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Lyremouth Chronicles #1
The Exile and the Sorcerer
The quest for the stolen chalice is a sham - her family's excuse to get rid of Tevi. Exiled in a dangerous and confusing world filled with monsters, bandits, and sorcerers, Tevi battles demons within and without as she searches for her place in the strange new world.
Jemeryl has her future planned out - a future that will involve minimal contact with ordinary folk who do not understand sorcerers. Her ambition is to lead a solitary life within the Coven and to devote herself to the study of magic. It is all very straightforward - until she meets Tevi.
Two unlikely allies join forces to defeat an insidious evil and on the journey find one another.
Jemeryl has her future planned out - a future that will involve minimal contact with ordinary folk who do not understand sorcerers. Her ambition is to lead a solitary life within the Coven and to devote herself to the study of magic. It is all very straightforward - until she meets Tevi.
Two unlikely allies join forces to defeat an insidious evil and on the journey find one another.
320 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2006
35 people are currently reading
1888 people want to read
About the author
Jane Fletcher
21 books200 followersJane Fletcher is a GCLS award-winning writer and has also been short-listed for the Gaylactic Spectrum and Lambda Literary awards. She is author of two ongoing sets of fantasy/romance novels: the Celaeno series—The Walls of Westernfort, Rangers at Roadsend, The Temple at Landfall, Dynasty of Rogues, and Shadow of the Knife; and the Lyremouth Chronicles—The Exile and The Sorcerer, The Traitor and The Chalice, The Empress and The Acolyte, and The High Priest and the Idol.
Her love of fantasy began at the age of seven when she encountered Greek Mythology. This was compounded by a childhood spent clambering over every example of ancient masonry she could find (medieval castles, megalithic monuments, Roman villas). Her resolute ambition was to become an archaeologist when she grew up, so it was something of a surprise when she became a software engineer instead.
Born in Greenwich, London, in 1956, she now lives in southwest England where she keeps herself busy writing both computer software and fiction, although generally not at the same time.
Her love of fantasy began at the age of seven when she encountered Greek Mythology. This was compounded by a childhood spent clambering over every example of ancient masonry she could find (medieval castles, megalithic monuments, Roman villas). Her resolute ambition was to become an archaeologist when she grew up, so it was something of a surprise when she became a software engineer instead.
Born in Greenwich, London, in 1956, she now lives in southwest England where she keeps herself busy writing both computer software and fiction, although generally not at the same time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
May 28, 2018
3.4 stars. I fairly enjoyed this read. The world building was interesting enough, the characters did hold my interest. I wanted to see Tevi succeed. To become stronger, to show her family that she is worthy. The journey in exile was also interesting, the culture shock, the locations, the people. And the sparse battles were also enjoyable. Jane Fletcher succeeded to build an interesting world I want to know more about. Too bad that it's insta-love. If you're looking for good romance, you won't find it here but everything else was enjoyable.
This book reveals an engaging fantasy world with likable characters and a story that leaves me wanting to know more.
P.S. Some reviewers have mentioned that this first book is the weakest in the series. I disagree because I liked this one but the second book was a complete trainwreck.
This book reveals an engaging fantasy world with likable characters and a story that leaves me wanting to know more.
P.S. Some reviewers have mentioned that this first book is the weakest in the series. I disagree because I liked this one but the second book was a complete trainwreck.
April 6, 2016
I seem to really enjoy Jane Fletcher's writing. While this is not as great as her Celaeno series, this is an overall enjoyable f/f fantasy book. You immediately fall for the main character Tevi, and how shes treated, in the beginning, breaks your heart. I think Fletcher does a great job of writing likable characters that you can get behind. While Tevi might not be the smartest person socially, it's explainable by her cultural upbringing. Jemeryl's character is not as fleshed out yet, but she doesn't enter the book until 2/3 are over. My hope is her character will break out more in the upcoming books.
I will be reading the rest of this series and I am looking forward to the ride.
I will be reading the rest of this series and I am looking forward to the ride.
May 31, 2018
This is my second time reading it and I remembered most of the plot.
This is a pretty standard fantasy story with a funny world.
The main character is really likable, so is the second main when she's not acting like a... well..to be polite, I will say, a sorcerer.
The clash of cultures is really well done and Tevi's growing out of her homeland is nice. One conversation about gender was magnificent.
I like the fact that adding one huge social discrepancy (being a sorcerer) gave way to a society build on one's ability (mostly, there is still a lot of politicking, probably)
And some incoherences (like a boy inheriting h is mother shop just after we learn there is no inheritance....)
This is a pretty standard fantasy story with a funny world.
The main character is really likable, so is the second main when she's not acting like a... well..to be polite, I will say, a sorcerer.
The clash of cultures is really well done and Tevi's growing out of her homeland is nice. One conversation about gender was magnificent.
I like the fact that adding one huge social discrepancy (being a sorcerer) gave way to a society build on one's ability (mostly, there is still a lot of politicking, probably)
And some incoherences (like a boy inheriting h is mother shop just after we learn there is no inheritance....)
February 10, 2017
Vaguely interesting and vaguely boring. And the end kind of just fizzled out. Last 7% or something like that. Fizzled out.
So – a woman, Tevi, from a warrior woman society is both a) in line to be queen and is currently ‘war leader’; b) basically ‘looked down on’ and/or hated by everyone on the island because she’s, as her fighting instructor called her - the worst fighter of all time (there’s a reason that gets revealed later). Right up front, though, I need to note that this isn’t like that other Fletcher series I’ve read – no this is not an all woman world. No, here, we have a role reversal. The women are super macho and any that aren’t are dismissively called ‘manly’ or something like that; while the men giggle, blush, ‘get used’, and have no power what-so-ever. That’s just the islands, though. But it is where the lead woman is from so that’s her mind set.
The powers-that-be have decided that, with potential war looming, they need to get this ‘bad warrior’ out of the way. They have a society that is super hereditary – if the mother was queen, the first born daughter follows her. If the mother was, for chance, dog walker, then that’d mean that the first born daughter would also be ‘the dog walker’ (there was no mention, that I recall, of dogs on the islands). Therefore, because of that society quark, they can’t just by-pass Tevi to get to her sister (who is all-around considered super good at . . um stuff; (there’s a disconnect that I won’t get to into – the islands were, briefly, one whole Kingdom (then Queendom when the men were overthrown), but the queendom fizzled out with the daughters of that queen fought over the throne – except . . . see above about how Tevi had to be gotten rid of so her sister, Laff, could get the job)). So, they come to an agreement and Tevi is basically banished, though with a cover story that’s she’s going on a quest to ‘recover’ a ‘stolen chalice’. Mind you, all of this is in the book description – well most is there.
