I don't have my book with me at the moment, so I've forgotten some bits of it, but my reactions:

TQ is definitely the best book Tammy's written. I loved the complexity of the plot, and trying to keep track of all the new characters and what's happening in all the areas of rebellion etc. All the little details and things must have given Tammy a headache but it was most definitly worth it.

I absolutely adored the Darkings!
This is the cutest thing I have ever read:
"Whee!" cried the darking. It spread out two wings to slow it's decent onto Taybur's palm.
I was so amused when Winna called her’s Midget. I loved Trick, and Spot/Secret. I love the way Foul got its name, bless it.

I wasn't sure what to make of Nuritin at first, too. But her no nonsense attitude and that she knew how to use a spear in the market riot and was able to kill of a few people without throwing up. Muchos respect to her, and how she looks after her weapons and treats the Raka with respect at the end.

Any scene that had Aly and Kyprioth in it, too
Especially when Kyprioth was on the verge of killing Aly. Such a fantastic scene. That bit did kind of shock (not sure if that's the right word) me, though. I've been so used to seeing the kinder side of Gods from the other heroines, that I forgot that Gods have their nasty sides, as well. It was a rather refreshing change, along with seeing the Graveyard Hag. Aly's reaction, that if she was going to die, she would die arguing was fabulous, too.

EDIT: I totally agree with you, Becca. I really wanted Aly to die. or suffer fiery godly wrath or something. Or for her to fail without the Graveyard Hag intervening.

The final battle scene is amazing. This bit really did make the book for me:

"Look!" Ulasim bellowed, pointing up to her . His voice rang over the clash of weapons and the shrieks of warriors and Stormwings. "Look at her! There! See our future? See how we can be great?"

I don't know how to explain it, but the emotion I imagine in Ulasim's face at that point before he dies leaves me speechless.

Also, the paragraph where the prophecy members are names, seems so eerie to me.
Dove insisted that Ulasim have a grave beside the steps to the throne hall, covered in malachite and bronze, with a white marble marker staing his name, dates of birth and death, and the simple epitaph THE STRONG ONE. Ochobu was buried on the far side of the steps from her son, her grave covered in lapis and bronze. Her epitaph read THE WISE ONE. In time, Fesgao would join them as the warrior in the old prophecy. Aly knew where she fit in, but she wasn't sure that she wanted a marker on her grave that read THE CUNNING ONE. It seemed to her most fitting that no one know where she was buried at all.


I liked the prison break out, only releasing political prisoners and leaving the murderers and rapists in. The burning of the watchtowers with the wedges under the door, the sinking of the ships, and the removal of the Examples were rather fabulous, too. Also, the human eating fish were a nice touch. It would have been nice if Imajane and Rubinyan had been fed to them.

However, I wasn't completely enamored with the idea of pregnant Aly. The both seem so young to me and it's Aly's first serious relationship, that it's quite early to be getting married and having children.

My other criticism would be the epilogue. The Tortallan people seemed so out of place to me, after being submerged in the Islands, with all these new people, then suddenly all the old favourite pop in at the end.

Hmm, I shall add more when I have some time.

Love struck, I've fallen for a lampost

I really liked TQ. It might have been my favourite book by Tammy if I hadn't hated a big aspect of it. I forget the details since I read it months ago, but here my main thoughts:

Good Stuff

*I think it was Tammy's best plot yet. It was unique and intelligent. It wasn't straight forward and character driven like the rest of the Tortall books. The story was primarily about a culture and their history, not a young girl discovering herself. I also liked how it was more puzzley, not everything was clear cut.

*I'm glad she killed off several mainish characters. Finally! I'm so sick of most the main good characters surviving danger. It's more realistic to have characters you like die during trouble, even if it hurts. I did cry during the scene at the docks where they carry in Elsren's body. I would have liked Aly and Nawat to be killed, but I guess that's hoping for too much.

