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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
So unexpectedly satisfying. A master class in how stories should be told. I was going to stagger the remaining two but the next is already waiting for me at the library. I hope it's as hard to put down as this one was. Many hours reading under a blanket with a flashlight so as not to wake Genie and sneaking pages between classes.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
slow-paced
Good worldbuilding, complex characters. I found it sort of Renaultish in that it was pseudo-classical, but also because I felt a sort of distance from the characters and the goings-on, similar to that I felt when reading, e.g., Fire From Heaven. I liked and admired the book but didn't love it.
Am super indignant that they didn't mention the fact that this was the second book ANYWHERE on the cover. (I made a point of looking!) This made things confusing!
Am super indignant that they didn't mention the fact that this was the second book ANYWHERE on the cover. (I made a point of looking!) This made things confusing!
I liked The Thief, but a lot of reviews I of the series I saw said the series didn't really start until this book, which makes sense as it is a lot longer. I did enjoy it a lot, though it didn't quite blow my mind the way I had hoped. I think with all the 5 star reviews, my expectations were a bit high.
But I am invested in the world and the characters, and pulled in by the excellent writing. I do think I will grow increasingly more invested in everything as the series progresses, and I can see this series growing to be one of my favorites. I definitely understand why it is so loved. I am very eager to continue.
But I am invested in the world and the characters, and pulled in by the excellent writing. I do think I will grow increasingly more invested in everything as the series progresses, and I can see this series growing to be one of my favorites. I definitely understand why it is so loved. I am very eager to continue.
Rating: I liked it☺️
This novel is short for a fantasy and the audio is pretty good, I think that's why I enjoyed it because nothing really happens. To me Book one and two could've been one book, cut out all the filler so that way the pacing and the story would improve. The story feels stretched out, I can't image how there are like three more books in this series!
Having said all that, I was entertained and Eugenides grew on me. I appreciated the PTSD and derepression storyline,. I also really like the , Although it came out of nowhere. There's also an attempt to give more depth to both Gen and Attolia, I wanted more but what I got was ok.
There's something about this series that intrigues me, so even though it has been just ok so far, I will read the third one.
Taken from wikipedia
Eugenides, the Thief of Eddis, has been caught spying on the Queen of Attolia. He expects to be hanged, but the Queen instead resorts to an ancient traditional custom – she has his right hand struck off with a sword. This shocking act sets the plot in motion.
Maimed and broken-hearted, Eugenides returns to Eddis and wallows in a deep depression. Attolia, an apparently heartless ruler, secretly regrets her action, but must live with the consequences of it. The countries of Eddis and Attolia are soon at war, with neighboring Sounis playing both sides. Also manipulating the situation is Attolia’s ambassador from the Mede Empire, Nahuseresh, who pays extravagant attention to the beautiful Queen of Attolia while serving his own agenda. Attolia juggles her overattentive ambassador, the rebellious barons who do not believe a woman can rule alone, and a bloody, costly war.
Meanwhile, a visit from the magus of Sounis awakens Eugenides to the fact that his country is at war. His cousin, the Queen of Eddis, may lose her throne and her country, forcing him to take on a new role. Eugenides once again begins to scheme, though he is seemingly different now. He attempts to shutter his heart just as Attolia does. Eugenides succeeds in stealing the Magus from Sounis, and temporarily turning Sounis and Attolia against each other. This gives the tiny country of Eddis a small break as Sounis and Attolia focus on each other instead of Eddis.
He then steals the queen of Attolia with the proposition to marry her. He has been in love with her for a long time.
Attolia accept and are now negotiating peace with Eddis.
At the end Attolia (Irine) is in love with Eugenides. She reveals to him that the gods betrayed him, they alerted her of his presence in the palace (when she cut his hand). The gods also told the meads he stole Attolia.
This novel is short for a fantasy and the audio is pretty good, I think that's why I enjoyed it because nothing really happens. To me Book one and two could've been one book, cut out all the filler so that way the pacing and the story would improve. The story feels stretched out, I can't image how there are like three more books in this series!
