Froi of the Exiles Reviews & Giveaway

If you're a regular on this site, then you've been privy to practically every news about our most revered author, Melina Marchetta. But this blog isn't only about the latest happenings with MM and her writing but as well as the latest wonderful reviews of her books in and around the book loving community.

This batch of reviews is about Froi of the Exiles.


Janina from Janina reads:
"This story has a very peculiar atmosphere. It is actually hard to describe: almost dream-like in some parts, but so very real in others - simply an extraordinary combination. Especially the scenes taking place in and around the Citavita induced the strangest feeling in me. This feeling is almost impossible to grasp, and I’m certainly not able to put in into words – but I loved the experience. It gave me chills, it was different and it is impossible to forget."


Rachel from GoodReads:
"Who would have thought that I would develop such a soft spot for Froi?! Froi, the thieving, spitting, contrary boy, that tried what he did with Isoboe, has experienced such growth in the three years in Lumatere. Being with people that show him love has turned Froi into a worthy person with a desire to be a better man. I love Quintana and Froi’s story. I hope with an anxious heart all turns out well for them."


Olivia from GoodReads:
"On the contrary: Admirable as Marchetta's stories are – fantastic or realistic with twists and turns and satisfactory solutions and all that stuff favorites are made of – their true, distinctive magic is hidden inside the characters. When it comes to Marchetta-made characters I feel like a snake dancing to an enchanted flute's song: My loyalty, my love and my repulsion place themselves at the author's whim."


A.J. from Collections:
"When I started Froi, I stayed up really late the first day because I just could not put it down! It's definitely the fastest I've read through a Melina Marchetta novel. I can't say that taking my time and savoring it ever crossed my mind. EVER. There was no way I would have been able to do that. It was my most anticipated novel of the year! [...] Everything you expect from a Melina Marchetta novel can be found in Froi of the Exiles."



To coincide with this post and Froi of the Exiles's North American release back on March 13, Melina Marchetta's US publisher Candlewick Press is providing a finished hardcover copy to one lucky reader! The giveaway is open to US/CA residents and ends April 11. Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Good luck and huge thanks to Candlewick Press!

News in Less Than 132 Minutes #3

- For the International Reading Association's ENGAGE site, Melina Marchetta wrote a post and included photos about the landscape in the Froi of the Exiles: Researching the Landscape in FROI OF THE EXILES

- Melina revealed the cover for the Australian ebook bundle of Finnikin of Rock and Froi of the Exiles on GoodReads.

- If you missed the reveal for the lovely Australian cover of Quintana of Charyn, you can check it out here! Quintana will be out this October in Australia and March 2013 in US.

- MM finished the first draft of Quintana of Charyn back in February! She shared on GoodReads what she planned on doing during her break from working on QoC.

- Also back in February, MM updated us on her travels in Europe, which helped with the setting in QoC. Find out more at her blog.

- The ladies at whatchYAreading? had Melina Marchetta Week during the week of Froi of the Exiles's US release (March 12-16) where they shared their thoughts on some of Melina's books and they also had a really wonderful interview with her!

• Finnikin of the Rock and Melina Marchetta Week
• Froi of the Exiles
• Jellicoe Road
• Saving Francesca and The Piper's Son
• Interview with Melina Marchetta

- Chachic at Chachic's Book Nook hosted Marchetta Madness this past week (March 18-24)! There were lots of fan posts from readers and also authors where they shared their love of MM's novels, including an awesome guest post from MM!

• What was for your first Marchetta?
• Elizabeth Fama - Melina Marchetta, From the Perspective of a New Fan
• Jo @ Wear the Old Coat - An Ode to Marchetta’s Men
• Trish Doller (Jonah Griggs)
• Brandy @ Random Musings of a Bibliophile - How Saving Francesca Often Saves My Day
• Flannery @ The Readventurer (The Piper's Son)
• Megan Whalen Turner (Parents in MM's novels)
• Nomes @ Inkcrush (Looking for Alibrandi book + movie)
• Lisa and Maja @ The Nocturnal library (Finnikin of the Rock & Froi of the Exiles)
• Joy @132 Minutes - Evanjalin of the Monts
• Alexa @ 132 Minutes - Before I Read a Melina Marchetta Novel
• Kirsty Eagar (Chatting with MM in a video)
• Melina Marchetta - The sequel, the companion novel, the audience and me.
• Random Facts + wrap-up

- There were also more great fan posts written during and for Marchetta Madness Week!

• Alex @ A Girl, Books and Other Things
• Favorite Secondary Characters
• At the Movies: Looking for Alibrandi
• A Romantic Spotlight
• Aaron @ Guy Gone Geek - The Duality of a Narrative
• Lissa @ The Real Book Critique - Magic Writing by Melina Marchetta

- And on Twitter, @PenguinBTL found out about a new word to descirbe 'mega fan hype and activity': fandemonium. They came up with a few words of their own!

