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Exile: The Tales of Terrowin: Book One
Terrowin is an ancient society like no other. Its unique monarchy consists of a king, queen, advisor, protector, king's mistress, queen's lover and assassin (collectively known as Royals.) The Birthing Holiday is the grandest celebration in all of Terrowin, when Royals are named every four years according to their birth order on the first day of that New Year.
The Royals are taken from their parents at birth and raised at the Royal Ascension School where they receive the most advanced and sophisticated course of study for the first twenty-four years of their lives. The king is raised to lead the people. The assassin, raised to kill him.
A murderous plot destroys the School leaving just seven Royals remaining.Twelve-year-old Salil, born an assassin, manages to escape along with six other twelve-year-olds: the future King David, Queen Nara, Advisor Cedric, Protector Tem, Mistress Ava and Lover Brandon. Exiled to a land unknown to them they are pursued by Kass, a ruthless sixteen-year-old assassin out to finish her job.
Their studies incomplete, the Royals struggle with their own identities, roles and loyalties while fleeing Kass. Salil, raised from birth to be a killer, must now fight for her own survival and try to save the future King David along with the future of Terrowin.
The Royals are taken from their parents at birth and raised at the Royal Ascension School where they receive the most advanced and sophisticated course of study for the first twenty-four years of their lives. The king is raised to lead the people. The assassin, raised to kill him.
A murderous plot destroys the School leaving just seven Royals remaining.Twelve-year-old Salil, born an assassin, manages to escape along with six other twelve-year-olds: the future King David, Queen Nara, Advisor Cedric, Protector Tem, Mistress Ava and Lover Brandon. Exiled to a land unknown to them they are pursued by Kass, a ruthless sixteen-year-old assassin out to finish her job.
Their studies incomplete, the Royals struggle with their own identities, roles and loyalties while fleeing Kass. Salil, raised from birth to be a killer, must now fight for her own survival and try to save the future King David along with the future of Terrowin.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2014
4 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Canada
2 books18 followersCanada grew up in Long Island, New York and studied psychology at SUNY Stony Brook, where he served as student body president and was an All American track athlete, He earned his JD and graduated with honors from UC Berkeley School of Law and practiced intellectual property law for almost 20 years in New York City, where he tried biotech and pharmaceutical cases before juries. He was a partner at some of the top international law firms, and has spent much of his life coaching and mentoring young people, and volunteering at the Harlem Children's Zone as a martial arts instructor.
He is a passionate world traveler, and could talk for days about his unique experiences growing up in the United States. He's had dinner with celebrities, drinks with presidents, and played golf with world leaders, but for him nothing beats the thrill of telling a good story to a captive audience.
He is a passionate world traveler, and could talk for days about his unique experiences growing up in the United States. He's had dinner with celebrities, drinks with presidents, and played golf with world leaders, but for him nothing beats the thrill of telling a good story to a captive audience.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 26, 2015
This is a story about the people of Terrowin. I'm not sure when this takes place as they use carriages, candles and lanterns yet some of them wear bikinis, polo shirts and say yo dude. Bad things happened in the land of Terrowin so they decided to take first seven babies born after midnight of every four years to be the "Royals" and they will rule for four years. First male - king, first female - queen, then there are the protector of the king, the mistress to the king, the lover for the queen, the king's confidant and an assassin. If there is an assassin then it might cut down on other people trying to assassinate the king. This has been going on for many years. This book is about the seven who are now 12 and what they go through up until their 12th year. The assassin is a girl who is born to a couple who have been trying to have a baby and when they finally do, the hope that it is not a royal because the royal babies are taken from their families to be raised in the school. Someone burns down the building where are the royals are sleeping, which is how the book starts.
There is a lot of background description of how the royal system works and what the kids go through. What they have to give up in order to be royal and how they are conditioned for their roles. This was a very enjoyable book and it can be read in a day. It's an interesting take on what could be done to curb violence and political greed.
Not bad for a first book. I know it is first in a series but what a way to leave us hanging. Now I hope I can remember to look for the next book.
I read a review copy of this book I received from the author through one of my Goodreads groups.
There is a lot of background description of how the royal system works and what the kids go through. What they have to give up in order to be royal and how they are conditioned for their roles. This was a very enjoyable book and it can be read in a day. It's an interesting take on what could be done to curb violence and political greed.
Not bad for a first book. I know it is first in a series but what a way to leave us hanging. Now I hope I can remember to look for the next book.
I read a review copy of this book I received from the author through one of my Goodreads groups.
