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The Faithful Exile
Zander Hvalman does not bend. As Chief of Sedarkia, his word is law—and no law is more absolute than the prohibition of Christianity. So when his own son, Owain, chooses his faith over his birthright, Zander makes the only decision a man like him knows how to he disinherits Owain and banishes him from Sedarkia forever. But in doing so, he leaves his kingdom without an heir—and his wife without her son.
Driven by grief and guilt, Zander sets out to find Owain and drag him back to reason. Meanwhile, Torryn Velgard—a sharp-edged sailor turned smuggler with ambitions far larger than his station—sees the vacant throne as an opportunity he was born to seize. Alongside his older brother, Ivor, Torryn hunts for Owain with a very different agenda in mind. But the journey forces questions Torryn never expected, as Ivor’s quiet revelations begin to unravel everything Torryn thought he knew about himself.
Three men. Three colliding paths. And one unsettling truth spreading like wildfire across the Christianity is no longer so easy to silence.
As faith, power, and identity crash together, the future of Sedarkia hangs in the balance—and no one walks away unchanged.
Driven by grief and guilt, Zander sets out to find Owain and drag him back to reason. Meanwhile, Torryn Velgard—a sharp-edged sailor turned smuggler with ambitions far larger than his station—sees the vacant throne as an opportunity he was born to seize. Alongside his older brother, Ivor, Torryn hunts for Owain with a very different agenda in mind. But the journey forces questions Torryn never expected, as Ivor’s quiet revelations begin to unravel everything Torryn thought he knew about himself.
Three men. Three colliding paths. And one unsettling truth spreading like wildfire across the Christianity is no longer so easy to silence.
As faith, power, and identity crash together, the future of Sedarkia hangs in the balance—and no one walks away unchanged.
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2026
About the author
Sydney Witbeck
3 books172 followersSydney Witbeck is a writer and reader with a strong love for the Lord, her family, church, and friends. An avid bookworm, Sydney is happiest curled up with a good book. She has always enjoyed reading and rereading her favorite stories – a passion that soon transferred to writing books of her own. In her free time, she likes making memories with her sisters, spending time with her dog, and caring for her mini horse.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars (4/10 hearts). Y'all, if you're a fan of the friend-group in my book, A Noble Comfort, then give this book a shot. There were times I could've sworn it was my characters talking instead of Torryn and Ivor. Torryn, especially, reminded me SO UNBELIEVABLY MUCH of my own character Penuel. He's a riot! He in himself was a good 95% of my enjoyment in this book—and Ivor was another 75%. That's bad math, but it sums up my feelings. Apart from all that... I enjoyed the Viking-inspired setting as well (though to be honest I find it hard to picture a Viking saying "okay" 😆). I also appreciated watching Christianity start to take a hold of the land... and I loved the constant scriptural quotations! Also, Gundar's family was super cute and the plot kept me intrigued, though I'm afraid I struggled to keep track of everything happening at times. This was my first read by this author, and it won't be the last. I look forwards to the second book in this series!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
June 27, 2026
In a frigid land where faith is forbidden, a gripping adventure unfolds!
Owain, the young warrior disowned by his father Zander, the Chief of Sedarkia, for his unyielding faith. With Sedarkia lacking an heir, Zander is determined to hunt Owain down and bring him back home. But he’s not the only one on the trail. Torryn Velgard, ambitious and bold, seeks not only to find Owain but to claim the throne for himself. Meanwhile, his older brother Ivor grapples with an awakening faith that leads Torryn to question everything he thought he knew.
My thoughts:
This thrilling tale is perfect for teens—clean, yet packed with adventure! I really enjoyed the wintry Nordic-type setting and loved the faith content, especially the on-page scriptural quotes sprinkled throughout!
The characters really shine, challenging readers to think about the courage it takes to risk everything to follow Jesus. And speaking of character, Torryn and Ivor were amazing! Torryn is the reckless and charismatic swordsman, always armed with an array of weapons and a daring attitude, while Ivor is the voice of reason—responsible and protective, doing his best to keep his younger brother safe. Their dynamic was my favorite thing about this book!
While the writing can be a bit confusing at times, making it hard to follow who’s speaking or acting, it’s still an exhilarating and thought-provoking read with fantastic faith content.
The vibes:
❄️ Winter fantasy
⚔️ Nordic-type setting
❄️ Protective older brother
⚔️Reckless younger brother
❄️ Strong family relationships
⚔️ Great faith themes
Content for consideration:
Mentions of Viking-like raids, some sword and dagger fights, but no excessive violence.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the author. My review reflects my honest opinion.
