Finnikin of the Rock

Comments

[Nida]

Hi everyone!!

I just finished this beautiful gem of a book, and I just have to say that I loved every bit of it. The characters are so rich, the plot is thick and the Evanjalin-Isaboe twist was so unexpected. I picked up this book because it was written by Melina Marchetta, and also because the front cover was absolutely spellbinding (-yes, I know I shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, I'm sorry!).

But wow. This book is so different to her other reality ones, and the style is different too. But it's so good, and I'm really happy to see that she's expanding her horizons writing books out of her previous genres.

I want the story to continue, I want to see Trevanion and Beatriss together again. I wish that Finnikin and Isaboe will have a happy life ruling over Lumatere. I wonder at what role besides husband to the Queen Finnikin will play. What will happen to Froi? And will a war erupt between Lumatere and Charyn? What is the fate of Finnikin and Isaboe's children, the heirs to the kingdom? There are so many questions unanswered, so I wish that Melina Marchetta will write a sequel to continue the lives of these characters.

I doubt that this comment will ever reach Melina Marchetta, but if it does, I just want to say that you're such a fantastic and talented author, and I admire your work so much! I look forward to your next new release. ^-^

[Amy]

This was one of the best books I have ever read!
It has an amazing plot and several highly interesting sub-plots.
I really loved it!!!!!
I really want there to be a sequel, and no matter how hard I try i cannot concentrate on any other book!!!!
I got the whole Isaboe thing straight away.
It is one of those entrancing books when you can guess what will happen, but have no idea how, which makes you want to read it really quickly.
I LOVE Melina Marchetta, and this is her best book yet!

[lucy]

I can't even explain my shock at how much I love this book. I read the first few pages in a library and I was surprised to be so interested. I left it for a while though, and then finally read it. It took me less than 2 days, I was absolutely hooked. I loved Evanjalin and Finnikin from the begining. Theri relationship changes so much in the three parts of the book but I loved each one. I can't wait to read it again, it's honestly that good.

[Lauren]

I was looking at Melina's website when I realized that she had a new novel, and I was overjoyed as i have enjoyed and read more times than I can count her other novels ... especially On The Jellicoe Road!! I was hesitant as well when i realized it was a fantasy novel as this is not her usual work. But because I have loved her previous novels I decided to give it a go. And boy was I not disappointed, like her other novels it just drew me in and I couldn't stop reading it and thinking about it. I can't help but wonder like all her other novels what happens to the characters. Melina can wait for your next novel The Piper's Son!!!!

[Sarah Y]

This was the first Melina Marchetta book I read. I read it about a month ago. I'm now reading Looking For Alibrandi, after finishing Saving Francesca today.

I really didn't suspect Evangelin to be, well, who she was. It really spun me out. Loved the romance with Finnikin and Evangelin.

After reading Saving Francesca (and Looking for Alibrandi so far) It is strange how different her writing is in Finnikin Of The Rock compared to them.

Not in a bad way though, they are both awesome and hook me straight away.

[Brittany]

First of all, I think Marchetta is an amazing writer, and I love her other books, especially On The Jellicoe Road.

At first I was a bit scepticle at the idea of a "fantasy" novel by Marchetta. It seemed a far cry from her other, realistic stories.

But I found myself dragged into the plot, and submersed myself until I finished it.

It wasn't over the top fantasy, it reminded me of a medieval time, in a different land.

The modern day links were well done, e.g. Finnikin having orange hair, or "ranga", and saying that with his colour hair, he needed to learn how to fight. Also, when Froi is cursing Finnikin under his breath, Finnikin responds with, "Although I am quite familiar with that part of a female's anatomy, I do not like being referred to as one.

The different story lines, as in all her books (very well done in OtJR), twisted and finally fused together at the end. It all fit together like an intricate design.

As for Evanjalin's secret, I guessed it.

I would recommend this book to anyone, probably not for less mature readers, although they may not pick up pn the sexual innuendos.

Read and it, and love it.

