tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post9128010654140203557..comments2024-03-21T16:50:09.350-04:00Comments on So Obsessed With: Finnikin of the Rock: Week OneHannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05058757489545239601noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-72379038262565305012013-02-24T15:58:00.476-05:002013-02-24T15:58:00.476-05:00No worries on the late response, especially since ...No worries on the late response, especially since you've been traveling. So excited that you're reading along with us :) I agree on the pace - it's much slower than I'd normally read this book, but I'm actually thankful for it. It's forcing me to savor the books more and just enjoy getting to know the world and characters.Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05058757489545239601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-9320480202978881482013-02-19T03:09:49.462-05:002013-02-19T03:09:49.462-05:00I've been enjoying the read-along, and I want ...I've been enjoying the read-along, and I want to thank you for being such an awesome host. Even if my response comes a bit late, here it is (finally!). I've been liking the relaxed pace at which we're reading this book. It allows me to savour the world, the characters and the plot even more than I normally would. <br /><br />I answered your questions (for week one and two) on this post! ..> http://www.alexalovesbooks.com/2013/02/finnikin-of-rock-weeks-1-2.htmlAlexa S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13185723439360170259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-91428759477274217722013-02-12T21:56:34.948-05:002013-02-12T21:56:34.948-05:00Good point about the magical aspect! I kind of ign...Good point about the magical aspect! I kind of ignored that in my questions - my mind was obviously occupied with all the other things going on! Glad you mentioned that :) I'll definitely be paying attention to how that develops in future sections.<br /><br />And I just responded to some of your other points on your blog. Great feedback on everything in the first section!Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05058757489545239601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-78782423653363332902013-02-12T21:54:59.368-05:002013-02-12T21:54:59.368-05:00No worries on the questions - they are just there ...No worries on the questions - they are just there to help us get talking! Although we're obviously full on chattiness on the Finnikin love fest. Or frustration fest, depending the scene/character.<br /><br />A lot really does happen in the first section! It's making more excited for all of the pages to come.<br /><br />The scene with Finnikin and the prostitute didn't really sit right with me, although I did try to word my question more neutrally so as not to ask too much of a leading question. I'm glad to hear you were bothered by that, too. But, like you, I'm also really intrigued by the sympathy for it. I felt more like you did about Evanjalin's comments about how now wasn't really the time to turn to that for peace. Love getting your opinion too!<br /><br />Yeah, you definitely sit up and take notice when Evanjalin starts doing something or talking. She's definitely a force of nature! Amy made a comment in her post about how Evanjalin in sort of the crucial cog in this whole and is influencing a lot of the action that has taken place so far.<br /><br />Loving your input! Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05058757489545239601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-34751051866459993692013-02-12T21:49:41.087-05:002013-02-12T21:49:41.087-05:00Love the fantasy collage idea! Seriously. Not too ...Love the fantasy collage idea! Seriously. Not too nerdy at all - especially because you could do it in a really cool way that didn't seem dumb. And seriously love Young House Love. I'm in awe of how much stuff they DIY. I am not that talented with tools or paint!<br /><br />What a great point about the way Finnikin struggles with Evanjalin taking the lead in a way that doesn't make him really annoying as a character. His frustration seems understandable - and I never felt like he was annoyed that it was a woman taking the lead, just that it was someone other than him haha!<br /><br />SUCH a great follow-up on how each character has taken on the burden of that inaction. What a great way to frame it! This is seriously what I love about read-alongs. Different perspectives really helps me analyze and understand my own thoughts! And what a thought-provoking quote. I'm so glad you shared, Anna.<br /><br />Desperate + defiant is the PERFECT way to describe that scene! <br /><br />I agree that neither character acts admirably. And yes, Sir Topher's "wild animals" comment is spot-on. That's actually kind of why I tried to ask the question more neutrally. Because while I obviously disagree with his actions, I also found them desperate and sad. It certainly doesn't justify what he does, but it does still break your heart because he's just a broken boy too.<br /><br />"He doesn't see that honoring the living can, in turn, honor the dead." Yes, yes, yes. I think you and Evanjalin are smarter than me :)<br /><br />And I'm sorry, but I did laugh at your "flesh out" comment. Oh lady. And yes, I agree that it does seem like something that would be included more often in fantasy. I haven't read a ton of fantasy, and it's obviously not something included in most contemporary YA or adult type books, which is why I think it stood out to me. I wanted to see how everyone else reacted to it, especially because I knew I was reading with more fantasy lovers and see if that was common, notable, etc.