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Book two of The Outcast Chronicles; the thrilling story of Imoshen, Tobazim, Ronnyn and Aravelle, continues.
The Outcast Chronicles follows the fate of a tribe of dispossessed mystics. Vastly outnumbered by people without magical abilities, they are persecuted because ordinary people fear their gifts. This persecution culminates in a bloody pogrom sanctioned by the king who lays siege to the Celestial City, last bastion of the mystics. When the city falls, the mystic leader negotiates their surrender and her people are exiled from their homeland.
King Chald has banished the mystics. Their leader, Imoshen, hopes to find a new home for her people but first, they must reach port. Fearing they will be waylaid, robbed and murdered, Imoshen offers a reward for living mystics.
When he arrives in port, Tobazim discovers the mystics’ ships have been stolen and merchants are charging exorbitant prices for supplies. Meanwhile, Ronnyn and his family are kidnapped by fishermen eager for the reward.
Whether the ships are ready or not, on the first day of winter all the mystics must leave. Those who remain behind will be hunted down and executed. Time is running out for Imoshen, Tobazim, and the children.
The Outcast Chronicles follows the fate of a tribe of dispossessed mystics. Vastly outnumbered by people without magical abilities, they are persecuted because ordinary people fear their gifts. This persecution culminates in a bloody pogrom sanctioned by the king who lays siege to the Celestial City, last bastion of the mystics. When the city falls, the mystic leader negotiates their surrender and her people are exiled from their homeland.
King Chald has banished the mystics. Their leader, Imoshen, hopes to find a new home for her people but first, they must reach port. Fearing they will be waylaid, robbed and murdered, Imoshen offers a reward for living mystics.
When he arrives in port, Tobazim discovers the mystics’ ships have been stolen and merchants are charging exorbitant prices for supplies. Meanwhile, Ronnyn and his family are kidnapped by fishermen eager for the reward.
Whether the ships are ready or not, on the first day of winter all the mystics must leave. Those who remain behind will be hunted down and executed. Time is running out for Imoshen, Tobazim, and the children.
509 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 29, 2012
8 people are currently reading
817 people want to read
About the author
Rowena Cory Daniells
39 books360 followersI write the kind of books that keep you up all night.
I write the kind of books that got you reading fantasy way back when. I also write gritty crime-noir with a touch of paranormal under RC Daniells.
I am unashamedly a Genre Writer!
I write the kind of books that got you reading fantasy way back when. I also write gritty crime-noir with a touch of paranormal under RC Daniells.
I am unashamedly a Genre Writer!
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August 3, 2012
Due to the nature of this trilogy – it's closer to one big book divided in three parts, LoTR-style, than to three books in a continuous storyline – spoilers are inevitable, and while I strive to keep large spoilers to a minimum in my reviews, talking about Exile will spoil some things for
Besieged
. So if you don't want to be spoiled at all, best close this review and start reading Besieged!
We return to the book with a prologue set some twelve, thirteen years before the ending of the last book, to introduce a new set of characters, and return to just after the closing of Besieged in the first chapter. Exile is more T'En focused through the additional storyline of Ronnyn and his family. Ronnyn is a T'En boy of Malaunje parents, who fled from the Celestial City, because they couldn't bear to give him up to the Sisterhood. While living on their remote island, their family has grown to five children, three of which are T'En boys, and one more T'En child on the way. In some ways, Ronnyn's arc mirrored Imoshen's: raised in isolation on an island, hidden from both Mieren and T'En, struggling with a developing gift. However, where Imoshen was kept ignorant of the nature of her gifts purposely, in Ronnyn's case this ignorance isn't by choice, as his Malaunje parents just haven't the knowledge to help him learn to control his gifts.
It's when Ronnyn's gift really starts to manifest, that this storyline became rather uncomfortable for me. As T'En power is addictive for Malaunje and can often have somewhat sexual connotations, the fact that he plays gift games with his sister turns almost a little incestuous and it's only when she realises that Ronnyn could, and will, lose control, that Aravelle calls a halt to the games and makes Ronnyn promise to leave the island in the spring, so that he can get gift-trained by the T'En at Celestial City. Their kidnapping throws a wrench in these plans, however, and they all get taken to the T'En. I found this section of Ronnyn's story rather hard to swallow, though it re-enforces the need for the reform of T'En society, since if his parents hadn't dreaded losing him up to the sisterhood, he and Aravelle would never have been in this situation. Fortunately for me however, once Ronnyn and his family are kidnapped, this entire problem is subsumed by the fear and insecurity occasioned by it and I enjoyed this particular story arc.
While the main focus for the T'En in this book is getting ready for exile, this doesn't come without a lot of political machinations and isn't just about practicalities as you might expect. As Vittoryxe feared, Imoshen is named causare, but the manner in which the all-mothers, who are outnumbered six to nine by the all-fathers, get elected greatly amused me. Since there are two all-fathers who both want to be elected, the male votes are divided and Imoshen walks away with the position. There is also clearly a deepening of the resistance against the Covenant, which makes for some interesting alliances developing. Being sent into exile is obviously saddening, but to the reformers within T'En it is also an opportunity for change. Daniells explores this, not just from the viewpoint of those striving for change, but also those resistant to and frightened of it. This exploration is interesting and in the case of some, heartbreaking. However, the optimism of those forging ahead to make the best of this new situation makes the exile seem exciting and full of potential, rather than the end of a people and left me hopeful, rather than discouraged.
Of course there is not just T'En politicking, King Charald's court is teeming with it as well. The king is in his dotage and failing quickly, which leaves the field wide open for his barons to scheme to take the throne from his young son. I loved that we have an added point of view in the court in the form of Queen Jaraille, who turns out to be possessed of a steel inner core when it comes to protecting her son. She stole the Mieren show for me and is my favourite Mieren character of the series so far. The linchpin between the two races is Sorne; he not only regains his close position to the king, he also gains the trust of the T'En. Almost in spite of himself, Sorne wants to not only do right by his people, the T'En, but also by his Mieren friends. I liked the inner conflict this creates for him, though it's never really in doubt where his loyalties truly lie.