So I went from a Fletcher series wherein everyone was a woman and there are no men to a series where the men have the characteristics of oppressed women, while the women are super macho jerks attempting to do everything in their power to ‘not lose face’. Except . . . the reader soon realizes that that is just one aspect of the planet, one society on the planet, the ‘mainland’ has this ‘protectorate’ with ‘sorcerers’, and since anyone can be a sorcerer (as in, it’s not limited to gender, position in society, etc, though having the power to be one is super rare), then that whole ‘female/male’ dynamic is on more ‘equal’ footing. But before I got to that realization, while I was still in the ‘me woman, you man, me hump you now *woman beats own chest and grunts*’ part of the book, I was wondering if I’d be able to continue reading the book. That was . . . not something I want to read regardless of the gender in that position. He-man/she-woman stories . . . not really my thing.
Right, so, around 51% into the book a new character pops up – Jemeryl. Sorcerer. Assigned to a specific valley. She’s young, and doesn’t have much in the way of experience. And hasn’t been paying much attention to her duties (she’s assigned to be the area sorcerer – protector/helper for the local ‘nongifteds’), and is basically both feared and hated. Busy, as she is, with her own researches into magical stuff.
While Jemeryl was distracted, a monster got loose in the valley and was starting to terrorize people. Tevi takes care of this monster, but gets blinded for her actions. The people dump her at the sorcerer’s castle and so the two meet. Blind warrior woman and Jemeryl.
This is one of those occasions wherein that somewhat common lesbian trope of ‘I like her but there’s no way she’d like me’ works – or is less irritating than normal (this reminds me that just once I want a book where a lesbian vaguely feels interested in a woman, not-instant love, not instant lust, just vague interest, in as face-saving way as possible puts forward their interest, the other woman notes they are straight, and . . . that’s it, the lesbian moves on. To someone else. Thought I had while reading a different book, and doesn’t apply here, so let’s get back to that common trope). There’s a reason why it works here – recall that Tevi is from this super macho warrior woman culture? Well, depending on the day of the week, mood of the queen, mood of the people, being a lesbian will alternatively get you extremely mocked, or stoned to death – but regardless of the punishment, you, the lesbian, won’t be allowed to be a lesbian. So Tevi has that baggage. And kind of assumes that this is what the world is like, that she’s this ‘other’ and that everyone else is ‘normal’. So it’s less of an ‘I like her, she probably won’t like me’ and more of an ‘I lust for her, I hate myself for this, oh crap she’ll gut me if she learns I’m this freak’ type of situation.
Right, so. Truth to tell – the island section of the book was okay, vaguely feelings of ‘eww, she-women’, but okay. The early parts of Tevi’s journey on the mainland were great, fun. The Tevi & Jemeryl parts were kind of flat and boring. *shrugs* Meh, that’s life. I own the rest of the books in the series, so I’ll continue eventually.
Rating: 3.45
December 28 2016
So – a woman, Tevi, from a warrior woman society is both a) in line to be queen and is currently ‘war leader’; b) basically ‘looked down on’ and/or hated by everyone on the island because she’s, as her fighting instructor called her - the worst fighter of all time (there’s a reason that gets revealed later). Right up front, though, I need to note that this isn’t like that other Fletcher series I’ve read – no this is not an all woman world. No, here, we have a role reversal. The women are super macho and any that aren’t are dismissively called ‘manly’ or something like that; while the men giggle, blush, ‘get used’, and have no power what-so-ever. That’s just the islands, though. But it is where the lead woman is from so that’s her mind set.
The powers-that-be have decided that, with potential war looming, they need to get this ‘bad warrior’ out of the way. They have a society that is super hereditary – if the mother was queen, the first born daughter follows her. If the mother was, for chance, dog walker, then that’d mean that the first born daughter would also be ‘the dog walker’ (there was no mention, that I recall, of dogs on the islands). Therefore, because of that society quark, they can’t just by-pass Tevi to get to her sister (who is all-around considered super good at . . um stuff; (there’s a disconnect that I won’t get to into – the islands were, briefly, one whole Kingdom (then Queendom when the men were overthrown), but the queendom fizzled out with the daughters of that queen fought over the throne – except . . . see above about how Tevi had to be gotten rid of so her sister, Laff, could get the job)). So, they come to an agreement and Tevi is basically banished, though with a cover story that’s she’s going on a quest to ‘recover’ a ‘stolen chalice’. Mind you, all of this is in the book description – well most is there.
So I went from a Fletcher series wherein everyone was a woman and there are no men to a series where the men have the characteristics of oppressed women, while the women are super macho jerks attempting to do everything in their power to ‘not lose face’. Except . . . the reader soon realizes that that is just one aspect of the planet, one society on the planet, the ‘mainland’ has this ‘protectorate’ with ‘sorcerers’, and since anyone can be a sorcerer (as in, it’s not limited to gender, position in society, etc, though having the power to be one is super rare), then that whole ‘female/male’ dynamic is on more ‘equal’ footing. But before I got to that realization, while I was still in the ‘me woman, you man, me hump you now *woman beats own chest and grunts*’ part of the book, I was wondering if I’d be able to continue reading the book. That was . . . not something I want to read regardless of the gender in that position. He-man/she-woman stories . . . not really my thing.
Right, so, around 51% into the book a new character pops up – Jemeryl. Sorcerer. Assigned to a specific valley. She’s young, and doesn’t have much in the way of experience. And hasn’t been paying much attention to her duties (she’s assigned to be the area sorcerer – protector/helper for the local ‘nongifteds’), and is basically both feared and hated. Busy, as she is, with her own researches into magical stuff.
While Jemeryl was distracted, a monster got loose in the valley and was starting to terrorize people. Tevi takes care of this monster, but gets blinded for her actions. The people dump her at the sorcerer’s castle and so the two meet. Blind warrior woman and Jemeryl.
This is one of those occasions wherein that somewhat common lesbian trope of ‘I like her but there’s no way she’d like me’ works – or is less irritating than normal (this reminds me that just once I want a book where a lesbian vaguely feels interested in a woman, not-instant love, not instant lust, just vague interest, in as face-saving way as possible puts forward their interest, the other woman notes they are straight, and . . . that’s it, the lesbian moves on. To someone else. Thought I had while reading a different book, and doesn’t apply here, so let’s get back to that common trope). There’s a reason why it works here – recall that Tevi is from this super macho warrior woman culture? Well, depending on the day of the week, mood of the queen, mood of the people, being a lesbian will alternatively get you extremely mocked, or stoned to death – but regardless of the punishment, you, the lesbian, won’t be allowed to be a lesbian. So Tevi has that baggage. And kind of assumes that this is what the world is like, that she’s this ‘other’ and that everyone else is ‘normal’. So it’s less of an ‘I like her, she probably won’t like me’ and more of an ‘I lust for her, I hate myself for this, oh crap she’ll gut me if she learns I’m this freak’ type of situation.
