Customer Reviews

The Queen Of Attolia

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am really enjoying Meagan Whalen Turner's style of writing. She doesn't describe things excessively, preferring to leave hints and clues through dialogue and the way the characters react and interact. This is just how I like it! Working against these minimal direct-descriptions is the fact that she writes very well, so your eyes just move across the page faster than your brain can actually digest what you're reading. I re-read some of the parts that I thought were such astounding surprises, and realized that the text was sprinkled with clues. But, you'd have to be very aware of the clues in order to pick out what is actually happening, despite what the characters are saying or doing. It all lends to the atmosphere of intrigue.

This story is based around several warring nations: The Medes, The Attolians, The Eddisians and the Sounisians. The fantasy world is sort of based on the ancient civilizations (I'm thinking of the Greeks and the Romans). There are gods and goddess involved with the plights of the mortals, sacrificial rituals, centurions, megarons' but there are also guns and cannons!

And the dialogue! So rife with hidden meanings. Especially from Eugenides. He can be infuriatingly cryptic and tangential. I think part of what makes this story so interesting is that even though the focus point of the story is about Eugenides, you never really know what he's thinking. He's a real trickster. One moment, he's moaning from the pain of his wound in a very private scene, and the next moment someone enters and he throws out a witty remark and gets them while their guard's down.

I share in Attolia's frustration at whether or not to trust Gen. He's a thief after all! But, I think that tension in the relationship is part of what makes the (still unsettled) romance so heart tingling. Especially because Attolia is the last person to trust anyone at all, since she's grown up having to lead an entire kingdom amidst an environment of corruption and power hungry barons. The way she disposed of anyone who contended with her rule was quite bone-chilling. But, it was very poignant that only Eugenides, the Thief, could steal away her most private possession, despite her defenses and without her knowing it.

Her majesty, the Queen of Attolia. Or Irene (but you'll be risking your head to address her so informally). She's such a great character! A very strong woman, who keeps her emotions out of the business of running her kingdom. Her courtiers are afraid of her because of her stony face and her quickness to act on something she doesn't like. But she is one self-isolated and truly lonely girl! The novel gives very nice glimpses into her mind and the story of her transformation from the 'shadow princess' to the 'stoned faced queen' is very sad yet proves how strong she is.

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This is a VERY good book - a sequel that succeeds better than the original "The Thief" (which is outstanding) in grabbing our interest, making us care deeply about the characters, and letting us walk for a while in a flawlessly imagined alternate world.

If you enjoyed "The Thief" and are reading these reviews in order to decide whether the sequel is worth reading, the answer is a fervent "Do it!" While you're at it, better buy "The King of Attolia" as well, so you can sit up late two nights in a row, because these are impossible to put down.

This is not the type of book that catches your attention by its title, cover, or synopsis. But once you get into it...this is an overrated expression but.. you just can't put it down. It's not terribly suspenseful or anything, it's just GOOD.

Hi! I consider myself a veteran of fantasy books and this is one of my favourites! I can reread this a thousand times: you always discover things you missed out before every time. It's basically about the thief's further adventures and more of his private life. I loved the description of how he got the whole palace coming for his blood and all. The Queen of Attolia was a flawless character in this book, how she was so fearless and scared of the world at once...a priceless jewel!

It was a dark smokey passageway. Then to a street bellow a parapet with quarrels clattering as they produce echoes that sound down the alleys. The beginning of the Queen of Attolia is mystifying, thrilling, and amazing. I enjoyed this book tremendously particularly because of its astounding ability to capture the reader and hold them in the manacles of suspense. Whether in the beautiful countryside or in a dank prison cell the Queen of Attolia is a marvelous book that everyone should read!

In the annals of Young Adult literature there are few awards greater than the Newbery Award. So what can be better than a Newbery winner? How about it's sequel! In "The Queen of Attolia" Megan Turner continues the characters first seen in the Newbery winner "The Thief." A sequel? Well not really. Same characters different story. There is no requirement to read "The Thief" before reading Queen of Attolia, although it would be your loss if you didn't read it sometime, Newbery winners are winners for a reason after all.

This is one really great story. It is a real shame that Thief won the Newbery. Why? Because now it is impossible for Queen to win. It just doesn't happen, new story or not. The reason I say it's a shame it because Queen is actually better than Thief!

Talk about romance! What better than a love struck thief, a cold hearted queen, lose of a hand, kidnapping, blackmail, goddesses, foreign intrigue and even a little love. This is really great stuff! What fun to read! I have read it so many times I had to buy a hardback copy for my library.

All I can say after this is I WANT MORE!

Highly Recommended.

Queen of Attolia took me by surprise when I found it stashed away with the W's and Z's on the bottom shelf of Walden's Bookstore. I picked it up, and almost put it back. But then the words "Eugenides" and "The Thief" jumped out at me.

Whatever might have been lacking from The Thief can be found between the covers of this wonderful and entrancing novel. The characters that you have fallen in love with are all back. Shockingly darker than before, with a gritty yet exciting feel, The Queen of Attolia might leave you a little frustrated...

but satisfied.

The Queen of Attolia is an excellent book because it features both romance and adventure. What more can one ask for? When I read The Thief, I wasn't impressed but The Queen of Attolia far surpassed my expectations. To tell the truth, it's the best book I picked up in my middle school library. If you haven't already, read it!!!

I don't know what to say. This is an incredible sequel to The Thief, and I enjoyed it throughly.

The story of Eugenides (Gen) continues as the conflict between the countries increases. Eugenides is stuck in a web made from political and personal problems and the cleverly-crafted plot makes The Queen of Attolia an amazing read. Who says sequels can't be as good as the original? This is one novel that could easily stand alone. I loved it!

MWT has demonstrated a clear mastery of the subtlety of court plots, army manuvering and ruthless royalty! I could well believe all that happens, with the Theif being deployed against Attolia, and then crippled and returned, he must struggle to overcome his handicap and self-doubt. This part is well written, without being patronizing. It is easy to believe in the feeling that he has for Attolia, gradually revealed as we are led to the denouement.
You cry for the child butchered, and crow at the masterful plotting, and cheer on the good guys. . .
This novel is quite selfcontained and can be read as a stand alone book, without feeling one is missing out on anything. So if you can't get the Thief straight away, don't hesitate to read this book first off.