17. The King of Attolia by Megan Whelan Turner (Children’s Fantasy) 385 p.

It’s a rare series where each book is better than the last. This book introduces a new character, Costis, from whose point of view we see most of the story. Costis is a guard at the palace. Like almost everyone at court, he dislikes the new King of Attolia, assumes he’s unworthy of respect.

When he punches the King, he expects it to end his career. Instead, he finds himself in the King’s service. At first he’s resentful, but he begins to see that no one at court, and especially not the King of Attolia, are exactly what they seem.

This series already had a quest and a war, so why not court intrigue? Ms. Turner writes it beautifully. Eugenides is very much in character in this book, playing the part of a puppet so his opponents don’t realize he’s the puppet master, pulling their strings.

Despite the fact that most of the story is told from the perspective of an outsider, there’s still a lot of sharp characterization of Eugenides and Attolia. Some of the more minor characters, like Teleus and Relius, are further developed. Costis is a sweetheart, an honourable man trying to do the best he can with what he’s given, which sometimes isn’t much.

I don’t when I’ve enjoyed a children’s book as much as I enjoyed this one.

Pages read: 5,048

Tags: 50 Book Challenge 2008, 888 Challenge, Cardathon Challenge, Megan Whalen Turner, The Thief Trilogy