Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta - Review

Here's my colleague, Antonia's review of Finnikin of the Rock, her pick for this week's best read.

Once upon a time three young boys make a pledge to each other and their land. Balthazar, heir apparent, swears to give his life for his country of Lumatere. Finnikin, son of the Captain of the King's Guard, swears to be his protector and guide to the Royal House. Lucian, cousin to the heir, swears to be the light to whom they would go in times of need. At nine years old, these three boys swear, not knowing the horror that is to come.

Then come the five days of the Unspeakable. The king is murdered; the queen and elder princesses raped and slaughtered; the youngest Princess torn to shreds in the forest, and Balthazar is presumed dead. Finnikin's father is proclaimed a traitor and sent to rot in a foreign prison. Lucian escapes the land of Lumatere with his mountain people, Finnikin with his Father's men. Years pass until one night a messenger comes to Finnikin whispering the name "Balthazar" and summoning him to the shrine of the Goddess Lagrami. There, the high priestess passes into his care a young novice by the name of Evanjalin. He is to escort her through the lands of Skuldenore in search of the Heir of Lumatere. In a journey full of horror and anguish, Finnikin and Evanjalin see first-hand the atrocities perpetuated upon their people in exile. Together they search for the pieces that must be in place for the return of the Heir and stir hope in the hearts of those who can see none.
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Printz Award winner Marchetta has created a brilliant work of modern fantasy, laced with such realism as to make it a truly gut-wrenching read. In a world full of hope and devastation, amidst acts of unparalleled courage and base depravity, both the bold action of men and the quiet fury of women blaze as they try to avenge their fallen. Truly, a tour de force!