Why this book?: I really enjoyed "The Thief" by Megan Whalen Turner, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book and see how Gen's life continues.
Type: Series, Young Adult/Juvenile fiction, Fantasy (sorta!), Historical (sorta!), Thieves, Queens, War, I love it when a plan comes together
Recommendation: At my library/work, this book was classified as Juvenile (up to age 12), but I would more likely place this book in the Young Adult section. In book 1 ("The Thief"), Gen is a teenager, and he grows up fast in book two. Nothing too "adult" happens, but the subject matter is probably easier on older readers.
Disclaimer: This book was borrowed from my local library. I am not being compensated in any way for this review.
About the book: When Eugenides, the Thief of Eddis, stole Hamiathes's Gift, the Queen of Attolia lost more than a mythical relic. She lost face. Everyone knew that Eudenides 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.
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.
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...
My Review: I loved book one, and this one was even better, I think. As mentioned in my "recommendation" section, I think I would definitely give this book to teens rather than juveniles, due to the amount of war planning, and just.. Gen is older. He acts more grown up, and I think it would just suit young adults/teens better than juveniles.
Gen was so amusing in the first book, "The Thief," and I figured I would see more of that. But Turner shows us a different side to Gen. After a tragedy that strikes early on in the book (It was shocking and a big plot point, so I won't give it away), we see Gen in a different light. He's morose, he barely cracks a smile, he honestly believes his life is over. It was heartbreaking so see a character so full of spunk in the first book so reduced to depression in the sequel. I will say this - there is hope for Gen.. indeed, there is a third book in the series.
I think people could get a lot out of this book. Not only is Eugenides (Gen) incredibly clever, but he's one of those heroes that overcomes adversity - that really rises above what happens to him early on in the novel. Turner is excellent at making you really feel for Gen, for making this characters real. I couldn't put the book down because I so needed to know what would happen, and how Eugenides would manage to get out of yet another sticky situation. If you love books where a complicated plan or con comes together.. definitely check out "The Queen's Thief" series by Megan Whalen Turner!
Cover Loving: The cover of the copy I read was different than the one above, but both are incredibly powerful - and make much more sense once you've read the book.
Final Rating: FIVE out of FIVE (5/5). Another excellent book. I really loved book one, and this one was equally as good. Gen's story just keeps getting better, and throwing me for a loop with every page.
If you haven't already, be sure to check out The Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner. Use the link above to go directly to "The Queen of Attolia"'s Amazon.com page!
Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~
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