Scan barcode
A review by bzliz
Thick as Thieves by Megan Whalen Turner
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This installment of the series returns to a true adventurous spirit. Kamet is the slave and secretary to the former Mede ambassador embarrassed by the Queen of Attolia. After the pair flee the country and return home, it’s back to life as usual but his enslaver continues having bad luck and ends up poisoned, to the best of Kamet’s knowledge. This event leads to him joining up with an Attolian soldier sent to steal him away anyway. Kamet and Costis join forces to power across land and sea and learn the power of friendship along the way.
It should be obvious to anyone who has read the previous books that the soldier is Costis but Kamet only refers to him as “the Attolian” until the end. I like this because a large part of Kamet’s growth is learning that other cultures and peoples are not lesser just because they’re different. The intercut tales largely pertain to two friends helping each other out of scraps and being able to pick up slack for the other, which is a perfect parallel to Kamet and Costis becoming friends on their journey.
A large portion of the book deals with the brutal reality of slaves including the hierarchy within enslaved people, different jobs they’re expected to do, bounty catchers looking for escaped slaves and more. Kamet deals with some Stockholm Syndrome-y feelings about his former master and the duo are pursued multiple times. Readers sensitive to the topic of slavery should avoid this one.
It should be obvious to anyone who has read the previous books that the soldier is Costis but Kamet only refers to him as “the Attolian” until the end. I like this because a large part of Kamet’s growth is learning that other cultures and peoples are not lesser just because they’re different. The intercut tales largely pertain to two friends helping each other out of scraps and being able to pick up slack for the other, which is a perfect parallel to Kamet and Costis becoming friends on their journey.
A large portion of the book deals with the brutal reality of slaves including the hierarchy within enslaved people, different jobs they’re expected to do, bounty catchers looking for escaped slaves and more. Kamet deals with some Stockholm Syndrome-y feelings about his former master and the duo are pursued multiple times. Readers sensitive to the topic of slavery should avoid this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Violence
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Miscarriage
I’ve tagged miscarriage because near the end of the book it is revealed that the Queen of Attolia had been pregnant and lost the baby. The court is all affected by this and mourn the loss. The Queen must recover but is alright.