The Beggar Queen

Lloyd Alexander really is a master of his craft. The Beggar Queen is the final installment of the Westmark trilogy. In this book, Queen Mickle/Augusta and her country face the ultimate challenge when deposed chief minister Cabbarus returns to Westmark in force to overthrow the monarchy and set up a dictatorship. Westmark, already in turmoil over the recent war with neighboring kingdom Regia, must decide what it truly wants in its government and how it wants to be ruled. The Beggar Queen is fast-paced, non-stop action. Mickle's governmental reforms have barely taken effect before Cabbarus returns. Even the "good guys" are odds with each other, with differing political ideals and different thoughts on how to achieve those goals. Compromises are made and bargains are struck, but with any political manuevering, the true outcomes cannot be foreseen and characters have to choose between blind faith in each other or acting on what they feel is the best course of action, regardless of the promises made. The Beggar Queen strikes a more serious note than the first two books in the trilogy. Even Count Las Bombas holds back on the offhand, witty comments we're used to reading from before. The tone of the overall book is heavy and solemn - even if the characters win the war, the future after that is very uncertain. It's very bittersweet, all the way to the end, because even if there are happy endings for our friends in Westmark, it's not a perfect ending. This series (with the exception of the first book, Westmark) is probably a little too deep and heavy for younger readers. This would be a good series for pre-teens or teenagers, especially those with an interest in politics. Overall, an excellent read and trilogy, and highly recommended for any lover of good literature.

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.

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.

_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

This book, continues a wonderful legacy. The Westmark trilogy has been ended perfectly and righteously. If you enjoyed the other books, then this will not disapoint. The ending to this trilogy is perfect, Theo and Mickle do something that people really would do. This is a must read!