A Conspiracy of Kings Chapters 17-23
This week we finish our community read-along, as we’ve reread all the books to get ready for the release of Thick As Thieves, woohoo! This section covers the last seven chapters of A Conspiracy of Kings, beginning with the change back to to 1st person POV as Sophos says, “ We left Attolia with all the provisions we had missed on our previous journey,” and ending with, “They both laughed.”
This discussion should be spoiler-free for the new short stories and Thick As Thieves. Which we’ll be discussing SOON.
All page numbers I refer to are from the original hardback book.
Although A Conspiracy of Kings is a more linear story than QoA or KoA, these last seven chapters are as complex and layered as any in the series. When I first read them, they seemed straightforward. But, at the same time, I had a vague feeling there was a subtle undercurrent going on, and I was missing something. I gradually realized that feeling was from not realizing how much of what happens in these final chapters is entirely from Sophos’ (ok, with some help from Gen, Irene, Helen and maybe the Magus) plans and manipulations. But Sophos is the key player here and it is his leadership, patience, determination, and even his acting ability that lead to his final success as he assumes the throne and becomes, in every sense, the king of Sounis.
As we’ve seen in past story arcs with Gen, Helen, and Irene, an overarching theme of the series is what rulers must do for love of their countries, and whether those difficult decisions are justified. All the rulers in these books must act in ways they wouldn’t have chosen as an individual. It’s heart wrenching to see Sophos realize his limited choices and that those choices must involve war and violence. Some of the most powerful parts in the book are where he compares himself to his uncle, and when he smiles at the end and the barons see his uncle in him, it gave me chills.
I liked pendrecarc ‘s idea of discussion questions in comments, so see my five below. The comments are titled:
You Shot the Ambassador
From Bunny to Mankiller
He couldn’t offend the gods with a pointed stick
These Are My Dead/My Hands Are Covered in Blood
I Love Stupid Plans!
Feel free to also leave a general comment about the entire book. I would also ask that folks stay away from partisan political comments, so everyone feels welcome. Let’s stick to the politics of Eddis, Attolia, and Sounis, which leaves plenty to talk about.
Also, some random questions:
What do you think Helen said in her love letter? Sadly, it’s probably in the slush pile along with the Wedding Night scene.
What did you think of Helen’s clever letter? Did you get it right away, or not until Sophos did?
What’s the significance of the two Ions? Why do you think Megan made the choice to give them the same name?
Who knew Sophos wore an earring??
What’s the significance of the library, that everyone from Gen’s great-great-grandfather to Sophos has dreamed about it?
HAHAHA moments:
I love the humor sprinkled throughout this book, most of it from Sophos’s sotto voce comments about other characters and himself. What are your favorites? Some of mine:
"All I could do was wave my sword around to defend myself and try not to cut the ears off my own horse."
"I landed badly, just exactly like a sack of rocks…"
"Eurydice could be heard, if she chose to exert herself, across several fields and a small river."
"It was all I could do to keep myself from grabbing Comeneus’s finger and biting it."
This discussion should be spoiler-free for the new short stories and Thick As Thieves. Which we’ll be discussing SOON.
All page numbers I refer to are from the original hardback book.
Although A Conspiracy of Kings is a more linear story than QoA or KoA, these last seven chapters are as complex and layered as any in the series. When I first read them, they seemed straightforward. But, at the same time, I had a vague feeling there was a subtle undercurrent going on, and I was missing something. I gradually realized that feeling was from not realizing how much of what happens in these final chapters is entirely from Sophos’ (ok, with some help from Gen, Irene, Helen and maybe the Magus) plans and manipulations. But Sophos is the key player here and it is his leadership, patience, determination, and even his acting ability that lead to his final success as he assumes the throne and becomes, in every sense, the king of Sounis.
As we’ve seen in past story arcs with Gen, Helen, and Irene, an overarching theme of the series is what rulers must do for love of their countries, and whether those difficult decisions are justified. All the rulers in these books must act in ways they wouldn’t have chosen as an individual. It’s heart wrenching to see Sophos realize his limited choices and that those choices must involve war and violence. Some of the most powerful parts in the book are where he compares himself to his uncle, and when he smiles at the end and the barons see his uncle in him, it gave me chills.
I liked pendrecarc ‘s idea of discussion questions in comments, so see my five below. The comments are titled:
You Shot the Ambassador
From Bunny to Mankiller
He couldn’t offend the gods with a pointed stick
These Are My Dead/My Hands Are Covered in Blood
I Love Stupid Plans!
Feel free to also leave a general comment about the entire book. I would also ask that folks stay away from partisan political comments, so everyone feels welcome. Let’s stick to the politics of Eddis, Attolia, and Sounis, which leaves plenty to talk about.
Also, some random questions:
What do you think Helen said in her love letter? Sadly, it’s probably in the slush pile along with the Wedding Night scene.
What did you think of Helen’s clever letter? Did you get it right away, or not until Sophos did?
What’s the significance of the two Ions? Why do you think Megan made the choice to give them the same name?
Who knew Sophos wore an earring??
What’s the significance of the library, that everyone from Gen’s great-great-grandfather to Sophos has dreamed about it?
HAHAHA moments:
I love the humor sprinkled throughout this book, most of it from Sophos’s sotto voce comments about other characters and himself. What are your favorites? Some of mine:
"All I could do was wave my sword around to defend myself and try not to cut the ears off my own horse."
"I landed badly, just exactly like a sack of rocks…"
"Eurydice could be heard, if she chose to exert herself, across several fields and a small river."
"It was all I could do to keep myself from grabbing Comeneus’s finger and biting it."