As opposed to Besieged, which covered almost three decades, Exile takes place in a limited time frame of about a year to eighteen months at the most. This tightens the focus, but doesn't rush the pace of the narrative. I really liked this continuation of The Outcast Chronicles; in fact I wanted to pick up the final volume in the trilogy immediately, because I wanted to know how it ends. Unfortunately the final instalment won't be out until next month, so I'll have to be patient. Fortunately for you, however, this gives you time to catch up in time for that final release in The Outcast Chronicles. Exile is an excellent continuation of an intriguing series and Daniells is quickly becoming a must-read author. Exile was released by Solaris this week and should be available from all the usual venues.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
We return to the book with a prologue set some twelve, thirteen years before the ending of the last book, to introduce a new set of characters, and return to just after the closing of Besieged in the first chapter. Exile is more T'En focused through the additional storyline of Ronnyn and his family. Ronnyn is a T'En boy of Malaunje parents, who fled from the Celestial City, because they couldn't bear to give him up to the Sisterhood. While living on their remote island, their family has grown to five children, three of which are T'En boys, and one more T'En child on the way. In some ways, Ronnyn's arc mirrored Imoshen's: raised in isolation on an island, hidden from both Mieren and T'En, struggling with a developing gift. However, where Imoshen was kept ignorant of the nature of her gifts purposely, in Ronnyn's case this ignorance isn't by choice, as his Malaunje parents just haven't the knowledge to help him learn to control his gifts.
It's when Ronnyn's gift really starts to manifest, that this storyline became rather uncomfortable for me. As T'En power is addictive for Malaunje and can often have somewhat sexual connotations, the fact that he plays gift games with his sister turns almost a little incestuous and it's only when she realises that Ronnyn could, and will, lose control, that Aravelle calls a halt to the games and makes Ronnyn promise to leave the island in the spring, so that he can get gift-trained by the T'En at Celestial City. Their kidnapping throws a wrench in these plans, however, and they all get taken to the T'En. I found this section of Ronnyn's story rather hard to swallow, though it re-enforces the need for the reform of T'En society, since if his parents hadn't dreaded losing him up to the sisterhood, he and Aravelle would never have been in this situation. Fortunately for me however, once Ronnyn and his family are kidnapped, this entire problem is subsumed by the fear and insecurity occasioned by it and I enjoyed this particular story arc.
While the main focus for the T'En in this book is getting ready for exile, this doesn't come without a lot of political machinations and isn't just about practicalities as you might expect. As Vittoryxe feared, Imoshen is named causare, but the manner in which the all-mothers, who are outnumbered six to nine by the all-fathers, get elected greatly amused me. Since there are two all-fathers who both want to be elected, the male votes are divided and Imoshen walks away with the position. There is also clearly a deepening of the resistance against the Covenant, which makes for some interesting alliances developing. Being sent into exile is obviously saddening, but to the reformers within T'En it is also an opportunity for change. Daniells explores this, not just from the viewpoint of those striving for change, but also those resistant to and frightened of it. This exploration is interesting and in the case of some, heartbreaking. However, the optimism of those forging ahead to make the best of this new situation makes the exile seem exciting and full of potential, rather than the end of a people and left me hopeful, rather than discouraged.
Of course there is not just T'En politicking, King Charald's court is teeming with it as well. The king is in his dotage and failing quickly, which leaves the field wide open for his barons to scheme to take the throne from his young son. I loved that we have an added point of view in the court in the form of Queen Jaraille, who turns out to be possessed of a steel inner core when it comes to protecting her son. She stole the Mieren show for me and is my favourite Mieren character of the series so far. The linchpin between the two races is Sorne; he not only regains his close position to the king, he also gains the trust of the T'En. Almost in spite of himself, Sorne wants to not only do right by his people, the T'En, but also by his Mieren friends. I liked the inner conflict this creates for him, though it's never really in doubt where his loyalties truly lie.
As opposed to Besieged, which covered almost three decades, Exile takes place in a limited time frame of about a year to eighteen months at the most. This tightens the focus, but doesn't rush the pace of the narrative. I really liked this continuation of The Outcast Chronicles; in fact I wanted to pick up the final volume in the trilogy immediately, because I wanted to know how it ends. Unfortunately the final instalment won't be out until next month, so I'll have to be patient. Fortunately for you, however, this gives you time to catch up in time for that final release in The Outcast Chronicles. Exile is an excellent continuation of an intriguing series and Daniells is quickly becoming a must-read author. Exile was released by Solaris this week and should be available from all the usual venues.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2014
(Book gifted by author in exchange for honest review)
♦ What I Liked. I could just say everything but that would make for a boring review so let us see if I can elaborate without too much gushing and spoiling.
Politics: Everything I love and more. The greedy, angry, vengeful, power hungry players in this drama are dangerous, conniving and ruthless. Balancing them are the selfless, protective, loyal folks who want nothing more than to preserve the greater good.
Cultural diversity: Plenty of that too. The rich, the poor, the magical, the mystical and the mundane. Each culture has its own set of rules, rituals, customs and their own view on the world. Some are content, some feel helpless to affect change, while others realize change is possible by taking small steps. Others flat out rebel. And as I indicated in my first review, prejudice, jealousy and flat out hatred run rammant. Plus there is a fair amount of gender bias thrown in to spice things up a bit.
Action/Adventure: As with most culturally diverse societies there is constant conflict and often out and out war. There are rebels, spies, double agents, factions within factions; all waiting for their chance to turn the tide. There is murder, rape, poison, ambush, lies and betrayals. You know the evil villains are evil but they still surprise you with the lengths they will go to get what they want. You know the heroic people are heroic but the depth of their sacrifices will surprise you also. But the best of all is the smart folks who know when to move forward and when to stand still, even when what is going on secretly breaks their heart. With all of this going on, it is impossible to tell what will happen next.
That wasn't too gushy was it? I hope not because I think I may have pulled something in the process of restraining myself!
♦ What I didn't like. With familiarity some empathy with the characters is going to develop. I personally would have liked a bit more. I also realize that when you have a huge cast of characters involved in complex, multilayered situations, character development is a distant concern at best. Instead of spending time shifting through thoughts and feelings in search of motivations, you find them instead in bits and pieces of the character's history. This leads to alot of "ah ha!" moments which can be fun all on their own. Not a major complaint and not enough to deduct a star. More of a heads up for character-driven purists. You will like, hate, feel sympathy or feel indifferent but I doubt you'll love any of these characters. Which is a good thing because alot of them have a habit of ending up dead.
♦ My Thoughts. My reading tastes are in some ways, pretty narrow. I prefer series, I prefer epic, high, or sword and sorcery. Within those categories I become more lenient. I adore character-driven fantasy. I love political intrigue. I enjoy action/adventure. I'll tolerate romance as long as it is not the main focus. I even enjoy military fantasy though I may not understand it completely.
On worldbuilding I'm kinda weird. I'm not visual. Descriptions of architecture, landscapes, clothing, furnishings etc. are fairly lost on me. On the other hand, religious, political, social, and cultural descriptions I soak up like a sponge.
Where I am going with all this is I think that the worldbuilding here was just about perfect. At no time did I flip pages impatiently looking for "the story" to continue. I did get the impression that there were some beautiful, lovingly rendered settings throughout the book. I am just not wired to appreciate them. For the those who love meticulous detail, I think you will enjoy what you find.
