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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
[b:The Queen of Attolia|40158|The Queen of Attolia (The Queen's Thief, #2)|Megan Whalen Turner|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1293505506s/40158.jpg|1124161] was an intense read, full of political intrigue, espionage, betrayal, and, yes, love. I don't know why I liked this book just as much as the first one, when most people rated it as better.
For me, [a:Megan Whalen Turner's] writing doesn't work until about halfway through the book. While at parts, I am intrigued and unable to stop reading, at other points I just want to get to the ending. It's usually around the last quarter of the book that I frantically turn pages unable to stop reading. This happened for me both in [b:The Thief|19063|The Book Thief|Markus Zusak|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352395325s/19063.jpg|878368] and [b:The Queen of Attolia|40158|The Queen of Attolia (The Queen's Thief, #2)|Megan Whalen Turner|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1293505506s/40158.jpg|1124161].
However, one thing I did enjoy more in [b:The Queen of Attolia|40158|The Queen of Attolia (The Queen's Thief, #2)|Megan Whalen Turner|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1293505506s/40158.jpg|1124161] was the character development. Multiple POVs allow us to get in the heads of different characters, allowing for more depth and for us to become more invested in the characters. Eugenides was as interesting as ever, fluctuating between depression and random spurts of motivation. I love how he pulls himself from the pits of despair and makes something of himself, despite his. Attolia was masterfully portrayed as a ruthless queen, but also as an insecure ruler who will do anything to keep her country autonomous. Her character wasn't just black and white, there were many shades of grey.
The plot in this book was also a lot more intricate than in The Thief. I do have to admit that Eugenides' failings confused me to no end until they were finally explained in the end. At that point, I thought that maybe I should have guessed why on my own! Anyway, his plans were absolutely cunning, especially considering his physical state. I also loved how the war between Sounis, Attolia and Eddis was explained, with changing allies and lies fed to spies. The accompanying love story couldn't hurt either.
All in all, an enjoyable read. Can't wait to move on to [b:The King of Attolia|40159|The King of Attolia (The Queen's Thief, #3)|Megan Whalen Turner|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1293505327s/40159.jpg|847545].
For me, [a:Megan Whalen Turner's] writing doesn't work until about halfway through the book. While at parts, I am intrigued and unable to stop reading, at other points I just want to get to the ending. It's usually around the last quarter of the book that I frantically turn pages unable to stop reading. This happened for me both in [b:The Thief|19063|The Book Thief|Markus Zusak|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352395325s/19063.jpg|878368] and [b:The Queen of Attolia|40158|The Queen of Attolia (The Queen's Thief, #2)|Megan Whalen Turner|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1293505506s/40158.jpg|1124161].
However, one thing I did enjoy more in [b:The Queen of Attolia|40158|The Queen of Attolia (The Queen's Thief, #2)|Megan Whalen Turner|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1293505506s/40158.jpg|1124161] was the character development. Multiple POVs allow us to get in the heads of different characters, allowing for more depth and for us to become more invested in the characters. Eugenides was as interesting as ever, fluctuating between depression and random spurts of motivation. I love how he pulls himself from the pits of despair and makes something of himself, despite his
Spoiler
new disabilityThe plot in this book was also a lot more intricate than in The Thief. I do have to admit that Eugenides' failings confused me to no end until they were finally explained in the end. At that point, I thought that maybe I should have guessed why on my own! Anyway, his plans were absolutely cunning, especially considering his physical state. I also loved how the war between Sounis, Attolia and Eddis was explained, with changing allies and lies fed to spies. The accompanying love story couldn't hurt either.
All in all, an enjoyable read. Can't wait to move on to [b:The King of Attolia|40159|The King of Attolia (The Queen's Thief, #3)|Megan Whalen Turner|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1293505327s/40159.jpg|847545].
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3/11/2025 5-Stars
Attolia—she’s so cool. I remembered not liking her on my first read-through years ago. But with this re-read, I love her so much, especially her sternness and determination. I adore this series! Even more character growth and again, a well-written plot.
Attolia—she’s so cool. I remembered not liking her on my first read-through years ago. But with this re-read, I love her so much, especially her sternness and determination. I adore this series! Even more character growth and again, a well-written plot.
11/3/2011 5-Stars
I remember finally picking up the rest of the Queen’s Thief books. I particularly enjoyed this read because parts of it left me feeling hurt, angry, surprised, and even somehow sympathetic and forgiving. I’d definitely need to do a re-read of the series.
