Thick as Thieves

Thick as Thieves follows Kamet, a highly educated slave and secretary in the Mede Empire who finds himself forced to flee with a mysterious Attolian soldier. The two must traverse dangerous territory while evading imperial forces, each harboring their own secrets and motivations. Set in the rich world of The Queen's Thief series, this standalone novel expands into the powerful Mede Empire, a realm that threatens to consume the smaller kingdoms of Attolia and Sounis. Turner builds on the political intrigue and complex relationships established in previous books while introducing fresh perspectives and territories. The story centers on an unlikely partnership between a privileged slave and a foreign soldier, testing the boundaries of trust, loyalty, and freedom. Through their journey across harsh landscapes, both characters must confront their assumptions about each other and their respective cultures. This entry in the series examines themes of power, identity, and the complex nature of servitude - both literal and metaphorical. The novel questions what it means to be truly free and explores how relationships can transform under extreme circumstances.

Readers note Thick as Thieves works as a standalone story while connecting to Turner's Queen's Thief series. Many praise the unique narrative voice of Kamet and the slow-building friendship between the main characters. Likes: - Character development and relationship dynamics - Cultural worldbuilding and political intrigue - Integration of poetry and stories within the narrative - Satisfying ending that ties into the larger series Dislikes: - Slower pacing in first third of book - Less action than previous books in series - Some found Kamet initially unlikeable - Readers unfamiliar with series missed references Ratings: Goodreads: 4.23/5 (11,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (380+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.2/5 (300+ ratings) Reader quote: "The journey itself is measured and contemplative rather than action-packed, focusing on internal growth and trust."

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🔸 The Queen's Thief series, which includes "Thick as Thieves," has been translated into multiple languages and has won several prestigious awards, including the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award. 🔸 The Mede Empire depicted in the book draws inspiration from various ancient Persian and Mediterranean civilizations, particularly in its portrayal of administrative systems and slave hierarchies. 🔸 Author Megan Whalen Turner spent considerable time researching ancient scribal traditions and the role of educated slaves in historical empires to create Kamet's character authentically. 🔸 The book was published in 2017, marking a seven-year gap since the previous installment in the series, "A Conspiracy of Kings" (2010). 🔸 Turner originally conceived the story of Kamet while writing an earlier book in the series, but waited several volumes to tell it because she felt it needed the right political context within her fictional world.