♦ Conclusion. I am on a roll. This is yet another book which does NOT suffer from middle book syndrome. If anything it flowed so much better than Besieged because the learning curve has been conquered. Epic Fantasy lovers everywhere really should give this series a try. I can't imagine that book three is going to be anything except better.
Original post on Dragons, Heroes and Wizards
♦ What I Liked. I could just say everything but that would make for a boring review so let us see if I can elaborate without too much gushing and spoiling.
Politics: Everything I love and more. The greedy, angry, vengeful, power hungry players in this drama are dangerous, conniving and ruthless. Balancing them are the selfless, protective, loyal folks who want nothing more than to preserve the greater good.
Cultural diversity: Plenty of that too. The rich, the poor, the magical, the mystical and the mundane. Each culture has its own set of rules, rituals, customs and their own view on the world. Some are content, some feel helpless to affect change, while others realize change is possible by taking small steps. Others flat out rebel. And as I indicated in my first review, prejudice, jealousy and flat out hatred run rammant. Plus there is a fair amount of gender bias thrown in to spice things up a bit.
Action/Adventure: As with most culturally diverse societies there is constant conflict and often out and out war. There are rebels, spies, double agents, factions within factions; all waiting for their chance to turn the tide. There is murder, rape, poison, ambush, lies and betrayals. You know the evil villains are evil but they still surprise you with the lengths they will go to get what they want. You know the heroic people are heroic but the depth of their sacrifices will surprise you also. But the best of all is the smart folks who know when to move forward and when to stand still, even when what is going on secretly breaks their heart. With all of this going on, it is impossible to tell what will happen next.
That wasn't too gushy was it? I hope not because I think I may have pulled something in the process of restraining myself!
♦ What I didn't like. With familiarity some empathy with the characters is going to develop. I personally would have liked a bit more. I also realize that when you have a huge cast of characters involved in complex, multilayered situations, character development is a distant concern at best. Instead of spending time shifting through thoughts and feelings in search of motivations, you find them instead in bits and pieces of the character's history. This leads to alot of "ah ha!" moments which can be fun all on their own. Not a major complaint and not enough to deduct a star. More of a heads up for character-driven purists. You will like, hate, feel sympathy or feel indifferent but I doubt you'll love any of these characters. Which is a good thing because alot of them have a habit of ending up dead.
♦ My Thoughts. My reading tastes are in some ways, pretty narrow. I prefer series, I prefer epic, high, or sword and sorcery. Within those categories I become more lenient. I adore character-driven fantasy. I love political intrigue. I enjoy action/adventure. I'll tolerate romance as long as it is not the main focus. I even enjoy military fantasy though I may not understand it completely.
On worldbuilding I'm kinda weird. I'm not visual. Descriptions of architecture, landscapes, clothing, furnishings etc. are fairly lost on me. On the other hand, religious, political, social, and cultural descriptions I soak up like a sponge.
Where I am going with all this is I think that the worldbuilding here was just about perfect. At no time did I flip pages impatiently looking for "the story" to continue. I did get the impression that there were some beautiful, lovingly rendered settings throughout the book. I am just not wired to appreciate them. For the those who love meticulous detail, I think you will enjoy what you find.
♦ Conclusion. I am on a roll. This is yet another book which does NOT suffer from middle book syndrome. If anything it flowed so much better than Besieged because the learning curve has been conquered. Epic Fantasy lovers everywhere really should give this series a try. I can't imagine that book three is going to be anything except better.
Original post on Dragons, Heroes and Wizards
Read
June 12, 2023this was a fascinating read. a little bit slower, but still great. so much it's going on, and I fear for everyone. seriously, everything in this book gives me anxieties.
Read
September 18, 2016Exile is a fantastic second book in this series. Rowena Corey Daniells is a master of pacing. Discussions are long. Decisions are quick. King Charald's health is frustrating. Daniells seamlessly incorporates new and old characters. This world is so real, and I can't wait to find out how the new adventure goes for the T'En.
I don't own Sanctuary yet, and I'm no where near a Barnes and Noble. This is torture!
I don't own Sanctuary yet, and I'm no where near a Barnes and Noble. This is torture!
December 9, 2013
Exile, the second book in Rowena Cory Daniells’s OUTCAST CHRONICLES, simultaneously raises the stakes and deepens the narrative that began in the first installment, Besieged. It’s a good bit of work, and readers will be pleased to find Daniells addressing some of the issues that were problematic in Beseiged while at the same time keeping to the familiar sense of suspense and breakneck speed that made the first novel so gripping.
When last we left the T’en, they had finally given some sense to the book’s title and gotten themselves besieged by the armies of King Charald. Starting the book going right into that problem for her characters to work on seems to give Daniells energy coming right out of the gate, and the text clips along at a swift pace. The long-awaited direct comparison be... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
When last we left the T’en, they had finally given some sense to the book’s title and gotten themselves besieged by the armies of King Charald. Starting the book going right into that problem for her characters to work on seems to give Daniells energy coming right out of the gate, and the text clips along at a swift pace. The long-awaited direct comparison be... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
August 31, 2012
Blown away! A fantastic second instalment to the series and one that kept me up last night – couldn't put it down. Daniells' characters leap off the page and drag you into the pages. Thank goodness there's not long to wait for book 3!
July 25, 2017
Exile by Rowena Cory Daniells
****4****
There isn't much I can say about this book without giving away the main plot. Suffice to say it picks up right where Besieged ended and carries forward. This installment does not have the same time leaps as the previous book and feels like it flows a bit better because of it.
We basically get to see the continuing stories of all of the major characters from the previous book as well as a brand new storyline of Ronnyn (a pure blood T'en living in hiding with his family) and his half-blood Malajune sister Aravelle. I found their story to be very interesting. My only criticism is that Ronnyn and Aravelle are supposed to be twelve and thirteen respectively but they really don't seem that young. I continuously pictured them at about eighteen and nineteen and not because of the physical descriptions but their actions and reasoning. They seemed much older and more responsible than twelve and thirteen but still young enough to sometimes make foolish mistakes.
Really great second installment which managed to expand even more on the magic systems and culture. Looking forward to book three, Sanctuary.
****4****
There isn't much I can say about this book without giving away the main plot. Suffice to say it picks up right where Besieged ended and carries forward. This installment does not have the same time leaps as the previous book and feels like it flows a bit better because of it.
We basically get to see the continuing stories of all of the major characters from the previous book as well as a brand new storyline of Ronnyn (a pure blood T'en living in hiding with his family) and his half-blood Malajune sister Aravelle. I found their story to be very interesting. My only criticism is that Ronnyn and Aravelle are supposed to be twelve and thirteen respectively but they really don't seem that young. I continuously pictured them at about eighteen and nineteen and not because of the physical descriptions but their actions and reasoning. They seemed much older and more responsible than twelve and thirteen but still young enough to sometimes make foolish mistakes.
