LitPick Review
For nearly ten years, Finnikin of the Rock and his mentor have been traveling the land of Skuldendore, searching for an area for the exiles of Lumatere. During five fateful days, the royal family of the kingdom of Lumatere was slaughtered and a terrible curse was placed on the land, separating it from the rest of the kingdoms in Skuldendore; those who were able to leave the kingdom walls before the curse set in became exiled in the surrounding kingdoms, while those stuck inside were left to be ruled by an imposter king. The exiles live separated and in despair, as do Finnikin and his mentor, until word comes to them of the possibility of a surviving heir to the Lumateran throne. But now the question stands; should they put faith in an odd girl’s rather outrageous claim, or continue in their quest for a new Lumatere?
Opinion:
Melina Marchetta’s Finnikin of the Rock will take the reader on a fast-paced adventure through a beautifully created fantasy world. Finnikin and the rest of the unique cast of characters are believable and keep the novel moving and advancing, while adding depth to the story line through their mixed emotions and constant action. Not only are the characters excellent, but the writing is also well-done. The style complements the plot and is a perfect difficulty level for seventh to ninth graders. Although the very beginning is a little slow, it improves quickly. Anyone who enjoys fantasy won’t be able to put Finnikin down until they’ve read it all.
