Quintana of Cheryn (The Lumatere Chronicles) by Melina Marchetta

genre: older young adult fantasy

where I got it from: my sister had this on her Kindle so since we were flying away together for a long weekend, we swapped Kindles!  She saved me $10 and read a few of my books while I read this one.  I finished it while lying on the couch in our room at the Venetian Casino in Las Vegas ;) (that's a first for me!)


This book is the third book in the Lumatere Chronicles. I wouldn't read this as a stand alone, I think it would be confusing and way less meaningful. I highly recommend reading Finnikin of the Rock and Froi of the Exiles first.

Froi and Quintana are separated. Now that an heir to the throne of Charyn has been conceived, it is more important than ever to keep her safe and hidden.  Of course, Froi has to find her first and secure the kingdom from those in power at the palace. In a river valley with towering cave-riddled hills, battles will be fought, hatred and fear will be reckoned with, babes will be born, love will flourish and a future will be decided.

This is a book of resolution. Of finding a place where you belong with people who are willing to try to understand all the tricky parts of you. Of kings and queens and priests and children. Of being a parent and being a son or daughter and the absolutely astonishing amount of love between them. I have never read a fantasy book with this much heart, that had me crying drippy tears at the end - tears of happiness, for an ending that surprised me with its ingenuity and its grace.