A Conspiracy of Kings

A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner, 2010 Eos

     Sophos has been exiled to his father's island property to learn how to be king. His uncle gives up on the scholar and marries to get an heir. Meanwhile Sounis is still at war with both Attolia and his barons. When Sophos is kidnapped and believes his family murdered the young man is forced to harden into a warrior.
     While Sounis is at war with his rebelling barons, his nephew is hidden on the conspiracy leader's estate serving as a slave: building rock walls to create terraces across the landscape, mending tools, and any other work the weather allows. As summer transitions into fall the king's armies begin to falter and Sophos's father visits his slavemaster.
     At first Sophos hopes to catch his father's eye and be freed, but when his father doesn't recognize him, Sophos realizes he must escape. In the midst of his plannings he discovers the baron plans to kill the king's brother; if his plan to escape will succeed, Sophos finds he must save his father from certain death. Sophos's father is glad to see his so alive, and eagerly agrees to the plans which will allow him to survive the conspiracy leader's trap.
     Once they escape Sophos discovers his uncle has died and he is Sounis. The new king is hesitant of his path, but certain he must speak to his old friend Eugenides who has become king of Attolia. Traveling in secret to evade his rebellion, Sophos makes his way through Eddis to Attolia. The Gen he discovers there is distant and removed from their previous association, more concerned with the well-being of his country than maintaining his friendship. Sophos doesn't know how to deal with this apparent loss of his closest friend, but through conversation with Eddis and Attolia (Helen and Irene) he discovers Attolis is acting in the best interests of the entire peninsula, while Gen wants to assist his friend as best he can.
     After much conversation and debate Sophos manages a treaty with Attolis which will cement his role as Sounis. Attolis will send a select group of troops to set down the rebellion, and it is up to the new Sounis to use his tools properly. But when the Mede Empire invades, all bets are off and Sounis prepares to fight to the last.
     Throughout the political maneuvering and struggle to live, Sophos hopes for a romance with the Queen of Eddis and manages to rekindle the friendship he once had with Gen, and through him a friendly respect for Irene, Queen Attolia. He grows into his role as king as he fights to become Sounis and the change from the Sophos of The Thief is remarkable. Readers of all ages can enjoy the vivid characters and sharp contrasts of A Conspiracy of Kings, though some political dealings are better appreciated by older readers.