Finnikin of the Rock

Finnikin of the Rock
By Melina Marchetta
Candlewick Press, 2010. 399 pgs. Young Adult

Eight-year-old Finnikin of the Rock pledges with Balthazar, prince of Lumatere and Lucien, son of the Monts, that they will keep Lumatere safe and protected. Ten years later Finnikin roams the kingdoms with Sir Topher, looking for a new home for his people and country after the Five Days of the Unspeakable when the king and his family were murdered, half the inhabitants were exiled, and the imposter king took over. Then, in a dream, the prince’s name is whispered to Finnikin and he and Sir Topher meet the novice Evanjalin, who walks through her sleep with the Lumaterans and speaks of the heir’s return. Struggling with conflicting feelings of guilt and hope, Finnikin is unsure of Evanjalin’s knowledge and her determined hope and doesn’t know whether to follow her.

A darker young adult fantasy more suited for sophisticated readers, this does not focus so much on action, but is character-driven; each character struggles with their past and present actions and how they can restore Lumatere, and themselves, to a better state. Finnikin and Evanjalin are perfect foils to each other; Finnikin worries about his own desires (prompted in part by a warning given to him by a powerful witch) while Evanjalin longs to use her mysterious powers to give Lumaterans their country and hope back. Twists and turns abound in this novel that also has romance, magic, and intrigue. This is definitely one of my favorite fantasy novels to date.

MN