The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

279 pages

"Revenge
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 Eugenides 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.

...but
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.

...at what price?
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..." -Dust Jacket

{SPOILERS}

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite series, ranking right up there with Ranger's Apprentice. The author has written characters with such depth. They're just fantastic. They are so real, particularly Gen. I've been so drawn in by his genius, his ability & daring accomplishments, but especially by his vulnerability. He's witty and snarky at times, but he's also a young man who has been through some very traumatic experiences. He is not invincible and that's what draws me as a reader in. We all love a vulnerable hero. The loss of his hand affects him deeply. It takes him a long time to recover and to come to terms with the fact that his life will be forever different. He is bitter at times and withdrawn from the world around him. People treat him differently and it makes him angry. At times he wishes Attolia had just killed him. Attolia haunts his dreams. He is deeply afraid of her, but, as the reader comes to learn, deeply in love with her as well. He has watched her for years, sneaking into her country and palace.

The other thing about this series that I love is how the author takes you on some unexpected journeys and adds twists and turns. It's those twists and turns, as I mentioned, that made the first book turn from a good book into a great book. I enjoy the history of the gods and goddesses that are included throughout the story and how the belief in those gods (or lack thereof) affects the characters. Gen's belief in those gods is shaken to the core at the end of this book but in a very moving way. It's one of those, "would you really change what's happened to get you where you are now?" moments.

Attolia is a brilliantly capable queen. She has maintained her throne because she is able to see those who are loyal and those who are not, and outmaneuver those who aren't, but that constant vigil has worn her down and hardened her. She is jealous of the Queen of Eddis and all the loyalty and trust that surrounds her. The two queens have some great conversations in this book. Attolia comes to realize that she loves Gen, but it's a foreign emotion for her and one she comes to understand when it's almost too late. She also feels a deep sense of guilt for having cut off Gen's hand. His pain and suffering has haunted her dreams. I think it's a really touching love story.

I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. Gen wanted to marry Attolia because he loves her, but he doesn't necessarily want to be a king and the Attolians are not fond of him. Fortunately this is a series that appears to be all done.