Chapter 17 - The End
General First Impressions of Finnikin of the Rock
Spoilers!!!
Beware!!
Okay, how many people got that Evanjalin was really Isaboe?? When I first read this book, I so didn't pick up on that, so the reveal was a punch to the gut! And re-reading the story again, keeping in mind that she is the youngest princess, I still find it difficult to pick up on it. I was surprised by that because I thought it might be obvious, but the way Melina keeps working in mentions of Balthazar or the prophecy that seems to point to Finnikin being King, I really don't feel too bad not realizing the truth sooner. I think Melina did a great job obfuscating the facts, because it was an incredible reveal for me. And I loved how Evanjalin just became Isaboe when the time came - despite her fears and the darkness that came from walking the sleep, she does what needs to be done. Always.
And while I at times still think of Isaboe as the main character of Finnikin of the Rock, I think I understand now why Melina made Finnikin the title character - because he grows the most in the story. All of the books in this series are named after the character that has the most to learn I think, and in this Finnikin comes to understand many things he needed to by the time he comes to accept his true role. So of course my co-host Paola is right in her comments from our intro post!
There's another thing I love in this story - those moments when the motivations or circumstances behind questionable actions are revealed and other characters are humbled by the reveal. For instance when Evanjalin walks the sleep while she's not supposed to be bleeding, or when Trevanion finds out why Beatriss had another child. It's incredibly moving to find out how strong these characters are, not from the character themselves (they either don't want to talk about it or explain themselves), but from a third person with a little more understanding. It is indeed very humbling to read about what these characters have had to endure.
I hope everyone has finished the book by now! I really look forward to reading your thoughts on it, and if you would like to comment with those thoughts, head over to A Novel Idea who is in charge of the discussions this week! Bombard her with your feels! :D
