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spinebenderbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Physical abuse, Blood, and War
Minor: Gun violence and Trafficking
rtherese's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A very solid book, amazingly written as always. The pure-heartedness of Sophos is so refreshing after the cynical, serious, cruel personalities of the central characters before. Not my favorite in the series, but I see its value in setting up future story lines as well as tying in ones that have been planted since the very first book, For example, Eddis’s marriage with Sounis, and the volcanic explosion threatening Eddis .
This is the book that made me realize just how superior this series is to others, as the story doesn’t just progress as time goes on. Rather, the story unfolds itself, exactly the way it should, and as it was planted in the beginning. It sort of reminds me of prophecies, where the fate of the characters are already laid out, and everything happens as it should, just not as expected. Overall I am glad to have read this book, and objectively I see its quality, I just wasn’t as emotionally invested in this as I was for the second and third book.
What this book did for me is make me realize that Attolia is my favorite country among the three.I was filled with delight when Sophos left Sounis and went to Attolia. I think Eddis would be my favorite as well, however we never really spend much time there in the story :( I hope Eddis would be a more central character too because her success in gaining the trust of her countrymen is really unique compared to whatever the hell the Attolias and Sounis are doing. I also loved seeing Gen and Sophos bond. Theyre just two little guys. who are also kings.
This is the book that made me realize just how superior this series is to others, as the story doesn’t just progress as time goes on. Rather, the story unfolds itself, exactly the way it should, and as it was planted in the beginning. It sort of reminds me of prophecies, where the fate of the characters are already laid out, and everything happens as it should, just not as expected. Overall I am glad to have read this book, and objectively I see its quality, I just wasn’t as emotionally invested in this as I was for the second and third book.
What this book did for me is make me realize that Attolia is my favorite country among the three.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: War
bzliz's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Classism
rubyredders's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Gun violence, Grief, and Murder
evekenzinator's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and War
Minor: Slavery and Murder
nekoshka's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Gun violence, Murder, and War
Minor: Confinement, Misogyny, and Trafficking
guessgreenleaf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Gun violence, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Murder, and War
mimeflower's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
quasinaut's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved getting into Sophos' head for this book in the series. He comes into his own and realizes what's necessary to survive within the machinations of war, politics, and royal relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Violence
mayr3adsab00k's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Slavery, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Trafficking, Murder, and Alcohol