Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

                    

Blood sings to blood, Froi . . .
Those born last will make the first . . .
For Charyn will be barren no more.

Three years after the curse on Lumatere was lifted, Froi has found his home... Or so he believes...

Fiercely loyal to the Queen and Finnikin, Froi has been trained roughly and lovingly by the Guard sworn to protect the royal family, and has learned to control his quick temper. But when he is sent on a secretive mission to the kingdom of Charyn, nothing could have prepared him for what he finds. Here he encounters a damaged people who are not who they seem, and must unravel both the dark bonds of kinship and the mysteries of a half-mad Princess.

And in this barren and mysterious place, he will discover that there is a song sleeping in his blood, and though Froi would rather not, the time has come to listen.

Gripping and intense, complex and richly imagined, Froi of the Exiles is a dazzling sequel to Finnikin of the Rock, from the internationally best-selling and multi-award-winning author of Looking for Alibrandi, Saving Francesca, On the Jellicoe Road and The Piper's Son

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★


What is a buddy read?

An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book


EXPECT SPOILERS!

reserved

tagging so I remember to read this with you guys

I liked Froi, so I can't wait for more of his perspective.

Looking forward to continuing the story!

Ashley Marie wrote: "tagging so I remember to read this with you guys"

Me too!

I might start this one a little early, I really feel like revisiting this world :)

Ok ;)

Up to Ch. 7 (view spoiler)[It's so good to see Finn and everyone from book one again :) I was a little sad to see that 3 years later Lady Beatriss and Trevanion haven't really reconciled, they broke my heart :(

I'm feeling bad for Lucian, he seems to be having trouble with this new role.

What's going on with Princess Quintana?? (hide spoiler)]

Downloaded this today. Not sure when I'll start, but at least I've got it on standby. ;)

I've got mine ready on audio now to start today or tomorrow :)

It was good to come back to this world!

I'm thinking I might try audio for the next book, curious what you think of the narrator Karen.

Yes it is Snowtulip. I had to go back and refresh myself on what happened in the first book and all the characters!
I think the narrator is very good. But I need to warn you, he is Australian, so that may not work for everyone ;)

Part 1
Ch 1-5

(view spoiler)[That prologue was pretty dark! It was nice to get back into the world!

I'm a bit confused about what caused the curse. Their King is mad & killed the oracle?

I'm glad we are still getting bits from the first book's characters. So often books regulate them to background when switching POV. It makes the transition much smoother IMO.

I'm with Snowtulip, I was a bit dissapointed that Beatriss & Trevanion haven't really reconciled. Now there's the questionable parentage of her daughter....

It's nice that Froi's character hasn't done a complete character overhaul. It seems very organic. He still struggles with his temper and with the demons of his past. (hide spoiler)]

Now I've got to be a responsible parent, stop reading & be productive member of society! My daughter's birthday is tomorrow & I haven't bought a single present! Forcing myself off the couch....

Shannon, I agree about Froi (view spoiler)[he's still Froi, same insecurities, but with a solid belief he has support and family. He'll always be rough around the edges, but that's him! (hide spoiler)]

Karen wrote: "Yes it is Snowtulip. I had to go back and refresh myself on what happened in the first book and all the characters!
I think the narrator is very good. But I need to warn you, he is Australian, so t..."

I'm going to give it a try!

@Shannon & Snowtulip
I have also just finished chapters 1-5 and don't have much more to add to your comments. I agree that although this book is set to focus on different characters, there is a nice 'organic' flow to the new storyline. I like that it is only 3 years in the future too, because it makes it more realistic that there are still issues in the land. I am a bit worried about what all this means for Froi (view spoiler)[ I expect he may just find out he is part Charyn and stay in that kingdom? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[
I really liked the interaction between Froi and Quitana as he came in and out of her room teaching her about attacking someone.
I've also wondered about Quintana and all her references to "we". Is she a twin or just mad?
(hide spoiler)]

Ch 7

I'm feeling a little sick to my stomach ... The princess....

Yes, it is hard not to feel sorry for her

Karen wrote: "Chapter 9

I really t..."