Right, so. Truth to tell – the island section of the book was okay, vaguely feelings of ‘eww, she-women’, but okay. The early parts of Tevi’s journey on the mainland were great, fun. The Tevi & Jemeryl parts were kind of flat and boring. *shrugs* Meh, that’s life. I own the rest of the books in the series, so I’ll continue eventually.
Rating: 3.45
December 28 2016
December 4, 2022
4.25
A little slow paced.
Great world building.
2nd mc comes after 60% of the book.
A little slow paced.
Great world building.
2nd mc comes after 60% of the book.
July 7, 2021
This was really good. Solid.
I can't say there were any big surprises, it was as standart as fantasy books come (except for the sapphic part of course), but it was enjoyable nevertheless. Sometimes predictability is the way to go for a relaxing summer read :)
On level of detail I'd say this is somewhere around "The Wheel of Time", maybe a bit lower. Definitely nowhere near Tolkien level of background lore.
All in all this was a well written quest-fantasy book without any glaring problems and thus I really enjoyed it.
On to the next one...
I can't say there were any big surprises, it was as standart as fantasy books come (except for the sapphic part of course), but it was enjoyable nevertheless. Sometimes predictability is the way to go for a relaxing summer read :)
On level of detail I'd say this is somewhere around "The Wheel of Time", maybe a bit lower. Definitely nowhere near Tolkien level of background lore.
All in all this was a well written quest-fantasy book without any glaring problems and thus I really enjoyed it.
On to the next one...
January 19, 2015
Tevi is exiled from a society very different to our own and finds herself in another society, equally different from our own and from the one she has come from. Unfortunately, Fletcher does far too much telling, with characters explaining how their respective societies work, and not enough showing. The result is a novel that raises some interesting questions about gender, sexuality and society and doesn't take them anywhere at all.
There are some interesting concepts in here that I would like to see explored by a more adept writer than Jane Fletcher.
The writing itself isn't too bad and I found myself somewhat enjoying it by the end. However, the pacing is terrible and there are chapters of padding, of Tevi exploring the unfamiliar society, which could have been done much more elegantly and readably in parallel with the actual plot, and not as a overlong section of clunky world building. Also, crucial plot points that only work if characters are ridiculously obtuse and unobservant are a no go: not even Robin Hobb is allowed to get away with that, and she's Robin Hobb.
I imagine that the whole trilogy could have been compressed into one 3-star novel, but I'm not going to continue to find out.
There are some interesting concepts in here that I would like to see explored by a more adept writer than Jane Fletcher.
The writing itself isn't too bad and I found myself somewhat enjoying it by the end. However, the pacing is terrible and there are chapters of padding, of Tevi exploring the unfamiliar society, which could have been done much more elegantly and readably in parallel with the actual plot, and not as a overlong section of clunky world building. Also, crucial plot points that only work if characters are ridiculously obtuse and unobservant are a no go: not even Robin Hobb is allowed to get away with that, and she's Robin Hobb.
I imagine that the whole trilogy could have been compressed into one 3-star novel, but I'm not going to continue to find out.
May 13, 2018
So, this is probably my favorite lesbian book to date. I really was looking for a good lesbian fantasy and this delivered. Written in the style of Robin Hobb, (one of my favorite authors), the story Jane Fletcher weaves never fails to delight. I absolutely loved both characters. Fletcher has a lot of skill at writing compelling and capable heroines who also still retain their femininity. I highly recommend for anyone looking for a good f/f love story. I will be getting the others in the series.
December 1, 2017
I have so many complicated feelings about this book, though I will say most of them are positive.
This book sort of felt like half a book. I mean, it's full length, it just spends a long time carefully exploring every. Single. Situation. As a result, we don't even meet Tevi's love interest until exactly 51% through (assuming Kindle's measuring system is correct). The fact that it leaves off before the plot really begins also makes it feel more like a prologue to a much bigger story. I was expecting to feel cheated because of this, but I actually didn't mind so much.
Just know that if you're hoping for a romance, this book is not one. It's a fantasy/adventure story with elements of romance. Honestly, I wasn't sold on the romance 100%. It felt like the attraction was primarily physical. I wasn't totally sure *why* they were in love with one another.
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding, I actually think I liked learning about how the world functioned than I did the plot, especially when it slowed down in the middle. It could be a little heavy-handed at times, but watching Tevi gradually realize that her home was actually shitty and impoverished, rather than a nation of glorious warriors, was satisfying without feeling forced. The fact that Tevi manages to make it until the third act before noticing that everyone on the mainland is pansexual stretched credibility a little bit, but when I think back on people I've met who have grown up in secluded and highly conservative cultures, it does make a little more sense.
Mild spoilers ahead: Near the end of the book, Tevi learns that she has been disabled her entire life, though nobody realized it, and this is the reason she was never as good a warrior as her sisters. She only realizes this after she gets healed accidentally. I always raise an eyebrow at disabilities getting magically healed, but I felt like it worked in the context of this setting and the story, given that it is a fantasy world where magic exists and Tevi is never defined by her disability or, later, her lack thereof. However, I am not physically disabled, so I can't claim to be any kind of real authority. The most I can say is that I have suffered from mental illness, and if I was reading an alternate version of this story where Tevi's problem was mental instead of physical, I don't think I'd have had a problem with how it was handled.
Other reviewers have mentioned that this book really did drag at times, and that's true. As I said above, it feels more like a prequel novel than the first book in a series. I will check out the next one and hope that the action speeds up a bit now that we have both our protagonists together and ready for an adventure. I feel like this setting has so much more potential.
This book sort of felt like half a book. I mean, it's full length, it just spends a long time carefully exploring every. Single. Situation. As a result, we don't even meet Tevi's love interest until exactly 51% through (assuming Kindle's measuring system is correct). The fact that it leaves off before the plot really begins also makes it feel more like a prologue to a much bigger story. I was expecting to feel cheated because of this, but I actually didn't mind so much.
Just know that if you're hoping for a romance, this book is not one. It's a fantasy/adventure story with elements of romance. Honestly, I wasn't sold on the romance 100%. It felt like the attraction was primarily physical. I wasn't totally sure *why* they were in love with one another.
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding, I actually think I liked learning about how the world functioned than I did the plot, especially when it slowed down in the middle. It could be a little heavy-handed at times, but watching Tevi gradually realize that her home was actually shitty and impoverished, rather than a nation of glorious warriors, was satisfying without feeling forced. The fact that Tevi manages to make it until the third act before noticing that everyone on the mainland is pansexual stretched credibility a little bit, but when I think back on people I've met who have grown up in secluded and highly conservative cultures, it does make a little more sense.
