Marchetta, known for her mastery of character, shows herself here
to have conquered the intricacies of plot, worldbuilding and
theme...Readers will have a hard time forgetting the complex,
deeply human characters that populate this multifaceted
narrative.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Marchetta triumphantly concludes the trilogy that began with
Finnikin of the Rock, as the kingdoms of Lumatere and Charyn
attempt to bridge past atrocities through a new generation of
leaders...One of the hallmarks of this series has been the
complexity and attention Marchetta gives to both primary and
secondary characters, creating a richly human cast of damaged but
noble individuals...Readers who have fallen in love with Quintana,
Froi, Finnikin, Isaboe, and others will eagerly seek out what fate
has in store for them.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
The plot is more straightforward, while the previous volumes’
excellent features—world-building, plotting, and
characterization—continue to shine. Marchetta builds on the
reader’s knowledge of this world, adding rich sensory details to
enhance the sense of place...A stand-out fantasy series.
—Booklist (starred review)
[T]hose who have read the first two volumes of the Lumatere
Chronicles will find this thrilling conclusion both heartbreaking
and utterly satisfying. Yet again, Marchetta seamlessly weaves
together the personal and the political, exploring the larger
societal implications of her characters’ actions while keeping a
tight focus on their emotional lives. The obstacles in the
relationships among her main characters mirror the tensions built
by prejudices and ignorance throughout their lands, and the
setbacks they experience as they work toward peace, both as a
community and as individuals, are painfully authentic. The romances
are sweet but tempered by reality, the triumphs are great but leave
many scars, and even the happy ending here is bittersweet in its
resolution. It’s a suitably impressive conclusion to an epic
series.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Like the other books, this one begs to be read slowly and savored
for its carefully crafted plotting, lyrical language, and fully
fleshed-out characters.
—School Library Journal
[T]he book will mesmerize readers with several hair-raising moments
that ratchet up tension; memorably detailed descriptions provide
vivid images of the setting; and Marchetta’s themes of belonging
and forgiveness are powerfully wrought. Fans of Megan Whelan Turner
and Elizabeth Wein should find this exceptional series especially
compelling.
—The Horn Book
Recommend this book for readers of high-brow, realistic fantasy who
enjoy stories with just a touch of the magical.
—VOYA
All I can say is, I immediately reread it because I didn’t want to
say good-bye to these people. And it’s a Favorite Book Read in
2013.
—A Chair, a Fireplace, and a Tea Cozy (SLJ blog)
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