*Not many fight scenes because the story was more intellectual. Yay! I don't like fight scenes. I usually skim them. I liked how the conflict was resolved through plotting and thinking. It kept my attention.

*The Copper Islands culture. Really interesting and a nice change.

Bad Stuff

*Aly wasn't killed/lost forever. I wasn't seriously expecting that to happen, but I did hope for it.

*Nawat didn't turn back into a crow. I thought Tammy might surprise us and have Nawat go bye-bye. But no, it didn't.

*Sarai got pregnant. Surprisingly, I liked her elopement, as sick of young marriages in Tortall as I am. But was yet another young pregnancy really necessary?

*Dove became queen. I knew before I read the book this would happen, so I wasn't shocked or disapointed. Dove would be so much happier in the field. Yes, she's a better queen than Sarai, but that's not what she'd be happiest doing. I'm not too upset though, I understand her being made queen. And she'll do a good job.

*So many characters were introduced and given parts big enough that you actually had to remember them. I probably mixed up tons of these characters through the book.

*I also didn't get attatched to any characters as I did in the other books. But I guess she'd have to give more time to character developement and less to plot for this to happen, which I wouldn't want.

*This next point is a rant about Nawat and Aly. If you don't want to get offended don't read it.

<RANT>



DID THEY HAVE TO GET MARRIED AND PREGNANT AT SEVENTEEN???? GRRRR! I almost threw my book when I read this. I hate them so much. They are some of the worst characters in the Tortall books. GSFESDLFJ! I hate them. Stupid people. "Oh Aly I am a MAN now. See me being MANLY? Now I will pressure you into sex because I am a MAN." Grrr shut up you stupid crow. She treats you like crap, is spoiled and condescending, and you worship her and can't shut up about being a MAN! Get a backbone and a brain. And then she gets pregnant at 17!!! That part pissed me off so much. Ok, be together, whatever, that's to be expected. But must they get hitched and pregnant so young? BAH!!!! So. Annoying. DSLFJSSESFMSEDF!

I have serious issues with romance in the Tortall books. And this was by far the worse romance. I need to stop thinking about this.



</RANT>

Luv, Bec

"It actually DOES say "Adam and Steve," that's what you get for reading the translation." ~God

I just finished the book and I already need to reread it, because I know there was on part that made me laugh out loud for about five minutes, and I've forgetten it already.

The Good

"Next time, I want a saddle."

The Stormwings saving the children during the riot.

Taybur Sibigat. I love him. For all the reasons you said. You can only have him if you fight me for him. The fact that he has Stormwing friends only makes me love him more.

Aly smiled up at him. "I love you," she replied. "If you get yourself killed, I will be very unhappy with you." I LOVE it when people say that in Tammy's books.

I agree that Dove will make a much better Queen than Sarai.

The Darkings. Adore.

The Not So Good.

All the new people. It wouldn't be so bad if I could pronounce their names, but I kept getting everyone mixed up. Bah.

The ending was a bit sappy. But I'm a big sap, so that's okay.

I think that's it for now. I'll have more later.

  

Okay, haven't read the book since I live up in poopy Alaska and the bookstore I live close too doesn't HAVE it yet and the other bookstore does and I don't have time to go get it. So really I shouldn't be replying to this message but I'm going to anyway. Just because I don't like how some of you are saying awful things about Aly and Nawat.

Granted in this day and age it is NOT a good idea for 17 year old's to get married and have sex and have children. But in that time period (and in her own little world) it is okay. And this is Tammy's creation, if thats what she wants its her tapstery to weave. Plus, no one had a HUGE problem about Daine and Numair, considering how much older Numair was than Daine and that she has already had a child and she is not SO much older than Aly herself. And Aly has already done a lot of growing up for a 17 year old. How many people see so much death and war? It changes you. Makes you older. So she may not be older in body but she is in spirit.

Thats just my opnion, now I must wait on bated breath for tomorrow to come so that I can get the book and read it.

