Finnikin of the Rock
Books | Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Epic
4.1
(167)
Melina Marchetta
2008 Printz Award Winner Melina Marchetta crafts an epic fantasy of ancient magic, exile, feudal intrigue, and romance that rivets from the first page. (Age 14 and up)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.
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More Details:
Author
Melina Marchetta
Pages
416
Publisher
Candlewick Press
Published Date
2010-04-06
ISBN
0763651753 9780763651756
Ratings
Google: 4
Community ReviewsSee all
"What a charming read! I wasn't so sure, going in, how well I would like this. There are few high fantasy novels that I truly love. While there are no elves, orcs, dragons, vampires, shifters or a dormouse to be found, this was just as great as other high fantasy novels. What is scarier to read? About an army of orcs who will destroy everything in sight or the evilness of men? I found what a human would do to gain what they desire at any cost just as frightening. More so, since we've all seen the evilness of man and what one is capable of.<br/><br/>Finnikin was a great character. I loved him from the start. He was humble, sometimes cocky, brave and had a love for his people so great he was willing to do anything to save them. But what I loved about him was his charm. He was genuine. He cares more than he wanted to, the hurt and pain of his people affecting him. He's just barely a man, still needing to grow into his new body, but as I read I could already see the man he would become. He would be a great man, just as great as the father he admired and respected.<br/><br/>The story was great. The pace was excellent, the writing great and the characters were lively. I don't know if I am the only one, but a good amount of books I read tend to have "filler" scenes. Useless to the story, but there to make the book long enough. I tend to skim these scenes with a heavy sigh. Marchetta doesn't pollute her story with filler scenes. The story is full of adventure and mystery.<br/><br/>I don't know why I waited so long to read this one. I wish I had read it sooner, but I'm glad I have finally read it. This was a joy to read."
Aimee Gibson
"I have read this trilogy 3 times and I'm going to read them again. It is so so good"
D H
Deb Hall
"Well written YA Fantasy"
Jessica Norris
"Surprisingly good! I'm glad I went with the recommendation. It's not one I would have picked out myself. I don't feel any particular need to read the other books in the series, as this one came to a very satisfying end. Equal parts dark and brooding and hopeful and good. I enjoyed it."
Roseanna Southcombe
