The Lumatere Chronicles Readalong: Week 2

My Thoughts

This week’s reading was filled with lots of action and perfectly paced developments, I thought. Characters are growing and becoming more complex, but things are also steadily moving towards some kind of resolution. Chats after the jump!

1. In the first chapter of this week’s reading, there is a line about how it was “as if [Evanjalin] could barely raise her head from the demons that weighed her down” (135). How did you feel about what we learned this week about her past?

It’s always been obvious that Evanjalin has waaaaay more going on than she’s ever let on, and on the one hand, I kind of admire that she keeps it to herself until revealing one bit or another serves a purpose. On the other hand, she remains such an enigma that I still can’t always figure out her end game. Although, I guess it would be more than safe to say that her end game is to restore Lumatere to its people. But the things we learned about her this week–her slave mark, etc.–were upsetting. She’s living under the yoke of so much baggage! I also have to admit to being a bit confused by this week’s first chapter. There were a few things I had to read more than once. But in a later chapter, when Froi and Finnikin are talking in the tent in the Yut village and Froi says that Evanjalin is in charge, I was like, “At least SOMEONE recognizes it!” She really is.

2. Trevanion describes Perri and Tessadora as “victims of hate” when he tells the story about them. Did that strike you as also being an accurate description for Froi and Evanjalin?
See, this is why Hannah is good at these questions where I would probably be crap. If this readalong is teaching me anything about my own reading habits, it’s that there’s a big difference between reading strictly for pleasure and reading for analysis. I don’t think I’m a very deep reader all the time, and so this correlation never occurred to me. But YES. I can totally see how Perri and Tessadora’s story could echo Froi and Evanjalin. It makes me curious about where things will go with Perry and Tessadora (because I feel it’s inevitable that they will meet again at some point) and Froi and Evanjalin.

3. What do you think about the idea of the blood curse? And about what might be taking place back in Lumatere since, as Trevanion points out to Finnikin, Evanjalin omits the information about why the deaths are being faked in the first place?
This part really intrigued me. I’m loving how Melina Marchetta is weaving things into this story that might be taboo subjects or things that most people don’t like talking about: last week, it was Finnikin’s time with a prostitute, this week it’s a curse that revolves around periods. Not to mention the fact that Evanjalin only walks the sleep of people when she’s having HER period. But what really worries me is why the families in Lumatere are exploiting the menstruation of their daughters to fake their deaths. Why is this so women-centric? What are those families protecting their daughters from? I’m enjoying that the women in this world are playing such a huge role–for good or ill–in whatever’s going on in Lumatere, but NERVOUS-MAKING!

4. Was I the only person who thought Evanjalin seemed to be running a little hot and cold this week depending on the scene?
Umm…NO. What is her deal? This extends back even to last week’s reading when she basically overreacted to Finnikin sleeping with the prostitute. I often get this feeling that she doesn’t like being left out of the action when it’s focused on the men. It makes her…prickly? Jealous? I noticed it even in her snarky banter with Finnikin when he was training with the newly found King’s Guard. But I didn’t really understand her emotional rollercoaster with Finnikin in Yutlind Sud. Perhaps she has growing feelings for him against her own better judgement? Like, she is starting to like him but doesn’t want to so it just makes her angry and confused?

In fact, if there is one thing in FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK that seems weaker to me, it’s this relationship. I can’t always put my finger on how these two people, who always seem to be disagreeing/fighting/ignoring each other/offending one another also have these brief, random moments when they clearly feel the opposite. It’s a little schizo.

5. How do you feel about Perri? 
Ah, Perri. I feel like he’s going to be one of those characters who is gruff and dark, but not without redeeming qualities. We got a hint of it when Evanjalin notes that he did something to help the novices during the five days of the unspeakable. I love that he’s so fierce, both in his demeanor and his fighting, but also in his loyalties.

Speaking of Perri, I LOVED LOVED LOVED meeting the King’s Guard in Pietrodore. I love them, and I LOVE Moss. I love how loyal they are to Trevanion.

6. What did you think of the scene where Evanjalin asks Finnikin if he fears that he’s “stolen their life” in regards to the royal children?
WAH!! This made me pretty upset for Finnikin. For people who’ve seen Friday Night Lights (just go with me for a second), it reminded me of the way Riggins reacted to Street’s paralysis. He blamed himself for not being able to stop it even though he was way across the field and could have had no bearing on the outcome of the play whatsoever. He still bore that weight, and it was killing him. Yes. I did just compare Finnikin to Riggins. Guilt is a nasty bitch, friends, as Evanjalin reminds us with a pretty great quote:

I cannot begin to tell you of the demons that visit humans as they sleep. Guilt is the greatest monster. Remorse, a killer. But the worst are the memories. Yet sometimes, they are the only things that keep our people alive.

7. Did anyone else underline Evanjalin’s words to Finnikin about leading with your head and your heart?
I loved that quote. It’s so true. And even though I’ve heard and read variations on this theme a million times, the way Evanjalin said it was pretty great. Whatever her feelings are for Finnikin–and I really couldn’t tell you for sure what they are–she believes in him as a leader.

8. What did you think of Evanjalin’s speech to the exiles when she tries to convince them to leave?
You KNOW that I highlighted this ENTIRE speech. Especially the end, about not wearing being an exile as a badge of honor. I can’t lie: I still don’t know how I feel about Evanjalin, but she is a badass who is capable of doing great things. She always seems to know exactly what to say at exactly the right moment.