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kwagner's review against another edition
5.0
By far my favorite in the series. This felt like all I had been waiting for. I've been mostly listening to the series on Audio, it's so fantastic.
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
rena219's review against another edition
5.0
This book is everything I ever wanted. Like. You ever have a book idea that you want to read but can never find anything that scratches a very, very specific itch? This book is that for me.
storiesofmagic's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
megsslibrary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mllejoyeuxnoel's review against another edition
5.0
I just can't get enough of this protagonist. He's every bit as surprising to me as he is to his fellow characters.
jedbird's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Costis! An unexpected switch to a new POV character. It’s interesting to see how Eugenides is viewed in Attolia, and how he is underestimated.
katieinca's review against another edition
5.0
These books do interesting things with POV to tell you some things and make you guess about others, and this one is great at it - our perspective is from a brand new character, not one of the inner circle. He's not as wily or schemey as our Thief, so fortunately he's got a slightly more savvy friend who occasionally explains things to us. I think we read this in about 3 days.
king_taliesin's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0