Froi of the Exiles - Melina Marchetta

Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta
This is the second book in the Lumatere trilogy. Set three years later, Froi is one the many young men who found a home in Lumatere after the curse on the land in finally lifted. In the first one, Finnikin of the Rock, Froi unknowingly journey's with three people essential to restoring Lumatere. In return for their acceptance, Froi is very loyal to Lumatere. Froi finally gets to do something on behalf of his new kingdom. Sent on a secret mission to Charyn, where the king responsible for Lumatere's five days of the unspeakable lives. As Froi tries to do what he believes is best for his adopted kingdom, the queen, her husband and the people of Lumatere are doing their very best to heal and rebuild.

There are many excellent and complicated layers making the struggles, sorrows, successes and triumphs feel that much more realistic. I loved Finnikin of Rock and was very much looking forward to Froi of the Exiles and I was not disappointed. I should be embarrassed by how much I love Marchetta's work but am not. She's simply got some serious skills, every single time I read one of Marchetta novels (I've read them all) she simply raises the bar and crushes it. I realize this is more of a fan gush than a review but I don't care.

An excerpt via Candlewick press
It's best to read in order, Finnikin of the Rock is out in paperback.
An excerpt of Finnikin of the Rock via Candlewick press

Starred Publishers Weekly review
Kirkus review

Into the Wise Dark - Neesha Meminger

Into the Wise Dark by Neesha Meminger
Zanum has been Pammi's second home since she first found it at the age of seven with her special ability. Pammi loves her mother but after being forced to see Dr. Mace she's kept her gift of traveling through time a secret. Pammi almost lost Zanum because of Dr. Mace. So Pammi pretends to be normal and not called to her other home. In Zanum she has a second mother and a boyfriend named Dhan. Pammi will be spending the summer before her senior year working as peer support counselor at a psychiatric facility. This unwanted position is a part of her everything okay cover. Pammi spends as much time as she can in Zanum. After a plot to destroy Zanum is brought to light, Pammi's distraught fearing she is responsible.

As with most fantasy novels the first half is dedicated to world building. I liked Pammi, even more so when I realized she was a secondary character from the author's previous novel Jazz in Love. Meminger's writing is fundamentally sound and I can't put my finger on why the first half didn't grab me like I thought it would. There was only one thing I could've done without, Dr. Mace's bad intentions being so obvious. It felt as if the author was forcing this truth on the reader and I don't think it added to the storyline.

Zanum was well developed and visualized. Also there were a few scenes in the first part that stood out. Actually one in particular I loved. It plays a pivotal roll so I won't reveal much. I will simply say its about life death, trust, sacrifice and faith, also the suspense of that scene was intensely beautiful. It also had the wow and pop I expect from Meminger.

Before I got to the second half which I absolutely loved, one of the main reasons I kept reading because of who wrote the story. I did the same thing a few years back with Marchetta's Jellicoe Road. Anyone who's read Jellicoe Road knows the first time in the beginning is very confusing. If it was anyone else I would've put the book down but I had faith in the author's writing and stuck with it and payoff was beautiful.

Jellicoe Road and Into the Wise Dark are two very different novels, the only common factor is me continuing to read because I trusted the authors to take me some where worth going. Like Marchetta, Meminger did not let me down.

The turning point in this novel comes for me, when Pammi learns the truth about the three teen girls she's suppose to mentor. They all have their own special ability and Pammi will need them to help save Zanum. Since the past impacts the present is Pammi and the girls do not stop Zanum from being destroyed girls like them will no longer exist.

I thought the author did an excellent job with the foursome dynamic, their abilities and personalities were well balanced. Dr. Mace didn't work for me, but the mastermind behind the plot to ruin Zanum more then made up for it. That was some good evil with a nice dash of creepy, leading to some visually amazing scenes, several times I was scared for Pammi's life. I really appreciated that I couldn't see the confrontations coming. One minute everything is okay, the next no so much. The threats coming at unexpected times drew me into the story even more There was a lot of goodness in the second half, everything came together and the author's world building paid off. Meminger's first fantasy novel was a wonderful success.

When was I finished Into the Wise Dark I wanted more. Since this is self published there's no guarantee that the author will get a chance to share another installment but I will keep my fingers crossed. If nothing else I am thankful for the chance to read this and lose myself in a wonderfully diverse YA fantasy novel that was not more of the same.

Read an excerpt

review copy courtesy of the author

Interview with Melina Marchetta

This month Melina Marchetta's latest novel Piper's Son was released in the United States. My review. I don't have the words to express how much I love this author's writing. So I am very honored that the author took the time to answer a few questions.

