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At the age of nine, Finnikin's world is shattered by the five days of the unspeakable: the royal family of Lumatere is brutally murdered, an imposter seizes the throne, and a curse binds all who remain inside the kingdom's walls. Those who escape are left to roam as exiles.
Ten years later, Finnikin and his mentor, Sir Topher, are summoned to meet Evanjalin, a young novice with a startling claim: Balthazar, the heir to the throne of Lumatere and Finnikin's childhood friend, is alive, and she can lead Finnikin to him. Even as he suspects this arrogant young woman, Finnikin also begins to believe that Lumatere might one day be raised.
My thoughts:
Hype. Yes hype. Everyone told me that this was the best book ever. So was it? Nope, it was good, I could enjoy it, but nowhere near best ever. Best fantasy ever, HA, no. Best YA fantasy? Not even that.
I also felt like it did not know where to stand. Shall I be YA, or try to be adult? SO SO much rape. But almost no violence, before you say anything, stop, I say almost no violence for a book with that much talk about rape.
And that last big fight scene, the book's war. Omg, pathetic. 2 pages where nothing was described. Give me a war, give me death, blood destruction, make me feel. Now it felt like they rode in and in a second everyone won.
And then there was more talk about rape.
Finnikin, well him I could like. He felt the hardship, he wanted more for their people. But what to do.
Evanjelin, omg, I did not like her. Arrogant and unlikable.
And then there was more talk about rape.
It was a journey book. They went on a journey, and then the book ended and everyone was happy for now.
A leader should be kind, and yes ruthless at times. But still nope, I can't see that person as a ruler. Not as a good ruler.
Conclusion:
It was good, simple, but omg so much rape talk. I get it, you all suffered! But give me some brutality against men too then.
Read more? Sure I could, but please not another 400 page rape book. And there are better fantasy books there, so book 2 can wait. Also, please no win a war in 2 pages *eye roll*
Cover
Meh
Paperback, 401 pages
Published August 9th 2011 by Candlewick Press (first published September 29th 2008)
Lumatere Chronicles #1
Fantasy YA
Own
Ouch.
ReplyDeleteYeah, only her writing saved it for me. She is a really good writer
DeleteWhoa. I read another book by her that everyone said was the best book EVER and I hated it so even though it wasn't this one I don't feel so alone. lol
ReplyDeleteKaren @For What It's Worth
Jellicoe road? I have heard people rave about that one. The library only has a translation and I can't trust that
DeleteDoesn't sound like my kind of book.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Happy New year!
DeleteWell, hopefully there will be healing and more male arse kicking in the next book. Otherwise I do think I would pass.
ReplyDeleteBTW, Happy New Year!!
I heard that the next book is just as filled with rape, so this is it for me
DeleteI don't know I'm not sure... rape... well not for me.
ReplyDeleteit was too much
DeleteI agree that a battle scene should last longer than two pages, especially if the book is 400 pages long. Maybe less rape and more battle. I rarely find stories that live up to the hype for me.
ReplyDeleteMelanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads
It was way too short. So yes totally, more about the battle, since I never got how they could win
Delete*waves*
ReplyDelete*waves*
DeleteI missed the hype on this one. But looks like I didn't miss much. I do like some of the elements you've described so maybe someday.
ReplyDeleteWell it must have been years ago so...
DeleteA hype book I have never heard of before and won't bother to read at all. I pass on the rape stuff too.
ReplyDeleteI say that is a good idea
DeleteOh... so not for me.
ReplyDeleteyeah
DeleteHuh, I never looked at it from that perspective :) I enjoyed it even if it wasn't the best fantasy ever. I really loved a lot of quotes from this book. Lovely writing!
ReplyDeleteI just wished some things had been different
DeleteSadness! And yet - I get where you're coming from. What is your best YA fantasy then?
ReplyDeleteWell Thorn that I read this year was amazing. I did like Seraphina, but was so disappointed when book 2 sucked. Poison Study was so great, and then the rest sucked...see the theme?
DeleteOMFG finally, someone I can relate to on this novel. I do not like this series. I couldn't even really get to book two because I just could not muster the energy. I'll stuck to Melina's contemporary novels.
ReplyDeleteYAY. I do feel alone, like why am I the only one that is bugged by this book!
DeleteHer contemporary are nice