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June 14, 2026RTC
July 2, 2026
I was SO delighted to get to read an ARC of Sydney Witbeck's latest release, and The Faithful Exile did NOT disappoint! With an array of unique and interesting POV characters, I was drawn right in, and I think this Christian Viking-inspired fantasy would be PERFECT for adult and teen (maybe even MG?) readers alike. Great read-aloud material here, and amazing for sparking faith discussions.
I've seen a lot of reviews highlight Torryn and Ivor and their hilarious brother relationship, but I found myself most enjoying Gundar's scenes. His sweet family and his love for them tugged at my heartstrings, and I loved watching his struggle to come to share his wife's faith. I love how Sydney represented how unbelievers aren't BAD--they really can be good people who love their families well and inspire others. And, of course, his newfound faith was a delight. Apparently I'm just drawn to the family man vibe.
Torryn and Ivor were fun, and I loved the sharp contrasts in how they viewed and operated in their world while still being held together by their brotherly bond. Their bickering was the best.
I LOVE how many Scripture verses were quoted/paraphrased, and the message of standing for your faith even when it costs you everything. I do wish we got more in Owain's perspective--we never really got to see his journey and story. My biggest issue was that sometimes scenes were unclear, and I had a hard time wrapping my mind around what was going on. This was especially tricky during some of the climactic scenes, and it may have been due to tiredness... I'm not sure. I just struggled to understand who was doing what and how it was all working out.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story, and as mentioned above, I think it would be great for pretty much ANY audience! Definitely one I would LOVE to hand off to my brothers or read to my kiddos someday!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
I've seen a lot of reviews highlight Torryn and Ivor and their hilarious brother relationship, but I found myself most enjoying Gundar's scenes. His sweet family and his love for them tugged at my heartstrings, and I loved watching his struggle to come to share his wife's faith. I love how Sydney represented how unbelievers aren't BAD--they really can be good people who love their families well and inspire others. And, of course, his newfound faith was a delight. Apparently I'm just drawn to the family man vibe.
Torryn and Ivor were fun, and I loved the sharp contrasts in how they viewed and operated in their world while still being held together by their brotherly bond. Their bickering was the best.
I LOVE how many Scripture verses were quoted/paraphrased, and the message of standing for your faith even when it costs you everything. I do wish we got more in Owain's perspective--we never really got to see his journey and story. My biggest issue was that sometimes scenes were unclear, and I had a hard time wrapping my mind around what was going on. This was especially tricky during some of the climactic scenes, and it may have been due to tiredness... I'm not sure. I just struggled to understand who was doing what and how it was all working out.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story, and as mentioned above, I think it would be great for pretty much ANY audience! Definitely one I would LOVE to hand off to my brothers or read to my kiddos someday!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
Want to Read
July 11, 2026SO PROUD OF SYDNEY!! I can't wait to read this 🥳 I know it's going to be amazing!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Overall - 3.5 stars
First, that cover is awesome! The story between the pages is one of family, redemption, and how far someone will go for power. I loved the concept of the story, and many of the characters stole my heart!
Characters:
Torryn was so much fun! And though at times I had a hard time keeping up with the rambunctious young man, he was still supremely fun! And just a difference between him and his brother Ivor, which was reminding me of my brothers, both almost complete opposites of each other but also the best of friends and they would do anything for each other. So I appreciated that portrayal.
Gundar was an interesting character, I was confused about his role in the story for a bit but enjoyed the scenes of him with his family nonetheless.
Owain, I want more! Seriously, I need more...lol...
There were several other side characters, both good and bad and we also had some POV from Zander, whom I would consider the villain of the story.
Themes:
That some things, most things, are more important than power. That some dreams aren't meant to be chased and sometimes we have to sacrifice what we want for the greater good.
Romance:
Gundar and Owain are married, but nothing there other than the fact they are married and maybe there's one kiss.
Language:
N/A
Violence/Gore:
Very clean, most violence is skimmed and non-detailed which at times was confusing for me because I wasn't sure excatly what happened. It moved swiftly in these areas and would be a good book for super sensitive readers.
Overall:
I love the raider concept! I loved the story, the characters, and definitely want to know what happens next! I only had a few quibbles with scenes that were skipped that I would have liked to see played out, or conversations I would have liked to see written out instead of getting the summary. But these are small things in the grand scheme of the story and definitely more personal preference.
I think the biggest thing that I kept asking was if Torryn and Ivor smuggle what were they smuggling? Why was Gundar getting information for them? And what on? I was unclear as to what their jobs were other than that they smuggled.
Again, overall, this is a very enjoyable read! I'd recommend for readers 12+ who are looking for a good faith-filled read with mild violence.
