Reviews with content warning for Slavery - A Conspiracy of Kings

This is a fantastic coming of age story. Sophos' journey in this story takes him from a sheltered, unassertive boy to a man, one who is self-assured and capable of making difficult choices.

What I appreciate about Sophos' character is that even while his experiences of slavery, violence and betrayal have led him to become a man who can rule over others, he doesn't lose his kind nature. He cherishes his friendships and struggles to navigate the changes that his position as king brings to those relationships. He always looks for another option besides violence and takes no pleasure in violence when it is the only option left to him. It is this very kindness and faith in those he trusts that sees him triumph in the end and win his throne, though it is not without cost.

This book also continues to set up the confrontation with the Medes that is surely coming and furthers our insight into the politics at play. The union of Attolia, Eddis and Sounis under Eugenides will likely put a spoke in the wheels of the Medes' colonial aspirations.

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bzliz's review against another edition

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adventurous tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

For the first time in the series, we move to Sounis for the majority of the story. A subplot in the previous book mentioned that Sophos was missing. In retrospect, we follow the story of how Sophos gains control of his country after his uncle’s death. New challenges are faced, like rebel barons and more political intrigue than we’ve previously seen. Readers be warned that Sophie does spend a long portion of the book either literally enslaved to a rebel baron or lavishly incarcerated by similar foes.

I still enjoyed it but I prefer the earlier books, which are more heavily weighted toward adventure and discovery rather than courtly politics and war. Sophos makes for a lovable protagonist thanks to his kind heart and inquisitive nature. The dynamic between him and the other monarchs of the area settles into a nice place and I so desperately want them to be a team against the conquering force headed their way.

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rubyredders's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book made me love Sophos. He's such a lovable character who starts so full of doubts in himself who grows so beautifully over the course of the book. He is still him but he knows his worth by the end.

Seeing him and Helen reunited at the end

. I have to admit though, I missed not having Gen in the story more, he is just such a delightful menace. Despite the lesser number of pages I did find myself reading this one slower and I think a lot of it comes down to my favourite little guy not being in it more. Overall I enjoyed it, but after

the initial kidnapping/slavery plot and reuniting with Gen and Eddis etc - the war aspect we moved into -

my interest did drop off some

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