Mild spoilers ahead: Near the end of the book, Tevi learns that she has been disabled her entire life, though nobody realized it, and this is the reason she was never as good a warrior as her sisters. She only realizes this after she gets healed accidentally. I always raise an eyebrow at disabilities getting magically healed, but I felt like it worked in the context of this setting and the story, given that it is a fantasy world where magic exists and Tevi is never defined by her disability or, later, her lack thereof. However, I am not physically disabled, so I can't claim to be any kind of real authority. The most I can say is that I have suffered from mental illness, and if I was reading an alternate version of this story where Tevi's problem was mental instead of physical, I don't think I'd have had a problem with how it was handled.
Other reviewers have mentioned that this book really did drag at times, and that's true. As I said above, it feels more like a prequel novel than the first book in a series. I will check out the next one and hope that the action speeds up a bit now that we have both our protagonists together and ready for an adventure. I feel like this setting has so much more potential.
March 11, 2011
Excuse me, Ms. Fletcher. I, um. I can see your agenda. Yeah, it's kind of ...showing. A lot.
The pacing in this is wildly off, Fletcher's issue-related needs force her to warp her characters into total morons, and she provides little to no framework for her central emotional premise.
I cannot *believe* my club used revenue funds to purchase this. Queer-content-inclusion-effort fail.
If you're looking for a fantasy world with lesbians, go for Ash.
The pacing in this is wildly off, Fletcher's issue-related needs force her to warp her characters into total morons, and she provides little to no framework for her central emotional premise.
I cannot *believe* my club used revenue funds to purchase this. Queer-content-inclusion-effort fail.
If you're looking for a fantasy world with lesbians, go for Ash.
June 23, 2019
First of all, I'd like to thank Jane Fletcher for writing this book. And the sequels as well, thought I'm not even halfway through the second book at this point. This sort of fiction is exactly what I've been yearning for for years at this point.
Strong girls, society unlike our own, and then those things accompanied by a compelling magical setting.
Light spoilers ahead. :)
The plot is straightforward, yet engaging. The book had 100% of my attention just from the first ten pages, and then kept it firmly in its grasp. (Talk about Bechdel test smashed into pieces and left wherever it crawled from in the first place.) Right from the start, young woman Tevi is a very relatable character. She's an underdog, and we all root for those.
I was pleasantly in love with the matriarchal society Tevi is a member of. While its issues were obvious, I rejoiced to see it only because it's so rare in any other medium, written or otherwise.
I was sad Tevi had to leave it, but the plot was inevitably foretold by the book's title.
Despite my fears, I was not disappointed by the place where Tevi went next; the Protectorate. There was slight apprehension that whatever awaited Tevi would not be as exciting, but I was wrong. If anything, simply watching Tevi grow as a person in all the best ways and directions was a gift in itself.
Perhaps needless to say, I was spoiled by the goodreads summary and kept reading mostly for the romance part. However, the plot decided to be an apsolute wonder to read, and I binged the book in three days. I got attached to Tevi very much, and almost forgot about any romance at all. I'll admit the second half of the book passed more quickly than the first one, which doesn't mean I didn't appreciate the second protagonist, Jemeryl, any less than Tevi.
As I've said before, the plot is rather straightforward, but that is in no way a bad feature. It did managed to surprise me at the end of the first part. That made the beginning of the second part all the more intense.
I love how Tevi and Jemeryl were given time to get to know each other. From the get go, all my fears about them would be gone after a couple of pages. The two interacted, talked through their worries and issues, either with themselves or the other woman. If I were any younger, that would've had all the more impact.
Honestly, I feared Tevi would've kept her sexuality and issues related to it a secret, which would bring her only more anguish and pain, but Jemeryl herself was very insightful, and took the best, gentlest approach to Tevi she could. Not saying she's perfect, but she prevented the most boring and painful narrative that any other author would happily jump to (for whatever the reason some author's still do it is beyond me).
In the end, while I was completely ready to accept that Tevi is never going back to Storenseg, ignoring Abrak's Chalice, and living her life happily, doing myriad of other things equally fun, I'm intrigued by the thought of reading about her family's reactions if she ever does return with the Chalice and a really cute redhead holding her hand.
Before I end my review, that's making me all the more excited, because I'm thinking about Tevi and Jem again, I'd like to note another thing I love in this novel. To start off, I literally found this book by googling „lesbian fantasy novel“. I was starting to lose hope I'd ever find anything to my liking. Sure, there must be many lesbian-themed works out there, but considering that I give slice of life and drama genres a wide berth, I thought my chances all the more slimmer. Surprisingly, The Exile and the Sorcerer took me in fast and hard.
I saw a lot of myself in Tevi, though luckily, I never had to go through tough things to the extent as great as what she did. And then, to see her in a happy lesbian relationship by the end of the book... It was as if the book personally came to me, gave me a good night's kiss, gently tucked me in, and sang the most melodious lullaby.
Also I don't want to miss mentioning that watching how long it took Tevi to come to terms with how Protectorate functioned was another relatable experience. Ignoring all the little hints and things. Even when it was explained to her that nothing bad would happen if she dated women, she was still apprehensive and unsure. I was only slightly sad that the book didn't go deeper into that, but I can also respect it. It's not that sort of a book. It's a fantasy. They rarely get into deep psychology of people. That's fine. Everything else is left to my own imagination. Jane Fletcher did an amazing job. A couple of chapters into second book at this point, and I can say Tevi still remains sweet and relatable character.
So in the end, I'd like to say that if I ever encounter a young woman unsure of her life choices (or things that are not choices at all), I'll be sure to show her this book.
There are a couple of NSFW parts. Personally, there's not enough of them, but if the book ever wanted any hope of reaching the wider audience, I'm sure adding too much explicit content is discouraged.
In conclusion, this book might not be the most coolest epic fantasy on the market, but it does offer a reader a likeable main character, a healthy lesbian relationship, and a pleasant plot and setting. I'd recommend it to anyone open-minded in a search for a good book.
Strong girls, society unlike our own, and then those things accompanied by a compelling magical setting.
Light spoilers ahead. :)
The plot is straightforward, yet engaging. The book had 100% of my attention just from the first ten pages, and then kept it firmly in its grasp. (Talk about Bechdel test smashed into pieces and left wherever it crawled from in the first place.) Right from the start, young woman Tevi is a very relatable character. She's an underdog, and we all root for those.
I was pleasantly in love with the matriarchal society Tevi is a member of. While its issues were obvious, I rejoiced to see it only because it's so rare in any other medium, written or otherwise.
