Welcome to Read This Book, a newsletter where I recommend one book that I think you absolutely must read. The books will vary across genre and age category to include new releases, backlist titles, and classics. If you’re ready to explode your TBR, buckle up!
This week, I am recommending the first book in my favorite YA fantasy series of all time. I recently re-read it, and found that it was just as immersive and emotional as the first time around. I’m recommending the first book, but know that the two sequels are out, and the series is finished, just in case that’s a consideration. One thing to note—if you are excited to read this series, don’t read the description of the second and third books until you finish the first book if you care about spoilers!
Content warning: Discussion of violence, murder, miscarriage, and sexual assault, and although nothing is described in graphic detail, it does have a heavy emotional impact on the characters.
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
The lives of everyone in the small, prosperous kingdom of Lumatere are forever disrupted one fateful night when the king and his family are overthrown and murdered, and his young son disappears, presumed dead. Finnikin was a child when this happened, and a curse fell upon the kingdom, exiling half the kingdom outside of Lumatere’s walls. Finnikin has grown up with the former king’s advisor, traveling the lands trying to improve life for the exiles but he’s long given up hope that he’ll ever be able to return home…until a young novice who has taken a vow of silence communicates to him that if Finnikin can find his father, the imprisoned King’s Guard, and unite the exiles, she can produce the missing heir and bring Lumatere’s people home. Finnikin wants to believe her, but she seems to be hiding an impossible secret.
It’s no exaggeration to say that this is one of my favorite books of all time. When it comes to fantasy, I require a few things: excellent writing, great world building, incredible characters, and a fantastic plot—preferably one that explores big topics that are relatable in the real world. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m picky, but books like this are why I love this genre. Marchetta creates magic on the page, and I love how she explores the idea of displacement and what it means to belong, and how to process a collective trauma. Now, be warned—it is a slow build at the beginning as the characters are set up and the conflict is established. If you give it 50 pages, I promise you’ll be hooked by the incredible storytelling elements as Finnikin and his small band of exiles begin the arduous process of rescuing their people, uniting them, and then finding the bravery to face unbearable pain and suffering in order to take back their home. There are a few surprises along the way, although savvy readers might be able to see a few plot developments coming. But the ending? Totally worth it.
The first book has a complete arc, which is really satisfying in this world of fantasy cliffhangers and ongoing series, but if you love this book I highly recommend checking out Froi of the Exiles and Quintana of Charyn, the second and third books in the trilogy. Just be warned…if you pick up Froi, you’ll want Quintana on hand because Froi ends on a cliffhanger!
Happy reading!
Tirzah
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