[Monica Venuti]

I read this book for a school assignment, basically because i had read meline marchetta's books before and becuase this was a fanatsy, which i dont normally read, so i thouoght it would be interesting to compare them.
i wasn't really into starting the book, and to be honest i had to read the prologue astleast 5 times beofre understanding it (though i guess i didnt try t start it in a noisy, chaotic classroom, which probably wasnt the best idea). but i went home and sat down in the silence to read it.
i got really into it, and even now, a week after ihave finished it and already started a new book, i keep thinking about the characters and the possiblities of what could have happen in her book.
i went into the novel way more than what i would have normally too, because i was doing it for an assignment, so i noticed more things than i would have otherwise. it think its amazing how Melina Marchetta has managed to put so many morals and ideas that base back to our society into a fantasy book, such as exciles, that are a bit lik the millions o refugees that are around the world, and how people an get so divided over religion the lagrami/sagrami thing) when we really need to stick together.
i think it was an amazing book, and that she did a wonderfuljob
:)

[neno]

I hit quite a snag when i was reading this book. first, I fall in love with finnikin and second i realise that loving finnikin is a breach of my no ranga rule (two ranga's going out is wrong in my mind) The issues in this book are amazingly surreal and yet have the force to drive home messages of the injustices of todays world. The characters are complex and forever changing and that is what i love about this book. And as for the Isaboe thing, i never saw that coming until it hit me

[Melina Marchetta]

I didn't write Finnikin with a sequel in mind, although I do find myself wondering about Finnikin and Evanjalin, and especially Froi. But although I have the characters and the kingdoms to expand on, I don't quite have the plot. That doesn't really worry me at this stage. I've become used to allowing the characters to hang out in my head space for as long as it takes them to whisper the story to me. Then I'll put pen to paper again.

[jen]

so deserved the aurealis award

[Kristine]

Melina ROCKS!I can't wait to read her 5th book, The Piper's Son!

[Donna]

It was the first book I had ever read by Melissa- I got it for Christmas and didn't look at it for a while untill I started running out of things to read-I'm a MASSIVE reader!!! So I read Finnikin of the rock and got really stuck into it. It wasn't over the top fantasy so I thoght it was amazing. I really enjoyed reading this book. Will there be a sequel??

[Beige]

I must admit I found it quite a shock to see a fantasy book by Melina Marchetta in the book store. I'm a big fan of her other works - especially Looking for Alibrandi - so I was rather concerned how Melina's fantasy would play out.

Well, I would say it was a credible effort for a fantasy book. However, I'm afraid I can't say it's the best - not from my repertoire of fantasy books, nor from Melina's own books. Some facts are still rather vague and nondescript, and I still don't get the whole "Sagrami" and "Lagrami" deal. Why did they have two goddesses in the first place?

And I don't know, but most of the characters just failed to stand out for me. I couldn't care less about them, really. In Looking for Alibrandi, I genuinely cared for Josephine. In this? Well, Finnikin and Isaboe just failed to endear themselves to me. I don't know why.

Anyway, it was quite enjoyable, though slightly disappointing...

[sophie]

i absolutely LOVED this book!!!!!!!!!!
to be honest, i was surprised when i found out melinas new book was a fantasy, cause its so different to her others but i loved it.
and its actually one of the best fantasy books i've read as well, i'm hoping she'll write a sequel one day:) the characters drew me in and you actually hurt when they got hurt and felt all their emotions.. it was crazy. and yehh i fell in love with finnikan.

by the end of the book i was so caught up in the story, it was amazing. thanks melina. alot.

[lisette]

I was extremely hesitant about this book and was even afraid to read it in case it changed my opinion of Marchetta's works.
But in the end, I bought the novel and do not regret doing so. I am making all my friends read it.
The characters in Marchetta's novels are always so rich, they're flawed and they're real. I think her writing shows her own ability to understand people.
Finnikin of the Rock lives up to her standards. It was thrilling and detailed and the pace was consistent. Often in fantasy novels the descriptions are so elaborate that the progression of the storyline comes to a standstill, but not this one.
I loved it!

