Tag: adventure

The Queen of Attolia (The Queen's Thief #2)
by Megan Whalen Turner
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

DON'T READ IT IF YOU HAVEN'T READ BOOK ONE OKAY

Revenge
When Eugenides, stole Hamiathes's Gift, the Queen of Attolia lost more than a mythical relic. She lost face. Everyone knew that Eugenides had outwitted and escaped her. To restore her reputation and reassert her power, the Queen of Attolia will go to any length and accept any help that is offered...she will risk her country to execute the perfect revenge.

...but
Eugenides can steal anything. And he taunts the Queen of Attolia, moving through her strongholds seemingly at will. So Attolia waits, secure in the knowledge that the Thief will slip, that he will haunt her palace one too many times.

...at what price?
When Eugenides finds his small mountain country at war with Attolia, he must steal a man, he must steal a queen, he must steal peace. But his greatest triumph, and his greatest loss, comes in capturing something that the Queen of Attolia thought she had sacrificed long ago...

4.5 stars, rounded up because…well, if you must know, because Eugenides. Hellooo, name’s Anna, I just finished The Queen of Attolia and my mind is utterly blank.

I’d say I’m speechless, but everyone knows that I always confuse talking with breathing so nope, not happening. However I am genuinely sorry but I don’t think I’ll be able – or even want to – put my thoughts into words this time. First because there are many outstanding reviews out there already, given that I’m late to the Gen-is-awesome party ; the second – and perhaps the most important – reason would be that I want to warn you, yes, YOU THERE, you who haven’t read this series yet, and who wander oblivious, unaware of the merits of this little gem, you, I strongly advise you to stay clear from any review and savor these novels blind.
(she says, after providing links to other reviews… the irony is not lost on me XD) Trust me, the experience will be better (why am I under the impression that I’m some sort of dungeon mistress here, that I do not know).

If you really need a little more incentive, trust this : The Queen of Attolia is splendidly plotted, its word is inhabited by characters you will adore and want to protect under fire (when you won’t be strangling them, but), including strong women (yes PLURAL), a poisonous snake (I KNEW HE WAS A SLYTHERIN COME HOME GEN BABY) and a minister of war who doesn’t know that he’s hilarious (to me), the writing… well do tell, what can I say about a writing so compelling that I’ve read the damn book in a few hours, barely stopping to eat? Huh?

Now if you would excuse me, I might forget to look at my watch (3:55am, dammit!) and maybe start The King of Attolia, because if you should know something about me, it’s this : my restraint is so thin, I wouldn’t see its threads if I looked at them in full light, and I’m not one bit ashamed.

PS. Am I the only one wondering how old Gen is, exactly?

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The Thief (The Queen's Thief #1)
by Megan Whalen Turner
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

The king's scholar, the magus, believes he knows the site of an ancient treasure. To attain it for his king, he needs a skillful thief, and he selects Gen from the king's prison. The magus is interested only in the thief's abilities.

What Gen is interested in is anyone's guess. Their journey toward the treasure is both dangerous and difficult, lightened only imperceptibly by the tales they tell of the old gods and goddesses.

Huh. I really, really liked this? True enough, I’ve decided to start The Thief in order to get to the sequels – that all my friends adore – and somehow I was at peace with the probable boredom I would feel during this first novel and… My enjoyment felt so
effortless?
From the characters to the world and the writing, I’ve been enchanted. Truly.

“I hate horses. I know people who think that they are noble, graceful animals, but regardless of what a horse looks like from a distance, never forget that it is as likely to step on your foot as look at you.
“What?” I dissembled.
“Get on the horse, you idiot.”
“Me?”

So there’s a lot of walking around as I’m sure Fantasy writers are somewhat paid by hiking brands but eh! I wasn’t bored. I said that! So. We’re not confronted with Frodo and Sam level of walking, therefore I’m still here and not sleeping on my couch, drooling. That’s something! And for those of you who swear by TLOTR, that’s okay! We can be friends still! I’m not lending you my couch though. YOUR CHOICE.

Anyway, in The Thief, Gen and his *cough* companions have a mission : to steal a magical stone that will have the deplorable effect to give immense powers to the King of Sounis, a… complete asshole. Don’t be too hard on Gen, though : that’s not as if the boy had a choice, being a prisoner and all. Their journey gives us the opportunity to learn more about the world Megan Whalen Turner created, as well as the characters and the complex relationship they develop between each other – there’s more than meets the eyes, and I live for this stuff, okay?

And how I loved following these characters!

“For my part, I wanted Ambiades to understand that I considered myself a hierarchy of one.”

● Sophos, you’re too sweet for this world, let me cuddle you what stop blushing
● Ambiades, what’s your deal shut up shut up I am annoyed
● Magus, I’ve still not forgiven you for the beating
● Pol, ehhhhhhhhhhhhh
● Gen! Little filthy mouth! Quick-witted and arrogant little thief! I ADORE YOU. He shows just the right amount of selfishness and cleverness to appeal to me and I can’t hide that I loved his voice. Indeed the story’s told through his POV, and having started The Queen of Attolia, which is told in 3rd person POV, I can say this : The sequel’s writing is objectively more elaborate and I really enjoy getting to know other characters and seeing Gen through other people eyes, but in my opinion the choice of the first POV for this debut is perfect, needed, even, as it makes it so much easier to connect with Gen at first and I’ve never wanted to let go. Now I’m ready to meet more characters, and the author’s choice is perfect.

Ohhhhh, and I know that some readers were annoyed by the Mythology bits but have you met me? Sure, the folklore is not so discreetly ripped straight from Greek Mythology, but as I LOVE these tales I was damn pleased. In the end, I am so, so curious about the directions Megan Whalen Turner will choose for her story, I cannot wait a day to find out. I need more.

Now, let me confess you something : The Thief tricked me… and I couldn’t be more happy. If you’re curious to know where my weird mind went, and you HAVE READ THE BOOK, please look at the spoiler below and… shake your head at me, I guess. I am shameless though, because being so far off made the experience even better.

[Alright, so I know that 90% of my friends seem to have found out the truth about Gen, but I… didn’t. I knew there was a twist, but to my delight, my hypothesis proved to be utterly wrong : I thought that maybe, Gen was a girl?? And I know, I KNOW, there are scenes where he strips down, but I could always convince myself that he could hide it, one way or another. Crazy, right? *awkward giggle* Even Sonos’s reactions – when he acts so surprised that Gen’s dad wanted him to be a soldier – fed my delusion XD (hide spoiler)]View Spoiler »Alright, so I know that 90% of my friends seem to have found out the truth about Gen, but I… didn’t. I knew there was a twist, but to my delight, my hypothesis proved to be utterly wrong : I thought that maybe, Gen was a girl?? And I know, I KNOW, there are scenes where he strips down, but I could always convince myself that he could hide it, one way or another. Crazy, right? *awkward giggle* Even Sonos’s reactions – when he acts so surprised that Gen’s dad wanted him to be a soldier – fed my delusion XD « Hide Spoiler

Oh, well. In the end, I am so glad I was wrong, and I can’t recommend The Thief enough : even if this first novel is by no means astounding, it’s short, fun, and you’ll meet the most endearing thief I’ve ever read about. What more could a reader ask for, really?

PS. I’m sorry, this review is TERRIBLE, but I need to get to The Queen of Attolia so… priorities, you know.