Froi of the Exiles

Starred review from January 23, 2012
In a spellbinding companion to Finnikin of the Rock, set three years after the events of that book, Marchetta shifts attention from Lumatere to its neighboring enemy kingdom of Charyn, no stranger to violence and curses itself—in this case, one that has left its citizens barren for 18 years. Froi, a former street thief who has started a new life in Lumatere, is sent to Charyn in disguise to assassinate its king, but his worldview is shaken by revelations about his own unknown past. Tensions between the two kingdoms ratchet up, and Froi’s loyalties are tested as he becomes entrenched in the chaotic political situation in Charyn and is drawn to its unpredictable princess, Quintana, who has been horribly abused in an attempt to break Charyn’s curse. Marchetta again demonstrates her fearlessness in exposing humanity at its ugliest (rape, massacre, and prejudice are rampant), but also at its noblest, as her damaged characters struggle to rebuild their lives. The precipice on which Marchetta leaves readers will have them aching—but also terrified—to discover what comes next. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary Management.

May 1, 2012

Gr 9 Up-In this engrossing continuation of the series, Froi, a former thief, has earned his place in the Queen of Lumatere's guard. He's a fierce warrior with an aptitude for languages. This makes him the perfect person to infiltrate the kingdom of Charyn to assassinate the brutal and corrupt king. Charyn is under a curse-no children have been born there in 18 years. The king's daughter, Quintana, the last female born in that time, is prophesied to be the one to break the curse and bear the newborn king. It's said that only the last-born son of one of Charyn's provinces can impregnate her but none have succeeded. Froi's mission is only to kill the king, but as he impersonates a last-born son, he falls for Quintana, reputed to be insane due to the sexual abuse she's experienced. Froi is drawn into the lives of those in the Charyn palace, including the king's wife, imprisoned for years in the palace for attempted murder, and a priestling said to be gods' touched and his crippled, brilliant twin brother. This book is complex, with rich and flawed characters and a plot that is completely addictive because it's so unpredictable and multilayered. It can stand alone, although plot details from Finnikin of the Rock (Candlewick, 2010) are mentioned, making it more rewarding to read the two in order. Fans of the intricate fantasies of Megan Whalen Turner or George R. R. Martin will love this powerful book and wait impatiently for the next installment.-Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Library, Trenton

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2012
With this, the second of the Lumatere Chronicles, fans will be delighted to learn more about this fantasy world and their favorite characters from Finnikin of the Rock (2010). Set three years after Lumatere was freed from the Charynite occupation, the story revolves around Queen Isaboe's decision to send Froi to assassinate the infamous king of Charyn. Froi, petty thief and former slave from the land of Sarnak, has developed (beyond all expectations) into a skilled fighter, farmer and pupil of history and language. The quick-start plot grabs attention right off, and the steady build-up of tension--fueled by abductions, political machinations, regicide and political chaos--will keep people reading through this long book. Characters, always Marchetta's strength, grow and develop as the story progresses, while the land of Charyn, portrayed with telling details, cleverly supports the tale's suspense. An epilogue reveals that there's much more to come. For fans, this is a must-read; newcomers to Lumatere's story will dive in with enthusiasm. This epic has everything readers can ask for: great characters and a truly spectacular plot filled with romance, suspense, friendship and betrayal. (Fantasy. 14 & up)

COPYRIGHT(2012) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from February 15, 2012
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Printz Awardwinning Marchetta returns to the world of Finnikin of the Rock (2010) for this second book in the Lumatere Chronicles. A member of the Lumateran Guard, young Froi is sent on a deadly mission into the neighboring kingdom of Charyn, where he discovers family connections and a tangled web of sexual abuse, love, and deception at the highest levels of the Charynite government. Rather than kill those who might endanger his beloved adopted country, Froi fights to save an emotionally damaged young queen and a kingdom that has been without children for 18 years. Though this sequel stands on its own as a complete story, those who have digested Finnikin will find it easier to grasp the tensions and intricacies that drive the plot. Marchetta's close attention to detail slows the pace initially, as she lays out the boundaries and topography of her imagined world. But dedicated readers will be richly rewarded, as soon enough the tale is transformed into a lush tapestry in which each stitch is a nugget of history and each splash of color a rounded character that engages readers' emotions. The expertly crafted ending is designed to leave fans old and new waiting with keen anticipation for the next entry. Fill the intervening time by suggesting Kristin Cashore's Graceling (2008) and Fire (2009), Lena Coakley's Witchlanders (2011), or Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments trilogy. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Australian Marchetta has matched her ardent oversea fan base with an equally passionate teen following in the U.S. Expect significant attention for this highbrow, high-fantasy sequel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)

May 1, 2012
The best audience for this sequel is the many fans of Finnikin of the Rock (rev. 5/10), who will hungrily devour the book, despite its length. Though Froi was only a secondary character in Finnikin, there were signs that there was more to him than his street thug past and his attempted rape of Evanjalin, now Queen Isaboe of Lumatere. How Froi -- three years later, now a passionately devoted follower of Isaboe and her consort Finnikin -- goes from loyal subject to unwilling spy and assassin to major figure in the future of this crumbling imagined world makes for feverish page-turning. The story's tortured romances and beyond-dysfunctional families are achingly memorable, and the complicated, continually surprising plot will keep readers on their toes, even as they juggle the numerous characters, who are vividly portrayed (although a list would help). The book's length steeps readers in the history and the physical and cultural characteristics of the land of Skuldenore, and while the war-devastated countries and the machinations of the power-hungry are soberly delineated, flashes of humor, especially from our heroes, Froi and Princess Quintana (both appealingly rough around the edges), offer hope amid the darkness. Although readers may throw conniptions over the cliffhanger ending (and a projected year-long wait for the third and final book), they will, ultimately, bask in the deep satisfaction of a gripping story gloriously told. jennifer m. brabander

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2012
Froi was only a secondary character in Finnikin of the Rock but takes center stage in this sequel. How he goes from loyal subject to unwilling spy and assassin to major figure in the future of this crumbling imagined world makes for feverish page-turning. Though a cliffhanger, the ending will leave readers basking in the satisfaction of a gripping story gloriously told.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)