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Feb 08, 2012

Tatiana rated it:

As seen on The Readventurer

My second reading of Finnikin of the Rock and I am changing my mind - 5 stars!

Now, when I have more fantasy under my belt to compare this book to, I am pretty confident it offers something that many others in the genre don't. This is a fantasy that is not drowned in clunky, 1000-pages long world-building, this is a book about people. People whose country is torn into pieces, people exiled from their homeland, lost, damaged, abused men, women and chi More...

33 comments like (69 people liked it)

Dec 21, 2011

Lora rated it:

Often times, when an author is highly talented in their genre, they don't do as well when trying their hand at another. Especially when the two genres in question are as dissimilar as realism and fantasy. Naturally, this sort of thing isn't a problem for an author like Melina Marchetta. As if being the fan proclaimed Queen of YA realistic fiction wasn't enough, she had to go and write Finnikin of the Rock and prove to her fans and critics alike that labels and genres mean nothing to her, that sh More...

25 comments like (41 people liked it)

Jul 30, 2011

Jillian -always aspiring- rated it:

(First read: March 1, 2010)

Let me warn you right now: this is a gushing review. I have no qualms in saying I loved this book. There's just no way around it: I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK.

Now that that's out of the way -- on to the actual review.

For those of you who don’t want to read a long review, let me summarize it this way: If you like stories that draw on things like Shakespearean works (Macbeth and Hamlet came to mind), classic fantasy (such as The Lord More...

13 comments like (45 people liked it)

Dec 16, 2011

Arlene rated it:

“Finn, listen!” Trevanion (Finnikin’s father) said, his voice raw. “I prayed to see you one more time. It’s all I prayed for. Nothing more. And my prayers were answered. Go east, I’ll lead them west.”

“We have a dilemma, then,” Finnikin said fiercely. “Because I prayed that you would grow old and hold my children in your arms as you held me. My prayers have not been answered yet, Trevanion. So whose prayer is more worthy? Yours or mine?”

Melina Marchetta fan club??? More...

48 comments like (29 people liked it)

Sep 02, 2011

Jo rated it:

This is not a review. This is a ~~badly written~~ poem.

“Then I choose to drown,” Finnikin said. “In hope. Rather than float into nothing.”

Since I was a nipper I have come to the conclusion
That when it comes to fantasy: I am strongly opposed.
When I read a book with long, confusing names
And swords and maps, its pages remain closed.
So imagine my surprise when I finished this one
(In the early hours of this morning, I feel I should note)
That m More...

14 comments like (42 people liked it)

Jan 25, 2012

The Holy Terror rated it:

I think this is the point where Marchetta and I go our separate ways. I read Saving Francesca and didn't enjoy it, and thought maybe it was just my aversion to realistic/contemporary fiction that was keeping me from riding the Marchetta love-train. After this second attempt I think she's just not for me. There isn't one thing I can point out that makes me say "this" is why I don't like her books, but there are numerous problems I can draw attention to.

My biggest gripe is th More...

66 comments like (24 people liked it)

Aug 13, 2011

~Tina~ rated it:

~jumps up and down~ WowwowowowowowoW!

I've read Melina Marchetta other books, and I liked them just fine, but this is the kind of book that just seeps under my skin and doesn't let go.
Marchetta was born to write high fantasy!!

"Be prepared for the worse, my love, for it lives next door to the best."

A kingdom cursed. It's people trapped, traded or exiled. Separated by wars and madness. Prophecy destined and the hums that flickers in the hearts of More...

37 comments like (19 people liked it)

Sep 16, 2011

Janina rated it:

Initially, I rated Finnikin of the Rock four stars. Honestly, I do not remember why. So this is the official upgrade of my rating! I enjoyed every single minute of my re-read and am now really looking forward to Froi of the Exiles. I am pondering ordering it from Australia. Should I? My book budget says no …

I am really glad one of my favourite authors ventured into a completely new genre. I love fantasy, and I am very happy to say that Marchetta excels in it – did I really expect any More...

30 comments like (18 people liked it)

Dec 30, 2011

Emily rated it:

Whenever I write a review of a Melina Marchetta book, I risk sounding like the same old broken record... but, whatever, it's not my fault if she constantly manages to deliver the stuff I love! I'm not sure what'll happen if I ever dislike one of her novels, probably the sky will fall in and the world will end. Don't you know what to expect from Marchetta by now? If not, then I'll fill you in briefly: interesting, memorable and the very opposite of cliched characters, flawless writing, a plot tha More...

9 comments like (15 people liked it)

Oct 02, 2011

Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~* rated it:

5 Stars

The five days of the unspeakable…

When the King and Queen of Lumatere and their children were slaughtered in the palace...and an imposter king seized the throne.

