A review by beautifulandfullofmonsters
The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

5.0

“Because the king will not quit, Teleus,” said Ornon as he joined them. “You must have noticed,” he said. “He whines, he complains, he ducks out of the most obvious responsibility. He is vain, petty, and maddening, but he doesn’t ever quit.” Ornon shrugged. “Ever.”

“If she pardons people because she loves them, someday someone that she loves will betray her and all of Attolia with her. A queen must make sacrifices for the common good,” Relius said.

“And if what she sacrifices is her heart? Giving it up a piece at a time until there is nothing left? What do you have then, Relius, but a heartless ruler? And what becomes of the common good then?”

Attolia Irene feels like what SJM wants Nesta Archeron to be like but she falls flat lol. She and Eugenides are so compelling! I didn’t really buy into their relationship when it was revealed as a twist but I’m totally here for it now. Irene is supposed to be “several inches” taller than Gen and I can’t help picturing that as about 18 inches. 😂

The writing is lovely (though I may be biased by Steve West’s narration but I DON’T CARE). These books feel like such classic fantasy and almost like foundational texts of the modern YA fantasy genre but are still so fresh and original to read!

I love Irene and Helen but MORE WOMEN, PLEASE! The quality of their characters makes me want more women that much more!

Who changed: Costis