In structure the book is a departure from its prequel as well as from the majority of fantasy novels. The Thief is a fast-moving quest-adventure tale in which the suspense centers around "Will they get the magic artifact?" and "What danger lurks just ahead?" The Queen of Attolia starts off with a tense, suspenseful opening, but when Eugenides returns to Eddis, the story's focus widens. He is still the main character, but the novel begins to deal with the affairs of state of at least two countries.

This shift results in a change of pace.

Whereas the first part of the book is headlong action, the rest of it mixes ordinary scenes of dialogue and event with two other, quieter types of narrative. A great deal of information is given on strategic factors and the shifting alliances among the countries. Some of it comes out in...