On the rooftop, god
laughs, "don't fall, Eugenides!"
The two share a name.
This is the third book in the Queen's Thief series, though it actually seems like the fourth. I don't know why I think that. Maybe because the author interposes a new character (the guard Costis) between the reader & the focus character Eugenides. Which I don't mean as complaint; switching view points lets you have some distance to appreciate Eugenides, since, well-- that is sort of what the series is about, yes? Enjoying just how clever the (former) Thief is? I will gently complain-- commiserate, tease!-- that once again this book is very backloaded! All these books follow that format; things are not how they seem at first! The beginning drags its feet, mopes, sulks, then finally explodes into a frenzy of invincible action. Again, as per the first two (but especially the second) the real strength is Whalen Turner's grasp of politics & her ability to communicate that-- how the Mede might prosper from providing aid, or how the exile of certain political figures could be a reward to them & destroy their clan all at once. I'd say there is a better than decent chance that I'll just go on ahead & read the next one right away. Yes, I probably will, I will probably read it next. Serial. So consider me a fan. I complained about there being an "Extra" in the form of a short story-- I finished! I had book-finisher's catharsis but then there was...more! Unrelatedly! Which I liked for having a pony & a crossbow wound for a nine year old. It made me want to run a World of Darkness: Innocents game.