Really great second installment which managed to expand even more on the magic systems and culture. Looking forward to book three, Sanctuary.
October 27, 2012
290 years ago the peace accords were signed between the True-men (whom the T’En call Mieren) and the powerful and long-lived T’Enatuath (whom the humans call the Wyrd). The two races have co-existed in an uneasy peace since then. Sometimes half-bloods (whom the T’En call the Malaunje and the humans call the Wyrd) are born to two True-men parents. According to the accords, the True-men have to give up the half-blood infants to the T’En.
Now, King Charald has broken the accords. His troops have attacked T'En estates and his army besieges the T'En Celestial City. He hates and fears the T'En and is convinced his god, the Warrior, wants him to slaughter them all. He tolerates his half-blooded first born son Sorne only because he thinks that Sorne receives visions from the Warrior. Sorne has realized that his loyalty is wasted on king Charald and has come to sympathized with the T'En. Sorne's position as King Charald's adviser is precarious because he is a Malaunje and many of the powerful Barons don't trust him. Still, Sorne is now actively trying to help the T'En and Malaunje people he comes across and he even tries to warn Imoshen, when possible. However, King Charald is an old man and his health is failing. The Barons are already plotting to secure their own power after the king's death.
Because King Charald has brought war to the Celestial City, the sisterhoods and brotherhoods of the T'En have to choose a causare, a leader who can negotiate the new accords with the Mieren King. The brotherhoods are always competing against each other for higher stature and even now they can't unite against a single candidate even though there are nine voting all-fathers to six all-mothers. So, the sisterhoods' candidate, Imoshen, is elected. Imoshen was raised outside the T'En society and has proven to be very powerful so she has a lot of enemies but fortunately also friends. Causare doesn't have the power to force anyone to do what she says so Imoshen has to use all of the diplomatic skills and her gift to read other people's emotions to do her job. At first, King Charald wants the T'En to leave forever from Chalcedonia on ships and the brotherhoods are fiercely against that. Imoshen has to remind them that if they continue to fight, the warriors aren't the ones who will pay the price but the people on the estates and in the end the Mieren will overwhelm them with sheer numbers. But when Sorne brings word that the king intends to slaughter all of the T'En instead of letting them leave, Imoshen will have to find a way to protect her whole race.
Things inside the brotherhoods aren't well, either. Tobazim is a young warrior who came to a brotherhood looking for stature and fame. Instead he found a place where the all-father rules with fear and honor has no place in the brotherhood. He and his closest friend will have to be careful and follow orders as well as they can.
In addition to these three, one of the point-of-view characters is King Charald's high priest, Zabier, who is a tragic character. At a young age, he was thrust into the position of being the Father's voice, who supposedly saw visions from the god Father. In order to keep his mother and Malaunje sister safe, Zabier had to play along. He had to serve a despotic king before King Charald conquered Chalcedonia and had to do terrible things which he has had to justify to himself. Even though Zabier and Sorne grew up together, Zabier now fears and loathes Sorne because Sorne threatens Zabier's positions and therefore his family.
Exile also introduces a new family. They don't live in the Celestial City; in fact the family's adults were Malaunje lovers who ran away so that they could be together. The Malaunje have five children and their eldest son is a pure T'En whose magical gift is starting to manifest. Unfortunately, there's no-one to teach him how to control it so the family will have to face a tragic decision: stay and let young Ronnyn's gift possibly hurt someone or return to the City where the parents will most likely be punished and the family torn apart.
Even though the T'En squabble amongst themselves, most of them want to protect their own and the Malaunje. They also value the lives of their own people more than money or other valuables. When Imoshen realizes that the Mieren might kill her people who are still on the estates, she gives orders to pay for every live T'En and Malaunje who are brought to her. Unfortunately, in their greed the Mieren do atrocities to get as many captives as possible.
The Mieren are shown is a very bad light; there doesn't seem to be any redeemable characters among them. The vast majority of them seem to be so greedy that they don't think twice about robbing and killing the Malaunje and are looking forward to looting anything possible from the T'En. They are also rapists and seem to enjoy abusing women. The Mieren women feel like victims to me because they don't have any legal rights and are so dependent on their abusing men. The queen isn't exempt. In fact, because she is an important figure, men seem to be more eager to manipulate and abuse her.
The first book on the series, Besieged, was dark in atmosphere but Exile is even darker. The Mieren rape and kill with impunity and families are destroyed because of greed. The plot moved at a relentless pace. Exile covers a much shorter space of time than Besieged because the plot moves quicker.
Exile is an excellent and intense continuation to Besieged. Daniells is once again ruthless to her characters. They have suffered so much that I'm almost hoping for them to get a break in the last book, but that seems unlikely.
April 29, 2020
I did not finish this book. I don't have the energy or desire to finish it or read on to the 3rd. I feel the author was trying to follow after Game of Thrones in that tragedy after tragedy and villain after villain continued to corrupt and characters kept dying. I desperately want to know how it ends, but the pace is so slow I got bored. I feel the story could be told better if it were made tighter and it's focus more direct instead of going off on barely related tangents. Not for me, though I wish it was.
April 3, 2023
We continue on with our characters, with them facing new problems. We do get some new perspectives, that where slightly hinted in the first book. I did realise this read that I only remembered to plot of the first book, even though the second and third book are just as good. I also realised that the only Malaunje we get the perspective from is Sorne, all other perspectives have been T'en or True-men. I do think it is really interesting on how such different societies exist in the same proximity from each other, Isolated though one may be.
March 30, 2019
I love these books and the world she developed. sooo AWESOME!
my absolute top 5 authors!
my absolute top 5 authors!
October 12, 2016
Continuing at the same high quality of the first book, Exile sees a lot of consequences from Besieged really start to unfold. With the complex social politics of two worlds colliding and many caught in the awkward space between, we really start to see some amazing feats of ingenuity from characters in navigating their perilous circumstances to the best of their ability.
This book also delves more into the varied sexualities of the characters (which is awesome to see as it is very by-the-by in its presentation throughout the series. Something you don't witness too often as many authors fall into the trap of sexuality being the focus rather than just a character attribute) which also helps to flesh out the societies around them a bit more and the relationships between characters. It also looks more at the sexual politics of the worlds they are a part of and the stark contrast between how each society views 'normal' sexual behaviour and obligation surrounding gender.
Again, could not put down.
This book also delves more into the varied sexualities of the characters (which is awesome to see as it is very by-the-by in its presentation throughout the series. Something you don't witness too often as many authors fall into the trap of sexuality being the focus rather than just a character attribute) which also helps to flesh out the societies around them a bit more and the relationships between characters. It also looks more at the sexual politics of the worlds they are a part of and the stark contrast between how each society views 'normal' sexual behaviour and obligation surrounding gender.