<br /><br />Yeah, that totally opened the door to my hope that Beatriss is still alive and waiting for him and dying to be reunited with her true love foreverrrr and everrrrrrr.<br /><br />So glad everyone agrees that Melina is incredible! She makes it seem so easy, but I also wish she'd like coach some other authors on character development. She really is the queen of characters!<br />Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05058757489545239601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-58368139987623377252013-02-12T21:37:18.320-05:002013-02-12T21:37:18.320-05:00I'm so glad you liked the questions! And I def...I'm so glad you liked the questions! And I definitely hope everyone veers off the questions if I ask something dumb or leave something important out. I know what strikes me as interesting definitely won't always be what everyone else finds notable. That's what I love about read-alongs! <br /><br />I love the political aspect of the book, too. It's not just like a quest or something - there is this deep motivation for getting people back to the land where they belong, returning them home, etc. I'm scared of inside the borders too! What is going on in there, Heidi?!<br /><br />Oh Melina. She is a character development rock star. <br /><br />Excited to check out your responses!<br /><br />Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05058757489545239601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-80970793926893649682013-02-10T13:46:36.893-05:002013-02-10T13:46:36.893-05:00Hehe...for me it's so many other obligations t...Hehe...for me it's so many other obligations to get to. Had to put this down to get to my book club book for the month. :P Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00416898799044848769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-3253108964703278002013-02-10T13:45:46.743-05:002013-02-10T13:45:46.743-05:00I'm still ready to strangle someone over the N...I'm still ready to strangle someone over the NON EXISTENCE of a map for the Queen's Thief series. I'd also totes have Valdemar on my wall. :PHeidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00416898799044848769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-73885616553206849552013-02-09T17:16:02.820-05:002013-02-09T17:16:02.820-05:00I've had to actively restrain myself from read...I've had to actively restrain myself from reading ahead. I don't know how y'all first timers are doing it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-12161898979533455482013-02-09T17:15:14.956-05:002013-02-09T17:15:14.956-05:00I think I'm going to do the frame collage, esp...I think I'm going to do the frame collage, especially after Young House Love posted this mind-blowing hack for getting the collage in place: http://www.younghouselove.com/2013/02/a-little-clara-cluster/<br /><br />I'm thinking Kristin Cashore's map(s), obviously, plus the most comprehensive Tortall map I can find, a Lumatere map...and I don't know, I need to think about this. But it's going to happen, eventually.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-58081737509805513162013-02-09T15:51:08.321-05:002013-02-09T15:51:08.321-05:00OMG I'M DYING TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN T...OMG I'M DYING TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN THAT COUNTRY.<br /><br />That is all. I'll respond to the rest on your blog. :PHeidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00416898799044848769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-78089057003566058862013-02-09T15:47:01.840-05:002013-02-09T15:47:01.840-05:00SO MUCH HAPPENS IN THIS FIRST SECTION!! Hehe, made...SO MUCH HAPPENS IN THIS FIRST SECTION!! Hehe, made it really hard to put down, but it was also a great breaking point. I think your thoughts on Evanjalin are spot on, she may actually be my least favorite character, but that doesn't mean I don't find her interesting or pivotal, and I'm really excited to see where her part in the story goes. Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00416898799044848769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-53112573616275815232013-02-09T15:43:52.276-05:002013-02-09T15:43:52.276-05:00Um...I want a collage of my favorite fantasy maps ...Um...I want a collage of my favorite fantasy maps on my wall--you have no idea how much that idea excites me!<br /><br />I love that Finnikin chafes against Evanjalin's leadership NOT because she's a girl, but more because he's so used to being in the lead of anyone besides Sir Topher. <br /><br />I think the prostitution was a great way to show Finnikin's weariness and need to just be a young man--he hasn't really gotten to since he was nine.<br /><br />I'm so glad that your'e finding new things/remembering ones you'd forgotten in this reread, Anna! I love seeing your thoughts as someone who's had experience with the story before.Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00416898799044848769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-52180283224569886052013-02-09T12:00:25.464-05:002013-02-09T12:00:25.464-05:00I just posted my answers here: http://www.tripping...I just posted my answers here: http://www.trippingoverbooks.com/2013/02/09/the-lumatere-chronicles-readalong-week-1/. <br /><br />I am really loving this book so far. It took some getting used to. I found myself sometimes confused about the places and things, but that's clearing up. I loved the characters basically right away, though, and I can't wait to read more!! Great questions Hannah. I am really intrigued by the magical aspect of this book, which we haven't gotten into very much yet. Like, what is going on with this creepy mist? And how is Lumatere closed off like that? Who is this impostor king, and what's his deal. I'm looking forward to learning more about that. I'm hoping, too, that Evanjalin isn't lying about Balthazar. She's an awesome character, but unreliable a lot of the time, I think. <br /><br />So excited to be reading these books!!Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05274394954162419055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-67810298665650161822013-02-08T16:02:27.947-05:002013-02-08T16:02:27.947-05:00Oh dear! I didn't get to these questions this ...Oh dear! I didn't get to these questions this week. I will try to jump on next week. And I don't want to answer fully on memory, because I forget what we're supposed to know so far. I actually didn't realize that all of this happened in the first section of the book! <br /><br />But I will say that I was personally very upset by Finnikin and the prostitute. Interesting that so many people are sympathetic about it. I understand it conceptually, but it still made me angry. I was totally with Evanjalin! Actually I was upset with all the men! I was just disappointed in them. I get that they wanted a moment of peace when so much was demanded of them, but I think I really admired Evanjalin for realizing that now is not the time for peace, so it's not worth relying on something false like that. <br /><br />And Froi. I remember feeling disgusted by him. I didn't hate him, but he just seemed like a nasty little urchin. That I was sure would not amount to anything. <br /><br />I also loved Evanjalin. She's feisty, but a fantastic challenge to Finnikin. The thing is that you don't get her voice, so it's tough to see why she's doing certain things. She could definitely be frustrating, but she has this quiet forcefulness to her character that makes you want to pay attention to what she says. Lauren @ Love is not a trianglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15388832613855107816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-52631008950277637512013-02-08T13:06:36.096-05:002013-02-08T13:06:36.096-05:00(Apparently I wrote too much for Blogger's com...(Apparently I wrote too much for Blogger's comment system. Just call me Anna the Verbose.)<br /><br /><b>6. What did you think about the scene with Froi trying to force himself on Evanjalin?</b><br />I'm honestly not sure if I ever sorted out my feelings on this one the first time around, but maybe I'll get there this time. Though I'm not sure we're meant to judge either character—as Sir Topher sees them, they are both "wild animals with nothing but rage and hate," and that's hardly inaccurate—but I come down on the side of Evanjalin re: selling Froi for a horse. It's not that I don't think Froi can be redeemed, but that once he crossed that line and violated Evanjalin's safety, he lost the right to his.<br /><br /><b>7. Were you struck by Evanjalin's comments to Finnikin about honoring the living (in reference to the <i>Book of Lumatere</i>)?</b><br />Can I just again say that Evanjalin is smarter than you? And once again, I think this goes back to how the characters confront the days of the unspeakable. As much as Finnikin is working to recreate Lumatere, he feels immense guilt about what happened, so it makes sense that he can't stop thinking that he needs to honor those who died, regardless of when and how they did. He doesn't see that honoring the living can, in turn, honor the dead.<br /><br /><b>8. Did you find it interesting that Marchetta included the information about Finnkin spending time with the prostitute?</b><br />I think it's interesting mostly because it's done pretty casually (aside from Evanjalin's pretty ridiculous reaction), and because prostitution is something I would expect to see in more fantasy books, but don't. I like that it's used as a way to flesh out (no pun intended) Finnikin's weariness with his life at that point: the girl he's with wants "nothing of him but three copper coins," whereas everyone else, and especially Evanjalin, want and need so many things all the time.<br /><br /><b>9. What do you think about Sir Topher and Finnikin's conversation about hope?</b><br />Not only do I agree with Hannah that this is a pivotal moment for Finnikin, but I think his finally saying out loud that he is willing to hope, no matter the consequences, is what opens the door for Trevanion to accept the hope of Beatriss, alive in Lumatere and waiting for him, and for the Priestking to accept the hope of the exiles being led to safety. It's similar to the scene between Finnikin and Evanjalin on the rocks: saying something out loud, with at least one other person to witness, can be an incredibly powerful act.<br /><br /><b>10. Did you feel a little weepy inside when Evanjalin told Captain Trevanion that Beatriss remembers what he whispered to her?