Marchetta, Melina ; Finnikin of the Rock (Lumatere Chronicles #1) ; Informal Buddy Read ; Start Date December 27 2014

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

                    

Finnikin of the Rock and his guardian, Sir Topher, have not been home to their beloved Lumatere for ten years. Not since the dark days when the royal family was murdered and the kingdom put under a terrible curse. But then Finnikin is summoned to meet Evanjalin, a young woman with an incredible claim: the heir to the throne of Lumatere, Prince Balthazar, is alive.

Evanjalin is determined to return home and she is the only one who can lead them to the heir. As they journey together, Finnikin is affected by her arrogance . . . and her hope. He begins to believe he will see his childhood friend, Prince Balthazar, again. And that their cursed people will be able to enter Lumatere and be reunited with those trapped inside. He even believes he will find his imprisoned father.

But Evanjalin is not what she seems. And the truth will test not only Finnikin's faith in her . . . but in himself

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★


What is a buddy read?

An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book


EXPECT SPOILERS!

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

reserved

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I have the audio downloaded from the library and I'm ready to go after Christmas :)

[Zara's Corner]

I'm going to try and read this after Christmas. I have my own copy.

[Snowtulip]

Sounds good, looking forward to reading!

[Mary X]

I think I have this. If I can find it, I will join although might be a little later than Dec 27th.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Great :D

No problems Mary, whenever you get to it

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Fun fact...
Marchetta has stated that the cloister of Lagrami in the novel is based on the French island fortress of Mont Saint-Michel

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Ok, I have started the audio and I'm 2 chapters in. I had to restart the audio from the start and listen to it all again because there are so many names, places and concepts thrown in there that I was getting confused. (I think I have it now!) The audio narrator is interesting as you can hear him swallow and do lip smacking which is a little disconcerting. Hopefully I'll get used to him!

[Renee]

I just downloaded this from Borrowbox and started listening too. I have a few other books on the go aswell. I think this is different enough that I can keep track of them all.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I got it through Borrowbox too. Usually Bolinda narrators are quite good, but I think they've missed the mark with this guy. I'll be interested in how you find him

[Renee]

He's better than my text to speech girl, and I've grown quite fond of her.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Lol! Oh gosh I can't do text to speech! No fondness for her (or him) here ;)

[Renee]

He does have a rather deep slow voice and does make lots of mouth noises. Maybe I will imagine Tom licking his lips because he wants me ( I think I've been doing too many back room buddy reads.....)

I was expecting Stephen Hawkings to read to me when I tried text to speech, but it is way better than that. Here is my set up if you want to try. http://heysaidrenee.blogspot.com/2014...

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

haha. I think you have been in that back room too much! :o

I am an Apple gadget person so I can't copy your set up unfortunately. I have used the text-speech on my kindle, but I just can't get used to it

[Kristie]

Eww...mouth noises. So distracting! lol James Marsters was like that on the first Dresden audio, but he improved dramatically as they went on. Glad that I have the paperback now. :) Too bad I have no time to start it yet!

[Snowtulip]

Love that little island Karen :)

I wanted to finish Eleanor & Park before I started this, so now that I'm done with that, on to this book.

I have at least read through the prologue and it has captured my interest to see what comes from that! Reading on my kindle for this one.

[Dragana]

Hi guys, I hope you don't mind if I jump in. This series has been recommended to me zillion times and I think it's time I finally read it. :)
I'm starting a bit late but I hope I will catch up.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Kristie wrote: "Eww...mouth noises. So distracting! lol James Marsters was like that on the first Dresden audio, but he improved dramatically as they went on. Glad that I have the paperback now. :) Too bad I have ..."

This guy is much more distracting than James.... but I'm kind of getting used to it now...lol

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Isn't it an amazing looking place Snowtulip?!

lovely, welcome Dragana :)

[Shannon]

I'm just seeing this. I'll get started in the next 24 hours hopefully.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Main Characters
from Wiki
Finnikin – the protagonist of the story. He is strong, brave, intelligent and sometimes strong headed. All these qualities are what make him Trevanion's son.

Trevanion – Finnikin's father and captain of the King's Guard. After the curse was cast upon Lumatere, he was captured along with his hand picked guard, they were sent to work in the mines of their neighbouring countries. He hasn't seen his son Finnikin since then.

Sir Topher – Finnikin's guardian while his father remains in the mines. Sir Topher was tutor to the heir of Lumatere.

Prince Balthazar. The heir to the throne of Lumatere, Finnikin's childhood friend.

Evanjalin – A novice of the goddess Lagrami who joins Finnikin and his guardian Sir Topher on their quest to build a second Lumatere. She leads them to believe that Prince Balthazar, the heir to the throne of Lumatere, is alive and that they may return.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Chapters 1-5

Very intriguing so far! This book has the feel of the Abhorsen series (Sabriel) to me, although they are very different. I think it is just that dark feel around kingdoms and the quest storyline.

What is the deal with Evanjalin?(view spoiler)[ She said she could only speak 2 languages and a little bit of a third, and then admits that she heard them speaking in a 4th one and understood it. What is she up to? Do you believe her that Balthazar is alive? I can't imagine he is and for 10 years they have never heard from him. Maybe there is a bigger game afoot.
Sir August was interesting... living in his riches. I don't think I believe that he and his family would leave that no matter what he says.
And I wonder if Trevanion has escaped? It seems possible to me based on what August said. (hide spoiler)]

[Renee]

The mouth noises don't bother me anymore either, but his calm was of reading is almost lulling me off to sleep.

I haven't read Sabriel yet.

[Shannon]

Karen wrote: "Chapters 1-5

Very intriguing so far! This book has the feel of the Abhorsen series (Sabriel) to me, although they are very different. I think it is just that dark feel around kingdom..."

I haven't read Sabriel either.

Evanjalen is a conundrum. I'm not sure what I think. (view spoiler)[I do think Balthazar lives. I'm thinking he was the prescence Finnikin felt & the reason his scar started bleeding. I'm not sure Evanjalen is on the up and the up. I'm on the fence. I agree about Sir August -- not sure he'd really be willing to leave his comfortable life. Agree about Trevanion as well. I think he probably has escaped & that's why they are hearing so many rumors about the empaths etc.

What was with them keeping the thief? (hide spoiler)]

Love the picture! It looks amazing!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Shannon

Yes - the thief! (view spoiler)[ Are they just collecting people now? lol
But seriously, I'm not sure why he is being kept. I think Evanjalen will seem to betray them, but it is really part of a greater scheme that will be revealed later and so she is on their side after all. (although I'm usually wrong with these things! ;) (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon]

Karen wrote: "@Shannon

Yes - the thief! ."

I just finished Ch 10. You'll pretty much get all your answers to current questions in those chapters.

(view spoiler)[I was shocked when Evanjalin first pointed her finger at Finnikin, but then everything quickly clicked into place. Forcing Trevanion to escape by having Finnikin arrested! Greater scheme indeed! Selling the thief onky to recapture him. They've still lost their horse.

I'm not real sure about the priest-king's role in what's to come. It seems as though they're splitting up for a moment.

And the latest bombshell dropped! Beatriss is alive! (hide spoiler)]

Once this novel kicks into gear it really doesn't play around. I'm excited to see what's going to happen next.

[Shannon]

I'm a little worried about Balthazar though now (view spoiler)[with all these hints (prophecies) regarding Finnikin becoming king (hide spoiler)]

[Snowtulip]

(view spoiler)[I also think Balthazar is alive (maybe imprisoned somehow) and agree with Shannon about Finnikin and his scar indicating Balthazar somehow. I'm curious about Evanjalen, I'm hoping she does good for them in the long run. I'm also wondering what happened to the third childhood friend that Finnikin had, what happened to him (can't remember his name) (hide spoiler)]

I haven't read Sabriel either, another one for the list :)

[Shannon]

Snowtulip wrote: "[spoilers removed]

I haven't read Sabriel either, another one for the list :)"

Good point! I'd forgotten about him.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Chapter 6

(view spoiler)[ Argh! That wench! (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon]

Karen wrote: "Chapter 6

[spoilers removed]"

My thought exactly!

[Shannon]

Ch 11-15

(view spoiler)[I'm not really sure what purpose the fight with Yut, the downing of the ship, Finn's injury, etc served -- other than cementing the relationship between Evanjalen and Finnikin. I did enjoy the comradery and competitiveness between Finn and Jehr.

As Evanjalen's story is slowly revealed, it's heartbreaking.

Loved the fight in front of the fountain between Moss & Finn. (hide spoiler)]

[Snowtulip]

Through Ch. 10 (view spoiler)[So glad that Finnikin found his dad and feeling better about Evanjalen. Yes, Beatriss was a heart stopper. I'm hoping that they can get the Guard and make it work! I love the happy moment between Finnikin and his dad when he was able to laugh! (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon]

Ch 16

(view spoiler)[I'm having trouble with the explanation being put forth regarding the invasion of their homeland being part of a larger plot to invade another country.

It's been 10 years! If that was the case, shouldn't they have made some other kind of moves? (hide spoiler)]

[Renee]

I picked up the paperback at the library today so I could flick through the bits I zoned out on.

I still can't work out Evanjalen.

[Shannon]

Ch 23

Holy Cow! Don't know how I didn't see that one coming!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Shannon wrote: "I just finished Ch 10. You'll pretty much get all your answers to current questions in those chapters. ..."

Ok, I just finished Chapter 10 (part 1) too...

(view spoiler)[ I'm still not sure about Evanjalen. The whole plan with pointing her finger at Finnikin was very clever, but I still wonder about her. Will she end up as trying to take the throne herself (a long lost heir?), or is she one of the children of Trevanion that they thought dead? There must be something more to her. Or maybe I'm clutching at straws...!

Oh and I didn't pick up that Beatriss is alive. I just thought that Evanjalen could talk to the dead. Maybe I missed that on the audio :o (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Shannon wrote: "I'm a little worried about Balthazar though now [spoilers removed]"

Oh yes, good point

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Chapter 11
I am loving this book right now. So much mystery! (view spoiler)[ but oh.my.goodness... what are they doing to those girls that would make the people pretend they are dying? how awful! But at least they may actually be safe. (hide spoiler)]

[Shannon]

Karen wrote: "Shannon wrote: "I just finished Ch 10. You'll pretty much get all your answers to current questions in those chapters. ..."

Ok, I just finished Chapter 10 (part 1) too...

I'm still not sure abou..."

It was when Evanjalen was talking to Trevanion (view spoiler)[ They were questioning her visions but she could tell him intimate things only shared between him and Beatriss so they knew she was alive. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Shannon
re: chapter 10
(view spoiler)[ Thanks, yes, I got that bit with the visions (dreams), but I just thought she was having chats with dead people in the dreams. I guess my head was too far in Sabriel and I just assumed she was talking to a deceased Beatrice! :o
Now I'm in chapter 11 I can connect that she is walking in other peoples dreams. I think I just missed that somewhere along the line! (hide spoiler)]

[Dragana]

You are really powering trough. :)

I'm just two chapters in. Marchetta has a bit unusual writing style.
I already have a couple of theories what happened to royal family. (view spoiler)[I am suspicious that Evanjalin is maybe that youngest princes killed in the forest (Isaboe?), (hide spoiler)] but don't tell me anything.
I hope I will have more time to read today and catch up.

[Shannon]

Karen wrote: "@Shannon
re: chapter 10
Thanks, yes, I got that bit with the visions (dreams), but I just thought she was having chats with dead people in the dreams. I guess my head was too far in [book:Sabriel..."


I'm really going to have stick Sabriel in my TBR pile!

Ok, I finished. But I'll wait to add more thoughts as y'all catch up.

I will say I really enjoyed it. I can see why it has gotten so many raves. I'm not usually a YA fan, but this pulled at all my strings. Even loved the ending! ;)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Wow Shannon - you really raced through! As I have it on audio it will take me a bit longer ;)

Dragana- Marchetta writes lovely character driven YA and this is quite a different book for her. It is strange for me reading something she has done which is fantasy because it is not how I know her. So far though I think she should do some more fantasy writing! ;)

[Dragana]

Finished Chapter 5.

I haven't read Sabriel either, so I can't compare it. This is my first Marchetta's book too, so I can't compare it to her other works either.
This book is very character driver too. Bigger focus is on the feelings and drama then on world building and nature descriptions. Until this far.

(view spoiler)[Evanjalin is my favorite character so far. Simply because she makes everything interesting - you never know what is she going to do.
I think she has some plan she did not revealed to them. I am doubting Balthazar is alive. And I still suspect she is his younger sister.
I also don't believe Sir August would leave everything. I guess am I big pesimist. :)
I didn't think that Trevanion escaped, but I am hoping now. (hide spoiler)]

[Snowtulip]

Shannon wrote: "Ch 23

Holy Cow! Don't know how I didn't see that one coming!"

I KNOW!!!!! I didn't either!

[Snowtulip]

Marchetta seems to do better than I expected with the diversity of genres she writes for. I read On the Jellicoe Road, which I enjoyed, but wasn't sure how I'd like her writing a true fantasy. Must say, she's doing it well, I've really been enjoying this story.

[Snowtulip]

Does anyone remember how old Froi is? I can't seem to find it, and I'm thinking he's older than I thought he was.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Snowtulip wrote: "Does anyone remember how old Froi is? I can't seem to find it, and I'm thinking he's older than I thought he was."

According to wikia he is 18 (but I didn't read any further on that page for fear of spoilers!) ;)