The Questions I Still Have About Conspiracy of Kings

[11rod88staff11]

I want so much to proliferate appreciation and love for Sounis Sophos and the Conspiracy of Kings right now. I feel like a lot of the reason this book doesn't get talked about as much as the others in the series is it's so complex... I have read it multiple times carefully and I think I'm reasonably intelligent... And honestly I'm still not sure

Comments

[checkers65477]

Oh my gosh, I agree with you SO MUCH that even though some people didn't seem to like the book as much as the others because they thought if more "middle grade" or simple, it's actually extremely complex. (Ok, that was a very awkward sentence but you know what I mean.) I'm going to tell you what I think about a couple of your points and give the rest some more thought.

I really pondered over why Helen was so angry and am still not completely sure. In addition to the reasons you mention, I think she was angry because she loved Sophos but was manipulating him terribly and couldn't even explain to him why. She and Gen were stealing his country, plain and simple, so Eddis could evacuate and the three countries join together to fight the Medes. So much was riding on this, but then he protests that he won't let her give up her sovereignty. She knew she'd have to give it up, and was willing to do it for Gen, Sophos, and the people of the countries.

But what of the whole paragraph about how he could have won against his barons without resorting to violence? MWT straight TELLS US that he COULD HAVE.
Maybe the answer is in the following sentence? "He might not have followed that bloodier and more costly path, but Eddis and Attolis hadn't offered him the choice." Perhaps they were worried about the cost of him doing it on his own. Lots of dead troops, maybe even Sophos among them. And what would happen to their grand plan then?

[freenarnian]

I hadn't considered the angle that Gen's meddling and maneuvering was in part motivated by a determination not to let Sophos die in the attempt, however brave or noble or necessary for [insert non-personal political reason here], but that DOES sound like Gen. We've seen the lengths he'll go to once he's got his heart set on a person. I can just imagine it...

Gen, sitting bolt upright in bed: "I know, I'll give him a concealed weapon! Just in case."
Irene: "...NOW we're talking. Let's make it TWO concealed weapons."
Gen: "Not that our dear little bunny would ever actually shoot somebody."
Irene: "Certainly not somebody important."
Gen, lover of stupid plans: "Yeah, what could possibly go wrong?"

I mean, what did Sophos expect, honestly, running to the Attolias for help? A dove release?!

:p

[checkers65477]

Hahaha, exactly!

[checkers65477]

Maybe Eddis was also angry because Sophos seemed to be backing out of his proposal once the whole sovereignty issue came up. When he apologizes, Sophos says, "I should have had more faith in you. I understand why you are angry with me: because I disappointed you..."