First off: SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Second: Aly and Nawat...swoonsighsquee. Just...wow. I love them together, and, well, if I can't have Nawat...well, Aly can just have him, 'cause no matter how much I want him, they're just SO DAMN CUTE together.

Third: Junai, Ochobu, and Ulasim. I nearly cried. And Dunevon and Elsren? *whimper*

I have to admit, when I finished it, I sat back and had to take A Moment. I guess it was a bit of a Holy-Fricking-Shoot-That-Was-Bloody-Amazing-I-Hope-To-God-I'm-Not-Dreaming-Moment.

I was also incredibly relieved that Dove was queen. Even when I finished Trickster's Choice, I thought to myself, 'Damn, but Dove would be a better queen...she knows stuff, man.' Not to mention she seemed a whole heckuva lot like me...^_^

Loved, loved, LOVED the Ratechul and Joshain Streets. Loved them.

I agree with everyone above that Dove is going to make a better Queen then Sarai. The fact that she dosen't really want the throne, and that she would rather be on the sidelines, is going to make her an even better queen in my opinion. Because she dosen't really want the throne we know she is going to be careful about her power and about listening to others. She is not going to turn into a grasping power hungry monarch. Given Dove's nature I doubt that it would happen, but it is an added assurance in my mind.

And the seasons, they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We're captive on a carousel of time
We can't return we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round in the circle game

WOW I just loooooved this book. It was really really good.

Lets see now...

I liked how this book relied on thought and action to keep the momentum going, I don't think it got boring...because the spy stuff to me was interesting.

I loved how they called her Duani and how she was so....sneaky...I guess like a snake in the grass. Ready to strike leathally when needed.

This book took more emotion from me then the other books. Such as when Elsren died I cried, that scene was so sad...with the limp dead body...and how they waited for so long.

Also when Ochobu, Ulasim and Junai all died. I agree that atleast one generation should have lived. And how ochobu died using her life as her last magic, and Ulasim, how his last words were words of hope and faith in a new queen...

I absolutely loved the Dragon...Nuritin was one of my fav. characters. She reminded me of ochobu in a way. Strong and courageous and powerful both in their own ways. Except Nuritin was a little more open minded in SOME areas.

And how much does everyone just adore the darkings...they were some of my favorite characters in the daine books, but i liked them just as much here.

As to what some of you were saying...
I think Dove is perfect for queen, however I don't get the impression that she doesn't want it. It's more like...she doesn't want to abuse it. I get the impression that she wants to look after her people, and knows she is good for the job if peace is to prevail...she is just more...resigned that she won't have as much privacy anymore...does that make sense?

Also Aly is NOT to young...not in those times. i mean Dove is RULING queen and she is what? 13 I thought it said..or 14? see thats a normal age for responsibilites such as marriage and children...Aly is BEYOND the age.

Nawat and aly are perfect for eachother. Its not too early because she tried A LOT of relationships that didn't work out because they weren't right. But this was her first longterm relationship because it WAS right...so its just the perfect moment. Its not like she is some innocent lambkin being used as a sex toy. Its a mutual relationship with love and respect, they don't boss eachother around...more they tease and get duties done.

And Nawat is not some quivering mass of MAN sexual needs. He just simply stated that he didn't know who he was...crow or man...so he couldn't be with her until he figured it out...plus she wouldn't respect him as a PERSON until he did figure it out. So he went on his own quest, found out who he was...which just happened to be a man. And this is what made him realize they could love eachother. Sexually and intellectually. I don't think it was a command so much as something they new would happen, and SHOULD happen, that was a positive thing not negative. People should be happy, love makes them happy.

Personally I think the story would have been sorely lacking if all Aly had was her spying and some of her friends. The love completed the circle, gave her another hope a hope for her future happily married to a great man.

Yeah so sorry i went on so long, good thing I have to do homework or else this would be twice as long

Loved the book

Good

-More Fesgao. Ye gods, but Tammy is a genius with minor characters.