Hi Melina, Can you tell us a little about The Piper's Son?

The Piper’s Son is about the Finch-Mackees, especially Tom Mackee and his aunt, Georgie Finch. It’ s about how the family come back together again aftertwo years of grieving and it’ s about their friends and redemption and romanceand love and it’ s funny and it’ s sad, but it’ s very hopeful.

Thomas made his first appearance in Saving Francesca. The two novels are written years apart. and Thomas has a bit part in the first one though I got the feeling that Thomas was simply waiting his turn.

Did you ever consider writing a novel around one of Francesca's other friends?

Not really. I tend to think my novels are finished when they go to print so Tomcoming back to me five years later was a big surprise. I mean, a big one. If any character was going to come back it would be Tara Finke or even Will Trombal.I knew it wouldn’ t be Francesca, although I’ m so happy with the part she played in Tom’ s journey. In Saving Francesca, Tom was one of those characters that truly began as an annoying guy in her class, but he just grew on me and I had to fight hard to shove him out of the spotlight. Perhaps now it’ s not so surprising that he found his way into his own novel.

In Piper's Son the narrative alternates between Thomas Mckee and his aunt Georgie. What drew you to these two characters?

Before I wrote Finnikin of the Rock, I wanted to write about a woman my age named Georgie Finch who had to travel to France to retrieve the body of her brother who died there in a bomb blast. That’ s all I knew about the story at the time. It wasn’ t going to be a story about terrorism, but the impact it had on a family. Then Finnikin came and Georgie just became an idea. A year later,Tom came calling and in true surreal fashion he whispered his family’ s story to me and explained that Georgie Finch was his Aunt. That’s how it began.

It doesn’ t usually begin that mystical, but Tom and Georgie were a bit of a gift in that way. These two characters are twenty one years apart in age, but they are going through the same emotions, the same relationship stuff ups, the same issues with friends who they’ ve kept at arm’s distance because of their grief.

I stuck them both under one roof and watched them dance around each other and when I thought they were both getting strong enough, I let the rest of the Finch-Mackee circus into that house. They are two of the most flawed characters I’ ve ever written, but they have a great capacity to love. It was a joy having them live in my head for those eighteen months.

The Finch- Mackees know a lot about loss first a father was left behind in Vietnam then an Uncle is killed by a suicide bomber. The grief could've easily overwhelmed the storyline but its simply another layer in a beautiful crafted novel. There's so much heart in Piper's Son.

How did you keep Thomas and Georgie from drowning in their families losses?

Strangely, I think they are my funniest characters. Really dry dark sense of humour. What I also did was make sure that within all that grief, other trivial real life stuff was irritating them like Georgie complaining that her partner’ s exgoes shopping without using environmentally friendly shopping bags and all those wry conversations you have with your friends. I made sure I had them interacting with people who had a light to them.

Like the exchange between Tom and his thirteen year old sister who had moved interstate with his mum. I knew I had to introduce his email to her early in the piece so the reader wouldn’ t think he was all anger and brooding. I mean,someone whose email address is I mean,someone whose email address is anabelsbrother@hotmail.com has to be halfway decent and have a sense of humour.

Do you ever wonder what happens to your characters after the last page?

I think of them, but I don’t wonder too much. Regardless of everything that’s happened to Taylor in Jellicoe, and Finnikin and Evanjalin in Skuldenore and Tom and Georgie in Sydney, as far as I’m concerned they get what they want at the end so I’ m happy to let them go. Of course they live through other people’s feedback. The character I think I’ ve cared about the most and thought of the most is Francesca Spinelli. It’s a personal thing with her.

All of your novels have been published in the United States. Your last two Finnikin of the Rock (loved it) and Piper's Son were both published by Candlewick Press.

Do you think you've finally found a U.S. publisher to call home?


Yes, I definitely have. I love my editor Deb Wayshak and the whole Candlewick team and I’ m honoured they’ re going to be publishing my next two novels, the Finnikin sequels. But I also know that Saving Francesca was loved dearly by its U.S. editor, Michelle Frey at Knopfs and Jellicoe would never have been published if not for Farrin Jacobs at Harper Teens. I’m grateful to them all because I don’ t think I’ d have any profile in the U.S. if not for them.

From Trisha , I heard about a debut called The Returning by Christine Hinwood.

Like Trisha I want to read a novel that moved you enough to blurb it. Did it really make you cry?