June 1, 2020
A friend recommended this book and this was quite a jump from my usual reading list. It was refreshing and fun, nonetheless. It took me back to my teenage years. A certain skill is required to tastefully combine your Majesty and Mohawks in one book. A neatly written interesting story. The confluence of dystopia and utopia has been beautifully handled. If and when it reaches a wider audience it wouldn't surprise me if the kids start dressing up as their favorite character from this book for Halloween or literary character day at school. Overall, interesting! Great for tweens, teens, and fun loving adults.
December 17, 2014
Jerry Canada's EXILE (The Tales of Terrowin: Book one) Is absolutely freggin amazing! He has created unique brilliant characters and he plunged me into the world of Terrowin with them. I don't know what to say without spoiling too much. But this book is gonna spur some emotion, because I even got all teary eyed and everything. It's got a few moments that will have you all like "What D:< WHY HOW DARE YOU SIR" but that's what makes it awesome. I recommend reading this as soon as you get your hands on it. It's definitely a page turner. ^^
January 6, 2015
Interesting story, cool characters. It's Mr.Canada's first book and it's very nice.
Want to read
February 17, 2015by Leesville High School track coach
November 9, 2021
This debut novel had a very interesting premise for the plot. Every 4 years, a set of royals is "chosen" based upon who is born first after midnight beginning that year. Those royals are sent to an academy where they are trained and raised to be the next leaders of the country until come of age and it is their turn to rule (rulers change every 4 years just before the births of later generations of royals). The rulers consist of a King, Queen, Protector, Advisor, Mistress of the King, Lover of the Queen, and Assassin. The book opens with us seeing an assassin setting fire to the academy to kill all of the royals sleeping inside. We then see snippets of the roles of each of a set of royals as they grow up. These royals are the only ones to survive the fire at age 12. Thrust out of all they know, we see them struggle with their identities and interactions amongst one another as they try to survive their new reality of evading the assassin who set the fire and wants them dead.
Like other reviews, I'm not entirely sure what time period this story takes place, as they use carriages and lanterns, but then the characters refer to each other as "dude" and "bro," they have a 12+ story tall hospital where the royals are born, and their clothing is described as being quite modern. There are a few instances where the omniscient narrator brings up "bros" and "emos" and other modern terms that don't fit the ideals of carriages and kings and queens. Though I suppose would match a dystopian quite well. But in most dystopians, they still have modernized vehicles. I was a little turned off by the push for the queen to be pretty and girly and a feminine cliche where looks are the most important thing about a woman, especially one that's supposed to be in power, but that was somewhat balanced out with female assassins that had more purpose than to be looked a.
Despite that, it's a quick-paced read that was quite enjoyable and had a lot of information packed in it. I found myself engrossed in the storyline and wanting to know what was to come next for the characters. I was surprised at how I genuinely liked reading this, despite the hanging ending with no sequel in sight yet. Looking forward to it though.
Like other reviews, I'm not entirely sure what time period this story takes place, as they use carriages and lanterns, but then the characters refer to each other as "dude" and "bro," they have a 12+ story tall hospital where the royals are born, and their clothing is described as being quite modern. There are a few instances where the omniscient narrator brings up "bros" and "emos" and other modern terms that don't fit the ideals of carriages and kings and queens. Though I suppose would match a dystopian quite well. But in most dystopians, they still have modernized vehicles. I was a little turned off by the push for the queen to be pretty and girly and a feminine cliche where looks are the most important thing about a woman, especially one that's supposed to be in power, but that was somewhat balanced out with female assassins that had more purpose than to be looked a.
Despite that, it's a quick-paced read that was quite enjoyable and had a lot of information packed in it. I found myself engrossed in the storyline and wanting to know what was to come next for the characters. I was surprised at how I genuinely liked reading this, despite the hanging ending with no sequel in sight yet. Looking forward to it though.
June 4, 2018
Terrowin, an experiment concocted by “wise” men to ensure that the power to rule the land would not remain concentrated in the hands of a few elites. It is a land where there is equal opportunity to be a “Royal”- based on the proximity of your birth date to January 1st.
Throw in a rigid regime of operant conditioning to ensure each Royal performs their designated roles, no matter what, and you have a different kind of tyranny of public duty over individual freedom. There are multiple themes throughout the book that the adult reader will appreciate.
The descriptions of the land and its peoples are richly drawn and complex if you care to look below the surface, but they work equally well in a fast-paced adventure. The “Royals” are a diverse mix of personality types, and the reader is sure to find one or more of them very relatable. We first meet them going about their daily "schooling" and getting set to move up the ranks in the Royals hierarchy. But as with any world order, there is always someone out to upset the apple cart, and that is exactly what happens. As the Royals are torn from what they know and experience completely different society, where their roles are not strictly imposed from on high, you begin to see the assertion of free will and the battle between nature and nurture play out.