Again, could not put down.
October 19, 2012
Exile is the the second book of the Outcast Chronicles, the first I reviewed here.
This review originally posted at Adventures of a Bookonaut.
The Outcast Chronicles are a prequel to Daniells’ 1999 sell-out series The Shadow Kingdom (called The Last T’en Trilogy in the US).
Where as the Shadow Kingdom was an intimate fantasy tale, the Outcast Chronicles is a political power fantasy that is mature, confronting and damn near impossible to put down.
Exile is carefully crafted to background readers who have the misfortune to only have discovered book 2 in the series. I do, however, implore you to pick up Besieged. You’ll appreciate the additional build up of tension, and exploration of character.
The final pages of Besieged left us at the outskirts of the Celestial City with the forces of King Charald breaching the walls. With Exile, readers will be relieved to note, the T’En are able to hold off the attack and there is an uneasy cessation to the fighting as King Charald seeks their surrender.
Imoshen is elected Causare of the T’En, more through Brotherhood division than popular sentiment and seeks to gain precious time for her people who are spread out and surrounded by the Mieren (humans) settlements.
King Charald wants to wipe the T’En from his kingdom. Imoshen must save what she can to lead them into exile. Can she hold her divided people together while their enemy contemplates genocide? Can King Charald hold his Kingdom together with traitorous, barons nipping at his heals?
Exile is tightly written and rarely lets up the pace. Any breaks in the pacing are filled with rich scenes of character development that allow Daniells to entice you into caring deeply for her darlings. Only when you have fallen in love with them does she apply the pressure, turning Exile into a page turner of exquisite torture.
But it doesn’t stop at the excellent display of craft. The exploration of gender and sexuality in Exile is a mature look not only at the possibility of real female political power but at the destructive culture that can develop in male only institutions.
Some of the treatment of Brotherhood members by their own organisations has echoes of the real life abuse and bastardisation that occurs in organisations such as the military.
It was a discomforting read for me as a male, because it turned a critical eye to issues that we might like to handle with humour or not talk about at all. Nonetheless it’s the fact that Daniells doesn’t shy away that makes the book and the series not only enjoyable fiction but a creation of something with substance.
I’d like to see a book from the series win the Norma K Hemming Award.
If you’re tired of the standard fantasy tale. If you would like a fantasy with depth and colour, pick up the outcast chronicles. All three titles were released this year so you will be treated to the rare delight of being able to pick up all the books in what I am sure will become your favourite trilogy.
This book was provided by the Author at no cost to me.
This review originally posted at Adventures of a Bookonaut.
November 3, 2012
Exile is the second book in Rowena Cory Daniells's Outcast Chronicles. You can read my review of the first book, Besieged, here. A copy of this book was provided by the author for review purposes.
Exile picks up not long after Besieged left off. If you've read the first book, this one is definitely a continuation of the same story. There are some new characters introduced but mostly Exile follows the, ahem, surviving characters of Besieged. I have the feeling The Outcast Chronicles suffer less from absolutely needing to be read in order than some fantasy series. Yes, reading Exile first will spoil many events in Besieged, but in terms of understanding what's happening, I think it wouldn't be too bad.
That said, this review contains spoilers for events in Besieged.
Where book one spanned something like twenty-five years from start to finish, book two only covers two-ish rather tumultuous years. It continues to portray interesting and unusual sexual/gender politics in terms of women having more power in T'En culture because of their stronger magic. The T'En being segregated into sisterhoods and brotherhoods causes more tension in this book than the previous. Before it was just generalised bitterness on the part of the men that the women had more power and worry on the part of the women that the men were physically stronger. Now external factors are causing changes to their society which in tern generates a different kind of tension. It's all rather interesting and the gendered power structures among the T'En and the contrasting power structures of the humans (where women are chattel and lucky if their husbands don't beat and rape them) are a compelling reason to pick up this series. That and the fact that it's an excellent yarn.
The Mieren (ordinary human) threat is shaking up T'En society and forcing change upon them, something which only Imoshen seems capable of taking in her stride. After being elected causare, the negotiator for the all-mothers and all-fathers, she manages to broker a deal with the ailing King Charald to allow the T'En to go into exile, rather than be slaughtered. Many T'En are disappointed with this decision, which causes much dissonance among their ranks.
Sorne, now secretly serving as Imoshen's spy among King Charald's men, was a much less conflicted character than in the first book. The main tension in his story arises from trying to help the T'En without outing himself to the Mieren, rather than trying to work out who he is. For me, that made him a more sympathetic character in the sense that his motivations weren't in question.
I feel that almost everyone who isn't a point of view character (or close friends/family of a point of view character) is a terrible person, generally lacking in anything approximating compassion. This was more stark than in the first book, not because the horrible people are more horrible but because the morally ambiguous characters are out of the picture for various reasons. There are so many travesties committed by aforementioned terrible people that it bordered on getting a bit much. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't gratuitous and it was in keeping with plot and characterisation, but by-gods more than just wanting to slap annoying characters, I wanted to watch some of them die slow and painful deaths, preferably at the hands of the people they were horrible to. Which is a mark of Daniells's skill as a writer.
With Exile I am continuing to enjoy the Outcast Chronicles. I was originally planning to read something else before getting into Sanctuary, the third book, but whoops, I couldn't not pick up book 3 as soon as I finished Exile. (Not that it was a cliffhanger, but the story is definitely unfinished.) I highly recommend this series to lovers of fantasy.
4.5 / 5 stars
You can read more of my reviews on my blog
Exile picks up not long after Besieged left off. If you've read the first book, this one is definitely a continuation of the same story. There are some new characters introduced but mostly Exile follows the, ahem, surviving characters of Besieged. I have the feeling The Outcast Chronicles suffer less from absolutely needing to be read in order than some fantasy series. Yes, reading Exile first will spoil many events in Besieged, but in terms of understanding what's happening, I think it wouldn't be too bad.
That said, this review contains spoilers for events in Besieged.
Where book one spanned something like twenty-five years from start to finish, book two only covers two-ish rather tumultuous years. It continues to portray interesting and unusual sexual/gender politics in terms of women having more power in T'En culture because of their stronger magic. The T'En being segregated into sisterhoods and brotherhoods causes more tension in this book than the previous. Before it was just generalised bitterness on the part of the men that the women had more power and worry on the part of the women that the men were physically stronger. Now external factors are causing changes to their society which in tern generates a different kind of tension. It's all rather interesting and the gendered power structures among the T'En and the contrasting power structures of the humans (where women are chattel and lucky if their husbands don't beat and rape them) are a compelling reason to pick up this series. That and the fact that it's an excellent yarn.
