Series: The Queen's Thief #4
Author: Megan Whalen Turner
Genre: Fantasy, YA, Historical, Adventure
Publication date: March 5, 2010
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Steve West
Source: AnyPlay
Publisher: Harper Collins
Book description: Sophos, under the guidance of yet another tutor, practices his swordplay and strategizes escape scenarios should his father's villa come under attack. How would he save his mother? His sisters? Himself? Could he reach the horses in time? Where would he go? But nothing prepares him for the day armed men, silent as thieves, swarm the villa courtyard ready to kill, to capture, to kidnap. Sophos, the heir to the throne of Sounis, disappears without a trace.
In Attolia, Eugenides, the new and unlikely king, has never stopped wondering what happened to Sophos. Nor has the Queen of Eddis. They send spies. They pay informants. They appeal to the gods. But as time goes by, it becomes less and less certain that they will ever see their friend alive again.
Across the small peninsula battles are fought, bribes are offered, and conspiracies are set in motion. Darkening the horizon, the Mede Empire threatens, always, from across the sea. And Sophos, anonymous and alone, bides his time. Sophos, drawing on his memories of Gen, Pol, the Magus and Eddis, sets out on an adventure that will change all of their lives forever.
Thoughts:
I am finding I am enjoying this series more and more as we go through it. Why is it that it took me this long to finally get to it? Also, I see no one talk about it, it deserves more love.
We continue to see Megan rock. The payoff from previous installments, plot twists that feel like the chair has been pulled from under you, and the character development.
This installment is focused heavily on Sophos and his arduous ascent to the throne of Sounis. The story is told primarily from Sophos's 1st person POV. He narrates the 1st and 3rd parts of the story. The 2nd part is told in 3rd person. I just love how the author plays with POVs, always finding new interesting ways to show the events and relationships from different angles. I used to think the type of narration (3rd person, 2nd, 1st person) weren't really relevant, and oh boy Megan makes such great use of them! I will start paying more attention to this very important detail.
I enjoy the books because of the outstanding writing, skillful world-building, and intricate political intrigues. Plus another never-easy romance, the joy of a callback- a romantic pairing that got set up in book one. And Sophos is an interesting narrator too. He is almost polar opposite to Eugenides and his insecurities and humbleness make his road to power ever so much more compelling.
All in all, as much as I loved Sophos, it was ultimately Gen who once again saved the day, as he still managed to craft one heck of a masterful plan without even having that much presence at all.
I gave this:
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