2008 Printz Award Winner Melina Marchetta crafts an epic fantasy of ancient magic, exile, feudal intrigue, and romance that rivets from the first page.
Finnikin was only a child during the five days of the unspeakable, when the royal family of Lumatere were brutally murdered, and an imposter seized the throne. Now a curse binds all who remain inside Lumatere’s walls, and those who escaped roam the surrounding lands as exiles, persecuted and despairing, dying by the thousands in fever camps. In a narrative crackling with the tension of an imminent storm, Finnikin, now on the cusp of manhood, is compelled to join forces with an arrogant and enigmatic young novice named Evanjalin, who claims that her dark dreams will lead the exiles to a surviving royal child and a way to pierce the cursed barrier and regain the land of Lumatere. But Evanjalin’s unpredictable behavior suggests that she is not what she seems — and the startling truth will test Finnikin’s faith not only in her, but in all he knows to be true about himself and his destiny.
There are no words.
Somehow, this author managed to excel in writing beautiful prose, conveying a powerful message, portraying so amazing characters and making me swoon with the romance. I didn't feel as though this book was solely focused on one thing, be it characters, plot, a love story, or action. It adressed each as it should, as if it was life.
At first, I wasn't sure this would make it to my favorites. I loved the prose, but it was a little slow for me. Maybe I just wasn't allowing myself to enjoy it... Meh.
But shit hit the fan pretty hard in part two and I completely changed my mind. Cannot wait to get my hands on Froi of the Exiles.
Reading updates
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Started reading
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5 February, 2015:
Finished reading
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5 February, 2015:
Reviewed