The Mieren (ordinary human) threat is shaking up T'En society and forcing change upon them, something which only Imoshen seems capable of taking in her stride. After being elected causare, the negotiator for the all-mothers and all-fathers, she manages to broker a deal with the ailing King Charald to allow the T'En to go into exile, rather than be slaughtered. Many T'En are disappointed with this decision, which causes much dissonance among their ranks.
Sorne, now secretly serving as Imoshen's spy among King Charald's men, was a much less conflicted character than in the first book. The main tension in his story arises from trying to help the T'En without outing himself to the Mieren, rather than trying to work out who he is. For me, that made him a more sympathetic character in the sense that his motivations weren't in question.
I feel that almost everyone who isn't a point of view character (or close friends/family of a point of view character) is a terrible person, generally lacking in anything approximating compassion. This was more stark than in the first book, not because the horrible people are more horrible but because the morally ambiguous characters are out of the picture for various reasons. There are so many travesties committed by aforementioned terrible people that it bordered on getting a bit much. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't gratuitous and it was in keeping with plot and characterisation, but by-gods more than just wanting to slap annoying characters, I wanted to watch some of them die slow and painful deaths, preferably at the hands of the people they were horrible to. Which is a mark of Daniells's skill as a writer.
With Exile I am continuing to enjoy the Outcast Chronicles. I was originally planning to read something else before getting into Sanctuary, the third book, but whoops, I couldn't not pick up book 3 as soon as I finished Exile. (Not that it was a cliffhanger, but the story is definitely unfinished.) I highly recommend this series to lovers of fantasy.
4.5 / 5 stars
You can read more of my reviews on my blog
September 14, 2013
I'll probably make this review/summary a bit shorter than the last because I'm tired, and because I want to get onto reading Sanctuary (As it turns out the whole shortening of the review didn't happen. Whoops!).
From the time I eagerly picked up Exile up to now, Rowena Cory Daniells has continued to hold my interest in the T'Enatuath and the True-men. In general, I really enjoy the way she wrote her characters in Besieged, and this continues (mostly) in Exile. As I read, I found myself steadily captivated by the goings on of King Charald's court as well as his deception of the T'En following his Secluded Sea campaign. Nitzane, Jaraile, and Eskarnor's goings on yield some intense scenes, especially as the book reaches it's climax near the end, and the major cliffhanger as the novel ends. Eskarnor proves to be a total bastard, but he plays the part well.
On the other side, I enjoyed watching the romance between Ardonyx and Imoshen blossom and Imoshen's rise to causare of the T'En as she guided them into exile in order to preserve her race. All the while, all of the inner conflicts within T'En society, particularly within Kyredeon's brotherhood, keep the story interesting as we watch Tobazim and Learon (two characters I initially had a hard time caring much about) struggle to survive against their hostile all-father.
Sorne remains one of my favorite characters in this series, and I loved how well he played both sides of the conflict in order to help Imoshen and persuade Charald toward the idea of T'En exile rather than genocide. His ability to manipulate Charald and his court, while also being able to work alongside the T'En in secret always entertained me, and I was happy to see him reunited with Graelen and Valendia toward the end of the novel.
The main set of characters I had a harder time enjoying were Asher/Sasoria, and Ronnyn/Aravelle and their younger siblings. The prologue sets up their plot line with a forbidden love within Heuryx's brotherhood and the intrigue of them running away to live secluded from the world. Then, we hear nothing of them until Part Two of the novel. After said events though, it felt like they were just kind of out in left field while we occasionally got a glimpse of their children's growing pains and the family's struggle to survive outside of the Celestial City. I'm not saying they didn't add to the story, just not as much as I had initially hoped. It seemed like a less interesting version of the events of Rohaayel and company from Besieged. Perhaps now that they're grouped with the rest of the T'Enatuath, their story might become more interesting in Sanctuary.
As an aside since I'm on the topic of characters I didn't fully enjoy, I will say that I'm glad that Vittoryxe is dead by the end of Exile. As a character, she adds a necessary facet to the T'En in being the one person truly set in her way of life, I just found her refusal to change even a little bit very frustrating, and her constant hatred of Imoshen got exhausting after a while. I enjoyed the way her death scene played out though. It was moving and emotional, despite my relief at her death.
Overall, the story suffers from a little bit of middle-book-syndrome, but was generally still a very interesting read. By the end, I was on the edge of my seat, wishing that I was reading at home instead of at a cafe so that I could pull Sanctuary off of my shelf and get some resolution. Without further ado, though, I'm moving onto Sanctuary so that I can finish the last third of the ~1700 page series.
From the time I eagerly picked up Exile up to now, Rowena Cory Daniells has continued to hold my interest in the T'Enatuath and the True-men. In general, I really enjoy the way she wrote her characters in Besieged, and this continues (mostly) in Exile. As I read, I found myself steadily captivated by the goings on of King Charald's court as well as his deception of the T'En following his Secluded Sea campaign. Nitzane, Jaraile, and Eskarnor's goings on yield some intense scenes, especially as the book reaches it's climax near the end, and the major cliffhanger as the novel ends. Eskarnor proves to be a total bastard, but he plays the part well.
On the other side, I enjoyed watching the romance between Ardonyx and Imoshen blossom and Imoshen's rise to causare of the T'En as she guided them into exile in order to preserve her race. All the while, all of the inner conflicts within T'En society, particularly within Kyredeon's brotherhood, keep the story interesting as we watch Tobazim and Learon (two characters I initially had a hard time caring much about) struggle to survive against their hostile all-father.
Sorne remains one of my favorite characters in this series, and I loved how well he played both sides of the conflict in order to help Imoshen and persuade Charald toward the idea of T'En exile rather than genocide. His ability to manipulate Charald and his court, while also being able to work alongside the T'En in secret always entertained me, and I was happy to see him reunited with Graelen and Valendia toward the end of the novel.
The main set of characters I had a harder time enjoying were Asher/Sasoria, and Ronnyn/Aravelle and their younger siblings. The prologue sets up their plot line with a forbidden love within Heuryx's brotherhood and the intrigue of them running away to live secluded from the world. Then, we hear nothing of them until Part Two of the novel. After said events though, it felt like they were just kind of out in left field while we occasionally got a glimpse of their children's growing pains and the family's struggle to survive outside of the Celestial City. I'm not saying they didn't add to the story, just not as much as I had initially hoped. It seemed like a less interesting version of the events of Rohaayel and company from Besieged. Perhaps now that they're grouped with the rest of the T'Enatuath, their story might become more interesting in Sanctuary.
