Book review

[creative-lefty2.livejournal.com]

I know, CoK has been out for months. But here's a new review:

http://what-if-books.blogspot.com/2010/10/conspiracy-of-kings-by-megan-whalen.html

So, what do you think? Could CoK be a jumping in point for this story?

Comments

[emerald-happy.livejournal.com]

Not read it yet but I am lol-ing at the icon.

Goat foot, indeed!

[creative-lefty2.livejournal.com]

Thank you. And might I add that the goat is standing in a lava field.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

I think ACoK could definitely be a starting point in the series, and am very surprised by those who think this book doesn't stand alone as well as KoA. To me, Sophos' story is very separate from the other books.

I would LOVE to hear from anyone who read A Conspiracy of Kings before reading any of the others. Anyone?

It IS a great review!

[lizzyazula.livejournal.com]

I think it's more of a jumping point than any of the other sequels, but I think it would be to the reader's advantage to read the other books first. They'd have a larger understanding of Gen. When I recommend these books to people, I always tell them to start with the first book. I just think the sequels are more enjoyable if the reader knows the characters.

[inkasrain.livejournal.com]

I think it would be an interesting experiment, but I agree with LizzyAzula (lol!) in that a lot might be lost in terms of characters. Gen goes without saying, but for me Eddis pops out in particular-- having read the previous three books, you can understand so much more of what she's feeling in CoK, even when she doesn't say much.

[inkasrain.livejournal.com]

Also, I meant to note: this quote is PERFECTION.

Above all else, her books are about the indomitable human spirit. They are about hope - not the fluttering fairy at the bottom of Pandora's box, but the faith that people have when they have nothing else, the sheer grit they discover in the bottom of their souls when by all rights they should just give up and die.

So well put, and so, so true.

[creative-lefty2.livejournal.com]

I think that applies to Sophos' character, too. You get a hint of how meek he is in the beginning, but you don't really understand it unless you have read "The Thief." And his comments about Gen's coolness loose something without the background information.

[(Anonymous)]

Interesting point... It IS easy to get a handle on each character as they enter into each book; even Eugenides, though he plays a minor point in CoK.

I jumped into the series at QoA.

~Sommerrev