reading this book is like coming home

[jade_sabre]

OH MY GOD

IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR SINCE I READ THE QUEEN OF ATTOLIA

no wonder this reread feels so good. especially after Nobody's Princess because I am suddenly sick of reading about chicks who sneak out and learn how to fight and do "manly" things because "girls are just as good as boys at manly things and who says they're manly anyway" I mean not that I disagree with that sentiment but it's all well and good for Helen that she gets to sneak out and learn this stuff but you know what think of all the other women who couldn't. (Also I think, philia_fan, I finally understand what you mean by "why does this book have a sequel that makes me like it less" syndrome.)

One of the cool things about Attolia is that while she can embroider up a storm, she's also a really competent leader. These other books seem to dismiss the other women doing all the embroidering because it's so boring and all they ever do is gossip. Well, Attolia not only embroider, but also spied and prepared her husband's poison. And yes, she envied Eddis the lack of velvets and the running and playing with her cousins, and yes, she was unhappy, but she still ended up holding onto her country and having a ton of power and staying on the playing field until she finally found someone with whom she could share her burden, without becoming any less of what she was.

One of the things I liked a lot about Crown Duel was the fact that the women had all sorts of secret codes and undercurrents of intrigue that were all communicated through things like fans. I think sometimes in an author's haste to provide a really strong female character, she ignores all the wonderful chances for subtlety that were, in fact, what most women had to deal in.

Also, this time around? The parallels of Gen's and Attolia's insomnia. Will be trying to form some sort of thoughts about this.

TIME FOR NOTORIOUS

Comments

[jade-sabre-301.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's definitely a preponderance thing. Like, in this book, I was fine with Helen learning to use swords and stuff--oh, this could be interesting--but then it started going out of control. Like, I don't want to read about her going after the Golden Fleece. I want to read about her taking the lessons she learned and applying them to life at home.

(No I have not. Is it good?)

ANY TIME, RED.

I just can't figure out what it means! He can't sleep because he's a thief, she can't sleep because she cut off his hand...he has nightmares because she cut off his hand...*keeps working*

[idiosyncreant.livejournal.com]

Seven Daughters and Seven Sons is generally a favorite with anyone I respect who's read it. (Well, girls. But not only girls.)

Eugenides is nocturnal, this is established. Since Attolia is in so much jeopardized power, I think she's used to needing to operate at night, too, though not as much as him. And there's the whole sneaking-through-her-room thing which is a trope Twilight warped, but has it own little illicit sparkle anyway. So it's like a chain-reaction, just like everything about their relationship.

Whoa, I think I just struck on something new.