I was sad Tevi had to leave it, but the plot was inevitably foretold by the book's title.
Despite my fears, I was not disappointed by the place where Tevi went next; the Protectorate. There was slight apprehension that whatever awaited Tevi would not be as exciting, but I was wrong. If anything, simply watching Tevi grow as a person in all the best ways and directions was a gift in itself.
Perhaps needless to say, I was spoiled by the goodreads summary and kept reading mostly for the romance part. However, the plot decided to be an apsolute wonder to read, and I binged the book in three days. I got attached to Tevi very much, and almost forgot about any romance at all. I'll admit the second half of the book passed more quickly than the first one, which doesn't mean I didn't appreciate the second protagonist, Jemeryl, any less than Tevi.
As I've said before, the plot is rather straightforward, but that is in no way a bad feature. It did managed to surprise me at the end of the first part. That made the beginning of the second part all the more intense.
I love how Tevi and Jemeryl were given time to get to know each other. From the get go, all my fears about them would be gone after a couple of pages. The two interacted, talked through their worries and issues, either with themselves or the other woman. If I were any younger, that would've had all the more impact.
Honestly, I feared Tevi would've kept her sexuality and issues related to it a secret, which would bring her only more anguish and pain, but Jemeryl herself was very insightful, and took the best, gentlest approach to Tevi she could. Not saying she's perfect, but she prevented the most boring and painful narrative that any other author would happily jump to (for whatever the reason some author's still do it is beyond me).
In the end, while I was completely ready to accept that Tevi is never going back to Storenseg, ignoring Abrak's Chalice, and living her life happily, doing myriad of other things equally fun, I'm intrigued by the thought of reading about her family's reactions if she ever does return with the Chalice and a really cute redhead holding her hand.
Before I end my review, that's making me all the more excited, because I'm thinking about Tevi and Jem again, I'd like to note another thing I love in this novel. To start off, I literally found this book by googling „lesbian fantasy novel“. I was starting to lose hope I'd ever find anything to my liking. Sure, there must be many lesbian-themed works out there, but considering that I give slice of life and drama genres a wide berth, I thought my chances all the more slimmer. Surprisingly, The Exile and the Sorcerer took me in fast and hard.
I saw a lot of myself in Tevi, though luckily, I never had to go through tough things to the extent as great as what she did. And then, to see her in a happy lesbian relationship by the end of the book... It was as if the book personally came to me, gave me a good night's kiss, gently tucked me in, and sang the most melodious lullaby.
Also I don't want to miss mentioning that watching how long it took Tevi to come to terms with how Protectorate functioned was another relatable experience. Ignoring all the little hints and things. Even when it was explained to her that nothing bad would happen if she dated women, she was still apprehensive and unsure. I was only slightly sad that the book didn't go deeper into that, but I can also respect it. It's not that sort of a book. It's a fantasy. They rarely get into deep psychology of people. That's fine. Everything else is left to my own imagination. Jane Fletcher did an amazing job. A couple of chapters into second book at this point, and I can say Tevi still remains sweet and relatable character.
So in the end, I'd like to say that if I ever encounter a young woman unsure of her life choices (or things that are not choices at all), I'll be sure to show her this book.
There are a couple of NSFW parts. Personally, there's not enough of them, but if the book ever wanted any hope of reaching the wider audience, I'm sure adding too much explicit content is discouraged.
In conclusion, this book might not be the most coolest epic fantasy on the market, but it does offer a reader a likeable main character, a healthy lesbian relationship, and a pleasant plot and setting. I'd recommend it to anyone open-minded in a search for a good book.
January 6, 2019
This was a lovely book. I enjoyed the writing, the characters, the delightful f/f romance; can't wait to read the rest of the series!
September 7, 2017
Decent low fantasy with touches of heat.
General
It's going to be hard to review this one. I absolutely hated the first half of the book. Tevi is just not a compelling protagonist and is very reactive. She seldom if ever has any agency, and basically lets things just happen to her as she drifts aimlessly through her exile. Also frustrating was the lack of through line for the first half. Yes, we have this vague quest, but Tevi doesn't take it seriously and doesn't really even think about it until the halfway point, so we the reader are also left thinking the book is just going to be a meandering 'Tevi reacts to circumstances' book.
And then we hit a POV shift. And then the book completely turns around.
Jemeryl the sorcerer, while not the most likable of characters overall, has agency. She DOES things. Her backstory is short, concise, and to the point, and for that reason it seems so much easier to get into her head and empathize. The point of the POV switch is also where the through line picks up, and suddenly Tevi's quest matters, and we have a purpose, and a plot, and a driving force in the book. Also we have the romance between Jemeryl and Tevi which, while short, was steamy in places and well done.
Worldbuilding
I liked the worldbuilding in this book a lot. The towns are well drawn out, the histories feel complete, and the few pages of just background text we get which should have read like info dump, really didn't. In fact, they served to round out the story well, and at times I was more engaged in those than the actual narrative. The magic system is a little hard to understand (less a system and more just existing), but doesn't seem to be a focal point of the book, either. Tevi's backstory, as told through Jemeryl's POV, is interesting, as is the history of her island. I also do always appreciate a book that puts queerness as canon.
General nitpicks
There were a few POV fails in the book, where we went from third limited to some type of author voiceover, which threw me from the narrative. They waned as the book progressed, and the story relied more on block text of stories than authorial narration towards the end. I also just...with the cover...if this book hadn't been recommended to me by three separate people I would have never bought it. The book deserves better cover art than this, really.
I'd actually recommend any new readers to this book to read the second half first, starting at the sorcerer's POV. This section makes Tevi much more sympathetic, and makes her journey to the mainland much more relevant. I don't think the reader would miss much by skipping the first half of the book, and then if desired, one could go back and read the front half to fill in worldbuilding and character arcs.
Rating
I decided on a three star review for this book, because the first half was one star, maybe, and the second half was a strong five. I'm left wanting to get the next book, but I'm wary, too, that it might do something strange, like separate Tevi and Jemeryl, and then I'd get just Tevi POV again, which is not interesting.
General
It's going to be hard to review this one. I absolutely hated the first half of the book. Tevi is just not a compelling protagonist and is very reactive. She seldom if ever has any agency, and basically lets things just happen to her as she drifts aimlessly through her exile. Also frustrating was the lack of through line for the first half. Yes, we have this vague quest, but Tevi doesn't take it seriously and doesn't really even think about it until the halfway point, so we the reader are also left thinking the book is just going to be a meandering 'Tevi reacts to circumstances' book.
And then we hit a POV shift. And then the book completely turns around.