Marchetenmonium! haha There's been plenty of Marchetenmonium going on around the web these past two weeks with all the Melina Marchetta posts, and there's definitely some here at 132 Minutes. :D Thank you all for visiting this fan page!

Eva's Review: The Piper's Son

Today's review is from Eva at The Book Stoner!

"Thomas Mackee wants oblivion. Wants to forget parents who leave and friends he used to care about and a string of one-night stands, and favorite uncles being blown to smithereens on their way to work on the other side of the world.

But when his flatmates turn him out of the house, Tom moves in with his single pregnant aunt, Georgie, starts working at the Union pub with his former friends, winds up living with his grieving father again, and remembers how he abandoned Tara Finke two years ago, after his uncle's death.

And in a year when everything's broken, Tom realises that his family and friends need him to help put the pieces back together as much as he needs them."


The Piper's Son is a sequel (more like a companion novel) to Saving Francesca but I loved it more than the first one. While Saving Francesca deals with depression, The Piper's Son shows how death changes everything and that ruined relationships that seem hopeless can be rebuilt through forgiveness and acceptance, and when one finally decides to let go of grief.

I shed a bucket of tears because of this book. I did not look all too great after reading it. Dried tears on my cheeks and neck and snot all over.

Tom's favorite uncle, Joe, died when he was overseas for a job. Since then, his life has never been the same. His mother and sister moved away when his father, Dominic, turned to alcohol and left them. All too consumed with anger and grief, Tom turns away from his friends and the love of his life, Tara. Two years after, Tom's roommates kick him out so he he's forced to live with his aunt, Georgie. The thing is, Georgie has problems of her own. She's pregnant and Sam, her long time love, cheated on her. Since she ended their relationship, she thinks she's ready to raise the child alone but the problem is she's having trouble getting over Sam because he's always been there for her when Joe died. A few weeks after, Dominic comes back and stays with her and Tom but it's not always easy staying with people who are angry at each other.

So you see, this book is full of unhappy people. Their experiences are too painful. I don't think they deserve that much pain though. They're such good and likable people that I hoped things would get better for them. I wanted (a) Dominic to admit his faults and make an effort to fix his family, (b) Tom to get his shxt together, fix his relationship with his friends, and figure out what he wants in life, and get Tara back if he's sure about her, and (c) Georgie to figure out what she wants too - patch things up with Sam or move on.

Georgie, Tom, and Dominic living together may not be the best idea, but they find in each other what they need to see so they can get better, become better versions of themselves. Alas, the ending was a happy one and so my tears weren't for naught.

I remember thinking that exact moment, I want to change the world with her... That's a pretty powerful gift you have there, Ms. Finke. To make the laziest guy around want to change the world with you. So next time you remember standing in your bedroom naked, know that it is the most amazing view from any angle, especially the one where we get to see inside.

Love always,
Always,
Tom

Melina Marchetta, I love you. You're one of the best out there.

P. S. I want to know where Jimmy Hailer is.

A fitting song?

Original review can be found at Eva's blog The Book Stoner.

Giveaway: Collection of Melina Marchetta's Novels

In celebration of Froi of the Exiles's US release, 132 Minutes is giving away all six of Melina Marchetta's YA novels to one lucky follower! The editions are all shown above. To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. The giveaway is open worldwide and ends April 13!

Giveaway Rules:
+ Must be 13 years old or older to enter.
+ Must be a follower of 132 Minutes (through GFC, email, or Twitter).
+ Winner will have 72 hours to reply to our email or a new winner will be chosen.
+ 132 Minutes is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged prizes.

If you have any questions about the giveaway, contact us at marchettafans(at)live(dot)com or on Twitter @MMarchettaFans. Good luck! And happy release day to US Froi! :)

Marchetta Madness Week

Chachic at Chachic's Book Nook is hosting a week just full of Melina Marchetta on her blog! There will be guest posts by fellow Melina Marchetta fans all during the week of March 18 - 24. Be sure not to miss it! Also, since there are many MM fans, Chachic is inviting everyone to write their own post relating to MM's novels, and she'll include it in a Marchetta Madness roundup post. Check out Chachic's annoument post here for more information. We're definitely looking forward to this awesome week!

Aussie Cover Reveal: Quintana of Charyn

Between the Lines has revealed the Australian cover of the October 2012 release Quintana of Charyn! Check out their post here. And now here is the lovely cover:

Previous covers in the Lumatere Chronicles

Loving the green and the overall mood and design. And such a great cover model! So happy that they didn't choose a picture of a drop-dead gorgeous girl for the cover. Plus, I think the messy hair and fierce stare and pose (she looks like she's ready to hurt someone! hehe) makes it even more Quintana. The designer of all 3 covers in the series is Marina Messiha. She did an amazing job! Seriously cannot wait for this book's release!