A Newcomer's Thoughts on CoK
Jun. 1st, 2011 02:45 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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queensthiefHello everyone. I am newcomer to this wonderful series, and I just thought I'd share some of my thoughts on CoK because I've finally finished it and caught up. This would have been up earlier, but I had almost finished typing up my thoughts in a long post and then somehow... LOST EVERY WORD. But I decided I was going to rewrite it and maybe take a hint to be a little more concise.
I was a little worried at first that I was going to miss Eugenides as the main character in the novel, but I should have known to trust MWT. I also realized that KoA did a good job of preparing me for another character's point of view and also seeing Eugenides from their perspective. I definitely think that one of MWT's strongest strengths as a writer is her careful narration. It was so interesting to relive old events from Sophos's perspective and to reaffirm how Eugenides is as hard to grasp and duplicitous as ever. His comparisons between himself and Eugenides were also heartbreaking and really helped me for me to instantly develop sympathy for his character along with the horrible events he lived through in the novel. I also have a thing for somewhat bumbling, dorky, and unassured characters and although that type of narrator is so completely different from Eugenides, it still worked in a sense because I felt more tension in the plot's resolution than I did in at least KoA. I was more invested in how exactly Sophos was going to pull off reclaiming his throne because with Eugenides I expect him to be so completely in control at all times even if he isn't showing it. And unlike KoA, Sophos's story still had some surprises because of his choice of narration. I also loved how this was a true coming of age story, something we haven't seen since QoA. And in his case, Sophos's personal character development mirrored his growth as a political ruler worthy and ready to take on Sounis. By the time he had secured his throne, I was reveling in how far he had come from the start of the novel and The Thief.
But even though this is definitely Sophos's novel, I still think Eugenides plays a larger part than some reviews give him credit for. When I finished the novel, it suddenly hit me that at this point, he has stolen no less than THREE countries. He is also the closest to the gods and all the major players of these three countries are coming to revolve around him. With this set up, I am beyond excited for the next two novels.
I expect the next novel will at least touch upon Eddis's people dealing with relocation and new political authority (and avoiding disaster hopefully). I really want this to happen because I think it will give a chance for Eddis to have more spotlight on her. I really think MWT writes strong female characters, and I'm always wanting more from them. For example, in CoK I really wanted more of Sophos's sisters. I also really want to see more interaction between Eddis and Attolia partially because Sophos and Eugenides had such great lines together. I really just want to see the four of them come together more to really unite their countries. I expect the final book of the series will deal with them facing the Mede Empire once again which I think will make for a stunning conclusion. I also would love it if the Mede Empire or some Medes would be painted with more grey morality in the coming books, but I guess we'll see where MWT takes that. I'm sure we haven't learned all we're going to about their empire at the very least.
And my final hope? I hope that Eugenides is not actually sick and that he's having these physicians hovering over him to fool everyone (including us).
In terms of how much I loved this book compared to the others? I think at the moment I rank them with QoA first, followed by KoA, CoK, and TT. Really hard to decide, especially when I'm just realizing that I need to reread the entire series ASAP. MWT writes with such care and subtlety that I know there is a lot to pick up on a reread. (Not to mention the things I just plain forgot already!) I did pick up this gem of her writing that carried through this book though:
"Sounis had been thinking of Ambiades. 'He would have been a better man under different circumstances.'
Gen looked at him. 'True enough,' he said. 'But does a good man let his circumstances determine his character?'" (pg. 188)
and
"'We do what we must, but we are not defined by our circumstances. Sounis will not change.'" (pg. 208)
So you think that Sounis is a good man, huh, Eugenides? I do too. ;)
I hope I haven't just repeated everything everyone has already said. Which I think I must have! Glad to have a place to say these things about this series though! :)
I was a little worried at first that I was going to miss Eugenides as the main character in the novel, but I should have known to trust MWT. I also realized that KoA did a good job of preparing me for another character's point of view and also seeing Eugenides from their perspective. I definitely think that one of MWT's strongest strengths as a writer is her careful narration. It was so interesting to relive old events from Sophos's perspective and to reaffirm how Eugenides is as hard to grasp and duplicitous as ever. His comparisons between himself and Eugenides were also heartbreaking and really helped me for me to instantly develop sympathy for his character along with the horrible events he lived through in the novel. I also have a thing for somewhat bumbling, dorky, and unassured characters and although that type of narrator is so completely different from Eugenides, it still worked in a sense because I felt more tension in the plot's resolution than I did in at least KoA. I was more invested in how exactly Sophos was going to pull off reclaiming his throne because with Eugenides I expect him to be so completely in control at all times even if he isn't showing it. And unlike KoA, Sophos's story still had some surprises because of his choice of narration. I also loved how this was a true coming of age story, something we haven't seen since QoA. And in his case, Sophos's personal character development mirrored his growth as a political ruler worthy and ready to take on Sounis. By the time he had secured his throne, I was reveling in how far he had come from the start of the novel and The Thief.
But even though this is definitely Sophos's novel, I still think Eugenides plays a larger part than some reviews give him credit for. When I finished the novel, it suddenly hit me that at this point, he has stolen no less than THREE countries. He is also the closest to the gods and all the major players of these three countries are coming to revolve around him. With this set up, I am beyond excited for the next two novels.