(view spoiler)[split personality. I think Froi said he had counted 3. Why is the mother locked up & is the king even alive? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 13

Did Arjuro just imply (view spoiler)[that Froi resembled he & Gargarin's father??? (hide spoiler)]

@Shannon
re: Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[
I'm not convinced the King is alive either. I think Bestiano is running the show and hiding the truth.
(hide spoiler)]

Ch 15

I'm now convinced (view spoiler)[Froi is the queen's son Gargarin was supposed to have killed. (hide spoiler)]

It's like each new chapter has a nugget of information that has to be puzzled out :)

Ok I finished last night (technically early this morning -- but it sounds better saying last night than admit I stayed up to nearly dawn).

(view spoiler)[I really liked all the interactions between Froi, Gargarin and Arjuro. Froi & Quintana's parentage is more than a bit messed up! The king sounds like a total ass! I know Quintana says she killed him, but I still think Bestiano was running the whole show & was either holding the king hostage or he'd completely lost his mind or something.

It ended with so many cliffhangeresque threads ... (hide spoiler)]

I think I'm going to have to jump straight into the next one...

Shannon wrote: "Ok I finished last night (technically early this morning -- but it sounds better saying last night than admit I stayed up to nearly dawn).

"

(view spoiler)[I'm also curious how all these cliff hangers turnout. I want to know what's going on the the ruse that Phaedra is part of with the flu, how Froi is going to find Quintana, hope there isn't war between Luminare and Charyn (Isaboe said there wouldn't be, but with them looking for Froi and thinking he might be dead is changing things)! (hide spoiler)]

wow, you flew through it! I am still listening to the audio so it will take me a few days

Karen wrote: "wow, you flew through it! I am still listening to the audio so it will take me a few days"


I'm quite an OCD reader. I usually can't stop until I finish -- even if it means I stay up half the night. I wish I could listen to audiobooks! I'd love to be able to listen in the car, etc. just can't seem to do it.

Snowtulip wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Ok I finished last night (technically early this morning -- but it sounds better saying last night than admit I stayed up to nearly dawn).

"

[spoilers removed]"

I did read the 3rd book today. Let's just say all your questions get answered! ;)

I can't wait, I"m still waiting for my library hold...fingers crossed it will come soon!

Shannon wrote: "Ch 13

Did Arjuro just imply [spoilers removed]"

Yes I think so too!

Wow, I can't believe you've now read book 3 in a day! :o

I've just finished chapter 18. wowsers.
(view spoiler)[ I really hope Gargain is ok, and I assume Quintana is because isn't she the focus of the next book? :o
I agree that Froi will be the son of Lira, and I'm pretty sure that Gargarin will be his father and hence the likeness
(hide spoiler)]

Karen wrote: "I've just finished chapter 18. wowsers."

Marchetta is good with the "wowsers"! Like Snowtulip said, there are so many little nugget like breadcrumbs threaded throughout the story. It really grabs a hold of you -- hence my reading marathon. lol!

Chapter 25

(view spoiler)[
Ah! I thought Quintana may have killed him, and then I forgot again. So hard not to feel sorry for her though. She has been treated appaullingly
(hide spoiler)]

Karen wrote: "Chapter 25
"

She really has. And it explains her character & behavior well. Although I'll admit, she's definitely a hard character to really like -- at least for me.

She definitely had it hard, made me sad. I have a love/hate with her :D

Yes she is hard to like, but I also don't dislike her. I think my strongest feeling towards her is sympathy.
I just finished chapter 32 where (view spoiler)[ Froi is warned to stop loving her as the Charyn people won't accept him as king. I hadn't thought of that before. That makes me quite sad too!
And when those street lords went into the valley and slaughtered those men. Oh how awful. The Charyn people seem to be much more barbaric than Lumaterans.
(hide spoiler)]

Karen (view spoiler)[I hadn't thought of that either regarding Froi not being welcomed as a King, to me I think he would (his connection with Lumatere royalty?? (hide spoiler)]

I just finished. I can see why you went to book 3 straight away. I've got the audio for #3 now... So many cliffhangers! Argh! I'm really worried for Froi and Gargarin

Karen wrote: "I just finished. I can see why you went to book 3 straight away. I've got the audio for #3 now... So many cliffhangers! Argh! I'm really worried for Froi and Gargarin"

Exactly! It left off in such a place where you really needed to just keep going!

I think my favorite part of the book overall were the interactions between Froi and his "new family". I loved them.

I really want good things for them!

So true ;)