I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING.
AND I LOVED IT
###
Reread Oct 2020: This book is so good I do not even have the words to describe my emotions. I wish I could read it again for the first time, unknowing, but also it's even better on the reread. I am so not ready for THE RETURN OF THE THIEF. Someone hold me
AND I LOVED IT
###
Reread Oct 2020: This book is so good I do not even have the words to describe my emotions. I wish I could read it again for the first time, unknowing, but also it's even better on the reread. I am so not ready for THE RETURN OF THE THIEF. Someone hold me
I don't know what I expected after not liking the first one. I'll show myself out.
My review of this book, and this series thus far, is mostly just an incoherent yelling of how much I am completely enthralled by this wonderful and brilliant and heartbreaking series. Why, why, WHY did I never read this in my youth? I would have LOVED this series so much as a kid. But regardless, I love it so much and am so glad that I finally gave it a chance. Plus, I can appreciate the writing prowess so much more as an adult.
I think, story aside, one of the things I enjoy so much with this series is how cleverly Turner plots the story, and all the fun reveals that happen along the way. She writes in a short and concise manner, where every word is intentional and never overly long winded. there are so many tiny beats that get mentioned throughout the book that later end up playing very significantly into the story. Throwaway moments that seem merely to fill the story end up mattering so much later on. I loved how well plotted the whole story was.
The first story was written in first person POV, while this book was written third person omniscient. It felt a little jarring to read them back to back with that shift, and the first few pages I felt very disconnected from the story. But it was an important change to make, and helps us understand the perspectives of other characters, and allows us to develop much more insight into Attolia.
The rest of my review involves BIG BIG spoilers ahead
And then oh, how I loved all the interactions between Attolia and Gen. I loved that they were consumed with thoughts of each other for years, dealing with the aftermath of her cutting his hand off, and the guilt and pain and frustrations that followed. I loved his offer in the boat, and his surprising admissions, and the clever way she accepted his proposal, with the messenger and the earrings. I loved all the moments, the clever unraveling, and how Attolia played into the Mede's incorrect assumption of her character.
She's such a brilliant and flawed character, a woman damaged by her world and forced to become cold and calculating, and how so many characters underestimate her, over and over. I love how evenly matched she and Gen are, and I'm so excited to see their relationship progress.
I am absolutely in love with this series and I can't wait to start book three.
I think, story aside, one of the things I enjoy so much with this series is how cleverly Turner plots the story, and all the fun reveals that happen along the way. She writes in a short and concise manner, where every word is intentional and never overly long winded. there are so many tiny beats that get mentioned throughout the book that later end up playing very significantly into the story. Throwaway moments that seem merely to fill the story end up mattering so much later on. I loved how well plotted the whole story was.
The first story was written in first person POV, while this book was written third person omniscient. It felt a little jarring to read them back to back with that shift, and the first few pages I felt very disconnected from the story. But it was an important change to make, and helps us understand the perspectives of other characters, and allows us to develop much more insight into Attolia.
The rest of my review involves BIG BIG spoilers ahead
Spoiler
I was SHOCKED when Attolia cut off Gen's hand. Shocked and horrified. I knew, from previous reviews, that she was the eventual love interest, so I had no understanding at how such a violent and cruel act could be redeemed. How could she come back from that? But the story does an excellent job providing deeper insight into her history, and humanizing her pain and making her cruel decisions understandable. By the end, you admire and respect her, and eventually love her.And then oh, how I loved all the interactions between Attolia and Gen. I loved that they were consumed with thoughts of each other for years, dealing with the aftermath of her cutting his hand off, and the guilt and pain and frustrations that followed. I loved his offer in the boat, and his surprising admissions, and the clever way she accepted his proposal, with the messenger and the earrings. I loved all the moments, the clever unraveling, and how Attolia played into the Mede's incorrect assumption of her character.
She's such a brilliant and flawed character, a woman damaged by her world and forced to become cold and calculating, and how so many characters underestimate her, over and over. I love how evenly matched she and Gen are, and I'm so excited to see their relationship progress.
I am absolutely in love with this series and I can't wait to start book three.
I read this book so disjointedly that I can't really give it a fair review. I will say that I liked it a lot more than the previous book, and while I'm still pretty meh about Eugenedies as a character, I completely loved Attolia. Definitely going on the to re-read list.
Reread update (31/07/2016): I fucking love this book
Reread update (31/07/2016): I fucking love this book
adventurous
mysterious
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:
No