OT: The Just City by Jo Walton
I just finished this novel (http://www.jowaltonbooks.com/books/the-just-city/), attracted by the concept of Greek gods time travelling to create Plato's Republic on Atlantis with robots. The results more than justified my interest - and the machinations of the two gods central to the story, Apollo and Athene, reminded me in some ways of the gods in Attolia/Eddis/Sounis, though of course as protagonists rather than flashes of divine lightning. In addition, the novel is gently paced, beautifully characterized, and brimming with philosophical conversations and drama. It is the first of a planned trilogy, and ends in a thematic rather than plot resolution, but I'm sure readers of The Queen's Thief series are no stranger to this. :)
(Warning: Since the majority of the characters are slaves, and for other reasons, sexual violence features fairly heavily - in fact, the book starts off with an examination of the story of Apollo and Daphne. I found the exploration and moral approach to this violence thoughtful and well considered, but it is prominant. Reviews have been, in my opinion, a bit unduly focused on that aspect of the book, as I posted here: http://ibmiller.tumblr.com/post/114405602154/on-sexual-violence-in-jo-waltons-the-just-city, but did want to post the warning along with my recommendation.)
(Warning: Since the majority of the characters are slaves, and for other reasons, sexual violence features fairly heavily - in fact, the book starts off with an examination of the story of Apollo and Daphne. I found the exploration and moral approach to this violence thoughtful and well considered, but it is prominant. Reviews have been, in my opinion, a bit unduly focused on that aspect of the book, as I posted here: http://ibmiller.tumblr.com/post/114405602154/on-sexual-violence-in-jo-waltons-the-just-city, but did want to post the warning along with my recommendation.)