Jemeryl the sorcerer, while not the most likable of characters overall, has agency. She DOES things. Her backstory is short, concise, and to the point, and for that reason it seems so much easier to get into her head and empathize. The point of the POV switch is also where the through line picks up, and suddenly Tevi's quest matters, and we have a purpose, and a plot, and a driving force in the book. Also we have the romance between Jemeryl and Tevi which, while short, was steamy in places and well done.
Worldbuilding
I liked the worldbuilding in this book a lot. The towns are well drawn out, the histories feel complete, and the few pages of just background text we get which should have read like info dump, really didn't. In fact, they served to round out the story well, and at times I was more engaged in those than the actual narrative. The magic system is a little hard to understand (less a system and more just existing), but doesn't seem to be a focal point of the book, either. Tevi's backstory, as told through Jemeryl's POV, is interesting, as is the history of her island. I also do always appreciate a book that puts queerness as canon.
General nitpicks
There were a few POV fails in the book, where we went from third limited to some type of author voiceover, which threw me from the narrative. They waned as the book progressed, and the story relied more on block text of stories than authorial narration towards the end. I also just...with the cover...if this book hadn't been recommended to me by three separate people I would have never bought it. The book deserves better cover art than this, really.
I'd actually recommend any new readers to this book to read the second half first, starting at the sorcerer's POV. This section makes Tevi much more sympathetic, and makes her journey to the mainland much more relevant. I don't think the reader would miss much by skipping the first half of the book, and then if desired, one could go back and read the front half to fill in worldbuilding and character arcs.
Rating
I decided on a three star review for this book, because the first half was one star, maybe, and the second half was a strong five. I'm left wanting to get the next book, but I'm wary, too, that it might do something strange, like separate Tevi and Jemeryl, and then I'd get just Tevi POV again, which is not interesting.
August 9, 2016
In my opinion, it was a good story, filled with travels and fighting. Of course, the travelling went a little faster and the fights were kind of short too. Still, it was interesting and it was filled with suspense. Unlike the Celaeno series, in some parts, same-sex relationships are discriminated, but not enough. The romance was good, but I hoped there was more on it. For me in overall, it was a good story and worth reading.
August 17, 2018
Within the first two chapters of this book, you learn that the exiled main character comes from a group of islands where women take a potion throughout their childhood to make them stronger and faster, thus making them superior to their weak, soft, emotional men, whom they "take" to bed whenever they please and whom are shown to be eager to be "taken" to bed. There is also a few mentions of "taking a liking" to a male prisoner, heavily implying (and condoning imo) rape.
May 31, 2013
Yes, it is also a romance, and a good one at that. However, unlike so many other romances of this genre, it has a wonderful story. The characters have depth, the world is rich, and the story (and romance) are given plenty of time to develop. I've now read half the books the author has written and I've enjoyed every one.
May 13, 2021
2.5 rounded up - I was disappointed in this read. I thought it might have been the start of an epic fantasy quest, but it took about 150 pages to get going, and then the POV suddenly switched to the other main character. I'll probably spoil in this review, so be warned.
Broadly speaking, an exiled super strong warrior woman with self directed homophobia (Tevi) uses questing for a lost family heirloom to cover the reason for her exile from her home islands (inappropriate feelings for another woman). She kills a beast threatening a village, goes blind and seeks help from the local sorcerer (Jem). They suffer insta attraction. The warrior learns that it is not evil to fancy her own sex on the mainland, and her old family heirloom is actually something very important in sorcerer circles. The quest is real. The sorcerer is ordered to go with the warrior to seek out the item. They set off, more in love than ever. End of Book One.
There was a lot of info dumping, telling, and things that just seemed a little off. For instance, I find it hard to believe that a weaponry instructor would not be able to pick up on their student having impaired eyesight and simply assume they were hopeless, especially since they had been training them for over 10 years. I'd think it would be one of the first things they would check once they realised their student was not performing as expected. So a lot of Tevi did not ring true to me. Her skill also seemed to change depending on the need of the story - hopeless on the island, good enough on the mainland to defeat a band of thugs and get accepted as a mercenary simply because she was strong.
The two main characters, when they finally meet halfway into the story, suffer from insta attraction and love. I know I'm a fan of slow burn, but wanting to drag someone off and have your way with them the moment you meet them, especially since they are blind and in agonising pain might be a bit much even for insta love fans.
I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, and I know graphic design has come a long way since 2006, but this cover....no. It looks more 1996 than 2006. There are bits of bodies missing because the border has warped them and the sorcerer doesn't even look like they are described in the book (as having curly hair). I think the story might have been better served with a hand drawn graphic rather than a computer generated one.
Overall, the writing was ok, it felt a bit fan-fictiony to me (probably because of the info dumps and telling). As far as the characters go, I wasn't given anything from them to care about. I had no idea what Jem's motivation was (aside from getting in Tevi's pants and her own research - which goes out the window once Tevi arrives). I sort of figured Tevi's motivation was to run away from herself, which she did, until she learns she doesn't have to. Her interest in the quest is kind of apathetic. By the end of the book it felt like she didn't care what happened to her as long as she was with Jem, which she was. After 314 pages, I didn't feel like we actually got anywhere with the story, except now there are two people looking for the chalice rather than one person sort of looking for it. The only thing that has changed is that Tevi no longer hates herself for fancying women and Jem is no longer holed up in a keep researching weird blobby things with yellow gas. I know it's Book One of a series, but I shouldn't have felt like I was treading water the entire read. I don't think I'll be reading any more of the series.
Broadly speaking, an exiled super strong warrior woman with self directed homophobia (Tevi) uses questing for a lost family heirloom to cover the reason for her exile from her home islands (inappropriate feelings for another woman). She kills a beast threatening a village, goes blind and seeks help from the local sorcerer (Jem). They suffer insta attraction. The warrior learns that it is not evil to fancy her own sex on the mainland, and her old family heirloom is actually something very important in sorcerer circles. The quest is real. The sorcerer is ordered to go with the warrior to seek out the item. They set off, more in love than ever. End of Book One.
There was a lot of info dumping, telling, and things that just seemed a little off. For instance, I find it hard to believe that a weaponry instructor would not be able to pick up on their student having impaired eyesight and simply assume they were hopeless, especially since they had been training them for over 10 years. I'd think it would be one of the first things they would check once they realised their student was not performing as expected. So a lot of Tevi did not ring true to me. Her skill also seemed to change depending on the need of the story - hopeless on the island, good enough on the mainland to defeat a band of thugs and get accepted as a mercenary simply because she was strong.
The two main characters, when they finally meet halfway into the story, suffer from insta attraction and love. I know I'm a fan of slow burn, but wanting to drag someone off and have your way with them the moment you meet them, especially since they are blind and in agonising pain might be a bit much even for insta love fans.
