I was swept away by Lucian and Phaedra’s story, by their affection for one another and their confusion over their feelings, by their dedication to their people and ultimately, to each other. The couple that surprised me the most in this installment, however, was neither Isaboe and Finnikin nor Quintana and Froi. I sort of loved the irony that Quintana is in the valley between Lumatere and Charyn, so close to his home, yet he travels across the kingdom search for her and raising an army to defend the right of her unborn child to rule and the right of Quintana to simply live. Though they spend nearly the whole book apart, readers will feel their intense bond.

Quintana is fierce, and fiercely protective of her unborn child, and Froi will do anything to find her and keep her safe. The power dynamic between these two makes their relationship fascinating and their passion for one another makes it quite steamy-but Marchetta handles the intimate scenes with finesse and flair. The book opens with Isaboe waking and crying out Froi’s name in bed, which makes Finnikin jealous. The queen and her consort have a tumultuous relationship. They are lovers, friends, citizens, leaders, mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, sisters and brothers, and the bonds between them are so complex and complicated and at times contradictory.

What makes The Lumatere Chronicles so amazing is not just the characters, but the relationships between them. I’d wished I’d waited to read the entire series back to back or at least refreshed myself with a quick skim of Froi before starting again. There are so many different threads to the story and so many characters to keep track of. It had only been a few months since I read Finnikin of the Rock and Froi of the Exiles back to back, but it still took me a good 100 pages to get immersed in the world again. In the Lumatere chronicles, she managed to weave together the stories of so many unique, fascinating characters into a rich tapestry. My thoughts: I am in awe of Melina Marchetta’s amazing plotting.

The complex tangle of bloodlines, politics, and love introduced in Finnikin of the Rock and Froi of the Exiles coalesce into an engrossing climax in this final volume. While in the valley between two kingdoms, Quintana of Charyn and Isaboe of Lumatere come face-to-face in a showdown that will result in heartbreak for one and power for the other. Synopsis: Separated from the girl he loves and has sworn to protect, Froi and his companions travel through Charyn searching for Quintana and building an army that will secure her unborn child’s right to rule. Source: purchased Kindle edition from Amazon, final hardback copy from BEA Bloggers Convention Published: Published April 23rd 2013 by Candlewick Press

Quintana of charyn by melina marchetta