Customer Reviews

Finnikin of the Rock

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Despite not really knowing when this story takes place or where exactly - the reader is provided with a map of the island (presumably) as well as the actual kingdom Finnikin of the Rock and his family, friends and people live in. All in all, however, all of this does not really matter once the story truly unfolds - and unfolding it does Big Time!
Essentially a tale about displaced people due to greed - as so often happens - who, eventually, start fighting back and hard ... with an unusual and very unsuspected instigator. Our heroes literally travel from one end of their known world to the other, overcoming obstacles all along their way and finally finding what they are looking for and actually never knew they were looking for in the first place. Their `instigator' slowly makes them see what is actually important - to live rather than simply recording death and feeling sorry for their people who all appear to have given up hope of ever returning home or are simply waiting for someone else to come up with an idea. In comes Evangeline ...
Yup - a woman saves the day ... yet again. I'm not sure whether this has to do with the author being female and the fact that we all too often get to read books on how the damsel in distress is saved by the big strong male or whether literature in general is changing - but that does not really matter. In fact, men and women working together is all important and Melina Marchetta spins a wonderful yarn from beginning to end proving just that. Well Done :)

Finnikin has had the world on his shoulders since the age of nine. Although not yet men, Prince Balthazar, Lucien, and he promised to protect the royal family for the rest of their lives.

The boys are unaware that in a short time their world will be torn apart; the royal family murdered, and their country in despair.

In ten years time, Finnikin and Evanjalin, a novice of a Goddess, work towards ending the terrible rule over the people of Lumatere.

FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK is spoken through the hand of a true fantasy writer, Melina Marchetta. Validly, a world is created all on its own full of mystery, adventure, and both romantic and horrifying surprises.

From beginning to end, every character is cherished and their flaws and strengths are examined openly - especially in the prolonged development of the relationship between Finnikin and Evanjalin, when each reveal they want something more than companionship but believe the fate of the world is more important than happiness.

Reviewed by: AdrienneBe