ATTOLIA! ATTOLIA! To the king!
I was browsing a half-off book rack when I found Megan Whalen Turner’s The Queen of Attolia and The King of Attolia. I will admit that I picked them up because I liked the titles (I’m a sucker for royalty, although I think it’s a ridiculous way to really let someone run a country – genetics are dicey!) and because the covers were stern and handsome and alluring. (So I’m shallow, suck it.) As I also love to read books in a series in a big pile, I noted that I needed another book to complete the set: the first one, The Thief. It was a Newberry Honor Book, and therefore full price, but I had a good feeling and bought them all, hurrying home to cram them into my brain.
Technically, I am told that the Queen’s Thief series is aimed at kids 9-12. That’s kind of nice in the sense that these books aren’t pap: they are clever and intricately plotted and full of all manner of Greek-derived culture, politics and vocabulary, making them a groovy way to broaden any kid’s horizons. I should point out that they are not at all based in historic fact. In the countries of Eddis, Sounis and Attolia, the gods are forgotten, but still make themselves known. Turner has invented her own pantheon and I found that I was always longing to hear another story about Eugenides, the god of thieves, as well as his namesake, the wily Gen, our focal point for the first three books.
The first book, The Thief, is told in first person. It’s about a boy who is dragged from prison in order to steal an amulet that may or may not actually exist. I’m not sure Gen counts as an unreliable narrator; he brags that he can steal anything, and he does; he never tells an outright lie, but of course it’s what he hasn’t said that makes all the difference, and you are impressed all over again. While I love The Thief, I found the POV a little gimmicky somehow, and the book a little slow to start – but you need to climb the hill so you can roll right down the other side. Trust me, the worldbuilding and the gradual focus on Gen’s traveling companions (especially the Magus) is worth your while. It’s a tremendously satisfying read.
Which brings us to the second book, The Queen of Attolia. Even if you’ve never read any of the books in the series, the cover for this one gives a major plot point away. Ultimately, I think it added an atmospheric sense of dreadful inevitability, somehow – and the action it presages takes place very near the opening anyway. The Magus is back, and we get to spend some time with Helen, Queen of Eddis, with her broken nose, frizzy hair and mellow sense of humor. Again, the book hinges on a conceit that you may not buy, but it worked for me. We get to see more of the world in this story, and get some much needed perspective on Gen, who of course becomes more fascinating the more we learn about him.
I love me some Eugenides, is what I’m trying to say here, and book three might be my favorite in the series so far because it’s told from the point of view of Costis, a stoutly loyal man who has no idea who or what Eugenides is (the answer: A TOTAL. FUCKING. BADASS.), so we get to learn Gen all over, outside-in. The King of Attolia shores up any doubts you may have had about the verity of the second book. Plus, it’s full of court intrigue and kind of thrilling: Costis, hurtling through the garden, shouting ATTOLIA! ATTTOLIA! That’s the stuff! (Psst: Costis/Aristogiton 4EVA!)
A Conspiracy of Kings is the much-awaited next book in the series; Turner takes her time, man. The Thief came out in 1996, Queen in 2000, and King in 2006.
I had been fretting about Sophos, the sweetheart introduced in The Thief, since he went missing in book two. This is the story of what happened to him, and all the choices he made. Eugenides is only visible in the periphery of this one, but as always, he’s pivotal.
All told, these books are utterly engaging, and I would recommend them to anyone who likes a fully realized world with myths of its own and a trickster with a noble heart.
You have a limited amount of time, so why spend it reading about things that suck or are only kind of okay? Favorite thing EVER is not a review site. We're unrepentant fans, and this is the stuff we love. Hope you like gushing, because we're about to embarrass ourselves.
Thank you, Kormantic! Now I’ve got something to read when I’m done writing.
I wish I could write something anywhere near as good as these books, man.
Happily, the world is full of books – and there’s always something to read! But I think you’ll dig them.
Sounds great. I’m a sucker for royalty too, though it’s a concept that rarely works out well in real life.
Gen’s so great, mostly because he no desire to be responsible for anything. I find that this is such a vague book review because I can’t bear to spoil anyone. He’s great! Discover that for yourself!
Bought it for my Kindle! Whoo!
Technology is so rad!
That sounds amazing! And I see we now have an E copy. E as in EEEE!!
Hee hee hee. I hope you enjoy them all!