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 #2

- Melina said that this month she will be traveling to various cities in Europe to get a better feel of the landscape in Quintana of Charyn. Really cool!

- The cover for Quintana of Charyn is already in the works. Between the Lines will let us know when it will be revealed.

- Between the Lines also celebrated Aussie YA Week this past week and had a Flashback Read featuring a "sexy bus stop smooch" between Josie and Jacob from Looking for Alibrandi.

- The Piper's Son was selected as one of YALSA's 2012 Best Fiction for Young Adults! Congrats to MM!

- The US paperback edition of The Piper's Son has a release date of August 14, 2012. It will have a new cover and sell for the awesome price of $7.99! Pre-order on Amazon.

- Froi of the Exiles recently received a starred review from Publishers Weekly! Another congrats!

- The cover model for the Australian editon of Froi of the Exiles is photographer Zack Ahern, and you can follow him on Twitter @ZackAhern.

- Wear the Old Coat also did a wonderful interview with Zack Ahern here. Zack answers questions about the Froi cover and his photography.

- Speaking of interviews, here are some recent and insightful ones with Melina:

> Lorraine Marwood at Words Into Writing
> Lisa at Because Writing is My Vice
> Engage / Teacher to Teacher Blog

- MM also did a guest post at Chachic's Book Nook where she talks about her love for Eugenides from The Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner! And MWT leaves some comments! Huge squee!

- Remember the awesome Jellicoe map? The artist is Anna Musarra, and you can follow her on Twitter as well @frankieblythe.

- Seen lots of fanart for MM's novels lately and have to share them:

> Evanjalin and Jonah Griggs by Simini Sketches
> The Rightful Heir to Lumatere by mynameisqwerty
> Isaboe by SallenD15
> Aldron Takes a Stand, Characters, Not so simple, Sun and Moon by leabharlann

- Finally, something amazing happened on Twitter earlier this month. (Hint: Involves author Gayle Forman.) Chachic @ Chachic's Book Nook was awesome enough to take screenshots. You can view it here! OMG. It's like...a dream come true! Another fangirl moment!


That's it for this edition of News in Less Than 132 Minutes! :D I know I probably sound like a broken record, but, again, if you would like to guest post (it can be about ANYTHING relating to MM and her novels, including reviews) then send us an email at marchettafans[at]live[dot]com! We'll be happy to share it. You can read all the great Fan Posts already posted on the blog here. :)

Interview with Zack Ahern @ Wear the Old Coat

Ever wanted to know more about the cover model on the Australian edition of Froi of the Exiles? Well, you're in luck! The model is photographer Zack Ahren, and Froi of the Exiles is actually his first book cover. You can read an interview with Zack over at Wear the Old Coat where he answers some questions about the cover and his photography. Props to Wear the Old Coat for such a great and unique interview!

Froi of the Exiles available on NetGalley

Have you been dying to read Froi of the Exiles, but don't have a way of ordering it from Australia? Well, if you're a book reviewer and use NetGalley, you can request a digital copy of the US edition!

NetGalley is a site where book reviewers can request advanced digital copies of books to review. Copies can be read on computers using Adobe Digital Editions or eReaders like Nook, Kindle, Sony Reader, and more.

Click here to access the direct link to Froi of the Exiles and send in your request. Since Candlewick is publishing the US edition (which will be released March 23, 2012), read their request criteria to make sure your request will be approved.

Thanks to Crystal at WinterHaven Books for the tip!

Press Release for Froi of the Exiles

Candlewick Press posted the official press release for Froi of the Exiles.

“What I wanted to avoid in Froi of the Exiles was writing about a character who triumphs because the good guys give him a chance. There’s a blurry line at times in this novel about who is good and bad. The Lumaterans and themselves on the bad side of the debate as much as the enemy and themselves on the good.

Froi’s story centers on the nurture-versus-nature debate. The question most asked by those who have come to love Froi is, who would he have been if the most base of street thugs had not raised him? But I wanted Froi taking responsibility for his own actions rather than blaming others. What was important to me is that he struggles with his past actions every day of his life.

More importantly, I wanted to explore the strengths of spoken bonds. Froi has a bond to his beloved Queen’s guard and another to the Queen herself. He follows these rules every day of his life in Lumatere, and they become the guide on how to live his life. As someone who taught for ten years, I spoke often about the difference between discipline and self-discipline, so it wasn’t surprising that the story I wanted to tell about Froi centers around what happens to him when his guides are removed from his life. Can he be good without someone else’s rules to follow, and at what point in his life does he write his own bond?” -Melina Marchetta

Here is the direct link to the file: Froi of the Exiles Press Release

US Cover Reveal: Froi of the Exiles

The cover for the US edition of Froi of the Exiles has recently been revealed!

In a tweet from Melina Marchetta, she says:

AU cover

The US edition will be released in hardcover on March 13, 2012 by Candlewick Press. You can preorder on Amazon or The Book Depository. Froi of the Exiles has already been released in Australia on October 3 by Penguin Books Australia and that edition can be bought by international residents through FishpondWorld.