I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, and I know graphic design has come a long way since 2006, but this cover....no. It looks more 1996 than 2006. There are bits of bodies missing because the border has warped them and the sorcerer doesn't even look like they are described in the book (as having curly hair). I think the story might have been better served with a hand drawn graphic rather than a computer generated one.
Overall, the writing was ok, it felt a bit fan-fictiony to me (probably because of the info dumps and telling). As far as the characters go, I wasn't given anything from them to care about. I had no idea what Jem's motivation was (aside from getting in Tevi's pants and her own research - which goes out the window once Tevi arrives). I sort of figured Tevi's motivation was to run away from herself, which she did, until she learns she doesn't have to. Her interest in the quest is kind of apathetic. By the end of the book it felt like she didn't care what happened to her as long as she was with Jem, which she was. After 314 pages, I didn't feel like we actually got anywhere with the story, except now there are two people looking for the chalice rather than one person sort of looking for it. The only thing that has changed is that Tevi no longer hates herself for fancying women and Jem is no longer holed up in a keep researching weird blobby things with yellow gas. I know it's Book One of a series, but I shouldn't have felt like I was treading water the entire read. I don't think I'll be reading any more of the series.
January 5, 2017
I just want to take the first sentence of my review to thank the love of my life for buying me this series. She gifted it to me for my birthday as it’s one of her favorites and she was certain I would love it as well. She couldn’t have been more right if she tried.
If I had to sum up what I love most about this book in one word it would be fun. The characters (even the cruel, annoying, or ignorant ones) are fun. The story is fun. The romance is fun. It’s a story that knows how to enjoy itself while weaving in moments of tense emotion. Fletcher does a great job of allowing the story to be serious when it needs to be, but never allowing it to become dark or overbearing which is something that’s extremely important to me in lesbian romance stories. This is most likely just a personal bias and one formed more in movies for me than books, but I tend to somewhat shy away from LGBTQ romance stories for the simple reason that they can get too heavy. Too much focus is on the struggle of being gay, and while that is a very serious reality for many individuals that’s why I feel it’s important to have light hearted stories of hope. Stories that focus on the fun and cute parts of romance the way this does, as much as the strife of it. It kinda sucked growing up feeling like all my romances were going to be doomed to death and pain because that’s the only way I ever saw it being portrayed. I’m glad my partner has been introducing me to more light hearted stories of lesbian romance.
To continue on that train of thought I’m also very happy with how those moments of struggle are shown and how Fletcher handles issues of equality not just in relationships, but between genders as well. Without getting too spoiler heavy she does a fantastic job of showing the harm some of these issues can cause, and how the extreme reaction to fighting them can be just as bad as the original issue themselves. Causing new, if not similar problems to form. What’s even more enjoyable is seeing all of this through the eyes of a person entrenched in that bias, going into a world where it doesn’t exist. Tevi’s point of view on everything is fun to read and Fletcher does an amazing job of really showing how we grow up can blind us to things until someone points it out to us. Again without giving spoilers I do want to revisit this book at some point and read through it again paying careful attention to the way individuals refer to each other and the way Tevi perceives other characters relationships.
Finally I really enjoy the world building. I like hearing about how each society is formed, I really enjoy her take on magic and how it works and seeing the ways certain things can backfire. I like that she doesn’t try to be typical fantasy with it, that it’s so different from how magic is normally explained. I enjoy the cute stuff that’s done. I know the idea of “whimsy” can sometimes be a negative in fantasy, but here it just really works nicely. It makes you feel warm and fuzzy.
All in all it’s a fun and enjoyable start to a series that I’m really looking forward to reading.
If I had to sum up what I love most about this book in one word it would be fun. The characters (even the cruel, annoying, or ignorant ones) are fun. The story is fun. The romance is fun. It’s a story that knows how to enjoy itself while weaving in moments of tense emotion. Fletcher does a great job of allowing the story to be serious when it needs to be, but never allowing it to become dark or overbearing which is something that’s extremely important to me in lesbian romance stories. This is most likely just a personal bias and one formed more in movies for me than books, but I tend to somewhat shy away from LGBTQ romance stories for the simple reason that they can get too heavy. Too much focus is on the struggle of being gay, and while that is a very serious reality for many individuals that’s why I feel it’s important to have light hearted stories of hope. Stories that focus on the fun and cute parts of romance the way this does, as much as the strife of it. It kinda sucked growing up feeling like all my romances were going to be doomed to death and pain because that’s the only way I ever saw it being portrayed. I’m glad my partner has been introducing me to more light hearted stories of lesbian romance.
To continue on that train of thought I’m also very happy with how those moments of struggle are shown and how Fletcher handles issues of equality not just in relationships, but between genders as well. Without getting too spoiler heavy she does a fantastic job of showing the harm some of these issues can cause, and how the extreme reaction to fighting them can be just as bad as the original issue themselves. Causing new, if not similar problems to form. What’s even more enjoyable is seeing all of this through the eyes of a person entrenched in that bias, going into a world where it doesn’t exist. Tevi’s point of view on everything is fun to read and Fletcher does an amazing job of really showing how we grow up can blind us to things until someone points it out to us. Again without giving spoilers I do want to revisit this book at some point and read through it again paying careful attention to the way individuals refer to each other and the way Tevi perceives other characters relationships.
Finally I really enjoy the world building. I like hearing about how each society is formed, I really enjoy her take on magic and how it works and seeing the ways certain things can backfire. I like that she doesn’t try to be typical fantasy with it, that it’s so different from how magic is normally explained. I enjoy the cute stuff that’s done. I know the idea of “whimsy” can sometimes be a negative in fantasy, but here it just really works nicely. It makes you feel warm and fuzzy.
All in all it’s a fun and enjoyable start to a series that I’m really looking forward to reading.
May 16, 2017
1.5
This book isn't insulting, just really really stale, boring and annoying.
I get the idea of reversing a world's concepts to make a commentary on our own world. But the thing is, the lession in this book is obvious and it does not need a whole book to point it out: Don't treat people like babies, don't act superior, don't be an asshole.
And with the "deep" commentary, Tevi, the protagonist, is presented as having all of those terrible trait. So when the story ends, she'll learn the era of her way and teach us readers how not to be idiots. I don't know about you, but I can not stand a character like that. I'm also here for a story, not a lame social commentary. Tevi's love interest, Jeremyl, is a spoiled brat. Her inability to handle responsibility is on perfect par with her splendid talent in using the victim cards. It's the people's faults, not the delicate well-meaning little sorcerer!
It is even worse that the plot arrives pretty late into the book. When it does, it is nothing big, nothing with high enough risks for me to care. The characters' conflicts are lazy efforts at drama, being cliche and illogical, they just make me hate the characters more.