Having said all that, I was entertained and Eugenides grew on me. I appreciated the PTSD and derepression storyline,
Spoiler
Attolia caught Eugenides in her palace and cut off his hand.Spoiler
romance between Gen and Attolia, enemies to lovers is always fun.There's something about this series that intrigues me, so even though it has been just ok so far, I will read the third one.
Spoiler
Taken from wikipedia
Eugenides, the Thief of Eddis, has been caught spying on the Queen of Attolia. He expects to be hanged, but the Queen instead resorts to an ancient traditional custom – she has his right hand struck off with a sword. This shocking act sets the plot in motion.
Maimed and broken-hearted, Eugenides returns to Eddis and wallows in a deep depression. Attolia, an apparently heartless ruler, secretly regrets her action, but must live with the consequences of it. The countries of Eddis and Attolia are soon at war, with neighboring Sounis playing both sides. Also manipulating the situation is Attolia’s ambassador from the Mede Empire, Nahuseresh, who pays extravagant attention to the beautiful Queen of Attolia while serving his own agenda. Attolia juggles her overattentive ambassador, the rebellious barons who do not believe a woman can rule alone, and a bloody, costly war.
Meanwhile, a visit from the magus of Sounis awakens Eugenides to the fact that his country is at war. His cousin, the Queen of Eddis, may lose her throne and her country, forcing him to take on a new role. Eugenides once again begins to scheme, though he is seemingly different now. He attempts to shutter his heart just as Attolia does. Eugenides succeeds in stealing the Magus from Sounis, and temporarily turning Sounis and Attolia against each other. This gives the tiny country of Eddis a small break as Sounis and Attolia focus on each other instead of Eddis.
He then steals the queen of Attolia with the proposition to marry her. He has been in love with her for a long time.
Attolia accept and are now negotiating peace with Eddis.
At the end Attolia (Irine) is in love with Eugenides. She reveals to him that the gods betrayed him, they alerted her of his presence in the palace (when she cut his hand). The gods also told the meads he stole Attolia.
Well now I know what everyone is on about. How did it take me so long to start reading this series??
I listened to the audiobook (the narrator sounds like Henry Cavill) and I'm enjoying the twists and turns
I loved the first Eugenides book. This was a lot less fun and way harder to follow. I think that choosing to tell the story in the third-person instead of from Eugenides' POV was a mistake. Sure, it allowed the reader to follow the Queen of Attolia, but it just took so much away from the writing style, which went from humorous and engaging in Book 1 to pretty dry and complicated in Book 2. There are some interesting surprises thrown in, but they didn't make up for the overwhelming gloominess of the book. I found it in the children's section of my local library, but I think it probably belongs in the teen section, or maybe even the adult section.
So, as a big fan of The Thief, I was disappointed by Queen of Attolia. But, if you think you'd like to read about the battle strategies of four fictitious warring kingdoms, this is the book for you.
One last complaint: Turner overdid it with the confusing mishmash of real and fake mythology in this book. The Helen of Troy story stays the same, some of the island names are taken from Shakespeare, and there is a story that is kind of like the Persephone/Demeter story, only different. I mean, talk about crazy confusing to a kid who is maybe actually learning about this kind of stuff. Why couldn't she have just made it all up?
So, as a big fan of The Thief, I was disappointed by Queen of Attolia. But, if you think you'd like to read about the battle strategies of four fictitious warring kingdoms, this is the book for you.
One last complaint: Turner overdid it with the confusing mishmash of real and fake mythology in this book. The Helen of Troy story stays the same, some of the island names are taken from Shakespeare, and there is a story that is kind of like the Persephone/Demeter story, only different. I mean, talk about crazy confusing to a kid who is maybe actually learning about this kind of stuff. Why couldn't she have just made it all up?
The Queen of Attolia definitely improves on a reread. I first read the first three novels of the Attolia series in a rush and sometimes felt like the intricacies of the politics were going over my head. With a much clearer idea of the world building, it was a joy and even more of a heartbreak (Oh, Gen!) to go back to the beginning of their story.