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4.43 AVERAGE
4.43 AVERAGE
Honestly this was my favorite book in the series. The beginning started off slowly and fairly frustrating, since we basically only got to see everything from Costis's point of view. The intrigue of the book can also lead to much of its faults. Through Costis, we see most of Eugenide's actions, yet we don't see WHY he does this. For the first half of the book, I was frustrated at Eugenide's seemingly lack of control over anything, but I knew in the back of my mind that he had a plan for all of this. After reading two previous books from this series, it's pretty easy to see that Turner likes revealing plans without actually revealing plans, if that makes any sense. When any character's hidden motivation comes out, we never really go back in time to see exactly how this plan was formed/executed, yet somehow it all still makes sense. So like I said, although it can be frustrating to read, it's also extremely exciting to follow all the plotting and execution.
Once again, Turner managed to weave some very awesome characters. I didn't think I would like Costis, but in the end he turned out to have more of a personality than had been expected. He played a huge role in this story and you have to grudgingly admire everything he does. Eugenides has really developed throughout this series and is now a character really worth admiring. It's fun to read everything he does, simply because it's so smart and calculated. He's grown up, but not in the way that he's changed exactly (though he definitely has changed), rather that his actions are more satisfying. His dialogue, for one, is more cunning. Like I said before, he's just more fun to read. Background characters from The Queen of Attolia also played a slightly larger role, which was fun because once again they were actually interesting.
This book was all about Eugenide's life in the palace, so now I'm ready to see all three countries come together. I'm hoping that these first three books were a set up for some kind of epic finale-type story that ties this build-up together. The countries are ready for a fight against Mede, and it better be great.
Once again, Turner managed to weave some very awesome characters. I didn't think I would like Costis, but in the end he turned out to have more of a personality than had been expected. He played a huge role in this story and you have to grudgingly admire everything he does. Eugenides has really developed throughout this series and is now a character really worth admiring. It's fun to read everything he does, simply because it's so smart and calculated. He's grown up, but not in the way that he's changed exactly (though he definitely has changed), rather that his actions are more satisfying. His dialogue, for one, is more cunning. Like I said before, he's just more fun to read. Background characters from The Queen of Attolia also played a slightly larger role, which was fun because once again they were actually interesting.
This book was all about Eugenide's life in the palace, so now I'm ready to see all three countries come together. I'm hoping that these first three books were a set up for some kind of epic finale-type story that ties this build-up together. The countries are ready for a fight against Mede, and it better be great.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-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
... what he had taken for the roughness of sleep was the king’s accent. While half asleep, he had spoken with an Eddisian accent, which was only to be expected, but Costis had never heard it before, nor had anyone he knew. Awake, the king sounded like an Attolian. It made Costis wonder what else the king could hide so well that no one even thought to look for it.[p. 219]
Eugenides has become King of Attolia, but is not well-received by the courtiers and soldiers of the city. They believe he's a barbarian who forced the Queen to marry him, and who has not consummated the marriage. (There is a rude song about this.) They put snakes in his bed and sand in his food: they regard him as helpless and inept.
But this is not his story -- or, rather, not his narrative. It's the story of Costis Ormentiedes, a young soldier in the King's Guard, who we first see trying to compose a letter to his father after having punched the King in the face.
I continue to marvel at Turner's storytelling skill. Though the focus (and, usually, the viewpoint) is firmly with Costis -- Ornon, the Eddisian ambassador, gets some scenes too, as does the Queen -- the core of the novel is Eugenides' reluctance to become King in truth as well as in name, and in the gods' determination that he will fulfil the role they've crafted for him. Keeping Eugenides at one remove from the narrative distances us from his thoughts and feelings, but there are (as ever with Turner) lots of telling details. The click of a latch, the toss of a coin, the roughness of an accent...
Costis is a likeable narrator, and his gradual realisation that Eugenides isn't what he appears feels authentic and natural. Even the minor characters have agency and agendas: even the villains have redeeming features. And there's a strong sense of the presence, the reality, of the gods: numinosity? A splendid and superbly-crafted novel.
I always forget how much I enjoy this series, but then I pick up the next book and am hooked all over again. Another great read. I love how Gen is growing in each book, but also love getting to see him from other characters perspectives. It's so fun seeing people underestimate him.
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think this is my favourite so far.
That was fascinating. I forgot about all the court machinations involved in this book. Eugenides once again displays his ingenious knack for orchestrating things to his preference, with a little help from the divine. A sort of having his cake and eating as well, except for this case, he really hates cake.
Really enjoyed the introduction and POV of Costis here, although he really is led by the nose for a good while in this book.
Part of a reread to finally read the last installment.
Really enjoyed the introduction and POV of Costis here, although he really is led by the nose for a good while in this book.
Part of a reread to finally read the last installment.
"Tell me, am I king?"
ahhhHHHHhhhhhh
That line -- that repeated line -- makes me simultaneously giddy with excitement but also feelsy! This book isn't quite as twisty-turny as the previous two, which is my main reason for docking a star; but it has a fascinating narrative approach, in which our main POV is a guard named Costis. And so the reader is held at a remove from Gen and Attolia, distanced from the plot and its true meaning: we're not privy to their thoughts and decisions, and instead left on the outside, trying to interpret it as Costis completely misinterprets everything.
