How did I not know of this series earlier. So good. ( )

This is the 2nd book in Melina Marchetta's Lumatere Chronicles.

The story picks up three years after the ending of the 1st book. Froi, who was featured as a prominent side character in the 1st, takes center stage here. As a small boy, raised on the streets of one of the roughest Kingdoms on the continent, he was assumed to be one of the exiles from captured Lumatere. Finnikin and Isaboe rescue him from streets and when they regain their Kingdom Froi is taken with them and begins a new life.

Now a member of the Queen's Guard, he is respected and has a life he could never have dreamed of before. Yet, something is missing and there are triggers in his heart and mind, recently, that make him wonder if he really did come from Lumatere.

The Lands around Lumatere are still in unrest, and the Queen still seeks revenge on the The Kingdom of Charyn and the men who held Lumatere hostage for so long. In the valley below her kingdom, refugee Charynites are pouring over the border and their reasons why are very unsettling.

Froi is sent over the border into the heart Charyn on a secret mission, and what Froi finds out is more than he, or the Queen bargained for.

Marchetta's writing is undeniable some of the best "fantasy" without heart-stopping magic that I have come across in a while. Her characters will steal your heart. When an author can make me smile and cry, all in the same hour they win me over as fan. Her world building is up there with the best.

I gave Finnikin of the Rock 4 stars, hesitating on that 5th star because it seemed hard to justify for a YA fantasy-No hesitation this time 5 bright shining stars, and well deserved!
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The second book in the Lumatere Chronicles follows Froi into Charyn, where he is sent to assasinate the King, as retribution for his role in regicide and the occupation of Lumatere. Froi discovers that he is Charyn as his "blood sings" there, and learns about his family from whom he was sent away for his own safety. Yet, treachery is everywhere and he learns that the young are barren, with a legend that only the last born can break the curse. Impersonating Olivier, a first born, Froi falls for the possessed princess. Liked the characters in the first book better, but will read the third book upon its release. ( )

I am absolutely positively in love with this series. I think that Marchetta's writing is beautiful and nuanced and poetic. She writes characters that I can't help but feel for even if I'm hating them. She also tells a story better than most any writer out there. Her stories are complex and riviting and surprising. She puts in twists and surprises that you often don't see coming. And then she pulls at your heartstrings and makes you cry. She has all those things that make up a wonderful author.

This story moves the focus mainly onto Froi. We don't see much of Finnikin and Isaboe but they are there. There story also expands some on Lucien's story and that of Lady Beatriss and Trevanian. It introduces a lot of new characters and, at the same time I'm pining for the lack of Finnikin and Isaboe, I'm falling in love with the new characters. I can't wait to see how it all comes together in the final book.

If you are even the slightest bit of a fantasy fan, you need to read these books. They're great. ( )

“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.”

It has been years since I read the first book, Finnikin of the Rock, but I had no trouble falling back into the beautiful world Melina Marchetta created. It was like I had never left even though the story starts three years after the first one ended. A lot of sequels try to summarize the first book within the second, but that wasn't the case here. Tidbits of information are dropped throughout, but they were gentle reminders that didn't take away from the current story.

I don't really remember how I felt about Froi from Finnikin of the Rock, but I absolutely loved him in this! He's so devoted to Isaboe and the kingdom of Lumatere. He's made a home for himself and would do anything to protect those he loves. However, he isn't expecting to form new relationships when he leaves on a secret mission for his queen and king. He didn't think anyone could matter to him as much, but he cannot help his feelings or how they develop.

There are not enough words to describe how magical and wonderful this world is. I cannot fathom how Melina Marchetta's mind works, or how she created something so complex and completely captivating. This book is a beast... like 600 pages, but I never wanted to stop reading. The length of Froi of the Exiles is what kept me from starting this one for so long, and I want to thank Andi for giving me the push I needed to finally commit to reading it.

I like to think I'm pretty good at figuring things out in a book before they happen, but damn... I never knew what was coming, and I was often so surprised I had to re-read a few pages to make sure I really understood what was going on. There are so many things happening at once, and everyone has a secret (or five). It wasn't until everyone started explaining themselves that a complete picture was formed.

This book also made me feel. They weren't always good feelings either, because there are things that happen that make me want to be a very violent person. I don't know how Froi was able to restrain himself at times, and I know his bond had to be strong to keep himself from lashing out and killing everyone. Quintana broke my heart, and what happens to her is cruel and despicable. Gah, I can't even talk about this without getting worked up.

Quintana was a fascinating character that cannot be easily explained. She's so much more than people think, and my heart repeatedly broke for her. Despite everything she has lived through, she still remains a fierce force to be reckoned with.

I love all the characters in this book, and it would be impossible for me to list each one and what I liked about them. We see various perspectives throughout the book (though mostly Froi's), and it was wonderful to watch each of them as the story progresses. I'm so happy Marchetta included everyone from the first book, and that we get to see what's happening in their lives, too.

Have I said enough? Maybe. Can I say enough? Definitely not. I could go on and on about everything I loved about this book, but I'll simply ask that you read it for yourself. It's something that needs to be experienced by you and not just talked about by me. Technically, you could skip Finnikin of the Rock and just read Froi of the Exiles, because they can stand on their own. However, I would recommend reading them both so you can stay in Marchetta's incredibly enchanting world just a little bit longer.

*Originally reviewed for the feature New to You on Andi's ABCs!
https://andiabcs.com/2018/05/08/new-to-you-9-lindsi-reviews-froi-of-the-exiles-b...

Posted at Do You Dog-ear? on May 10, 2018.
https://www.doyoudog-ear.com/2018/05/froi-of-exiles-lumatere-chronicles-2-by.htm... ( )