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Tales of Starlight #3
Exodus Rising
Adrian Masters continues his relentless march toward the bitterly cold Northlands of Starlight. Ravaged by a deadly disease and accompanied by two children, Adrian carries Marcelle in a vegetative state, hoping Alaph, king of the Northlands, will supply a way to reunite her near-death body with her wandering spirit.
Time is of the essence. Invading soldiers from Major Four are marching toward the Southlands village to do battle against the dragon slave masters, but two great dangers await—the inescapable disease and the unpredictable Benefile, ageless and mysterious white dragons who will kill any infected humans.
All the while, Drexel, the murderer of Marcelle’s mother, has taken on an impervious disguise as a male Starlighter and is using hypnotic powers to gain control of Mesolantrum with his sights set on the entire kingdom. Adrian and Marcelle must battle to free the slav es on one world and protect their own world from Drexel’s malevolent plan or else the freed slaves will return to Major Four only to find another slave master. Performing both tasks seems impossible.
Hope remains in the guise of the little Starlighter Regina. Guided by Cassabrie, Starlight’s great liberator, Regina hopes to accompany Adrian step by step to thwart the plans of slave masters on both worlds.
Time is of the essence. Invading soldiers from Major Four are marching toward the Southlands village to do battle against the dragon slave masters, but two great dangers await—the inescapable disease and the unpredictable Benefile, ageless and mysterious white dragons who will kill any infected humans.
All the while, Drexel, the murderer of Marcelle’s mother, has taken on an impervious disguise as a male Starlighter and is using hypnotic powers to gain control of Mesolantrum with his sights set on the entire kingdom. Adrian and Marcelle must battle to free the slav es on one world and protect their own world from Drexel’s malevolent plan or else the freed slaves will return to Major Four only to find another slave master. Performing both tasks seems impossible.
Hope remains in the guise of the little Starlighter Regina. Guided by Cassabrie, Starlight’s great liberator, Regina hopes to accompany Adrian step by step to thwart the plans of slave masters on both worlds.
464 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2011
About the author
Bryan Davis
82 books1,040 followersBryan Davis is the author several speculative-fiction series, including Dragons in Our Midst, Oracles of Fire, Children of the Bard, Dragons of Camelot, The Reapers Trilogy, The Time Echoes Trilogy, Tales of Starlight, Dragons of Starlight, the Oculus Gate, Not So Famous Dog Tales, Astral Alliance, and Wanted: Superheroes.
Bryan and his wife, Susie, have homeschooled their four girls and three boys.
Bryan was born in 1958 and grew up in the eastern U.S. From the time he taught himself how to read before school age, through his seminary years and beyond, he has demonstrated a passion for the written word, reading and writing in many disciplines and genres, including fantasy, theology, fiction, devotionals, poetry, and humor.
Bryan and his wife, Susie, have homeschooled their four girls and three boys.
Bryan was born in 1958 and grew up in the eastern U.S. From the time he taught himself how to read before school age, through his seminary years and beyond, he has demonstrated a passion for the written word, reading and writing in many disciplines and genres, including fantasy, theology, fiction, devotionals, poetry, and humor.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 23, 2022
The best ending for this series that both wraps up its own story plus adds greater depth and context to what happens directly after the last chapter and epilogue of Liberator (Dragons of Starlight Book 4).
Adrian and Marcelle have grown so much through this trilogy and are better, stronger people then they were at the beginning, especially Marcelle who annoyed me so much in the first book but who I now really admire and love the changes she has gone through. Adrian grew even more caring and strong and I especially liked (this is gonna sound weird, please don’t judge) how he was the one feeling a bit uncomfortable every time the topic of martial intimacy came up and I just really appreciated that as it’s usually girls feeling that way and it was just nice to see a guy feel that way too. And Drexel is a pig and we’re gonna leave it at that. 😒 Good riddance. I also love Dunwoody, he is just a trip and I adore him.
I did think this book was a tad bit less engaging than the first two for some reason (could have just been my mood at the time), but I still enjoyed it and think it’s a solid ending to this amazing trilogy and saga when combined with the Dragons of Starlight series. Highly recommend reading both series together as you get a broader view of the characters and world as a whole.
So glad I read this series and I will be for sure reading it again!