</b><br />This speaks to one of the most amazing things about this book that I didn't remember from my first reading: all of the characters, main and secondary, and even those mentioned only in passing, are given so much depth without a lot of...I don't know, exposition? Heavy lifting? Marchetta just makes it seem so easy! And Trevanion (aka <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0829032/" rel="nofollow">Ray Stevenson</a>, OF COURSE) and Beatriss are no exception. We're set up to appreciate their love for each other even before Trevanion is found, and that story is echoed by what Evanjalin tells Trevanion. It all works together, and we all swoon.<br /><br />I could gush about this book for days.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-88545411597007615962013-02-08T13:05:46.283-05:002013-02-08T13:05:46.283-05:00Hannah, I love how you're running this read al...Hannah, I love how you're running this read along!<br /><br /><b>1. Does anyone else LOVE having a map in the front of the book?</b><br />I love maps of fantasy lands, and even having read this book before, I found myself referring back to its map almost every time a route or destination was mentioned. (I'm also now having a minor flash of inspiration re: possibly printing and framing some of my favorite fantasy land maps for a frame collage somewhere in my house. Too nerdy? I think not!)<br /><br /><b>2. Who is your favorite character so far?</b><br />I went into this remembering my fierce love for Evanjalin, but not how much I enjoyed Finnikin. And I do! I think Marchetta does a wonderful job of showing us his internal conflicts without ever framing them as judgmental, even when he's being obviously pigheaded or mopey or whatever. One of my favorite things about him is the way he struggles with Evanjalin's habit of taking the lead, literally and figuratively, without asking; he's allowed to chafe at it in a way that is understandable and doesn't make me want to slap him for being such a dude.<br /><br /><b>3. Does standing by and allowing the murder and torture of innocent people make the Lumaterans complicit in their deaths? Or is the horror of them standing by silently, likely out a mixture of fear and self-preservation, somewhat lessened by those very reasons?</b><br />I don't think it's a question of are they more or less complicit so much as how each character has taken on the burden of that inaction and moved forward (or not) with it. Do they channel that burden into action, or do they give in to the seemingly bleak fact that one can never change the past? And is either truly superior or more understandable than the other? And most of all, can you do the former without ignoring vs. overcoming the latter?<br /><br />One of my all-time favorite quotes, from James Baldwin's <i>Giovanni's Room</i>, feels applicable:<br /><br /><i>Perhaps everybody has a garden of Eden, I don't know; but they have scarcely seen their garden before they see the flaming sword. Then, perhaps, life only offers the choice of remembering the garden or forgetting it. Either, or: it takes strength to remember, it takes another kind of strength to forget, it takes a hero to do both. People who remember court madness through pain, the pain of the perpetually recurring death of their innocence; people who forget court another kind of madness, the madness of the denial of pain and the hatred of innocence; and the world is mostly divided between madmen who remember and madmen who forget. Heroes are rare.</i><br /><br /><b>4. Did you fall in love with Evanjalin when she showed off her badass fighting skills?</b><br />Yes. Of course. Evanjalin is smarter than you. And me. Don't fight it, just go with it.<br /><br /><b>5. Who loved the scene with Evanjalin and Finnikin shouting from the rocks?</b><br />I agree with Hannah: bittersweet is the best word for this scene. Proclaiming one's identity is both a powerful act, defiant, but it can also feel desperate, since power so frequently relies in being recognized without announcement. That said, swoon worthy is another word for this scene. Sorry I'm not sorry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-81089442720467859402013-02-08T11:21:54.684-05:002013-02-08T11:21:54.684-05:00Whoops, apparently that's not the right link.....Whoops, apparently that's not the right link...here it is: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/236990944#comment_67367047Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00416898799044848769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7453643548383938123.post-43502910820793067192013-02-08T10:59:48.141-05:002013-02-08T10:59:48.141-05:00Yay! Totally devoured this entire section last ni...Yay! Totally devoured this entire section last night/this morning...it's going to be hard to stick with the pace. Wonderful starting questions though, Hannah, as you brought up most of what struck me and what I would like to talk about as well.<br /><br />I'm loving the story, which is classic fantasy political, but also so incredibly compelling--not only do we have a people who have been misplaced, but we have a land cut off from the outside, and I am truly frightened of what is going on inside its borders.<br /><br />MM's characters have such unbelievable depth. I love that they are all incredibly flawed, even those we want to be the heroes. I'm so nervous about how everything's going to turn out!<br /><br />I posted my responses here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/528365868Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00416898799044848769noreply@blogger.com