The Queen of Attolia (Queen's Thief, #2)

by Megan Whalen Turner

[nitzan_schwarz]

March 2017 re-read
There are two things I feel compelled to say about this novel after the re-read. Things I didn't consider the first time around.

First, this is not young adult, although the main character is rather young (unspecified, but believed the be around 17 or eighteen). It could also not be described as new adult. This is a book aimed at adult. Younger readers will enjoy it for sure, but they may find themselves struggling with the unique representations of both love and war in this novel.

When you think of it, it's only fitting that this novel discuss both these topics in such a unique way, as all is fair in love and war.

Secondly, this is a romance, and I've realized lately that some of my favorite romance novels out there are the ones that you don't realize are romances until the very last chapters (like in Howl's Moving Castle). So both the romantics among you and the anti-romance can relax, this book is both... at the very same time. And I enjoy every second of it.

Third... this book is such a raw examination of pain. Gen's reactions to everything that happen to him are so genuine. He is not a fierce, brave hero, unafraid and unwilling to let thing hinder him. He feels. He reacts. He is sometimes rush in his desire to rid himself of these emotions. He sulks and he takes his anger and frustration and fear on those closest to him. He is so human, and so relate-able, and his pain is palatable.

If any of those things sound appealing to you, as they are to me... pick up this series.

P.S - I find Turner to be such a unique author, because she knows which POV will benefit her novels the most and is unafraid to shake things up, even though she must know her reader expect a certain thing. Delightful.

2014 cleaning my shelves challenge + 2014 series challenge

To read this review and more, check out my blog

This book. OMG. Where do I begin. AHHH. I don't know. Geez, this book. THIS BOOK. I thought I knew what to expect from this book after reading the first. I DIDN'T. Oh my god. This book took me by surprise. I cannot believe the author did this. I am happy she did, cause I freakin' loved it. But... OMG. This book. I'm freakin' out. Okay, give me a sec. *takes a deep breaths* people, whether you read past this little attack of how-the-hell-do-I-talk-about-this-book-oh-my-the-feels or not.... READ THIS BOOK. Cause that'll be the bottom line of this review, and I don't want you to miss it.

As I said, and is clearly evident from the beginning, I did not expect this book. Rare are the times you find a series to be unique, in completely different ways, from book to book. I never thought I would have my heart broken in the first 70 pages. That I would be looking at the book with my eyes wide open, in denial, thinking "This can't be happening. It's a trick". And then crying a lot when I realized it wasn't.

Then there was the entire vibe of the book. It handled the subject of war in a way that I felt was unique and fresh. It...

To read the rest of this review, go here!