‼️Content‼️
Language: wench
Violence: fighting with swords, bows, and other weapons (not detailed); injuries and blood (not detailed); people are magically withered away until only bones remain; a man magically steals people’s energy and kills them; a falling wall breaks/crushes a man (not detailed); dragons are blown up; dragons fight dragons; people were burned and hung as a warning to others (not detailed); a man is decapitated (semi detailed)
Sexual: kisses on the cheek; kissing (not detailed); a girl/woman is naked in a bath (not shown); mild suggestive comments/hints; at one point characters walk around in only towels; a woman slides her hands under a man’s tunic
Drug/Alcohol: drugged food
Other: magic; magical creatures, places, objects, and abilities; people are enslaved by dragons; some characters are spirits; death and grief; in the past dragons were enslaved by humans; a deadly disease infects humans; two souls are tasked with eating other wicked souls; characters with magic can make tales come to life; a man can magically control and manipulate people; dead cat and chicken; explosions; death and grief; people are chained and locked up
Adrian and Marcelle have grown so much through this trilogy and are better, stronger people then they were at the beginning, especially Marcelle who annoyed me so much in the first book but who I now really admire and love the changes she has gone through. Adrian grew even more caring and strong and I especially liked (this is gonna sound weird, please don’t judge) how he was the one feeling a bit uncomfortable every time the topic of martial intimacy came up and I just really appreciated that as it’s usually girls feeling that way and it was just nice to see a guy feel that way too. And Drexel is a pig and we’re gonna leave it at that. 😒 Good riddance. I also love Dunwoody, he is just a trip and I adore him.
I did think this book was a tad bit less engaging than the first two for some reason (could have just been my mood at the time), but I still enjoyed it and think it’s a solid ending to this amazing trilogy and saga when combined with the Dragons of Starlight series. Highly recommend reading both series together as you get a broader view of the characters and world as a whole.
So glad I read this series and I will be for sure reading it again!
‼️Content‼️
Language: wench
Violence: fighting with swords, bows, and other weapons (not detailed); injuries and blood (not detailed); people are magically withered away until only bones remain; a man magically steals people’s energy and kills them; a falling wall breaks/crushes a man (not detailed); dragons are blown up; dragons fight dragons; people were burned and hung as a warning to others (not detailed); a man is decapitated (semi detailed)
Sexual: kisses on the cheek; kissing (not detailed); a girl/woman is naked in a bath (not shown); mild suggestive comments/hints; at one point characters walk around in only towels; a woman slides her hands under a man’s tunic
Drug/Alcohol: drugged food
Other: magic; magical creatures, places, objects, and abilities; people are enslaved by dragons; some characters are spirits; death and grief; in the past dragons were enslaved by humans; a deadly disease infects humans; two souls are tasked with eating other wicked souls; characters with magic can make tales come to life; a man can magically control and manipulate people; dead cat and chicken; explosions; death and grief; people are chained and locked up
August 8, 2018
3.5 Stars
Throughout the series, the author seemed to make some jumps that were not apparent to me as a reader. It takes a moment or two before realization strikes and I can mentally get back on track again. Another downside to the reading of all three books is the author's inability to connect with me with his humor. It's was always apparent when he tried to get me to respond with some level of joviality (and I did, maybe twice, throughout the series), but, overall, the attempts fell way flat, as if the writer's sense of humor is always an inside joke that only makes him laugh. Outside of those two things, this book and the series are entertaining reads, but I probably won't purchase anything else from him.
I will say this, though. I truly appreciate that the author is a lover of God. That shines through beautifully! His writing does develop a sense of gratitude toward the Creator and because of that, I never felt as though I was being robbed of my time.
Throughout the series, the author seemed to make some jumps that were not apparent to me as a reader. It takes a moment or two before realization strikes and I can mentally get back on track again. Another downside to the reading of all three books is the author's inability to connect with me with his humor. It's was always apparent when he tried to get me to respond with some level of joviality (and I did, maybe twice, throughout the series), but, overall, the attempts fell way flat, as if the writer's sense of humor is always an inside joke that only makes him laugh. Outside of those two things, this book and the series are entertaining reads, but I probably won't purchase anything else from him.
I will say this, though. I truly appreciate that the author is a lover of God. That shines through beautifully! His writing does develop a sense of gratitude toward the Creator and because of that, I never felt as though I was being robbed of my time.
July 10, 2019
A lot of ground is covered in this book. By the end, I kind of forgot that certain things had happened just in the same story!
Overall, a good series. My brothers absolutely loved it and I'm not as into it as they were, but it wasn't bad. One thing I didn't like was feeling like information was missing. I guess there is another series that ties into this one. You can totally read this series without the other, I just felt like I was missing stuff. Oh well.
There is some alluded to things that make this series for older teens and adults.
Overall, a good series. My brothers absolutely loved it and I'm not as into it as they were, but it wasn't bad. One thing I didn't like was feeling like information was missing. I guess there is another series that ties into this one. You can totally read this series without the other, I just felt like I was missing stuff. Oh well.
There is some alluded to things that make this series for older teens and adults.
July 6, 2024
6/10. Nice Series.
August 23, 2013
I loved this book! It was definitely an amazing ending to an amazing series!
