For the past week I have been listening to this book on audio, part of the new series from Brilliance called Candlewick on Brilliance (thanks, Tim Ditlow for sending some of these along to me). FINNKIN OF THE ROCK (Candlewick 2010) examines what happens to a country when its people are forced into slavery or exile. The leaders of Lumatere are murdered by assassins causing a curse to be imposed on the kingdom, a curse that has kept the exiles from returning to their homeland. Finnikin, the son of the captain of the guard, has rescued his father from prison and is now returning to his kingdom led by a young woman who is definitely not what or who she claims to be.
Though the story is certainly packed with action and adventure and danger and intrigue, it is the story of the many relationships that remains as its focus. Finnkin and his father, Finnikin and the man who has been his tutor/father figure for years Sir Topher, and Finnikin and the woman known as Evanjalin--these are the stories that matter. These are the stories that explain what has happened in the past and what the future might hold. These are the stories that will keep readers engaged in this fantasy that plays out more like a history. <405>
POSSIBLE READING LADDERS:
NATION by Terry Pratchett
GRACELING
FIRE by Kristin Cashore
HEROES OF THE VALLEY
