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A review by mediaevalmuse
The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
4.0
Now that I’ve read two books in the series, it’s safe to say that I’m torn. On the one hand (heh), I really like the worldbuilding and the relationships between the characters. On the other, I wish Turner had written 100+ more pages per book to set up conflicts more and flesh out her stories. I think the series is fun enough to motivate me to keep reading, but I still really have a problem with the way the stories are told (as opposed to the substance of them).
Things I Liked
1. Attolia’s Complexity: Due to the events at the beginning of the novel, it would be easy to assume that the queen of Attolia will take on a villainous role, but Turner crafts the character to make her complex and sympathetic despite her ruthlessness. I loved that she wavered between being a smart ruler and a poor one, a just ruler and a cruel one, etc. I also liked that she exhibited regret, fear, and anxiety rather than being a solid, emotionally stony monarch (though she mentions the necessity of appearing as such).
2. Eddis: We get a bit more insight into the relationship between Gen and Eddis, and I have to say I love their intimacy. It’s a very tender relationship without being romantic (that would be kind of awkward anyway), and I liked that Eddis was allowed to show concern for others and take a personal interest in them without it being portrayed as a weakness.
3. Trauma: Something happens in the beginning of the book that has an effect on Gen for the rest of the novel. I like that Turner didn’t gloss over his trauma or have him essentially pick himself up by his bootstraps and carry on. While I don’t like characters that wallow in trauma, I do appreciate a good balance, and I think Turner manages to strike one here.
Things I Didn’t Like
1. Pace: Everything in this book moves way too quickly. I kind of get it - the novel is geared more towards a YA audience, but that doesn’t mean I want 1000% more time devoted to developing political details, learning more about what motivates each character, fleshing out certain scenes, etc.
2. Romance: I... didn’t get it. Was it real? Was it just to make the political alliance easier? I don’t know, and I don’t think I completely understood.
Recommendations: I would recommend this book if you’re interested in high fantasy political conflict, trauma and aftermath, disabled protagonists, powerful female characters (queens, etc.)
Things I Liked
1. Attolia’s Complexity: Due to the events at the beginning of the novel, it would be easy to assume that the queen of Attolia will take on a villainous role, but Turner crafts the character to make her complex and sympathetic despite her ruthlessness. I loved that she wavered between being a smart ruler and a poor one, a just ruler and a cruel one, etc. I also liked that she exhibited regret, fear, and anxiety rather than being a solid, emotionally stony monarch (though she mentions the necessity of appearing as such).
2. Eddis: We get a bit more insight into the relationship between Gen and Eddis, and I have to say I love their intimacy. It’s a very tender relationship without being romantic (that would be kind of awkward anyway), and I liked that Eddis was allowed to show concern for others and take a personal interest in them without it being portrayed as a weakness.
3. Trauma: Something happens in the beginning of the book that has an effect on Gen for the rest of the novel. I like that Turner didn’t gloss over his trauma or have him essentially pick himself up by his bootstraps and carry on. While I don’t like characters that wallow in trauma, I do appreciate a good balance, and I think Turner manages to strike one here.
Things I Didn’t Like
1. Pace: Everything in this book moves way too quickly. I kind of get it - the novel is geared more towards a YA audience, but that doesn’t mean I want 1000% more time devoted to developing political details, learning more about what motivates each character, fleshing out certain scenes, etc.
2. Romance: I... didn’t get it. Was it real? Was it just to make the political alliance easier? I don’t know, and I don’t think I completely understood.
Recommendations: I would recommend this book if you’re interested in high fantasy political conflict, trauma and aftermath, disabled protagonists, powerful female characters (queens, etc.)