As an aside since I'm on the topic of characters I didn't fully enjoy, I will say that I'm glad that Vittoryxe is dead by the end of Exile. As a character, she adds a necessary facet to the T'En in being the one person truly set in her way of life, I just found her refusal to change even a little bit very frustrating, and her constant hatred of Imoshen got exhausting after a while. I enjoyed the way her death scene played out though. It was moving and emotional, despite my relief at her death.
Overall, the story suffers from a little bit of middle-book-syndrome, but was generally still a very interesting read. By the end, I was on the edge of my seat, wishing that I was reading at home instead of at a cafe so that I could pull Sanctuary off of my shelf and get some resolution. Without further ado, though, I'm moving onto Sanctuary so that I can finish the last third of the ~1700 page series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2012
Exceptional writing on display again in the middle section of 'the outcast chronicles, Daniels' first part of this tale 'Besieged' was a brilliant opener describing events taking place over approximately 30 years. In 'Exile' the time frame, for the best part, is drastically shortened down to around a year, which kicks up the pace even more than in the predecessor.
With a big back story firmly set in place and Besieged ending on a massive cliffhanger Daniells opted to open this one with the re-introduction of some almost forgotten characters in the T'en gift warrior Asher, his Malajune wife Sasoria who is again pregnant and their four children and quickly bring the time frame back into line, mainly focusing on the coming of age of both Aravella, the oldest who is a Malajune female, and Rollen her younger T'En brother from when they witness their gentle and loving father kill a defenceless, unconscious human sailor who has washed up on shore where the family has lived in hiding to save their whereabouts from being discovered from the T'En society that would by rights seperate the family forcing them to live apart for the rest of their lives. This does have some very uncomfortable moments which do a wonderful job of displaying the powers and serious dangers of the T'En gift. As the story develops with many of the characters present from the first novel and of course a healthy amount of new introduced this novel does a perfect job of both seamlessly continuing on the events pressing in the form of the downward spiral of King Charalds madness and his attempts of wiping out the existence of the 'Wyrds' from his now united Kingdom and Imoshen's job of taking control of both the T'En Brotherhoods and more powerful Sisterhoods at their elected leader to lead them into Exile and save them all as much from themselves and their own segregated traditions and inner power struggles as from being wiped out by the Meiren army waiting on the outside of their city walls.
With so much going on in an average size novel it is again incredibly easy to follow and understand but the thing that really shows prominence from beginning to end is Daniels' ability to build character and deliver emotion whether in the form of hatred, happiness or right through to at times absolutely heartbreaking despair from every individual that had me completely invested in what was going on and unable to put it down once started.
It would likely be impossible to make sense of this as a stand alone novel, but, in all honesty, with such a rich vibrant world created I really don't see why anyone would ever want to not read up on events in this beautifully painted world.
With Exile finished I can say that 'the outcast chronicles' has got the potential of being the best trilogy I have picked up in a long time and if I did not have the follow on sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read I would be on my way to the nearest bookshop right now.
With a big back story firmly set in place and Besieged ending on a massive cliffhanger Daniells opted to open this one with the re-introduction of some almost forgotten characters in the T'en gift warrior Asher, his Malajune wife Sasoria who is again pregnant and their four children and quickly bring the time frame back into line, mainly focusing on the coming of age of both Aravella, the oldest who is a Malajune female, and Rollen her younger T'En brother from when they witness their gentle and loving father kill a defenceless, unconscious human sailor who has washed up on shore where the family has lived in hiding to save their whereabouts from being discovered from the T'En society that would by rights seperate the family forcing them to live apart for the rest of their lives. This does have some very uncomfortable moments which do a wonderful job of displaying the powers and serious dangers of the T'En gift. As the story develops with many of the characters present from the first novel and of course a healthy amount of new introduced this novel does a perfect job of both seamlessly continuing on the events pressing in the form of the downward spiral of King Charalds madness and his attempts of wiping out the existence of the 'Wyrds' from his now united Kingdom and Imoshen's job of taking control of both the T'En Brotherhoods and more powerful Sisterhoods at their elected leader to lead them into Exile and save them all as much from themselves and their own segregated traditions and inner power struggles as from being wiped out by the Meiren army waiting on the outside of their city walls.
With so much going on in an average size novel it is again incredibly easy to follow and understand but the thing that really shows prominence from beginning to end is Daniels' ability to build character and deliver emotion whether in the form of hatred, happiness or right through to at times absolutely heartbreaking despair from every individual that had me completely invested in what was going on and unable to put it down once started.
It would likely be impossible to make sense of this as a stand alone novel, but, in all honesty, with such a rich vibrant world created I really don't see why anyone would ever want to not read up on events in this beautifully painted world.
With Exile finished I can say that 'the outcast chronicles' has got the potential of being the best trilogy I have picked up in a long time and if I did not have the follow on sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read I would be on my way to the nearest bookshop right now.
August 26, 2012
I had to start this at once when I got it. I just had to know what would happen! She sure knows how to keep a reader on her (or his) toes.
Book 1 ended with a cliffhanger, still a cliffhanger that I could live with since the city was under siege. All good for now. But it was just the kind of book that you just crave more, you need to know how the story will end.
As this is fantasy there are many threads and people but I will mention a few. Sorne, the half-blood in the enemy camp who watches the king become more and more crazy. Imoshen who is chosen to make terms with the king. She has a brain, she wants more for her people. The whole Brotherhood against Sisterhood can't last. I have hopes for her.
Then there are others, siblings on an island who does not know that there is a deadline. Leave the country or die! An evil Baron trying to claim power. A member of the Brotherhood realizing how bad their leader is. All coming together in one good plot.
This story is all with trying to stay alive. The "humans" does not want them their. They will kill them all, they want them gone. But can they leave? And how? Daniells had me on needles as I read this book and had my heart in my throat. I love how dark the world is, and how stupid the humans are. That might be strange to say but it does make it more thrilling. They are so stuck in their ways, racists that does not like people being different. It made me hate them so much. Most are willing to slaughter a whole people. And the point is that the people that they hate are not really that different. If all of them leave half-bloods will still be born, yes they are all the same. That is just sad.
It's a rich world filled with conflict and even if I say that the "humans" are bad does not make the other guys good. But at least they only kill each other. Their society can't last they way it is. The T'en on top, the half-bloods under them and men and women leaving separately.
In the end I can't wait to see how this all comes together. Can they survive this hostile world? And can they come to live peacefully among themselves? I can't wait to find out as I need to read the next book. I need to know.
Book 1 ended with a cliffhanger, still a cliffhanger that I could live with since the city was under siege. All good for now. But it was just the kind of book that you just crave more, you need to know how the story will end.
As this is fantasy there are many threads and people but I will mention a few. Sorne, the half-blood in the enemy camp who watches the king become more and more crazy. Imoshen who is chosen to make terms with the king. She has a brain, she wants more for her people. The whole Brotherhood against Sisterhood can't last. I have hopes for her.