First, that cover is awesome! The story between the pages is one of family, redemption, and how far someone will go for power. I loved the concept of the story, and many of the characters stole my heart!
Characters:
Torryn was so much fun! And though at times I had a hard time keeping up with the rambunctious young man, he was still supremely fun! And just a difference between him and his brother Ivor, which was reminding me of my brothers, both almost complete opposites of each other but also the best of friends and they would do anything for each other. So I appreciated that portrayal.
Gundar was an interesting character, I was confused about his role in the story for a bit but enjoyed the scenes of him with his family nonetheless.
Owain, I want more! Seriously, I need more...lol...
There were several other side characters, both good and bad and we also had some POV from Zander, whom I would consider the villain of the story.
Themes:
That some things, most things, are more important than power. That some dreams aren't meant to be chased and sometimes we have to sacrifice what we want for the greater good.
Romance:
Gundar and Owain are married, but nothing there other than the fact they are married and maybe there's one kiss.
Language:
N/A
Violence/Gore:
Very clean, most violence is skimmed and non-detailed which at times was confusing for me because I wasn't sure excatly what happened. It moved swiftly in these areas and would be a good book for super sensitive readers.
Overall:
I love the raider concept! I loved the story, the characters, and definitely want to know what happens next! I only had a few quibbles with scenes that were skipped that I would have liked to see played out, or conversations I would have liked to see written out instead of getting the summary. But these are small things in the grand scheme of the story and definitely more personal preference.
I think the biggest thing that I kept asking was if Torryn and Ivor smuggle what were they smuggling? Why was Gundar getting information for them? And what on? I was unclear as to what their jobs were other than that they smuggled.
Again, overall, this is a very enjoyable read! I'd recommend for readers 12+ who are looking for a good faith-filled read with mild violence.
July 8, 2026
One of my reading goals at the beginning of the year was to read more books outside my comfort genre (historical fiction). I've read a few contemporary romances so far in 2026, but this was my first fantasy read of the year (definitely not a genre I read from much). While it was also a Christian Fiction and Young Adult read, I found myself really enjoying the story and characters in a fantastical setting.
While this one took me a little bit longer than it typically does to get into a story, I ended up liking it more and more the further I read. The premise also hooked me from the start: what would it be like to have to hide your faith...to worship God only in private...to act as if you weren't a Christian? Would you stand tall in your beliefs or cower down to authority? This book pulls the ultimate ultimatum and reflects on how power and wealth certainly are all there is to life.
I also really liked the characters! Torryn was my favorite, but I'm probably more like Ivor; I'm really excited to see how these two particular characters will continue to grow in their faith as the series progresses (it is a series).
Lastly, I absolutely love a good book with strong, prominent faith-filled themes and messages that take center stage. Scripture is woven seamlessly within many of the chapters, and I'm really looking forward to reading book #2 to see how the characters' faiths will continue to grow!
This was my first Sydney Witbeck novel, and certainly won't be my last! 😍
✨ Cost of Faith
✨ Power of Choice
✨ Value of Family
✨ Redemption Arc
✨ Perilous Journey
✨ Earthly vs. Heavenly Kingdoms
You'll love this one! ❤️
✨ The Faithful Exile is the first installment in the upcoming "The Sword of Redemption" series. Suitable for young adult readers and older. ✨
While this one took me a little bit longer than it typically does to get into a story, I ended up liking it more and more the further I read. The premise also hooked me from the start: what would it be like to have to hide your faith...to worship God only in private...to act as if you weren't a Christian? Would you stand tall in your beliefs or cower down to authority? This book pulls the ultimate ultimatum and reflects on how power and wealth certainly are all there is to life.
I also really liked the characters! Torryn was my favorite, but I'm probably more like Ivor; I'm really excited to see how these two particular characters will continue to grow in their faith as the series progresses (it is a series).
Lastly, I absolutely love a good book with strong, prominent faith-filled themes and messages that take center stage. Scripture is woven seamlessly within many of the chapters, and I'm really looking forward to reading book #2 to see how the characters' faiths will continue to grow!
This was my first Sydney Witbeck novel, and certainly won't be my last! 😍
✨ Cost of Faith
✨ Power of Choice
✨ Value of Family
✨ Redemption Arc
✨ Perilous Journey
✨ Earthly vs. Heavenly Kingdoms
You'll love this one! ❤️
✨ The Faithful Exile is the first installment in the upcoming "The Sword of Redemption" series. Suitable for young adult readers and older. ✨
July 29, 2026
"Like you've been wandering your whole life lost and then... you've finally come home?"
