Readers who fell for The Thief and grieved over his devastating loss in The Queen of Attolia will devour this account of how the "goat-footed, throne-stealing interloper" grows into his crown. The erstwhile Thief and newly crowned king chafes under his status as a homebody, even if the home in question is an opulent palace. Accustomed to a life of stealthy maneuvering, Eugenides is now shadowed everywhere by his armed Guard and a mostly malevolent audience of courtiers, many actively trying to sabotage his reign in retaliation for Gen having "stolen" their Queen in a politically convenient marriage. The backdrop continues to track the intricate relationships among the small, faux-Mediterranean nations of Attolia, Eddis and Sounis, and the menacing Mede empire, but the action here-including an assassination attempt-takes place within the palace walls. The plot turns on political intrigue, hidden motives, ploys and counterploys, as Gen slyly consolidates his power while solidifying his marriage to Irene. Turner assumes readers' familiarity with the vast canvas on which she's working, making this book best suited to those who read the first two, and who are familiar with the ample detail she has woven into this complex tapestry. Although some readers may ache for the old snide and sneaky Gen, they will likely understand why there is no theft involved in the prize he wins here. Gen has grown up and, this time, he earns his kingly respect. Ages 10-up. (Feb.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
This title in the award winning series opens when Eugenides of Eddis, the hero of The Thief, comes to Attolia with his Queen Irene. We see through the eyes of the at-first unsympathetic and compassionate guard, Costis, who flies into a fury and punches the King. Instead of death, he rises in rank and becomes a close caretaker of the king everyone hates. How could anyone trust or honor this one-handed, inept fool? Through time Costis (and readers) begin to see that Gen (Eugenides) is far from the oaf he seems. He is politically savvy, physically superior, and compassionate. Series readers, of course, have known this all along, but adventure and intrigue will show new readers the gift of Turner's magnificent writing and send them searching for past adventures. It is difficult to maintain interest and quality in any series, but when one is so superior, it is a far greater fear. Turner's newest work deepens characterization, makes the ancient world she creates believable, and offers delectable descriptions amid action that makes it all work. A threat from outside the kingdom adds extra conflict. Pacing and events make a changed perspective occur perfectly. 2006, Greenwillow/HarperCollins, Ages 11 up.
—Susie Wilde
As a fan of The Thief and The Queen of Attolia, I was eager to read this one. In this newest addition to Turner's adventure-packed series, readers find their favorite Thief of Eddis back and ruling as the King of Attolia. Because of his new position, a lot of the excitement that Eugenides brought to us in the previous novels is lost. Instead he is faced with more . . . kingly matters. But the book is not just about Eugenides, and many times readers are offered the world through the eyes of Costis, a young Attolian soldier who is less than happy with his new position as King's Guard. It is his attitude toward his promotion that first makes the book worthwhile. Every so often, Gen gets to add his own sarcasm and witty remarks to the plot, but because he is king, those remarks appear much less than in the other two books. He still finds time to be mischievous and deceiving, which becomes increasingly apparent as the story develops, and as usual it's his carefree attitude that makes the book more interesting. I did not enjoy this novel as much as The Thief, but it was still a good book worth reading. (It would probably be a good idea to reread the other two novels first, because I did not and was a little lost at some parts!) VOYA CODES: 4Q 3P J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2006, Greenwillow, 390p., and PLB Ages 12 to 18.
—Carolyn Stallard, Teen Reviewer
First, let me say that it is necessary to read the first two books to understand the main characters: Eugenides (once the thief, now king) and his wife, the queen, who had once ordered Gen's hand to be cut off when he was discovered to be the thief, who now loves him and wants him to succeed as king. Needless to say, her security guards still mistrust Gen and they do everything in their power to undermine his authority and arrange his downfall. This third book is about the subtle ways Gen uses his shrewdness, skill, and strength to win over his opponents and earn their respect and loyalty. Turner, a gifted writer whose book The Thief is a Newbery Honor winner, continues this amazing adventure story set in her imaginary world. This third part is more talk and less action certainly than in The Thief, with what action there is confined to the palace in Attolia, but like the other two books, this one excels in intrigue, in people and situations not being what they appear to be. And Gen is a memorable character, there's no doubt about it. (Sequel to The Thief and The Queen of Attolia). KLIATT Codes: JS--Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2006, HarperCollins, 390p., Ages 12 to 18.
—Claire Rosser
To quote the review of the hardcover in KLIATT, January 2006: First, let me say that it is necessary to read the first two books to understand the main characters: Eugenides (once the thief, now king) and his wife, the queen, who had once ordered Gen's hand to be cut off when he was discovered to be the thief, who now loves him and wants him to succeed as king. Needless to say, her security guards still mistrust Gen and they do everything in their power to undermine his authority and arrange his downfall. This third book is about the subtle ways Gen uses his shrewdness, skill, and strength to win over his opponents and earn their respect and loyalty. Turner, a gifted writer whose book The Thief is a Newbery Honor winner, continues this amazing adventure story set in her imaginary world. This third part is more talk and less action than in The Thief, with what action there is confined to the palace in Attolia, but like the other two books, this one excels in intrigue, in people and situations not being what they appear to be. And Gen is a memorable character, there's no doubt about it. (An ALA Best Book for YAs.)
Gr 7 Up-Fans who've been waiting for six long years for the sequel to The Queen of Attolia (2000) and The Thief (1996, both HarperCollins) can finally rejoice. Eugenides, the former Thief of Eddis, is back and just as clever as ever. As King of Attolia after literally stealing and marrying the Queen, he must convince the rest of her court and her subjects that he deserves his title. The Attolians think he's an idiot who's being used by the Queen. They refuse to believe that he and Irene could honestly love one another, considering that she's responsible for having his hand cut off. His attendants and guards mock him behind his back and play pranks on him, all the while thinking that he's too spineless and incompetent to protest. That is, until a guard named Costis punches him in the face and knocks him down. Beheading is the usual penalty for such a transgression but Eugenides devises a better punishment. It is through Costis's eyes that readers see how he and the court consistently underestimate the shrewd young man. This third book in the series continues to involve political intrigue, espionage, and attempted assassination but is less concerned with the fighting between kingdoms that dominated the previous book. Instead, it explores the complex and very romantic relationship between the monarchs. Although it does stand alone, to appreciate the amazingly charismatic and beguiling character of Eugenides fully, it's best to read the titles in order.-Sharon Rawlins, NJ Library for the Blind and Handicapped, Trenton Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Like all loyal soldiers of Attolia, Costis hates Eugenides, his new king. Eugenides was an enemy until he forced the Queen of Attolia into marriage, and the oafish conqueror doesn't even have the grace to behave with majesty. But when Costis is ordered to guard Eugenides directly, he gains an unexpected sympathy for the young king. Through Costis's naive eyes, Eugenides appears weak, bumbling and a too-pathetic target for the pranks aimed at him. A knowledgeable reader of the series, however, will know that Eugenides is more than he appears, and can follow with delight as the king's clever schemes slowly become apparent to Costis. Ultimately, this unreliable narrator sees Eugenides transform from fool to larger-than-life hero, and never realizes that both are true at once. Well-constructed puzzles and intrigues keep this offering moving through Turner's characteristic secrets and subtle revelations to a wholly satisfying conclusion, while a few loose ends hint at more entries in this compelling series. Less emotionally powerful than Eugenides's earlier adventures, but still a winner. (Fiction. 12-15)