There is a LOT packed into this first instalment of a series. It’s a unique take on a classic construct, and I loved it. I look forward to book 2.
Throw in a rigid regime of operant conditioning to ensure each Royal performs their designated roles, no matter what, and you have a different kind of tyranny of public duty over individual freedom. There are multiple themes throughout the book that the adult reader will appreciate.
The descriptions of the land and its peoples are richly drawn and complex if you care to look below the surface, but they work equally well in a fast-paced adventure. The “Royals” are a diverse mix of personality types, and the reader is sure to find one or more of them very relatable. We first meet them going about their daily "schooling" and getting set to move up the ranks in the Royals hierarchy. But as with any world order, there is always someone out to upset the apple cart, and that is exactly what happens. As the Royals are torn from what they know and experience completely different society, where their roles are not strictly imposed from on high, you begin to see the assertion of free will and the battle between nature and nurture play out.
There is a LOT packed into this first instalment of a series. It’s a unique take on a classic construct, and I loved it. I look forward to book 2.
August 19, 2019
Exile opens with everyone at the Royal School of Terrowin sleeping as an assassin sets fire to the school. Even with no knowledge of the characters, the reader is on the edge of their seat wondering the purpose for this act of terror. As the story continues, we learn the backstory, often causing intense emotions through superb story-telling incorporating themes of belonging, adolescence, stereotypes, and friendship. The characters are well-developed and easy to visualize. Anyone who enjoys an adventure story will enjoy this book, especially reluctant readers. Canada leaves the reader wanting more. Thus, I anxiously await the second book in the series!
June 23, 2023
Young Adult Novel
Terrowin. A book about a Royal Team of children . About an imaginary culture that makes you think it could possibly be real.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys young adult novels with a twist!
Terrowin. A book about a Royal Team of children . About an imaginary culture that makes you think it could possibly be real.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys young adult novels with a twist!
April 25, 2023
Awesome book. Loved it!! Can't wait to read the next one
July 1, 2017
Looking over the reviews for this book after I've read it, I have to wonder: Did we all read the same thing? Or am I just wired differently than every other person on GR who has read this and stated an opinion on it by leaving a review or rating?
Don't get me wrong, I thought the premise had promise. The notion of a government headed by seven "Royals" (the first seven children born during each 4-year cycle, roles assigned according to birth order) and groomed from birth for their positions which they take over at the age of 24, governing for four years before stepping down to let the next set lead, is unique and intriguing - the basic worldbuilding here certainly has potential. But WTF is with the blatant sexism here? Why does it have to be a king who governs, while the queen's role consists of nothing but being armcandy and prancing around in fashionable clothes? Why couldn't you have a reigning queen if the first child born happens to be a girl? Why, for that matter, couldn't you have a same sex ruling "couple"? After all, it's not like these people need to procreate and provide an heir when part of the whole point of this government system is to not have a hereditary monarchy. And sure, the system allows some of the roles to be filled regardless of gender, but then what's with all the pushing to turn these kids into manly men and girly girls? All this bothered me immensely right from the start.
Then there's the second half of the book, where a devastating attack on the ruling royals as well as the Academy that provides their successors leaves all but one set of aspiring royals dead and these last, aged 12 and only half-way through their training at the time, are forced to flee the country while pursued by a highly skilled assassin charged with taking them all out. Again, there's potential here. Having Salil, who's always been kept apart from the others and taught to fend for herself rather than being part of a group, suddenly thrust into the role of protecting her companions and keeping them together in the face of the uncertainty and dangers surrounding them changes the group dynamic in interesting ways. Unfortunately, all that gets buried amid the clumsy and awkward dialogues, the generally incongruous writing style and things like the hippiest hippie commune (in which the most common form of address appears to be "yo dude") to ever grace the pages of a fantasy novel. Not only once during the reading of this book did I find myself wondering if it was meant to be a parody or a serious novel. Ultimately, the premise and main plot were interesting, but the execution sorely lacking.
Don't get me wrong, I thought the premise had promise. The notion of a government headed by seven "Royals" (the first seven children born during each 4-year cycle, roles assigned according to birth order) and groomed from birth for their positions which they take over at the age of 24, governing for four years before stepping down to let the next set lead, is unique and intriguing - the basic worldbuilding here certainly has potential. But WTF is with the blatant sexism here? Why does it have to be a king who governs, while the queen's role consists of nothing but being armcandy and prancing around in fashionable clothes? Why couldn't you have a reigning queen if the first child born happens to be a girl? Why, for that matter, couldn't you have a same sex ruling "couple"? After all, it's not like these people need to procreate and provide an heir when part of the whole point of this government system is to not have a hereditary monarchy. And sure, the system allows some of the roles to be filled regardless of gender, but then what's with all the pushing to turn these kids into manly men and girly girls? All this bothered me immensely right from the start.