"And then the dark forces of the curse entombed the kingdom, separating the people in two. This is the story, as told to those of us who were born to see such days, recorded here in the Book of Lumatere so we will never forget.

The story of those trapped inside the kingdom, never to be heard

More...

0 comments like (11 people liked it)

Feb 19, 2012

Ari rated it:

Wonderful, amazing, beautiful, absolutely brilliant... I need more stars! ★★★★★★★★★★

"Because without our language, we have lost ourselves.
Who are we without our words?"

This was such a powerful story that got straight to my heart. After finishing it I was left speechless - Melina Marchetta has this effect on people. The characters are so well defined, the story is so complex... All that I've felt while reading Jellicoe Road I felt again while readi More...

4 comments like (11 people liked it)

Feb 17, 2011

Mayomi rated it:

*****1/2

Cannot. believe. I’ve. finished. this. book. already. Finishing this book felt like I’ve been dragged back to a place called earth but all I want to do is crawl back to place called Lumatere just as I’ve been for the past two days; to forget myself and allow myself to be totally consumed by a world created by Melina Marchetta.

OK, enough with the melodramatics already.

Gosh!! I find it hard to describe in words what I feel for a book I love so m More...

9 comments like (7 people liked it)

Jan 20, 2012

Kayt rated it:

Finnikin has dreams from gods he may or may not believe in and when he was nine years old did silly nine-year-old things that everyone is convinced has affected THE DESTINY OF EVERYONE, although there's not a lot of evidence this is true.

There are nameless evil people doing evil things, but a girl with whose parents were obviously illiterate ("Evanjalin") manipulates everyone she comes in contact with to fix them, dragging Finn and other unwitting accomplices along. Then ev More...

1 comment like (6 people liked it)

Jan 24, 2012

Heather rated it:

Marchetta’s seqway into the fantasy genre is seamless. Her talent translates. Reiminisent of childhood favorite Robin McKinley and newcomer Kristin Cashore, Marchetta reminds me of why I love this genre. I enjoyed my time spent with Finnikin of the Rock. The world was imaginative and complex without being elusive. The characters were multi-deminsional and the magic was present, but didn’t bombard the text. With that said, there were a few flaws that prohibited me from giving it a high rating.
More...

1 comment like (5 people liked it)

Feb 03, 2012

Kay rated it:

I loved this book.

On a purely mechanical level, the prose is fluid and elegant, and the author's style is very distinctive. But what makes her prose worth reading is the story and message behind the words.

On the macro level, FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK is about a kingdom and its people who've lost their identity. At the beginning of the book, we see three children of Lumatere making three vows, right before an usurper invades and overthrows the monarchy. Minority groups are More...

10 comments like (7 people liked it)

Dec 18, 2011

♥Rachel♥ rated it:

This was an amazing story of restoration, redemption, and of hope. It's the kind of story that just fills your heart to the brim with so many emotions, and has you riveted to find out what happens next.

Finnikin of the Rock is from the kingdom of Lumatere, a beautiful, thriving kingdom until "the five days of the unspeakable" happen. In this time, the king and queen as well as their children are all murdered and the kingdom comes under the rule of an imposter king. Finn More...

16 comments like (7 people liked it)

Jan 20, 2012

Eileen rated it:

This is one of those books you want to read in just one sitting and on the other hand you want to take it slow, because you are loving it so much that you don't want it to end. I love everything about this book; the writing, the characters, the emotions, the details, the humorous dialogues, the imagination of the author, the plot and the no-cliffhanger ending.
The beginning is a little bit confusing, because you get bombarded with names of Kingdoms and people and....it's too much, but when More...

4 comments like (5 people liked it)

Jan 22, 2012

Wendy F rated it:

FIRST READ 11/1/2010 - 11/2/2010
This book caused me to clutch it to my chest when I finished it. I had a hard time breathing and I had a huge smile on my face.

Finnikin was frustrating and wonderful. Evanjalin was obstinate and strong. All of the supporting characters added perfect nuances. I adored Froi, the chapters from his perspective tugged on my heart. I ached for him.

I started and enjoyed it, but the more I read the more I could feel my adrenaline poundin More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Mar 05, 2011

Courtney added it

Wow. Finnikin of the Rock was just beautiful. Melina Marchetta's writing shines like so little else out there right now and every time I finish one of her books, it's a humbling experience. What a gifted author. And can we talk about Evanjalin for a second here? One of the strongest, most kick-ass female characters EVER. That's how it's done.