I expect the next novel will at least touch upon Eddis's people dealing with relocation and new political authority (and avoiding disaster hopefully). I really want this to happen because I think it will give a chance for Eddis to have more spotlight on her. I really think MWT writes strong female characters, and I'm always wanting more from them. For example, in CoK I really wanted more of Sophos's sisters. I also really want to see more interaction between Eddis and Attolia partially because Sophos and Eugenides had such great lines together. I really just want to see the four of them come together more to really unite their countries. I expect the final book of the series will deal with them facing the Mede Empire once again which I think will make for a stunning conclusion. I also would love it if the Mede Empire or some Medes would be painted with more grey morality in the coming books, but I guess we'll see where MWT takes that. I'm sure we haven't learned all we're going to about their empire at the very least.
And my final hope? I hope that Eugenides is not actually sick and that he's having these physicians hovering over him to fool everyone (including us).
In terms of how much I loved this book compared to the others? I think at the moment I rank them with QoA first, followed by KoA, CoK, and TT. Really hard to decide, especially when I'm just realizing that I need to reread the entire series ASAP. MWT writes with such care and subtlety that I know there is a lot to pick up on a reread. (Not to mention the things I just plain forgot already!) I did pick up this gem of her writing that carried through this book though:
"Sounis had been thinking of Ambiades. 'He would have been a better man under different circumstances.'
Gen looked at him. 'True enough,' he said. 'But does a good man let his circumstances determine his character?'" (pg. 188)
and
"'We do what we must, but we are not defined by our circumstances. Sounis will not change.'" (pg. 208)
So you think that Sounis is a good man, huh, Eugenides? I do too. ;)
I hope I haven't just repeated everything everyone has already said. Which I think I must have! Glad to have a place to say these things about this series though! :)
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Date: 6/1/11 07:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 6/2/11 12:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 6/2/11 12:27 am (UTC)I was more invested in how exactly Sophos was going to pull off reclaiming his throne because with Eugenides I expect him to be so completely in control at all times even if he isn't showing it.
Good point--Megan has said that this is one of the reasons that narration from Gen doesn't work as well as it used to, now that KoA taught us how on top of things he is even when he doesn't appear to be.
I sort of liked seeing Sophos's sisters only through his description of them. So funny. And, I really liked the way his parents surprised him; his father by giving every appearance of feeling a parent's unconditional love, his mother by her bravery when kidnapped, and both his parents by their close relationship with one another. Great part of that coming-of-age story. Teens usually don't see their parents in a completely realistic way. Usually, their vision is filtered through the lens of themselves. Sophos begins to see his parents in a more adult way. I liked that. I couldn't stand Sophos's dad from reading what Sophos said and thought about him. But when he finally showed up, I couldn't really find anything to dislike him for, except maybe not trusting the Magus. But the Magus is so supercilious that he would probably rub a lot of people the wrong way.
he has stolen no less than THREE countries
I hadn't looked at it like that!
I rank the books exactly the same as you. But I'm rereading TT right now with a book club made up of 6th graders, and it is so great to see the book through their eyes. So many hidden depths to the writing, and they don't even know it yet. We're just to the point where the Magus beats Gen with the riding crop. They ALL assume he stole the food! They cannot stand Gen at this point. They are even defending Ambiades and his rotten attitude. I can't wait to talk with them about the second half of the book and see if their opinion of Gen changes like the Magus's opinion does. I've put sticky notes on all the pages with the clues to Gen's identity, so I can go back and read them to the group and watch them smack their foreheads. Good times. :)
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Date: 6/2/11 01:44 am (UTC)Oww... Then you could do a little dance and start singing, "I told you so! I told you so!" Because that would NOT be childish at all! Dahahaa!
Yeah, I've noticed that with kids below the age of 12. They tend to prefer stories that are pretty black and white and have black and white characters. This is because they've come to learn and accept certain basic morality truths about life, yet don't have the life experience to understand why these don't always work or how matters can be more complicated. Gen is a character that makes most young children uncomfortable, because he lives in shades of grey.
Adults tend to be just the opposite and prefer stories that question and examine morality. All this being why I prefer to think of QT as YA!
Hey, I did lean something this past semester.
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Date: 6/2/11 01:54 am (UTC)I do agree that Sophos was a refreshing narrator. I like to read stories about characters who are competent and capable but not always in control. This was why QoA, as painful as it was, was very important. If Gen had never lost control of his fate and failed, he would have lost his humanity and thus his believability in the eyes of the reader.
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Date: 6/2/11 03:06 am (UTC)Cuz that's what being an adult means.
Yes, and I love it that they have all misjudged Gen just like Sophos, the Magus, et. al. did.
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Date: 6/4/11 04:31 am (UTC)I enjoyed your ACoK comments as I just re-read this one a couple weeks ago and it's fresh in my mind.
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Date: 6/5/11 02:22 am (UTC)I definitely think Eugenides had some divine intervention in helping him accomplish that feat, but it still really amazing to think about. But also sad because he wouldn't have ordinarily chosen this life for himself. I wonder if there's still much more sacrifice in store for him. I don't know if my heart can take it to be honest!
Yes I really wonder how I would have read these books as a younger child. I suspected that something was up with Gen because he was just so nonchalant, but even now as an adult I needed a reread to catch all the subtle hints in the writing. I actually tried to get a friend my age to read TT though, and she came back really reluctant to read on. She says she finished it, but she found Gen unimpressive and a simpleton. I couldn't believe her reaction! Basically I begged her to continue with the series. She did, took back her thoughts on him being a simpleton, and she absolutely loved it. I still don't know what to make of that. Maybe that if you really aren't paying attention to Megan's writing, even as an adult, you can miss out on things because she writes with a lot of subtlety? That's all I could think of and I definitely agree with it so that's what I'm sticking with!
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