[lisette]

I was extremely hesitant about this book and was even afraid to read it in case it changed my opinion of Marchetta's works.
But in the end, I bought the novel and do not regret doing so. I am making all my friends read it.
The characters in Marchetta's novels are always so rich, they're flawed and they're real. I think her writing shows her own ability to understand people.
Finnikin of the Rock lives up to her standards. It was thrilling and detailed and the pace was consistent. Often in fantasy novels the descriptions are so elaborate that the progression of the storyline comes to a standstill, but not this one.
I loved it!

[Kelly]

This book was truly amazing. It was so brutal, beautiful and passionate. It has everything that makes a great story and it didn't down play anything. I don't normally leave comments about books but I couldn't hold my tongue for this one. I really loved it. To have an appreciation for this book however one cannot compare it to her previous novels; it is a beauty in itself.
It addresses issues that are also relevant in the world today, for instance the lumateran exiles and their living conditions are very similar to many people especially in africa where they have been exiled from their country on account of war and famine.

I would highly recommend this to anyone.

[Emma]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! It was fantastic! It took me a while to actually sit down to read it, but once I did, I read it in one go. I love how unlike most fatasy novels it doesn't worry about historical/geographical/political events (which are usually so confusing, they're the reason why I don't like fantasy). Instead it focuses on the characters, and I have to admit I fell in love with, and was rooting for Evanjalin and Finnikin from the begining. And the whole "If I become King" scene - I'm a little ashamed to admit- was amazing and my favourite part. Ahh I'm a hopeless romantic at heart, and after this novel will set the bar way too high.

[Bianca]

I really did enjoy this novel.
I was a bit scared at the start as I am such a big fan of all her other work, but Finnikin of the rock was awsoume. It was so mysterious that I couldnt put it down because i wanted to know more !
So many shocks.
I wants to be Evanjalin , so i can get finnikin ;D. lol
as Erin said, I NEED to stop falling in love with fictional characters, first Edward Cullen and now Finnikin. Who next ?!

[Melina]

I loved writing this novel and I've especially loved receiving your feedback. Many readers have been fans of my earlier work and not necessarily fantasy buffs, so it's been wonderful receiving their letters and your comments because I know it's difficult on the reader when a writer switches genres and I do appreciate that readers trust my writing enough to go wherever I take them (I think Jellicoe prepared me for this) But I've loved, just as much, the response from fantasy fans, especially with regards to the plot and the characterisation of Evanjalin and Finnikin. I think what I enjoy from those readers is they've never read another of my novels, so they aren't comparing.
Regardless, I know not everyone is going to like it, but on a personal level, it's everything I wanted it to be and I couldn't be happier about its overall reception.

[Erin]

I finished this book on the weekend, in just one night. I absolutely loved it! It was far better than some other fantasy novels i have read, and although not quite up to the standards of Alibrandi or Jellicoe Road, it was highly enjoyable! I laughed and cried with the characters, and fell in love with Finnikin. I really need to stop falling in love with fictional characters! :) Thank you Melina, it was a marvellous read!

[arianrhod]

i find it interesting that so many people seem to really enjoy this book. i love melina marchetta and have up until this point thought her books get better and better but i really thought this was quite bad. it seemed very stilted to me and i didnt get to know the characters the way you normally do in her books. as a fantasy book goes i thought it was ok, but personally i expect more from this author

[Leiish]

This book is very different from Marchetta's other novels. I loved it but in a completely new way than I loved all her other books. You shouldn't compare it to her other books.

Evanjalin was an amazing character. A great read

[Kristine]

I was a bit iffy about reading this book of Melina Marchetta's as it's completely different to her others.
But I LOVED it just as much as all her other books.
The story line,the mysteriousness of everything.
I just couldn't put it down!

[Amelia]

I loved this book. It was both thrilling and moving. I thought that the story was oringal and set out differently to other stories but it was very clever. I loved the emotions and the reality of them especially because in a fantasy novel they can often be left behind in order for the plot to move along.

All up a fantastic fantasy novel for teens.