Just wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. Okay how do I even sum up this book? If this book could be summed up in wows it would have infinite wows. 
 ^See that sentence? Prime book blogging material right there I give myself an A+ 
 The Philosopher Kings is book 2 of The Just City. It's been 15 years since the great debate and The Just City splitting up into 5 cities each with their own views on what it takes to pursue excellence. 
 This story still follows Apollo trying to learn the full scope of what it is to be human and be his best self as well as all his children. Arete is only girl quickly became my favourite character. 
 Arete is full of whimsy, a bright girl who wants to be more, who truly is part of Plato's vision of excellence, even named Excellence she's the butt of every pun. When the cities split up all the amazing art rescued from the ages stayed in the main city causing others to become jeleous and a civil war to ensure in form of art raids. Cities vs Cities stealing sculptures and paintings, people being killed trying to procure and protect. 
 After a killing that effect Apollo deeply he sets off for vengeance and of course discovers a whole new set of human emotions while grieving, in his grief he realises how barbaric everyone has been acting and sets to make everything right again. 
 This is truly bare bones of the story Walton really delivers something amazing that cannot be summed up in a review, Apollo's warring emotions, he's children coming into their demi god status, and of course the nature of being Just. 
 I have never read anything like this story and while some parts are a little long-winded and slow all together the book is a combo of Greek mythology, historical fiction, and sci fi and how could I not love that?! 
 Spoilers coz I have things to yell about: 
 (view spoiler)[ 
 First off Zeus just comes in like excuse me sir I just need to take these little shits for a time out, then he's all I'm gonna destroy your experiment sorry kids :/ 
 THEN HE PICKS THEM UP AND MOVES THEM TO A NEW PLANET?!!!?? 
 A NEW PLANET WITH ALIENS AND GREEK CULTURE MIXED TOGETHER WHAT WHAT? I need the next book right now (hide spoiler)]