0 comments like (8 people liked it)

Aug 18, 2011

Lisa O. rated it:

"Everything is evil that humans can't control or conquer"

What kind of book is Finnikin of the Rock?

It's a fantasy book. Evidently.
It's a love story. Certainly.
But not only.

It all starts with three friends, a prophetic dream and a blood pledge.
It continues with an invasion, a terrible curse and the struggle of one people to take back what they lost.

For me Finnikin of the Rock is a book about identities. About a people, More...

15 comments like (28 people liked it)

Aug 18, 2011

Eric rated it:

Alright, let's be honest here, what more can be said about Marchetta's books that haven't been said already? I was a fan of this simply because she took a leap (not a dive - or of faith) into my favorite genre. It doesn't start off with the familiar feelings I've gotten accustomed to in her writing but once you start it comes into its self an what a ride it is.

I really can't spoil anything here. All the moments are there of course there are surprises but overall I'm just amazed at ho More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Aug 27, 2011

Wendy rated it:

Listening to this on CD... 4.5 stars.

I've completely deleted my other review of this ... it was dumb.

I love this book, can't wait for "Froi of the Exiles" in a few months, and am addicted to MM.

8/27/11
wow...I really love this story. I love how you can fall in love with a male character, not for the physical description of him, but for his actual character...the grit and determination he shows, for the tenderness and humility.

More...

4 comments like (2 people liked it)

Aug 16, 2011

Chandra rated it:

We meet Finnikin ten years after the violent overthrow of his homeland - the kingdom of Lumatere. Not only was the entire royal family slaughtered, but in the chaos that followed the kingdom was placed under a curse and sealed off from the outside world. Finnikin, once closely associated with the doomed royal family, wanders surrounding kingdoms scouting for exiles like himself. One day, however, he encounters a strange girl who claims to possess a rare gift - the ability to walk through the More...

3 comments like (5 people liked it)

Nov 18, 2008

Andrew rated it:

Marchetta’s Finnikin of the Rock, couldn’t possibly divert farther than her previous Sydneysider schoolgirl novels. It’s a fantasy epic, following 19-year old Finnikin, who is journeying through the land of Skuldenore, and documenting the whereabouts of his displaced people, of Lumatere, scattered across the land after escaping a curse that devoured his kingdom. Accompanied by the former First Man to the kingdom, Sir Topher, they are entrusted to protect Evangelin, a young woman with a mysteriou More...

0 comments like (5 people liked it)

Apr 07, 2011

Linna rated it:

I admire authors like Melina Marchetta so much– not only is she a fantastic writer, but she also isn’t afraid to write outside the genre she’s known for. Too often I see people who pigeonhole themselves into what has been successful in the past; perhaps it’s what they truly love writing, but I believe that a person isn’t limited to one sole interest, or, in this case, genre or style. But I regress. FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK is hardly the high school contemp you’re used to, and it’s a solid fantasy wi More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Nov 03, 2011

Maja rated it:

I finally understand why everyone loves this woman.

17 comments like (5 people liked it)

Nov 25, 2011

Isamlq rated it:

Whoa!!! no words...

(still love it)

6 comments like (4 people liked it)

May 31, 2009

Lucy rated it:

Finnikin of the Rock grew up the son of the Captain of the King's Guard. He was a companion of the crown prince, Balthazar, and he always knew that he would grow up to inherit his father's position and protect his king and kingdom, his beloved Lumatere.

And then came the five days of the unspeakable, when horror stole his future and a curse sealed Lumatere. And Finnikin, along with half his people, was trapped outside.

For ten years now, Finnikin has been wandering, alo More...

5 comments like (16 people liked it)

Sep 19, 2011

Amber rated it:

oh.my.Finnikin stars!!

“At night she whispers his name in her sleep with intimacy and reverence. As if their bond is ordained by the gods.”

Finnikin of the Rock is revered as a masterpiece in my mind. This book blew me away! My dear friend Tina, gave me a bit of advice before I began my journey with Finnikin of the Rock. She advised me to take my time, and that it is a book to be savored. She was so right. Finnikin of the Rock, is one mesmerizing story. Melina Marchetta ha More...

9 comments like (12 people liked it)

Mar 11, 2011

Kristy rated it:

Street corner TBR Challenge- March #2 read per Alexa :)

2 words.
Read.This.

No, really. Read this.

I don't even know how or where to begin writing a review on this. I'm afraid to say much, I don't want to take away from it....

I am going to go out on a limb and say fans of "Lord of the Rings" would really enjoy this. If you like Fantasy or "Quest" books, you should really try this one out.
My ONLY complaints are:
Th More...

20 comments like (13 people liked it)

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