Finnikin of the Rock : Lumatere Chronicles, Book 1

Finnikin was a child when the royal family of Lumatere was brutally murdered and an imposter seized the throne. Now a curse binds all who remain, and those who escaped roam surrounding lands persecuted, sick, and despairing. A boy on the cusp of manhood, Finnikin is compelled to join forces with a young novice named Evanjalin, who claims that her dreams will lead the exiles to a surviving royal child and a way to regain Lumatere. But her behavior suggests she is not what she seemsand the startling truth will test Finnikin's faith in everything he knows. In a narrative that crackles like a coming storm, Printz Award-winner Melina Marchetta crafts an epic fantasy that rivets from the first page. Ten years after he pledges an oath in blood to protect Lumatere, Finnikin's cursed kingdom is at the mercy of a murderous imposter. He and his mentor must enlist the help of Evanjalin, an enigmatic young woman who claims the heir to the throne still lives. As Finnikin fights for the truth, he must also contend with his own feelings for her