If you love the viking vibes of How to Train Your Dragon but crave an adventure full of Scripture and wrestles with faith, then The Faithful Exile is for you! Following a cast of characters all facing a family tensions, forbidden faith, and the pressing weight of truth in spite of danger, this book explores what it means to be a leader and the price that must be paid for power, as well as the peace that comes from finding something truer and deeper than yourself. This is a story of family, of loss, of sacrifice, and ultimately, hope.
If you love the viking vibes of How to Train Your Dragon but crave an adventure full of Scripture and wrestles with faith, then The Faithful Exile is for you! Following a cast of characters all facing a family tensions, forbidden faith, and the pressing weight of truth in spite of danger, this book explores what it means to be a leader and the price that must be paid for power, as well as the peace that comes from finding something truer and deeper than yourself. This is a story of family, of loss, of sacrifice, and ultimately, hope.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Sydney for the review copy! 😊
So I've never read anything from Sydney before, but I enjoyed this! I liked the Viking setting with the Irish-type characters, and the early European Christianity. Torryn was definitely my favorite character - he made me giggle several times. 🤭 I also liked seeing faith in action and characters coming to trust in God, and none of it felt peachy.
My only quibble is that things seemed to happen a little fast, but they got explained quickly. And that might be on me because my brain has been in a fog for a while recently. 😊
So I've never read anything from Sydney before, but I enjoyed this! I liked the Viking setting with the Irish-type characters, and the early European Christianity. Torryn was definitely my favorite character - he made me giggle several times. 🤭 I also liked seeing faith in action and characters coming to trust in God, and none of it felt peachy.
My only quibble is that things seemed to happen a little fast, but they got explained quickly. And that might be on me because my brain has been in a fog for a while recently. 😊
Review of advance copy received from Author
ENDORSEMENT
With high stakes through a race for the right to claim the power the title of chieftain holds, The Faithful Exile is an exhilarating tale that shows that there is only one kingdom that is truly eternal. Exploring the power of choice, quiet miracles, the value of family, and the strength that faith provides, this non-magical Christian fantasy will become a fast favorite.
With high stakes through a race for the right to claim the power the title of chieftain holds, The Faithful Exile is an exhilarating tale that shows that there is only one kingdom that is truly eternal. Exploring the power of choice, quiet miracles, the value of family, and the strength that faith provides, this non-magical Christian fantasy will become a fast favorite.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Faithful Exile was an enjoyable read, filled with both action and thematic depth, and I very much enjoyed it!
I loved the setting, which was fun and unique. (Vikings!) The differences between the countries they went to were fascinating as well, and it added a nice depth to the story. I was delighted to find I liked most all of the characters as well, which is rare for me.
I adored Ivor and Torryn, (brotherssss!), they had such a wonderful dynamic, with Torryn as the enthusiastic and ambitious one and Ivor the quieter, bookish brother, and a good counter to Torryn's wild spirit. I loved them both, despite their differences, and appreciated the love they had for each other. And even though I normally don't enjoy villain POVs, I found myself invested in Zander's side of the story as well, and his point of view was just as good as the others.
Gundar was also a delightfully layered character, and his family was incredibly adorable. I always love young families, and his was so sweet and I loved that they stuck together as a family, and kept faith through difficult times. All the children were most sweet, and Elin was splendidly committed to keeping her family together and safe.
If you like character-driven stories with themes of faith and redemption, then I think you'll enjoy The Faithful Exile! Sydney is certainly an author to watch.
Full review on my website here: https://journeybloomfield.wordpress.c...
I loved the setting, which was fun and unique. (Vikings!) The differences between the countries they went to were fascinating as well, and it added a nice depth to the story. I was delighted to find I liked most all of the characters as well, which is rare for me.
I adored Ivor and Torryn, (brotherssss!), they had such a wonderful dynamic, with Torryn as the enthusiastic and ambitious one and Ivor the quieter, bookish brother, and a good counter to Torryn's wild spirit. I loved them both, despite their differences, and appreciated the love they had for each other. And even though I normally don't enjoy villain POVs, I found myself invested in Zander's side of the story as well, and his point of view was just as good as the others.
Gundar was also a delightfully layered character, and his family was incredibly adorable. I always love young families, and his was so sweet and I loved that they stuck together as a family, and kept faith through difficult times. All the children were most sweet, and Elin was splendidly committed to keeping her family together and safe.
If you like character-driven stories with themes of faith and redemption, then I think you'll enjoy The Faithful Exile! Sydney is certainly an author to watch.
Full review on my website here: https://journeybloomfield.wordpress.c...
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