-TAYBUR. Need I say more?

-Really complex plot, and kept me waiting.

-Best writing.

-Nawat got moody. I <3ed that.

-DARKINGS.


Bad (more descriptive not because I feel more strongly, just cause everyone else is covering the good pretty well.)

- I really didn't care about Aly. At all. She seemed not to have much personality. All she was was a collection of sarcastic, joking remarks and a battle plan. And Nawat. And... something was missing. Like the way she thinks outside of arranging things. Personality.

-Aly pulled a few too many tricks out of the hat for me to be completely comfortable. She's about to be interrogated? Oh! She has special ability to withstand truth potions! She beat Fesgao, a man in the prime of his life who's been fighting all of it, in the practice courts- while she was 'rusty.' And of course the fact that she was the only one who could do half the spy stuff she did. Heaven forbid anyone else think of anything.

-Everybody was being obnoxious to Sarai. I liked her.<to the characters> Well, maybe the reason she was so loud about it was because you didn't TELL her you were doing anything quietly! And why not? No reason! You would have had reason to if she acted like she did in this book during TC, but she DIDN'T. You just randomly GUESSED and left her out. No freakin' duh she got loud about it. And then you act like she doesn't care about her people? GAH. This made me REALLY mad. AND you complained about her only caring about the guys- she only focused on them when you yelled at her for concerning herself about the rebellion! </to the characters>

-What's with Aly's gang or whatever? WHEN did she have time to pull that together, make them THAT loyal to her, and TRAIN them PERSONALLY?

Uhrm. That's all for now.

I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck
with a pink carnation and a pickup truck

I don't like Nawat. He's too wishy-washy for me. I think he should have turned back into a crow and Aly should have married Taybur. He was great.

come see my website! www.youthwillmakeadifference.org We need members, so JOIN!

-Sarah

THE GOOD

Taybur: Awesome new character, loads of fun without being a cliché.

The plot/politics: Tammy, absolutely fabulous job in this respect. I loved the plot, the intrigue, and the politics.

Imajane: My fave evil female character by far. She totally out-does Josiane and Delia.


THE BAD

Aly/Nawat: IMHO, Aly and Taybur had much more chemistry. Nawat just doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would make a girl like Aly happy. *shrugs* Maybe, like Alanna/George, it will grow on me (yes, I was an A/J fan at first).

Dunevon and Elsren: Not necessarily bad, just very sad. *sniffles*

George: Well, for some reason after reading this, I keep thinking of George as Sir Francis Walsingham. Maybe it's the spymaster thing? Anyhoo, George as Geoffrey Rush (as in, Elizabeth) is kind of a bizarre thought.


THE AESTHETICALLY-CHALLENGED

The ending: *shrugs* I'm not exactly gung-ho about the way the book wraps up. Obviously, the Alanna/Aly reconciliation was necessary given the reason Aly left Pirate's Swoop in the first place. My feelings towards the Aly/Nawat pairing might also have something to do with this. But...I don't know. I wanted Thom and Alan to have lines or something.

I agree with positively everything you said. Apparently our opinions of the book were exactly the same.

The dying did make me very sad. I almost started to cry at the part with Dunevon and Elsren, and again with Ochobu, and AGAIN with Ulasim and Junai. SO sad.

I also agree that it did move slowly, especially in the first half. The second half picked up a lot, but before the first lunar eclipse it really dragged. Still, I suppose all the information had its relevance, so it all had to be included.

The end bit with all the other characters getting their brief cameos was nice. Too short, in my opinion - I wanted to see Aly actually talk with some of them besides George and Alanna. Poor Alanna seems so old. It was sweet getting to see Daine's kids - Sarralyn sounds so adorable. I want a book about her. Now. I didn't really like that Daine changed her last name, although it says in the glossary she really just tacked Salmalin on to the end and kept Sarrasri as well.