Then there's the second half of the book, where a devastating attack on the ruling royals as well as the Academy that provides their successors leaves all but one set of aspiring royals dead and these last, aged 12 and only half-way through their training at the time, are forced to flee the country while pursued by a highly skilled assassin charged with taking them all out. Again, there's potential here. Having Salil, who's always been kept apart from the others and taught to fend for herself rather than being part of a group, suddenly thrust into the role of protecting her companions and keeping them together in the face of the uncertainty and dangers surrounding them changes the group dynamic in interesting ways. Unfortunately, all that gets buried amid the clumsy and awkward dialogues, the generally incongruous writing style and things like the hippiest hippie commune (in which the most common form of address appears to be "yo dude") to ever grace the pages of a fantasy novel. Not only once during the reading of this book did I find myself wondering if it was meant to be a parody or a serious novel. Ultimately, the premise and main plot were interesting, but the execution sorely lacking.
August 23, 2017
Wonderfully written! Mr. Canada's creative writing skills weaves a tale that takes place during what seems to be the Middle Ages and adds a modern twist to it. It's a great read for all ages. The structure of Terrowin's unique monarchy - a king, queen, king's advisor, king's mistress, queen's lover, king's protector, and an assassin - changes every 4 years. The characters are well-developed; the author provides individual chapters about their backgrounds, giving the readers an insight into each of them and the rigorous training they undergo to become Royals. Like many other readers, Salil is my favorite character. The author's portayal of her creates a bond between the reader and Salil - I felt her pain, sadness, isolation, and everything else a 12 year old girl would experience as part of growing up.
The fight scenes between Salil and Kass were well-written and very detailed. The depiction of the school fire was intense. I enjoyed seeing the young Princes get to know themselves and grow together. I was especially fascinated by the stark differences between Terrowin and Provins - where would you rather live? I appreciated the several references to modern figures - let's see how many you can pick up on!
I enjoyed Mr. Canada's first book and being able to see his creative imagination being put to paper. The ending sets you up for the next book in the series - I can't wait to see what adventures the young Princes are faced with in Captive!
The fight scenes between Salil and Kass were well-written and very detailed. The depiction of the school fire was intense. I enjoyed seeing the young Princes get to know themselves and grow together. I was especially fascinated by the stark differences between Terrowin and Provins - where would you rather live? I appreciated the several references to modern figures - let's see how many you can pick up on!
I enjoyed Mr. Canada's first book and being able to see his creative imagination being put to paper. The ending sets you up for the next book in the series - I can't wait to see what adventures the young Princes are faced with in Captive!
October 29, 2017
Tales of Terrowin is a fresh concept with an exciting story and vivid characters. It’s a dystopian novel that is bound to be popular with teen readers, as well as older folks. I picked it up at my local library. Some of the scenes (cooking class!) are laugh out loud funny, which is a good thing because there is some tragedy too as well as jaw-dropping fight scenes. I especially appreciate that the author included a kick-ass female protagonist, reminiscent of Katniss Everdeen. I also liked the way the characters, who were born into a caste system, learn to overcome their differences and work together. Overall it was a great read, and I’m looking forward to Captive.
May 23, 2015
When I started this book I found it a bit confusing, but as I carried on reading it started to make sense. I have finished the book now and I loved it! It's a page turner and when I couldn't read anymore I was disappointed. I can't wait until the next one comes out.
If I had to choose I think my favourite bit of the book was at the end when Salil had the battle with Kass and it got even more exciting. Salil is my favourite character and I can't wait to see what happens!
If I had to choose I think my favourite bit of the book was at the end when Salil had the battle with Kass and it got even more exciting. Salil is my favourite character and I can't wait to see what happens!
November 23, 2014
Exile is a page turner! It reels you in to it's world of King, Queen, Assassin, Protector, Lover and Advisor and keeps you guessing... I highly recommend it- while it is a YA novel, I think it has appeal for all ages. When you pick it up, be prepared: you won't want to put it down.
January 1, 2015
I read this with my school book club before it was published, and thought it was really good! I mean, it's a little rusty, but that's mainly because it's a first book (and I haven't fully read the final draft yet). Can't wait for the rest of the series!
November 25, 2014
Started a bit slow but then pulled me in...was tough to put down ...bonded with a few of the characters...Now I can't wait for the next book to come out to have their story continue!!
December 16, 2014
Surprisingly captivating! Can't wait for book two!
July 28, 2016
Somewhat entertaining :) I like the twisted, extreme differences of ruling between Terrowin and Provins. :)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews