of view keeping the feelings and motivations of the characters hidden until they speak them.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First of all, this is the second book in The Queen’s Thief series. The Thief is told in the first person POV solely through Eugenides’ eyes, but in this second book the POV changes to the third person and skips around between different characters. I liked seeing what was happening to the different characters, all of whom were so different and interesting.
For a start, there are the queens of Attolia and Eddis. (Though they have personal names, they are most often referred to just as “Attolia” or “Eddis” through the book, possibly to strengthen the symbolism of a ruler personifying her nation). Eddis is adored by her people and her nobles, and she commands loyalty through love rather than fear. She isn’t beautiful, but she can use a sword and is quite physically strong. Attolia, on the other hand, is… the opposite of that. She’s ruthless and scary, and commands respect through careful manipulation. She trusts nobody, and nobody trusts her. Nevertheless, though the two women are in opposition at both a personal and national level, neither is ever portrayed as catty or rude to the other. As a feminist, I really enjoyed reading that.
The political intrigue is fun to read. Attolia must achieve all that she can through scheming and spying, and accepts foreign intervention from the distant Mede Empire. Meanwhile, Eddis is trapped in the mountains without allies. The majority of the book focuses on the three-way war between Attolia, Eddis, and their neighbor, Sounis, so there’s a good deal of discussion of military strategy and troop movements.
The storytelling trend of the first book continues in this one, with the reiteration of several legends that feel reminiscent of Greek mythology but don’t quite copy it. However, in this second book, the pacing is much more even. Eugenides, who entered The Thief as a snippy young man with no respect for anybody, grows into adulthood in this book and becomes more serious. He conducts several heists, each more fantastic than the last, in spite of a newly-acquired disability.
The only thing I disliked about this book was the romance. It was enemies-to-lovers, and the “enemies” was done so strongly that the “lovers” part didn’t feel believable. I think the relationship is truly explored in the third book, The King of Attolia, and I want to see how it develops.
For a start, there are the queens of Attolia and Eddis. (Though they have personal names, they are most often referred to just as “Attolia” or “Eddis” through the book, possibly to strengthen the symbolism of a ruler personifying her nation). Eddis is adored by her people and her nobles, and she commands loyalty through love rather than fear. She isn’t beautiful, but she can use a sword and is quite physically strong. Attolia, on the other hand, is… the opposite of that. She’s ruthless and scary, and commands respect through careful manipulation. She trusts nobody, and nobody trusts her. Nevertheless, though the two women are in opposition at both a personal and national level, neither is ever portrayed as catty or rude to the other. As a feminist, I really enjoyed reading that.
The political intrigue is fun to read. Attolia must achieve all that she can through scheming and spying, and accepts foreign intervention from the distant Mede Empire. Meanwhile, Eddis is trapped in the mountains without allies. The majority of the book focuses on the three-way war between Attolia, Eddis, and their neighbor, Sounis, so there’s a good deal of discussion of military strategy and troop movements.
The storytelling trend of the first book continues in this one, with the reiteration of several legends that feel reminiscent of Greek mythology but don’t quite copy it. However, in this second book, the pacing is much more even. Eugenides, who entered The Thief as a snippy young man with no respect for anybody, grows into adulthood in this book and becomes more serious. He conducts several heists, each more fantastic than the last, in spite of a newly-acquired disability.
The only thing I disliked about this book was the romance. It was enemies-to-lovers, and the “enemies” was done so strongly that the “lovers” part didn’t feel believable. I think the relationship is truly explored in the third book, The King of Attolia, and I want to see how it develops.
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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
reread: 26/7/18
I LOVE PAIN AND SUFFERING. Every time I reread this series I pick up so much that I missed the first time around.
reread 30/5/17
I'm bumping it up to 5 stars.
that was so much better than the first book. excited to see where the series heads next
I LOVE PAIN AND SUFFERING. Every time I reread this series I pick up so much that I missed the first time around.
reread 30/5/17
I'm bumping it up to 5 stars.
that was so much better than the first book. excited to see where the series heads next