Oh Sagra! This was so goooood!!!

I will never be able to express how much this book touched me. I wanted to write this in bold capital letters with exclamation points scattered throughout the entire review, but instead of abusing those buttons, just note that I write this with a bounce in my heart and an excitement that I wish I could scream from the rooftops:)

When I first heard that Melina Marchetta was going to write a companion to the much beloved Finnikin of the Rock I was thrilled! But when I heard the story was about Froi, I couldn't help the little frown on my face. Froi? Really? That guy? Sure he seemed to weasel his way into my heart by the end of the first book, but his actions were horrible and it's hard to forgive such things.
How extraordinary of Marchetta to take one of her more undesirable characters and give him this chance to shine. Which Froi did. With flying colors.
He's more mature, wears his remorse and regret like a banner and has proven his worth ten folds. He is very much redeemed in my eyes and I absolutely love Marchetta for giving him this chance and her readers to fall in love with him.

Melina Marchetta writes like a freaken dream. Strong, fearless and unflinching. Her dedication to detail is exquisite and painful and the setting is always so rich and vivid. I swear it's like she's hugging her readers to each and every page of this 600+pg masterpiece. It's written in multiple pov's. We have Finnikin and Isaboe, Trevanion and Beatriss and Lucian and Phaedra in the city of Lumatere and then we have Froi in the city of Charyn where we meet the most brilliant of minds, the wildest of hearts and the most savage in all the lands. I couldn't decide who I wanted to read about more, every single chapter has that sweet sting of anticipation. I just loved/adored/worship the way Marchetta would leash her readers along. Your not meant to know certain mysterious till they do and it's one of the most thrilling elements about the entire book.
I don't think I can say that I loved one book more then the other. They are both equally epic. Finnikin of the Rock was more emotionally raw and I was so drained from the experience of it all, in the best way possible.
Froi of the Exiles was more of a journey of self-discovery in a land seeped with a terrible curse, a fate that was destined so long ago and one remarkable shattered soul that will touch every fiber of your being.
It was also a bit easier to loss myself in this book, I felt overwhelmed and intimidated while reading FotR which isn't a bad thing, but it was nice to be able to just sink into this book and melt. Usually I tend to stay away from... disturbing topics, which this book is chalk full of, but it's not overly graphic and while it still does paint the rather horrific picture, I wouldn't have wanted this any other way. You will feel the lands and every single one of these characters passions and fears. Pure epicness.

I'm not going to say to much about the characters since I don't want to spoil anything. Lets just say that there is no skimming-room here my friends, your going to want to read every delicious word written in this book.
~Froi was everything I wanted him to be. He is good, firece, strong, protective and has the love and respect of the people of Lumatere. I wanted that for him and I smiled every time an affectionate word was utterd in his name.
~Quintana is like no one I'ver ever read about. Her story is utterly heartbreaking. One of pure horror and yet she remains hopeful, innocent in her own way and has an astounding flicker to survive. She is no doubt one of the bravest heroines I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I loved every second that she and Froi shared. The innocence of love and the newness of what that love meant to both of them was the sweetest thing ever.

"In a kinder world," he whispered, "one I promise you I've seen, men and women flirt and dance and love with only fear of what it would mean without the other in their lives."

I also loved all the new faces, and quickly became attached to Gargarin, Arjuro and Lirah. What we discover along with them was just freaken brilliant! No other way to say it. I also liked Rafuel in this and while I'm somewhat conflicted I still hope for the best.
~Last but surely not least, I loved how much Marchetta included Finnikin and Isaboe more then I thought she would. You hear companion and think they might cut a scene here and there but what we got instead was more then I could have hoped for. I had a warm smile and a content sigh at the ready in every moment they shared and that would have to go for Trevanion and Beatriss as well. These characters will never die in my eyes, I will adore them always.

Bottom line, this book is pure gold. It's one of the very best in high fantasy reads and I am looking forward to the last book but at the same time I've never been so scared. I want so much for certain characters. I fear for them, hope with them and want the very best. I'm so nervous how things will play out but have every faith that Marchetta will delivery another epic win.
For anyone and everyone who hasn't read the first book, I strongly urge you to do yourself this mighty favor.
Pick it up. If you like high fantasy, in-depth characters and writing so strong it will take your breath away, then Finnikin of the Rock and Froi of the Exiles are the books for you.

Mind blowing!