There were so many things going on throughout the book. Eradicating the disease, reuniting Marcelle's spirit with her body, Adrian and Marcelle's engagement, a crafty new starlighter determined to take over Mesolantrum and the entire country, and so much more. And these are only things I knew were going to happen since I read the first two books! But I will leave the hows to you to find out.
I loved how everything worked together. This book builds on what happened in the previous books, making it much more exciting, romantic, and dangerous.
The spiritual elements were very good. Marcelle and Adrian both learn much more about trusting the Creator and leaning on Him, not themselves, for their strength, even when it didn't make sense. Also, the villains faced the consequences for their actions, unlike in many books and movies in which liars and thieves succeed and are helped on by their friends, even as the heroes. And yet, mercy triumphed as well for those who were willing to receive it. God gives mercy and justice, a theme that is woven throughout the series.
The only thing I didn't like had to do with Jason, Adrian's brother. Jason is the hero in a teen series of books called Dragons of Starlight set in the same story world. His story fills in all the holes and jagged edges in this series. Anyway, I didn't like that Jason, the mature-ish hero in his own story, is nearly killed as soon as he goes back to his own world! You would think he'd be smarter than that or something, considering all he's just lived through on Starlight! Grr, it was frustrating. Other than that, I have no complaints.
Things you should know: Spoiler alert!
There is much violence, but it is not gruesome. There are disembodied spirits, kind of like ghosts. One villain has a pocket full of fingers that he cut from the body of the woman he murdered. The characters kiss, and sex is implied, but not done by the characters.
There were so many things going on throughout the book. Eradicating the disease, reuniting Marcelle's spirit with her body, Adrian and Marcelle's engagement, a crafty new starlighter determined to take over Mesolantrum and the entire country, and so much more. And these are only things I knew were going to happen since I read the first two books! But I will leave the hows to you to find out.
I loved how everything worked together. This book builds on what happened in the previous books, making it much more exciting, romantic, and dangerous.
The spiritual elements were very good. Marcelle and Adrian both learn much more about trusting the Creator and leaning on Him, not themselves, for their strength, even when it didn't make sense. Also, the villains faced the consequences for their actions, unlike in many books and movies in which liars and thieves succeed and are helped on by their friends, even as the heroes. And yet, mercy triumphed as well for those who were willing to receive it. God gives mercy and justice, a theme that is woven throughout the series.
The only thing I didn't like had to do with Jason, Adrian's brother. Jason is the hero in a teen series of books called Dragons of Starlight set in the same story world. His story fills in all the holes and jagged edges in this series. Anyway, I didn't like that Jason, the mature-ish hero in his own story, is nearly killed as soon as he goes back to his own world! You would think he'd be smarter than that or something, considering all he's just lived through on Starlight! Grr, it was frustrating. Other than that, I have no complaints.
Things you should know: Spoiler alert!
There is much violence, but it is not gruesome. There are disembodied spirits, kind of like ghosts. One villain has a pocket full of fingers that he cut from the body of the woman he murdered. The characters kiss, and sex is implied, but not done by the characters.
April 28, 2014
Wonderful as always. This trilogy fills in the small story gaps within the Dragons of starlight series, while creating a story all its own. This trilogy is slightly more adult in nature than any of Bryan Davis' other dragon books, simply because it deals with characters who are young adults verses the teenagers of his other stories. But, even though it deals with adult characters, Mr.Davis still stays true to his themes of chivalry, character, truth, and deals with ideas in such a way that it is more mature, yet still wholesome and clean. A wonderful read that I will go back to again. The only thing I will do different in the future is I will read this trilogy in sequence with the Dragons of Starlight series so the whole story comes to light together.
July 9, 2013
Exodus Rising was everything that I hoped it would be. I fell in love with the characters in this story. Adrian and Marcelle have grown so much since the beginning, in terms of their faith and character. Exodus Rising completes the Tales of Starlight series as well as the Dragons of starlight series. Every question is answered. This story was stirring, exciting, romantic, and powerful. I related to Adrian and Marcelle so well, because I am the same age as they are. Mr. Davis' jump from young adult fiction to Adult fiction was no jump at all. I look forward to more. A must read beautiful and compelling series.
June 12, 2015
All of Mr. Davis' work is amazing! I've been a fan of his since I was a young teenager, and now that I'm technically an adult I decided to read his companion trilogy to the teens Starlighter series, and it certainly did not disappoint! I love that his characters mess up all the time, and that things hardly ever go as planned, but it still always works out some way or other! It's such a happy sad feeling to finish yet another wonderful family of books. 10/10 stars!
October 20, 2013
I love this series and there isn't much more to say... well no, I can't stop there. Byran Davis is the best Christian author I have ever read and he creates the most complex and beautiful storylines. Whatever I say won't do him justice but definitely pick this book next time you head to the bookstore or library.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews