Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hmmmm......

I liked this book, but I didn't LOVE this book. There were parts of the story that just seemed off, in my opinion.

1) Where did they find Evanjalin? I know it was some sort of cloister of a goddess, but I guess it bothered me that Finnikin was SO against her coming along, and Sir Topher let it happen anyway, despite him usually following along with Finnikin's opinions.

2)Evanjalin didn't really annoy me, as I have read many others say, but she unnerved me. Her complete and total calm in the face of everything was unsettling. I wanted her to freak out just a bit.

3)Why is Froi even important in this story? He doesn't add ANYTHING, other than he tries to rape someone and they all end up loving him, because, "aw shucks, he's just an exile." WHAT?!? Did that not perturb anyone else? I imagine he will play a larger role in the second books, especially since it's named after him, but I just seriously didn't see the point of his character at all.

Despite those little nitpicky things above, I really did enjoy the story, and the majority of the characters. It's not an overused plot, and Marchetta keeps things interesting enough to make me wonder about picking up that second installment. I felt like maybe it was a tad too long (could have been wrapped up MUCH sooner), but there was a grieving process happening in Lumatere that I guess the author wanted the reader to feel a part of.



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The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was not prepared to love the first book in this series, The Thief, as much as I did, so it was surprising that I could enjoy the second book even more.

Gen is just as likable in this second installment, if not maybe a little more so, especially after he has to come to terms with a loss. I think Attolia has much more depth than we imagined, as does Eddis, and I was tickled to see other characters return, even if just briefly.

Gen is human in this story. He grieves in the same way that you or might might, and he takes a long time to recover. We are given a glimpse into his relationship with his father as well. It's obvious that despite the nature of Gen's job for the queen, he is well loved by those who surround him.

Turner continues to provide stories within the story in TQOA. Much like our own fables and parables, each little tale about a god or goddess is a lesson for not only the characters, but for us, the readers. Another bonus: these are quick reads. Authors often get lost in their own stories, and I feel like the last few books I have read have been quite repetitive. Turner doesn't just give us a story, she hides meaning within each sentence, and this is done succinctly, so that I am never lost or bored.

If you are looking for something that has depth, but don't want to be bogged down, pick up this series. You won't regret it!

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The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. I actually bought it last year for my 5th grade classroom, and then never picked it up again, until I read a review by Emily May. The story was quite engaging, and you can't help but like Eugenides.

I enjoyed most everything about this book. The folktales were excellent additions, sort of a story within a story, and while the author states that she didn't base her gods/goddesses on Greek and Roman mythology, there are several similarities. I came to respect the magus during my reading, and I was very glad that Gen could count him as a friend at the end of the book.

What didn't I like? Well, let's just say there's a bit of a twist at the end, and while I may have seen it coming, I didn't realize I wouldn't get to "watch" it happen.

Bottom line: read this book!

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