Yes, and it just received a fantastic starred review from Kirkus. When you readit, don’ t try to place it in a particular time or place. If you do, you’ ll miss out on the beauty of it. I think too many times when someone is reading a fantasyor historical novel, they need to recognise the world. Sometimes it’ s a pre-requisite, but when you’ ve been given wonderful characters and wonderful themes, go with that gift. Also, it’ s not the type of novel to skim read. I read it word for word.


Melina, thank you so much for your time and for another great novel. On Sunday March 20th the author will one of 44 teen authors signing at Books of Wonder.

The Piper's Son - Melina Marchetta

The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta

Ever since Thomas Mackee's uncle was killed by a suicide bomber, he hasn't been the same. Thomas is also coming to terms to what his father's violent actions did to his family. Thomas spends his days and nights drinking too much. All that hard living finally lands Thomas in the hospital and that's where the story begins. His roommates, who weren't real friends to begin with have kicked him out. No where else to go Thomas goes to stay with his aunt Georgie Finch. The story alternates between Thomas and Georgie. Though they are the two central characters the story is about the whole Finch Mackee family.

When I finished The Piper's Son the first time I was content and thought it was good. I figured the time had finally come that Marchetta wrote a book I didn't love and I was okay with that. I thought it was bound to happen eventually. Sure the odds are aganist the authors great streak of writing books I love continuing forever but it won't end with The Piper's Son.

The second time through it was a whole different story. I loved it. The first time in, I rushed it and didn't take the time to appreciate the nuances of the language. Once I slowed down I was able to fully connect with the characters and their emotions. Thomas and Georgie both feel very real. The fully developed friends and family add another dimension. Marchetta doesn't rush the story it simply unfolds naturally and that's where the magic comes from.

If you haven't read Marchetta before begin anywhere, you won't be dissappointed. If your a fan read Piper's Son. On Sunday March 20th, Marchetta will be signing at Books of Wonder along with 43 other YA authors.

Looking this over, I realize this isn't the best review. I simply don't want to break the story down too much, I like it whole. I am selfish like that.

More reviews

Katie's

Persnickety Snark's

Sunday - A Little of Everything

The School Library Journal Battle of the Books, begins on Monday.

The competition pits 16 of last year's best books for young people against each other. And we've gathered an impressive lineup of judges made up of some of your favorite authors, such as Karen Hesse, R.L. Stine, Karen Cushman, Pete Hautman, and Grace Lin, who'll read and eliminate books as they get closer to the grand prize winner. I am very excited. I've read 10 of the 16 books. Though not reading all of them didn't stop be from making first round guesses. I've also entered, Blogger Eric Carpenter's Battle of the Books bracket challenge a la March Madness style.

Edi has being doing a lot of great post about Women of Color in honor of Women's history month. I am glad Edi started with Sweethearts of Rhythm by Marilyn Nelson because it was the perfect ending for the post I wrote for Kidlit Celebrates Women's History Month. I really like how it turned out. Now I just need to come up with a title. It will go live on March 21st.

Check out Ari's great interview with author Neesha Meminger about her most recent novel Jazz in Love. It reads a bit like a conversation.

On Monday, I will be posting my review of The Pipers Son by Melina Marchetta. I love Marchetta and this newest one is no exception.

If you have never read this author you are seriously missing. Marchetta is ridiculously good and very gush worthy. I am beyond psyched to be posting an interview with the author on Tuesday.

On Sunday March 20th. 44 teen authors will be signing at Books of Wonder . I am not going to start listing names because there are too many great ones. So just check it out for yourselves.

Both Meminger and Marchetta will be at the event. If you had any intention of buying either one of their books or any of the other authors consider calling up Books of Wonder and getting a signed copy. An autographed book would make a great gift and they could send it directly. Sure Amazon can offer free shipping but will the book be autographed. No. Besides Brick and Mortar stores need the support. * You don't have to wait until the day of the event to purchase your book. You can phone your order in early so you don't forget.

If your a blogger spread the word about this event and highlight one or two authors you like. The more books an author sells at a signing the better it looks. And yes I know that seems "duh" obvious but its still very true. Its the one time publishers can truly track the sales. Going into any event, bookstores and publishers always do a rough estimate of how many books might be sold. After the event numbers are checked. It truly sucks for everyone if only a few books are sold. It would be nice if some of these authors sold more then what was expected.

Maybe I will get some good karma for mentioning this event and a few big spenders will come into the store I work at. As opposed to the people who sit all day and read for free. Some have the nerve to want to talk to me. Dude, I am not your friend. Actually, I hate you so much right now.