The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

Genre: Fantasy
Publishing year: 2000
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Series: The Queen's Thief #2
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis:
When his small mountainous country goes to war with the powerful nation of Attolia, Eugenides the thief is faced with his greatest challenge. He must steal a man, he must steal a queen, and he must steal peace. But his greatest triumph-as well as his greatest loss-can only come if he succeeds in capturing something the Queen of Attolia may have sacrificed long ago.

Review:
Most reviews of this book are favorable and I do enjoy it as well, just look at the rating. But almost everyone seems to have chosen this book as their favorite in the series. I disagree. The first book, The Thief, had more action and the next book, The King of Attolia has more romance. I like this novel, it just isn't the highest ranking in the series for me.

 Anyway what I like most about this book is the witty dialogue between Gen and Irene, they're always snapping at each other and the best part about this book is that it doesn't have insta-love.

"She was very pretty." After a pause he added, "And very kind." Page 316.

"You have any mistresses and I'll cut your other hand off." Page 316.

I just love how Gen isn't fixated on the loss of his hand. Sure he misses it and it causes him annoyance but it doesn't stop him from falling for Attolia and he honestly doesn't seem to hold a grudge against her. In fact it seems that she is more bothered by it than he is. Interesting development. The changes we see in Attolia from her brief appearance in The Thief  to the ending of this book are drastic. She seems completely capable of love and even forgiveness.

Favorite scene is when Attolia is sending a messenger back to Eddis and since her enemy the Mede is present she has to layer the message to have a double meaning.I found her word play clever and sweet.

"What remains of his life, he spends with me, so you understand messenger?" Page 285.

I bet no one else has ever accepted a marriage proposal with those words. That she played the Mede for a fool only adds to my delight. Unlike The Thief, this book is written in third person and we see several scenes in the point of view of the Mede. Just as he thought she was playing into his hands, he was playing into hers. Hard not to love a book like this one, although I promise The King of Attolia is better.