Review: Lumatere Chronicles #1 & #2 by Melina Marchetta

Title: Finnikin of the rock (Lumatere Chronicles#1)

Author: Melina Marchetta
Pages: 399
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Genre: High Fantasy
Release:  February 9th 2010 (First published  September 29th 2008 by Viking Australia AU)
Author's website: http://www.melinamarchetta.com.au/

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

  

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.

Title: Froi of the Exiles (Lumatere Chronicles#2)

Author: Melina Marchetta
Pages: 596
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Genre: High Fantasy
Release:  March 13th 2012 (First published October 3rd 2011 by Viking Australia AU)
Author's website: http://www.melinamarchetta.com.au/

Blood sings to blood.... 

those born last will make the first

and Charyn will be barren no more

Three years after the curse on Lumatere was lifted, Froi has found his home ... or so he believes. Fiercely loyal to the Queen and Finnikin, Froi has been taken roughly and lovingly in hand by the Guard sworn to protect the royal family, and has learned to control his quick temper with a warrior’s discipline. But when he is sent on a secretive mission to the kingdom of Charyn, nothing could have prepared him for what he finds in its surreal royal court. Soon he must unravel both the dark bonds of kinship and the mysteries of a half-mad princess in this barren and mysterious place.

It is in Charyn that he will discover there is a song sleeping in his blood … and though Froi would rather not, the time has come to listen.

My POV :- 

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

In unique Marchetta's style, the books not only has got an intriguing plot, also is full of action scenes, adventure,amazing and detailed world building, and as usual, characterization like only Merchetta can create, it's a complete Power Pack but also the story has an underlying message that goes beyond readers sheer entertainment.

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

I enjoyed character development from book #1 to book #2 and throughout the journey. Where 'Finikking of the rock' has a bit of a slow start, but gradually picks up pace, 'Froi of the Exiles' was on a roll From the very beginning till the last word. It took me a while to pick my dropped jaw up by the end of book #2 :) . Both books left me breathless. It took me almost 100 pages of book #1 to get the gist of it, But I kept reading, and then I couldn't put it down, I read both the books one after other In July 2012, Yeah, It was that good!!! I still get goosebumps every time I read the quotes. The series starts with the Condemnation of war and of it's horror that will leave you fervent. There is dirty politics, Consequences, horror of curse, kick-ass heroines, hot-tormented-bad ass heroes, sacrifices and gradually building to-die-for love, What's not to love!!! It is indeed one of the best high fantasy series.

Five hot coffee cups with *drum roll*
STARBUCKS Coffee cup

Some of the Best Quotes from both the books:

• “Never underestimate the value of knowing another's language. It can be far more powerful than swords and arrows.” ― Finnikin of the Rock
• "Sir Topher finally looked up. “Because any hope beyond that, my boy, would be too much. I feared we would drown in it.", "Then I choose to drown,” Finnikin said. “In hope. Rather than float into nothing.”  ― Finnikin of the Rock
•  “When one is silent, those around speak even more.” ―  Finnikin of the Rock
• “It’s against the rules of humanity to believe there is nothing we can do.” ―  Finnikin of the Rock  
• “If we forget who we lost, then we forget who we once were, and if we forget who we once were, we lose sight of who we are now.” ―  Froi of the Exiles
•   “Some of us weren't born for rewards, Froi. We were born for sacrifices.'  ―  Froi of the Exiles. 

P.S.- Third book of the series "Quintana of Charyn" will come out on Sept. 26, 2012.