Quintana of Charyn

Starred review from February 4, 2013
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. Although tragedies arise, unity and healing are core themes, compared to the horrors of the previous books. As the
title suggests, Quintana—the rightful ruler of Charyn, hidden following the uprising in the kingdom in Froi of the Exiles—is at the center of this final book. Forces conspire against Quintana while her beloved Froi tries to find the queen before her enemies do. 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; she frequently shifts perspective among them, highlighting the pain, joy, and experience that unites them despite prejudice, heartache, nationality, and other sources of division. Readers who have fallen in love with Quintana, Froi, Finnikin, Isaboe, and others will eagerly seek out what fate has in store for them. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary Management.

May 1, 2013

Gr 9 Up-This final book in the beautifully complex and sophisticated trilogy picks up right where Froi of the Exiles (Candlewick, 2012) ended. Quintana is hiding from those who want to kill her and steal her unborn child, the heir to the kingdom of Charyn. Froi, wounded but recovering, is desperately searching for her as armies converge to battle over her right to exist. Political misunderstandings and shifting alliances have given rise to distrust between provinces that should be allies. Amid the horrors of battle, there are also moments of humor in not found in the earlier titles, mostly related to child rearing and the idiocy of men, in the women's opinion. It also "looks at the side of wonder as opposed to the disastrous" to paraphrase a favorite saying of some of the characters. Marchetta gives intriguing secondary characters such as Perri, Lucian, Tesadora, and Phaedra their rightful due as she fills in their backstories. But it is the fates of the main players-Quintana, Froi, Isaboe, and Finnikin-with all of their strengths and weaknesses that readers will find so deeply satisfying. 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.-Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Library, Trenton

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from February 15, 2013
Fans of Finnikin of the Rock (2010) and Froi of the Exiles (2012) will find deep satisfaction in this finale to the Lumatere Chronicles. This trilogy, taken as a whole, is stronger than each of its distinct parts. Marchetta, known for her mastery of character, shows herself here to have conquered the intricacies of plot, worldbuilding and theme. All three books demonstrate both the heights and depths of human nature. If the first two books depict two young men with depth and reality, this third applauds the growth and courage of Princess (or Queen, depending on who's talking) Quintana--who is not immediately likable but becomes more admirable as the narrative progresses. Omniscient narration alternates three major stories: of Froi, who searches for Quintana in Charyn, of the residents of Lumatere, and of Quintana, who is in hiding to protect the life of her child. Peppering the tale are details of Quintana's thoughts and longings, which broaden understanding of her personality. A multitude of plot twists and surprises bring together events that seemed complete in the first two books and emphasize the importance of Quintana's story. Readers will have a hard time forgetting the complex, deeply human characters that populate this multifaceted narrative. (Fantasy. 14 & up)

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Starred review from March 15, 2013
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* With previous installments of her mesmerizing Lumatere Chronicles, Marchetta allowed readers the satisfaction of piecing together parts of the puzzle that is the saga of the lands and peoples of Skuldenore, but the entire picture remained tantalizingly incomplete. Now, with this brilliant final volume, the remaining pieces snap perfectly into place. Froi sets out to find and protect pregnant Quintana, his strange and savage love; raise an army against the usurper; and prevent war. As in the previous volumes, the narrative is complex, alternating between Froi's journey and the concurrent events in Lumatere, but here the plot is more straightforward, while the previous volumes' excellent featuresworld building, plotting, and characterizationcontinue to shine. Marchetta builds on the reader's knowledge of this world, adding rich sensory details to help create the vivid setting. She skillfully expands our understanding of the large cast of characters, most from the earlier books, through her masterful depictions of relationships. Of special interest is the portrayal of the often unlikable Quintana, whose very existence is the catalyst that offers the promise of peace and hope. As Froi gains understanding of the disparate pieces that make up Quintana, readers put together the intricately plotted pieces that make this vivid and wholly satisfying story complete. A standout fantasy series. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: The multiple copies that you order now may not be enough to satisfy Marchetta's legions of fans, who have been buzzing about this trilogy's conclusion for months.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)