The Queen of Attolia (The Queen’s Thief, Book 2)
By: Megan Whalen Turner
My Rating: FIVE out of FIVE STARS
Best for: Advanced 12 and up

October 2020
I’m enjoying my re-read of this wonderful series! Going through a second time, I find myself wishing I hadn’t only left a series review the first time. Instead of reviewing each book in a series as I go, I’ll typically wait until I’ve read the entire series and review the whole thing at once. It’s faster, plus no one really wants to read a review for a book in the middle of a series. Fans will read it regardless! But…I think I made a mistake here. The first two books in The Queen’s Thief series need their own reviews, and I bet book 3 will too. So I’ve already left some new thoughts on book 1. Here are my thoughts on book 2.

Like book 1, book 2 has a slow build to the action. I think younger, inexperienced readers may find it tedious. But for anyone who can appreciate the art and skill, you’re in for a treat. I don’t know another author can make even the slow parts of a story SO engaging. (Maybe The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison? That’s a book fans of The Queen’s Thief will surely love.)

Want to learn how to write a character that people will love? Read The Queen of Attolia. Want to learn to arc a story? Read The Queen of Attolia. Want to know how to delight your readers with the unexpected? Read The Queen of Attolia. Want to know how to grow your characters? Read The Queen of Attolia.

The first half of the book is dedicated to setting up Gen up for redemption, and I loved the path he was forced to take. I found a lot of meaning in his struggle with depression, and I appreciated how the people that love him found ways to be there for him while giving him space. I think there will be many who appreciate his journey.

The action, excitement, intrigue, fun, and surprises don’t happen until the second half, and the payoff is fabulous.

No content concerns. Pacing might be tough for inexperienced readers. Best for 12 advanced and up.

Get your copy here!

Happy reading!

December 2015
You must know this first.

I am smitten.

The Queen’s Thief is why I read. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

Will someone please explain why I haven’t heard of Megan Whalen Turner or The Queen’s Thief before? What else has the world been hiding from me that I should already know about?

Tell me you haven’t felt like this before. Go ahead. I dare you.

There are four books in this series, with rumors of at least two more…although I’m not getting my hopes up, the last book was published in 2010. Never fear. Book four ends in a very good place.

Book 1: The Thief
Book 2: The Queen of Attolia
Book 3: The King of Attolia
Book 4: A Conspiracy of Kings

Not to mention–the book covers are totally sweet!

This is the story of Eugenides–The Queen’s Thief himself–and how he is a completely wonderful literary character. It’s one of the most well written and clever series of books I’ve read. The writing is so confident (yes, confident), I was powerless to resist being pulled into Gen’s world.

Of course, only his closest friends can call him Gen. That’s me. I’ve read the books. We’re tight.

This is fantastic fantasy at its finest, with epic story lines to follow, heroes to adore, villains to despise, lessons to learn, kingdoms to save, love to find, and twists to try (and fail) to anticipate. The twists! Oh, the twists, Twists, TWISTS! Just when you think you have it, you realize you’ve been long-conned since before you even knew you needed to watch out for the trick. The world building and polytheistic culture is as lovely as it is tight. I’m telling you, this is top quality stuff.

Don’t allow yourself to waste any more of your life having not read The Queens Thief.

I can’t abide my friends not knowing they are missing something great.

Read. Now.

My job is done.

I wash my hands.