I find nothing to like about this book. I tried, but it just hurt me.
This book isn't insulting, just really really stale, boring and annoying.
I get the idea of reversing a world's concepts to make a commentary on our own world. But the thing is, the lession in this book is obvious and it does not need a whole book to point it out: Don't treat people like babies, don't act superior, don't be an asshole.
And with the "deep" commentary, Tevi, the protagonist, is presented as having all of those terrible trait. So when the story ends, she'll learn the era of her way and teach us readers how not to be idiots. I don't know about you, but I can not stand a character like that. I'm also here for a story, not a lame social commentary. Tevi's love interest, Jeremyl, is a spoiled brat. Her inability to handle responsibility is on perfect par with her splendid talent in using the victim cards. It's the people's faults, not the delicate well-meaning little sorcerer!
It is even worse that the plot arrives pretty late into the book. When it does, it is nothing big, nothing with high enough risks for me to care. The characters' conflicts are lazy efforts at drama, being cliche and illogical, they just make me hate the characters more.
I find nothing to like about this book. I tried, but it just hurt me.
November 28, 2025
This is a fun and kind of silly fantasy adventure. Tevi comes from a strict matriarchal society, but not like real world matriarchies, more like an inverse of some of the worst patriarchies in history. In the islands she grew up on, women are warriors and leaders and men are servants and chattel. There are strict roles associated with each gender and individuals are expected to fit those roles exactly or face censure and ostracism. Tevi is the eldest daughter of the eldest daughter of the queen of the island, but since she's incompetent at fighting no one respects her, and when her family find out she's gay they decide to banish her. An ancient relic of their family had gone missing a while back, and they use a quest to find it as an excuse for her exile.
So this barbarian from the edge of the world, honest and strong but naive and untrained, shows up in civilized lands and has to make her way.
So this barbarian from the edge of the world, honest and strong but naive and untrained, shows up in civilized lands and has to make her way.
March 1, 2023
strong start ruined by a meandering middle. were it not for the simple pleasure of having an reasonably mature adult lesbian protagonist i might have given up halfway through. glad i stuck around until the end. i wasn't initially impressed by the matriarchy-as-defanged-reverse-patriarchy setup but it played out in an unexpectedly interesting and open-ended exploration of sex roles, culture and power. the "romance" amounted to 'woman who hasn't seen another human in 6 months due to prolonged social isolation becomes immediately horny for the first woman to cross her threshold' and look, i'm all for women lusting for each other, but can we stop calling that love, its boring and unconvincing, you guys met three seconds ago and you don't even know her last name. i did appreciate that their romance didn't automatically sweep away the differences in their social status and i am keen to see how that dynamic plays out in the sequels.
overall vaguely interesting and sort of enjoyable if not particularly memorable. entertaining enough that i will probably read the sequels.
overall vaguely interesting and sort of enjoyable if not particularly memorable. entertaining enough that i will probably read the sequels.
September 22, 2017
An excellent series. I enjoyed this more than her Celaeno series. IMO, the first one in this series is the best of what is a great series. Jane did a wonderful job of developing Tevi's character, from challenge, to self discovery, to becoming the more she became. Quite the journey. Minor spoiler ahead.... So look away now before it is too late. IMO there was missed opportunity for Tevi to go back to her homeland, AFTER she had undergone her changes. (She did go, but it was VERY brief... ) There would have been much opportunity for conflict, story, trauma and drama. This could have occurred with or without Jemeryl. Recommended If you like Butch warrior - femme with powers thing. I did. ;)
July 31, 2017
I really enjoyed this one.
It's always a treat to find a sf & f book with a lesbian protagonist. Especially one that's well written (if you overlook some editing errors in spelling), engaging, exciting & with characters you like.
The story flows well, the characters are generally well fleshed out, there's plenty of action (that isn't overwhelmed by romance, as in so many lesbian books), and sprinkled with a smattering of humour.
Plus the squirrels are awesome :)
4.5/5 star rating & I already have the next in the series waiting in line to be read.
August 29, 2020
A wonderful book! I found Tevi's island society fascinating, so different and yet so similar to societies of our world. The section describing an older society literally made me cry with how similar it was to our society today and my personal experiences with said society. And the romance was lovely. My only complaint is that the ending felt abrupt and unfinished, but I suppose that was because of the sequel.
September 12, 2021
4.5 stars
This is the second book written by Jane Fletcher that I've read and I've enjoyed them both. Tevi was a very sympathetic and likeable protagonist and her discovery and exploration of the world outside her native islands was entertaining and amusing. The way the different cultures were written was amazing and I'm really happy that there are more books set in this world because I can't wait to find out more. Overall, I definitely enjoyed it.
This is the second book written by Jane Fletcher that I've read and I've enjoyed them both. Tevi was a very sympathetic and likeable protagonist and her discovery and exploration of the world outside her native islands was entertaining and amusing. The way the different cultures were written was amazing and I'm really happy that there are more books set in this world because I can't wait to find out more. Overall, I definitely enjoyed it.
July 22, 2018
"Don't judge a book by its cover"
The artwork on the cover was terrible.
And I was just lucky enough have read Fletcher's other book first, learned she was a good writer, or I would've missed this one.
And it turned out I have all her books now; not those e-books, they're paperback books.
For people interested in lesbian stories and sword and sorcery world view, just check it out.
The artwork on the cover was terrible.
And I was just lucky enough have read Fletcher's other book first, learned she was a good writer, or I would've missed this one.
And it turned out I have all her books now; not those e-books, they're paperback books.
For people interested in lesbian stories and sword and sorcery world view, just check it out.
September 16, 2020
Brilliant read
A most engaging story, set in world that is fraught with danger and intrigue. The two main characters are beautifully written and I warmed to them straight away.
The pacing is perfectly judged and the story line held my interest from the first word to the last
Another great book by Jane Fletcher
A most engaging story, set in world that is fraught with danger and intrigue. The two main characters are beautifully written and I warmed to them straight away.
The pacing is perfectly judged and the story line held my interest from the first word to the last
Another great book by Jane Fletcher
October 7, 2022
This is my first book by Jane Fletcher (although it has been on my "to read" list for several years).
Nice well put together fantasy with a likeable main character in Tevi and some nice FF seasoning - well worth giving it a try - recommended
Nice well put together fantasy with a likeable main character in Tevi and some nice FF seasoning - well worth giving it a try - recommended
August 25, 2024
Overall a decent series, though I enjoyed her Celaeno series much more. There are some excellent moments but the plot did drag sometimes. The 4th book is definitely the best, and I'd like to read more of the author kept writing.
December 24, 2017
First half "bullying"
Second half "love story"
Second half "love story"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews