The Queen's Thief Series by Megan Whalen Turner

Books in this series:
(1) The Thief
(2) The Queen of Attolia
(3) The King of Attolia
(4) A Conspiracy of Kings

Author: Megan Whalen Turner
Source: Borrowed
Format: Paperback except #4
Genre: Speculative Fiction - Fantasy

Enthralling. Captivating. Amazing. These are among the best words that I can use to summarise how I feel towards this fabulous series. The moment I start reading the first book, The Thief, I have a feeling that right then I’m holding something unique, I’m diving into something spectacular and I believe – without any doubt – that these books have the capability to sweep me away. After finishing all four books in a span of less than a week, my earlier prediction turns out to be true. I have unquestionably fallen deeply in love with this series. Written in a simplistic ways with a very comfortable pacing, The Queen's Thief is indeed a series that's full with surprises and I hope that I can deliver this review spoiler free while at the same time showing all of you what is it that I love about this series.

In The Thief, readers are being introduced to the most important character in the entire series – Eugenides or in short, “Gen”. He is young. He is hilarious. He is egocentric. And most crucial of all, he is the thief. He claims that he is genius enough to steal everything but apparently, he is also foolish enough that he brags about his most recent stealing activity at a bar, which leads to his imprisonment in a jail at Sounis. One day, the King’s Magus offers him freedom but in return he has to steal something for him. Here is where everything begins, where Gen and his companions – The Magus, his apprentices, Sophos and Ambiades, and a guard named Pol – start their adventure across three adjacent kingdoms, Sounis, Eddis and Attolia, to retrieve something no one else really believes exists. Narrated by the humorous Gen himself, readers get to see glimpses of his own thoughts and a delicious, detail account of his dazzling journey.

However, one thing that Gen – at all time – manage to keep to himself is the fact that he is actually more than what he lets everyone else sees. How clever this smelly, constantly starving character really is? Pieces by pieces of this intricate puzzle are being revealed rather slowly in the subsequent volumes in the series. It is surprising to me that The Queen of Attolia, The King of Attolia and A Conspiracy of Kings are no longer being narrated by Gen but from the eyes of two queens, a king and a mere guard. This drastic change is absolute necessary as the pace of the series moves up a notch and the plot thickens and becomes more complicated. Here we can see where Eugenides true power really lies and eventually finds out what other intricate things that this amazing character is able to steal.

While it is clear that I am terribly in love with the main character, Eugenides, the female figures in these books are also ones to be admired. Both queen of Eddis and Attolia portray two very strong-willed ladies with heads of their own. This is something that I think I rarely see in today’s books. The way they handle matters in hands are incredible and creepy at times too. Another aspect that really drew me into these books is the author’s way of establishing romance between Euginedes and his lady. You won’t find any “I love you’s” nor any scenes that clearly indicates that these two are in love. Though what is lack in words are made up through gestures, which ends up thoroughly melt and warm my heart. Little words do speak volume, these books really prove that.

Overall, this series is definitely my best read for this year. I know there are still months till the end of 2010, but these books have set the bar so high that I doubt any other books can beat it. While I cannot reveal what other things that Eugenides successfully steal in this series, I can tell you that in the span of few days, he had snuck into my senses and completely steal my heart.

Favourite Quote: You are treasure beyond any price - Eugenides

A hidden germ that should be praise, should be loved, and should be devoured.. This is definitely a series that gets into your heart and is there to stay. One word of advice is that try not to read any synopsis of the books in this series since they contain some major spoiler that could ruin some shocking surprises for you.