From internationally bestselling and award-winning author Melina Marchetta comes Book Two in The Lumatere Chronicles, her dazzling epic fantasy series.
Fiercely loyal to the Queen and Finnikin, Froi has finally found his home in Lumatere . . . or so he believes. But when he is sent on a dark and secretive mission to the rival kingdom of Charyn, nothing could have prepared him for what he finds in its surreal royal court. In this dangerous place he must unravel the mysteries of a half-mad princess . . . and discover the truth before it is too late.
Praise for Froi of the Exiles:
'Marchetta's imagined world swallowed me whole and I wanted to stay in it.' Lorien Kaye, The Age
'Marchetta again demonstrates her fearlessness in exposing humanity at its ugliest, but also at its noblest, as her damaged characters struggle to rebuild their lives. The precipice on which Marchetta leaves readers will have them aching—but also terrified—to discover what comes next.' Publisher's Weekly (starred review)
'For fans, this is a must-read; newcomers to Lumatere's story will dive in with enthusiasm.This epic has everything readers can ask for: great characters and a truly spectacular plot filled with romance, suspense, friendship and betrayal.' Kirkus Review
'Charged with sexual tension, internecine politics and violent changes of both fortune and allegiance, this is a complex, memorable fantasy.' Katharine England, Adelaide Advertiser
'The best audience for this sequel is the many fans of FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK, who will hungrily devour the book, despite its length...The story's tortured romances and beyond-dysfunctional families are achingly memorable, and the complicated, continually surprising plot will keep readers on their toes... readers... will bask in the deep satisfaction of a gripping story gloriously told.' The Horn Book
'The strength of Froi is not any 'gotcha' moment, but, rather, the detailed and complex and sympathetic world of Charyn, a world that in Finnikin the reader was told was dark and now turns out to be — not light, but, rather, one with shades of gray. This is an ugly story, beautifully written; a story of both the harm that people can inflict, and the healing. It is about need and forgiveness. It is about hope, but the hope that is earned by blood and tears, the hope that is willed into being because of a desire that life should be better than what it is.
'Lest this sound too emotional, too romantic, rest assured it is also action packed. It is, after all, about war; about killing a king; about rebellion. Froi is someone who prefers to uses his fists.
'Froi is also funny, in the type of real-world way that people are, a bit sarcastic and flip. Sometimes the humor is dark, the type of humor used in tough situations.
'This is, no doubt about i, one of my Favorite Books Read in 2012. Because I fell in love with Froi, and Quintana, and the Charynites Froi meets on the way. Because like Froi, I began to forget the task he had to do and what his new friendships would mean to those left back in Lumatere.' School Library Journal http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/teacozy/2012/03/05/review-froi-of-the-exiles/
'This book is complex, with rich and flawed characters and a plot that is completely addictive because it's so unpredictable and multilayered. It can stand alone, although plot details from FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK are mentioned, making it more rewarding to read the two in order. Fans of the intricate fantasies of Megan Whalen Turner or George R. R. Martin will love this powerful book and wait impatiently for the next installment' School Library Journal
'For fans, this is a must-read; newcomers to Lumatere's story will dive in with enthusiasm.This epic has everything readers can ask for: great characters and a truly spectacular plot filled with romance, suspense, friendship and betrayal' Kirkus Reviews
'Readers will be richly rewarded, as . . . the tale is transformed into a lush tapestry in which each stitch is a nugget of history and each splash of color a rounded character that engages readers' emotions. The expertly crafted ending is designed to leave fans old and new waiting with keen anticipation for the next entry . . . Expect significant attention for this highbrow, high-fantasy sequel.' Booklist (starred review)
'In FROI OF THE EXILES, Marchetta has once again created a complex, engrossing world of adventure, intrigue and romance, with strong characters and compelling storylines. Books this good aren't just for teens.' Bookpage
'This intricately plotted novel has richly drawn and well-developed characters. This is Marchetta's strength. She is truly a master of formal, stylized high fantasy. . . The characters and their conflicts, particularly Quintana—one of the most fascinating characters in the fantasy genre—will keep readers glued to this absorbing sequel. Recommend this book to fans of fantasy authors Christopher Paolini or Megan Whalen Turner.' VOYA
'In this impressive companion to FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK, the focalization shifts from Finn to Froi (perhaps the most intriguing member of the first book's superb supporting cast), enabling Marchetta to explore the political machinations working beyond Lumatere and to examine human interactions... Where Finnikin was about the reclamation of something lost, Froi's story is about the building of something new in the wake of physical and sexual trauma at both an individual and societal level. Fans of the first book are no doubt expecting to be challenged by its sequel, and they will not be disappointed by this thrilling, romantic, and utterly unforgettable tale.' Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
Awards
1. American Library Association Best Fiction For Young Adults
2. Best Fiction for Young Adults Nominee
3. Capitol Choices Noteworthy Titles for Children & Teens
4. YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults list
5. Los Angeles Public Library's Best of 2012 book list
6. Kirkus Reviews - Best YA Books of the Year
7. YALSA Reader's Choice List Nominee
8. BFYA Best Fiction for Young Adults Nominations