Then there are others, siblings on an island who does not know that there is a deadline. Leave the country or die! An evil Baron trying to claim power. A member of the Brotherhood realizing how bad their leader is. All coming together in one good plot.
This story is all with trying to stay alive. The "humans" does not want them their. They will kill them all, they want them gone. But can they leave? And how? Daniells had me on needles as I read this book and had my heart in my throat. I love how dark the world is, and how stupid the humans are. That might be strange to say but it does make it more thrilling. They are so stuck in their ways, racists that does not like people being different. It made me hate them so much. Most are willing to slaughter a whole people. And the point is that the people that they hate are not really that different. If all of them leave half-bloods will still be born, yes they are all the same. That is just sad.
It's a rich world filled with conflict and even if I say that the "humans" are bad does not make the other guys good. But at least they only kill each other. Their society can't last they way it is. The T'en on top, the half-bloods under them and men and women leaving separately.
In the end I can't wait to see how this all comes together. Can they survive this hostile world? And can they come to live peacefully among themselves? I can't wait to find out as I need to read the next book. I need to know.
January 18, 2013
If you are looking for a feel good, pick-me-up fantasy move along, because this book is not that book. Which is not to say I didn't love the book - it was fantastic, but there was even more heart break to be had in this volume than in the first.
The T'En and Malaunje (collectively referred to as Wyrds) are besieged in their glorious city trying to ensure they will be able to safely leave the country rather than be obliterated as a race by the aging and violent King Charald.
There is a large cast of characters to follow, many of whom you will love or love-to-hate. I found it easy to follow each individual characters storyline despite the number of them because they each have such clarity as individuals that it is easy to remember them. I was a smidge disappointed that one of my favourite not-so-good (but also not evil) characters was less likeable in this version, mostly I think because we never saw scenes from her perspective so didn't get any brief flashes of the person underneath all that bluster. Poor Vittoryxe.
The plot was fast paced and exciting despite the fact that several times I felt the desire to yell at Daniells to give her poor characters a break once in a while. I would have finished the book several days ago if I hadn't been stricken with migraines and unable to read for those days.
The ending leaves you keen for the next volume and I'll tell you what, I'm glad I already bought it because otherwise I might have gone mental before I made it to the bookstore.
I recommend this book (and its series) to lovers of gritty fantasy, epic fantasy and swords and sorcery.
The T'En and Malaunje (collectively referred to as Wyrds) are besieged in their glorious city trying to ensure they will be able to safely leave the country rather than be obliterated as a race by the aging and violent King Charald.
There is a large cast of characters to follow, many of whom you will love or love-to-hate. I found it easy to follow each individual characters storyline despite the number of them because they each have such clarity as individuals that it is easy to remember them. I was a smidge disappointed that one of my favourite not-so-good (but also not evil) characters was less likeable in this version, mostly I think because we never saw scenes from her perspective so didn't get any brief flashes of the person underneath all that bluster. Poor Vittoryxe.
The plot was fast paced and exciting despite the fact that several times I felt the desire to yell at Daniells to give her poor characters a break once in a while. I would have finished the book several days ago if I hadn't been stricken with migraines and unable to read for those days.
The ending leaves you keen for the next volume and I'll tell you what, I'm glad I already bought it because otherwise I might have gone mental before I made it to the bookstore.
I recommend this book (and its series) to lovers of gritty fantasy, epic fantasy and swords and sorcery.
January 20, 2013
c2012: FWFTB: Wyrds, banishment, ships, winter, stranded. My feelings after having finished this book are ones relating to being scammed/cheated. First of all the book had missing pages - a good 40 odd. This must have been an error at the printers as the missing pages had been replaced by duplicated pages. This happened near the beginning of the book so it did have an impact as far as the building of the story goes. Then there is the blurb that again comments on actions that happen well into the last quarter of the book. And then...the plot. IMHO, this is symptomatic of a second 'filler' book in a trilogy and the (in)action is spread put over 400 odd pages. Simply put, the Wyrds realise they can't win against superior numbers, negotiate a retreat and then prepare for it. They actually only leave on the last page of the book. The writing is still good, there remain disturbing relationships and the author has fallen into the trap of writing rape scenes to depict just how nasty men are in this world. One would have to read this book if the trilogy is to be completed but I am a bit resentful. Both books published in the same year so perhaps 2 good books were stretched to 3? Anyway - onwards and upwards.
March 1, 2015
I was captivated from the first word I read. Easily I could slip again into this marvelous world with the wyrds and the familiar characters. The long phase of orientation that I had in book 1 and that took some of the pace out of it, didn't happen with book 2. It was great to read the stories of Sorne and Imoshen, how their fates become entwined and how the different paths unravel. I feel that there were less time-jumps which made it also more easy to read.
The only downside are actually the last pages. I think they have been rushed a little and I don't quite understand why this was necessary.
Maybe book 3 will reveal more. I will definitely read it.
The only downside are actually the last pages. I think they have been rushed a little and I don't quite understand why this was necessary.
Maybe book 3 will reveal more. I will definitely read it.
November 21, 2015
I had never heard of Rowena Cory Daniells before spotting this book at Barnes & Noble. It sounded interesting, so I bought it. I ended up zipping through the entire trilogy because the storyline was that enticing. The world, the different races, the characters, and the plot are all fascinating. The magic and the culture were very well thought out and were just as compelling as the storyline. I wanted more, more, more the entire time I was reading, and even though these are not short books, I was disappointed that there were only three books in the series.
March 9, 2013
I am so enjoying this series. I love the gender dynamics that come into play, as well as the racial ones. I also really love the characters. Rowena Cory Daniells has a way of getting me attached really quickly and keeping me attached. I am very anxious to find out what happens, and actually, I'm off to start the next book right now!
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September 13, 2015Katharine is a judge for the Sara Douglass 'Book Series' Award. This entry is the personal opinion of Katharine herself, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
June 25, 2016
A great second installment to this series. The story continues to build and so much happens to the characters, its hard to put down. New characters are introduced in Exile and their story arc builds on the world and on the culture of both the T'En and the Malunje.
April 1, 2013
loved it
April 1, 2013
A great book! Somewhat redeems the first in the series.
April 4, 2013
A bit depressing. Thank goodness the next book is already published. Almost every main character had a pretty bad ending.
November 22, 2015
A tighter, faster-paced read than book one. This is a darker tale that doesn't shy from the horrors of impending war and what some will do to gain power.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
February 9, 2014
I love original ideas with an awesome complex story. Rowena delivers just that.
March 1, 2014
Better then the first one. Maybe because I am getting to know teh characters. There are new ones in this as well
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