I love Twitter because yesterday afternoon, I learned something great. I just learned from @Shayera that Megan Whalen Turner has a new book coming out called, A CONSPIRACY OF KINGS, that is tentatively scheduled for March 23, 2010. Fans of Eugenides can now rejoice! We have another book in the saga. You can click here to see a screencap of the cover and synopsis and preorder your copy of the book here from Amazon. Didn’t see the book listed at BN. My brief commentary about the series is below the cut.
For those unfamiliar with Turner, her first book in the series is The Thief, which features Eugenides, a thief from Eddis who is asked to obtain a mythical gift in the first book. In the second book, Eugenides decides to toy with the Queen of Attolia and she metes out her revenge in the old fashioned way. In the last book, The King of Attolia, well, the title is self-explanatory. What I like about Eugenides is that he is unassuming and likes to appear the fool but he is far from it. The stories are richly layered and complex. There is plenty of political intrigue and suspense. The story also generates a unexpectedly, sweet and quiet romance.
The author made mention that the stories take place in a fictional recreation of Greece. How best to describe these books? Try historical fantasy with just a touch of magic. Although the books are labeled YA, rest assured that they can be enjoyed by adults. The stories get more and more complex as it goes along. Many fans have been anticipating a new story with Eugenides and his Queen. It will be nice to catch up with him and see what new adventure the author has set for him in A CONSPIRACY OF KINGS. What are your favorite titles in the series? And if you had to rank them? My favorite? Eh, hard to say. I loved them all. Thanks for your comments in advance.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
@lynne: I was shocked as well. I just couldn’t believe she did that. It took some getting used to as well.
Lynne, I read them in order but I had been spoiled for what happens in Queen. I think the information may have been on the back of one of the books? I’m not sure. But I had heard about it one way or another, so I was prepared for it and not shocked at all.
I started with the the Queen, then went back and read the Thief and the King. I love them all, they are well written and I’m glad I discovered them in April of 09′, because waiting for the fourth book has been bareable. I would like to know from those who read them in order, how shocked you were by the Queen’s punishment of Gen? I was devastated. It only made the story that much better.
Thanks, but Jane is the one who’s in charge of the news pieces on DA, and she doesn’t post about books coming out unless it’s something really major. Also, it’s newsworthy to you and me, but I wasn’t sure how many other people would feel that way.
It would be great if the books came out as e-books. But I really like the new covers on the paperbacks (though on The Thief I only have the old cover which is not impressive).
I agree with Janine, Li. I think that the Queen and the King were stronger books, especially the King. That one goes into my top 3 books so far this year. Thief is enjoyable, but special… the ending though is excellent
I have to reread these as I had forgotten about Sophos. Yes, you should have emailed me! I squealed all day yesterday everytime I thought about this book coming out. I just cannot wait to read it! You should do a formal post of it on DA so that other fans can know, Janine, if you haven’t done so already.
Also just thought of something, maybe her books will be released in ebook? I sincerely hope so as I would buy them. Love this series. Picked them up on a whim and read them when blogger, jmc, read them and squeed about them.
I am rereading them and I hardly ever reread anything!
I’m still spinning over this excellent news. I have the worst time picking my favorite between Queen and King. I feel a reread coming on. If only I could get my copies back from the people I lent them out to!
Oh wow — strong recs! I’ve been dipping in and out of Thief so far, but will definitely make time to sit down and read it in one go soon.
Li, I think the second and third books are much stronger and more adult than The Thief, so I recommend sticking with the series even if you don’t love that one. I graded them B– (Thief), B/B+ (QoA), and A-/A (KoA). It is really worth it to stick with them though, as the last third of QoA and all of KoA are the awesome.
At DA, I just posted about it in the comments section of the old King of Attolia thread. It’s comment # 46. I’m not sure how many people there have seen it — probably mostly just those who were checking the new comments the day I posted. I should have emailed you so I could have had someone to squee with. I loved Sophos in The Thief so I’m extra happy.
Li — stick with it as it is very slow going. I promise it will get better and reach a point where you can’t put the book down. The next two books are much darker and complex.
I’m reading Thief at the moment — am not really getting into it yet, but I have high expectations based on what everyone is saying!
PS: I tried threaded comments on my blog as well, still on the fence as to whether I prefer it or not.
LOL, funny, cos I just found out about it yesterday as well! I re-read parts of King of Attolia last week… and I just can’t wait for this one!! I’m so looking forward to it!!
and the best?
SOPHOS IS ALIVE!! Yay!
Great Marg, you are in for a treat my dear!
Well, wait, I visit DA everyday but I have been working a straight 7 day shift so I missed this! But isn’t it great! Which is your favorite titles in the series? If I had to rank them it would be: Queen of Attolia, King of Attolia and then The Thief. But the The Thief, while slow going at first, it is really is a good story.
*Trying out this threaded comments to see if I like it.
I just recently read the first book in this series and really enjoyed it!
I posted about this at Dear Author and AAR last Friday, after I heard about it from a friend. I’m very excited!