The Beggar Queen (Westmark Trilogy)

Rating:
Summary: Confusing Swashbuckler
Review: I definitely prefer Lloyd Alexander's fantasy world to his realistic fiction set in mini monarchies. Perhaps it's because I have not read the first two books in his Westmark series, but I was confused by the very complex plot--multiple schemes and counterschemes of many characters--to keep things straight.
I was relatively indifferent to most of their opposing political goals, though I sympathized with the romantic threads. It was not clear which characters I was suppposed to support over others. Besides the casts of thousands, Beggar Queen presents most of them with nicknames which do not always indicate gender. Also readers must perform mental gymnastics to keep track of events which are happening concurrently to several charactrers, resulting in literary as well as political confusion.

This book includes the usual Adventure Tale traits: fast-paced action, diabolical subterfuge--fiendishly foiled--loyalty, sacrifice and military strategy. Never underestimate the role and the will of the long-trampled People to empower their own destiny! On a a serious note, the author examines the case for and against Monarchy in general. I seriously urge Alexander afficionados to read the first two books in this trilogy before tackling this one. His fans will enjoy this book the more for recognizing many old friends and enemies from the previous stories. And for ultimately determining the fate of Westmark. ???

Rating:
Summary: Confusing Swashbuckler
Review: I definitely prefer Lloyd Alexander's fantasy world to his realistic fiction set in mini monarchies. Perhaps it's because I have not read the first two books in his Westmark series, but I was confused by the very complex plot--multiple schemes and counterschemes of many characters--to keep things straight.
I was relatively indifferent to most of their opposing political goals, though I sympathized with the romantic threads. It was not clear which characters I was suppposed to support over others. Besides the casts of thousands, Beggar Queen presents most of them with nicknames which do not always indicate gender. Also readers must perform mental gymnastics to keep track of events which are happening concurrently to several charactrers, resulting in literary as well as political confusion.

This book includes the usual Adventure Tale traits: fast-paced action, diabolical subterfuge--fiendishly foiled--loyalty, sacrifice and military strategy. Never underestimate the role and the will of the long-trampled People to empower their own destiny! On a a serious note, the author examines the case for and against Monarchy in general. I seriously urge Alexander afficionados to read the first two books in this trilogy before tackling this one. His fans will enjoy this book the more for recognizing many old friends and enemies from the previous stories. And for ultimately determining the fate of Westmark. ???

Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Read
Review: I remember reading this book for the first time - over eight years ago as a ten-year-old. Each of the several dozen times since that I have re-read it, I discover new things to love. Alexander writes so beautifully that not a single word is wasted; he creates images that linger in the reader's head for much longer than the average writer's creations. His protagonist, Theo, is so vivid, so real, so painfully human that you agonize with him over every decision and gasp with him at every tug on his heartstrings. You also laugh with him, but the humor in this and the other Westmark trilogy members is comic relief. I've read that this series is too dark for children, but I would say that, for an thoughtful reader, the Westmark trilogy is perfect. Although the series has been targeted by publishers toward a younger age group, teenagers and adults (I convinced my mother to read the series) would appreciate it as well.

Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Read
Review: I remember reading this book for the first time - over eight years ago as a ten-year-old. Each of the several dozen times since that I have re-read it, I discover new things to love. Alexander writes so beautifully that not a single word is wasted; he creates images that linger in the reader's head for much longer than the average writer's creations. His protagonist, Theo, is so vivid, so real, so painfully human that you agonize with him over every decision and gasp with him at every tug on his heartstrings. You also laugh with him, but the humor in this and the other Westmark trilogy members is comic relief. I've read that this series is too dark for children, but I would say that, for an thoughtful reader, the Westmark trilogy is perfect. Although the series has been targeted by publishers toward a younger age group, teenagers and adults (I convinced my mother to read the series) would appreciate it as well.

Rating:
Summary: Confusing
Review: I think that the book The Beggar Queen is a little confusing because its just that like all of a sudden a character pops up out of no where. ANd i really dont understand it! i have to take a test on it tomorrow and i really dont understand it and i am having to read a HALF of the book tonite then skimmin and scannin it ... so yeh

~~Katie

Rating:
Summary: One of My Favorite Series
Review: READ THESE BOOKS!!!!!! I offer you no other option, these are all three simply amazing books, and this one is especially good, mainly because I'm absolutely crazy about Mickle and here she finally comes into herself completely, it's just amazing. I personally find it a travesty that The Kestrel is out of print,it's really the pivotal novel to the series, it's so important. I will never undrstnad how it is that these books never became as popular as Lloyd Alexander's Prydain books which I was never overly fond of. How it is that they are still all in print and the middle of this amazing series, truly Lloyd Alexander's best work (I should know, I've read them all), is absent is just astonishing beyond words. READ THESE BOOKS!!!! Lend them to all your friends,spread the joy!!!!

Rating:
Summary: The Billy Wilder of Children's Literature
Review: The Beggar Queen is a marvelous conclusion to one of the best and most overlooked series of young adult literature.

In The Beggar Queen, Cabbarus holds a coup in Marianstat, and he takes over the country. Luckily, Mickle, Theo, and Florian escape into hiding, and they have to try to gain their country back and put a democracy in place. Theo and Mickle are forced to build a resistance movement in the city. Theo is once again forced to resume his role of Colonel Kestrel and fight his personal demons. The people of the city are forced to undergo a baptism of fire to gain their freedom.

In The Beggar Queen, Alexander once again uses accessible characters, romance, and an exciting (and twisting) plot to throw light on some difficult issues such as war and terrorism. Theo has to grapple with himself. He is a leader, and how many of the lives his people should be on his head? Are they dying because of flaws in his own character? The final book also serves to make the trilogy into a Billy Wilderesque study of life during war. The books present the world in an absolute mess. The novels are at times grim. Alexander doesn't spare lives. The country in war presents people (even good guys) consumed by hate. Yet through all of the mess, the love found in good people finds a way to survive.

The Beggar Queen and the rest of the Westmark Trilogy cannot be overrated. The three novels teach lessons and go places where no other young adult novel has ever gone. They are landmarks of young adult publishing, and even of literature in general. Hopefully, the trilogy will one day gain a larger readership and gain the respect that it truly deserves.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful conclusion to the trilogy
Review: _The Beggar Queen_ is a wonderful conclusion to the Westmark trilogy. Each book in this trilogy is increasingly more complex -- addressing thorny issues such as terrorism and violence through extremely accessible characters. Alexander continues the development of Theo's character (which was so drastic in _The Kestrel_), while maintaining the strength of some of the secondary characters. Alexander's ability to present grand issues against such human figures as Weasel, Keller, and Count Las Bombas emphasizes both the difficulty and importance of these issues. Cabbarus's return to Westmark forces all of the characters to make decisions about their beliefs. Theo must decide whether he will follow Justin's violent lead -- a decision complicated by personal guilt. Mickle's behavior as queen is contrasted against King Constantine's more selfish outlook.

The miracle of this novel -- and of this trilogy in general -- is that Alexander addresses these issues so skillfully that the reader does not feel that the author is preaching. Rather, the reader enjoys a satisfying adventure and romance -- with the added benefit of a broadened mind. END