The DARKINGS. They were SO awesome. Trick and Secret especially, although they're really the only ones you actually get to know. But YAY.

Dude. Taybur rocked. I want him and Dove to get together. And Dove as queen really worked out. In TC I was more rooting for Sarai, but I'm glad it happened as it did. Dove really would have made a better queen.

Nuritin was good too. I didn't really like her at the beginning, but by the end I thought she was a lot better. It worked out the same as Ochobu, with the whole prickly-old-lady thing.

Wow. I'm practically repeating your post. But my opinion is so similar.

Just Finished: Vacations From Hell by Libba Bray, etc.
Currently Reading: The Singing by Alison Croggon

Novel Count for 2010: 26

Like most people, I loved Taybur. I think he was the best part of the book.

Other than Taybur though, I dunno...I thought Tricksters Queen kind of fell flat. Aly seemed really two dimensional to me, and Nawat must have lost his personality somewhere in the jungle. Their relationship in particular, seemed like it was just thrown in there so the books would have some romance in them.

The Sarai thing drove me up the wall. I mean, yes, she was incredibly annoying for the first half of the book, but I found that the only thing more annoying than her being there was her NOT being there. She had almost no presence in the book when she WAS there, too--I feel like it might have even been better if she was just killed off in Tricksters Choice, since she played next to no role in Tricksters Queen.

I wasn't crazy about the ending, either. It felt like it was just a bunch of old favorites thrown into a room so that the fandom would be happy. I mean, did Daine and Numair even talk? I understood that she needed a reconciliation with Alanna, but it wasn't all that much of a reconciliation. I think that if would have been a little better if maybe only George and Alanna were there, and they had had an actual conversation with Aly, instead of a, "Hi, bye, have a nice life," sort of thing.

Reading that, it sounds like I hated the book. Well, I didn't HATE it exactly, though I didn't like it that much. I liked Taybur, though. The whole scene where Dunevon and Elsren die was really well done, and created some intense mental images. And I thought the final battle, especially Dove on the kudarang, was pretty awesome.

~Kiz~

Reading through all of your posts, I have to say I agree with most of your points. Especially about why the book was good.

Then why do I feel like I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as all of you?

Sure, I enjoyed it. A lot. But it just didn't do it for me like the Immortals and Lioness books did. Maybe it's just me. I prefer boks with more character development, as opposed to intricate plot mos to fhte time. The majority of TQ just bored me. Sure, I could appreciate that it was great writing. But it just didn't hook me. I love Aly and Nawat, but I enjoyed reading about them more in TC. I realize they needed to change to be together, and I liked how they ended up.

I just didn't get the same happy feelings reading this book. Is it just, me? Am I weird, or was this book really written differently than her others.

This upsets me. After hearing about how great it was, I expected different. Sure, Tammy did a FABULOUS job writing. I could tell how hard it was to keep all the details straight. But it just left me kind of indifferent.

Edit: I just wanted to elaborate on something. I think that I prefer books that focus more on character development, and what they are feeling and get you to connect with them and love them. I love this about Tammy's writing. I just think TQ focused less on this and more on plot.

I liked it a lot. But there's this thing, and it happened when I was reading TC, too. It's like I want to continue reading it, yet it's not one of those OH-MY-GOD-I-CAN'T-PUT-IT-DOWN books.

I think all of the characters did a lot of growing up in this book. Nawat became a self-proclaimed man, Sarai realized what love really was, and Aly became more appreciative of her family. And she's having a kid, so she better be grown up. Dove was just how she always was.

These 2 books are the most realistic Tammy's ever written, I think, and for some reason that makes them slightly less great to me. Some of the sentences were confusing, a little. But overall, I did like them. I just like Alanna's and Daine's books better. TC and TQ are much, much better than PotS, though.

And, for the record, while I liked the Alanna's daughter theme, I don't want there to be Sarralyn books. Daine is the original; I don't care about her daughter. I do want there to be young Numair books. Oh yes, always more Numair.