Community Read-along: A Conspiracy of Kings section 1

[an_english_girl]

Welcome back to the community read-along of all the books (so far!). This week, we’re starting A Conspiracy of Kings, reading from the start of the Prologue “The king of Attolia was passing....” to the end of Chapter 12 “...You came in. And you laughed.” Thirteen chapters sounds like a lot, but some of them are actually very short, so please

Comments

Reunion

[an_english_girl]

“To answer many questions about where you have been and what has become of you, since they saw you last...”

No doubt about it, this prologue is one of the most tantalising ever! First, MWT reminds us all just how good she is at showing without telling anything - hands up if you didn’t realise it was Sophos and the Magus! - and even once we know a thousand more questions spring up. Travelling? Robbed? The new face of Sophos?

Then there’s also one of the most human sides of Gen we see or have seen, in greeting both the Magus and Sophos - a useful reminder that Gen is still Gen as well as Attolis, when he promptly goes on to become so distant.

What do you think? Even on the umpteenth re-read, is it humanly possible to put the book down at this point?

Favourite line: “You know, I don’t think you’re allowed to treat me like this.”

Re: Reunion

[checkers65477]

I do love that line. It's just so...Sophos-y. It reminds me of TT when he says, "I swim very well!"

I did suspect right away that it was Sophos, but I'll admit to knowing that the book was about him.

Re: Reunion

[an_english_girl]

"...I'll admit to knowing the book was about him..."
Was this something to do with the error in the Amazon sample that let people read about half the book?!? ;P
It's one of the lovely things about Sophos that he has such a gentle sense of humour.

Life -- and death -- at the villa

[an_english_girl]

This section marks the return to first-person narrative, like Gen’s in The Thief. I enjoyed it, particularly because I admire the way MWT has made it sound not at all like Gen. Also, after two books without Sophos, it was so nice to have LOTS of him

Re: Life -- and death -- at the villa

[checkers65477]

A theme which runs through the whole of ACoK is Sophos making plans.

Yes, that struck me, too. And he doesn't give himself credit for how quick a thinker he is, in addition to being a good judge of character.

I'm impressed how the first-person writing from Gen's POV and Sophos's are so different. I love Sophos's voice so much because he is so self conscious and has so many self doubts. He's always putting himself down and second guessing every thought and action. That makes his growth in this book so delightful. Gen wasn't forced to change--he chose to make changes in his life. Sophos wasn't really forced, either. Eventually, he makes the decision to leave captivity and assume his role as heir and later king.

Re: Life -- and death -- at the villa

[an_english_girl]

But Sophos' circumstances did change, with the kidnap, whereas Gen /chose/, at least in The Thief, to go and try to steal the gift.
You're right, he doesn't credit himself for the quick thinking. And given the escape plan hatched at the Baron's dinner, he really ought to!

Re: Life -- and death -- at the villa

[mander_lee]

I love Sophos's voice so much because he is so self conscious and has so many self doubts. He's always putting himself down and second guessing every thought and action. That makes his growth in this book so delightful.

This is why, even though I love Eugenides and Attolia, my love for Sophos is on another level. I have a soft spot for characters like this! (Which is probably why I really loved Maia from The Goblin Emperor as well!)

An unexpected escape

[an_english_girl]

Sophos hatches another plan, for his own escape from the slavers. Does it work better this time because he finally uses some of his assessments of people’s characters, ie Berrone’s kind heartedness and the slaver guard’s greed?

It seems like it’s working, too - before Berrone unknowingly drops the information about her father!

How much sense can you make so far of the abduction plot?

Life and learning

[an_english_girl]

Sophos becomes a field-hand, and gets a new name/nickname. Is this section the equivalent of Gen’s Winter of Whining?

At the same time as Rural Life becomes a major feature, another library appears, this time with a rather tantalising haul of book titles and Moira as tutor, though Sophos doesn’t recognise her. His “studies” and life start to relate to each other, with particular emphasis on the nature and qualities of monarchy. How do all the monarchs in ACoK measure up?

There’s also what Gen would have called “an instructive story.” The immediate parallel is quite clear, but is it relevant that it leaves Sophos with a whole pile of questions?

On a less important point, what do you think the Magus had been doing in a library in Ferria?

An unexpected rescue

[an_english_girl]

In many senses!

Firstly, Sophos faces the hardest choice of his life. Are there certain echoes of Eddis' very long pause before she lets Gen go to steal the Queen of Attolia here? More so because with the example of the Mephians discussed among the field-hands in the previous chapter, we know his "stay safely put" option isn't really an option, just as Eddis knows she can't stay put on the Sacred Mountain?

Choice made, and the next Plan by Sophos. This time, crunch time, it really works -- given a dozen or more adjustments, reverses, wild strokes of luck and so on! Sophos combines both his mind and his physical strength - “I hit him with the accumulated force of a thousand thousand shovelfuls of dirt.” A couple of points spring to mind: Why does Sylvie the maid go along with Sophos’ deception when she has seen at least part way through it?
And when Baron Hanaktos recognises Sophos, is it as Sophos or because he looks so like Sounis?

Re: An unexpected rescue

[mander_lee]

"I hit him with the accumulated force of a thousand thousand shovelfuls of dirt."

This is such an iconic moment for me the first time I read ACoK. One of the most unforgettable lines in the entire series!

Because Sylvie is hip and cool! Just kidding. Well, she probably thinks that Sophos is earnest in his need for help, and would not intentionally hurt Berrone.

Oh, I thought Baron Hanaktos recognizes Sophos, and becomes incensed that he was there the entire time in his land, and he never knew!