It's frustrating at times, trapped in this limited POV that is so obviously getting things wrong (e.g. Costis thinking the king and queen hate each other); it's frustrating to see Eugenides hiding behind a false facade, knowing what we now do about him. But then it is so satisfying to see those veils starting to fall, Costis slowly starting to piece things together. It's also like a constant test of what we know of the king and queen ourselves: what are they up to? What are they really doing?
There's less action in this one, since the novel is moreso just the process of Gen coming to terms with being king, and the kingdom coming to terms with him.
Eugenides/Attolia also finally spreads its wings as a ship (there wasn't that much in The Queen of Attolia since it was just getting kickstarted), and truly seeing what these two are like together. They're twisted and complicated and nuanced, and I love it; they know each other so well and make a perfect team, but they've also got their obvious problems, the main one being that Gen... never wanted to be king.
You get an impression of the plot seen through cracks in the blinds -- peering through the keyhole, so to speak. As a result, Costis fades away a bit since he plays silent observer so often, but he's still likeable when you do get to know him: easily-angered, honourable, loyal, clever.
One star docked for that distance from my beloved characters, and the fact that I didn't have as much of a "whhhAAAAAT" reaction to events in this novel (although that halfway-point clincher and victory was SO GREAT) but again: it's still really good! I love this series so much!!
Favourite quotes below, SPOILERS as always:
Spoiler
He was thinking of full-size drinking cups, made by a goldsmith and decorated with figures. If he offered the goddess ceremonial cups instead, smaller models of drinking cups, very plain ones, his money would go farther. It might stretch to three small (tiny) cups, and his father's to three more. And if he saved every coin, wore the clothes the army provided, ate the food the army provided, which was nourishing enough, if occasionally infested, and if he never spent a copper in a wineshop with his friends, he might pay for the remaining four small (very small) cups, in ten or fifteen years. He could just forget his oath, he supposed, and hope the goddess didn't notice.***
The king lifted a hand to her cheek and kissed her. It was not a kiss between strangers, not even a kiss between a bride and a groom. It was a kiss between a man and his wife, and when it was over, the king closed his eyes and rested his forehead against the hollow of the queen's shoulder, like a man seeking respite, like a man reaching home at the end of the day.
***
"Ninety-eight days," said the queen, folding her hands in her lap. "You said it would take six months."
Eugenides picked at a nub in the coverlet. "I like to give myself a margin. When I can."
"I didn't believe you," the queen admitted with a delicate smile.
"Now you know better." The king smiled back. They might as well have been alone.
[...] The queen rose and stepped behind the embroidered screen in front of the fireplace. Her attendants withdrew. The king's attendants remained, digesting the fact that their helpless, inept king had promised his wife to destroy the house of Erondites in six months and had done it in ninety-eight days.
***
"What you are saying, Ambassador, is that he can be led, not driven." The queen's voice was chilly.
"Your Majesty, what I am saying is that I have never seen him driven, and rarely led either. However, if you were to twist him around your finger and could conceivably grind him under your heel in the process, you have to know that I would be eternally grateful. I would die a happy man."
***
She raised her head, and he was aghast to see her eyes bright with tears. "I am tired of driving people and forcing them to my will. I am like a war chariot with bladed wheels, scything down those closest to me, enemies and my dearest friends alike."
"I failed you, My Queen," Relius reminded her.
"You served me. I rewarded you with torture and, if not for his intervention, with death. He loves me, and I reward his love by forcing on him something he hates. In the evening, after we dance, he rarely returns to the throne; he dances with others or he moves from place to place through the room. The court thinks he is trying to be gracious, sharing his attention. Only I see that he moves always toward the empty spot and the court moves always after him. He is like a dog trying to escape its own tail. He indulged himself in one brief moment of privacy and almost died of it. Relius, he hates being king."
[NOTE FROM JULIE: wwwaAAAAHHH FEELINGS, I got teary at this]
Intricately plotted, rich narrative and loveable characters. Easily one of the best fantasy series i've read.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I absolutely love the evolution of Costis throughout the book, the interplay with Eugenides, and the glimpses of more of Attolia and Gen's relationship. It's such a great way of showing the power of perception through the various relationships.
Gods, I am in love with this series by now.
Megan Whalen Turner really is a genius with her characters, twists, and toying with readers' minds and hearts. I am amazed at how she can create a certain perception of a relationship or event, and then later blast all your expectations and just make it rocket over the moon with how good it is.
It's the perfect example of underpromising then overdelivering (as opposed to overpromising then underdelivering). Just a word of warning, her writing style does take some time to get used to though.
Megan Whalen Turner really is a genius with her characters, twists, and toying with readers' minds and hearts. I am amazed at how she can create a certain perception of a relationship or event, and then later blast all your expectations and just make it rocket over the moon with how good it is.
It's the perfect example of underpromising then overdelivering (as opposed to overpromising then underdelivering). Just a word of warning, her writing style does take some time to get used to though.