Reading - Queen's Thief series, continued

[yuuago]

So, I finished reading The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner.

WELL, what can I say. Those who said they liked this one a lot - I must join you. xD This series continues to be really damn good. Though I'm undecided whether I prefer this one, or Queen of Attolia. Anyway -

In this one in particular, I loved the little moments we glimpse between Eugenides and the Queen. And I really like Costis as a character - and it's nice to get a view of the situation that is farther removed than the POV characters in the previous novels, if you know what I mean. And also just the lovely twistyness of everything; man does this author ever tell a good story.

A tiny snip of one of the scenes I liked a lot -
"Ten gold cups for my sake?" He looked up, surprised. "I thought you hated me."

"I do."

Eugenides started to laugh and gasped instead. Costis put a hand on either shoulder to steady him.

I JUST. I DON'T KNOW - this bit is just, wow, it Good Stuff, man. Everything relating to the above situation is good stuff. I love the way the relations developed between these two over the course of it, in general, but especially all this.

Aaand now the next book in the series is on hold too, of course. ;)

Comments

[hokuton_punch]

I'm pretty sure King of Attolia is what made me realize I REALLY LOVE outsider POV, because it's such a fantastic example of what that POV can do. Costis and Eugenides's relationship is fantastic, and Eugenides and Irene's, and there's so many wonderful little reveals that break my heart and give me feelings! I actually have my copy here - maybe I should re-read it this weekend...

[yuuago]

AHA. Yes, that's exactly what I was trying to say, just in more articulate terms (re: outsider POV). Thank you for putting it better. xD

Yesss, re-read it, do it. :D If you have time.

[kiraly]

Yesssss isn't it so good? It might be my favorite of the series, though honestly it's so hard to decide. I do really like the remove of Costis's POV too - especially because we as readers know what a sneaky bastard Eugenides is, and we get to watch Costis figure it out.

That whole scene surrounding the 10 gold cups promise is so good, too. Just...all of the banter between them, and every time Costis puts his foot in his mouth and has this "oh shit he could have me executed" recall right after. XD

[yuuago]

YES. Oh, Eugenides. I love him, and it's wonderful to see him from the perspective of someone who has no clue what they're getting into with him.

"oh shit he could have me executed" -> [/wheeze] YEAH, BASICALLY. I am far too amused by all those bits. xD

[ljwrites]

Chiming in to say I'm listening to the first book! Not going to read any farther in the post or comments since I'm so early in, but it's good to know someone else in my circle is working their way through the series.

[yuuago]

Ahh nice! :D Hopefully you'll enjoy it!
Took me a while to get into the first one, but once I did... well. :D

[schneefink]

Isn't it fun? :D Costis' outsider PoV is just great, and I really enjoyed seeing the court "getting to know" Gen and finding out that this guy is neither an idiot nor a pushover. I love the relationship between Gen and Costis. (Though I almost found it a bit over the top that Gen successfully goaded Costis into punching him, that seems like a bit of a stretch, and Gen just using the unexpected opportunity when it arises would not be less impressive.)

[yuuago]

Yeah, that bit did seem a liiiiittle bit far-fetched. BUT ah well, I could roll with it. ;)