A Conspiracy of Kings (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: A Conspiracy of Kings Karen Coats Turner, Megan Whalen . A Conspiracy of Kings. Greenwillow, 2010 [336p] Library ed. ISBN 978-0-06-187094-1$17.89 Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-06-187093-4$16.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 9-12 Readers who had their hearts and minds stolen by the Thief of Eddis will be delighted to see the return of Sophos, one of the magus' apprentices who accompanied him on his quest to steal Hamiathes' Gift (The Thief, BCCB 11/96). Sophos, now the reluctant heir to the throne of Sounis, is kidnapped by one of his uncle's rogue barons to be installed as a puppet king under the thumb of the Medes. Disfigured by a beating, he manages to be purchased by the baron's daughter from the slave market where he has been hidden in plain sight, and he becomes a slave on the baron's estate, a fate he comes to enjoy more than the idea of taking his uncle's place as king. Burdened by the responsibility he has been bred to, however, he escapes, rescues his father from death by treachery, and assumes the mantle of Sounis' ruler. Impending invasion by the Medes forces him into an alliance with Attolia, but the consequences of his choice may ruin his chances at personal happiness. This is definitely an installment in a larger saga, and while readers needn't have read all of three of the books that came before to follow the plot, they will want to at least have The Thief under their belt (though the sophistication level here is more in line with the subsequent titles) to understand Sophos' affection for the moody, impetuous Gen and the true threat of the treacherous Medes. Sophos' character arc is the star here, as he grows into a remarkably attractive figure—humble, honest, and resourceful when he needs to be. Turner's prose is elegant and sure-footed, setting an appropriately weighty yet accessible tone for this tale of kings and queens faced with impossible decisions that could not stand under the verdict of common morality. Some of the niceties of political intrigue are complicated to follow, but the overall gist is not, and the stage is cleverly set for the next installment. Copyright © 2010 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois