Review: Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

Publication Date:  February 9th 2010
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Pages: 399
Series: Lumatere Chronicles #1

Source: Purchased

Rating:
 ★★★★★

At the age of nine, Finnikin is warned by the gods that he must sacrifice a pound of flesh to save his kingdom. He stands on the rock of the three wonders with his friend Prince Balthazar and Balthazar's cousin, Lucian, and together they mix their blood to safeguard Lumatere.

But all safety is shattered during the five days of the unspeakable, when the king and queen and their children are brutally murdered in the palace. An impostor seizes the throne, a curse binds all who remain inside Lumatere's walls, and those who escape are left to roam the land as exiles, dying by the thousands in fever camps.

Ten years later, Finnikin is summoned to another rock--to meet Evanjalin, a young novice with a startling claim: Balthazar, heir to the throne of Lumatere, is alive. This arrogant young woman claims she'll lead Finnikin and his mentor, Sir Topher, to the prince. Instead, her leadership points them perilously toward home. Does Finnikin dare believe that Lumatere might one day rise united? Evanjalin 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.

In a bold departure from her acclaimed contemporary novels, Printz Medalist Melina Marchetta has crafted an epic fantasy of ancient magic, feudal intrigue, romance, and bloodshed that will rivet you from the first page.

I didn't even know how long I was staring at my computer but the words just wouldn't come out. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED Finnikin of The Rock and I loved it so much that I found it so hard to put down my thoughts and feelings into words. I loved every single thing about this book: the world, the characters, the writing, the plot. It's just...I couldn't believe why I waited that long to read it now. I seriously must live under the rock because this book is it, guys, the bomb =) Fan of high fantasy, you've to check out Finnikin of the Rock if you've not already.

Some said Finnikin of The Rock is depression but I said perfection. Yes, I know this book is not all about rainbows, butterflies and happy things. It's brutal and it'll wrench your heart but it was written beautifully and the story hit me at all the right notes. It made me feel so many feels: sad, angry, happy, confused that it shocked me because I could feel so many things in just one book. The characters are all well developed (both MC and side characters) and I loved them all. But I have to mention Finnikin because he is my new book crush. He had my heart right at the beginning and it hurt so much that I loved him more and more as I read. He's smart, funny in some ways, loyalty, in another word DROOL. Melina created such a fantastic world but you don't have to worry about the slow pacing because the pacing of this book is really good. And I couldn't guess the big twist until the last page, it kept me on the edge the whole time. Finnikin of The Rock is such a page turner.

Finnikin of The Rock has climbed its way to my all time fav list and I was so happy that I read this book because it is just simply AMAZING. Highly recommend.
Oh and did I say this book has a map ;)