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Heirs in Exile
Nineteen-year-old Ara has always known what to expect. Being a royal and the second child of the late king, she knows that she was never meant to rule-however, her older brother, Bodhi, was born and bred for it. Abner is a city without a king and soon Bodhi will take his place upon the throne. But Ara's world is suddenly turned upside down when her godfather, Lord Erryl, plots to seize the throne for himself. This ultimate betrayal forces the royal siblings apart as they flee the city. Now in exile, Ara is determined to find her brother and help him reclaim his rightful place on the throne. Twenty-year-old Hoefler has been on his own for as long as he can remember. After years of searching the kingdom for his long-lost family, he finds himself imprisoned in the city of Abner. Fate brings Hoefler and Ara together as they make unlikely friends, loyal allies and travel the kingdom in search of her lost brother, Prince Bodhi. The two young runaways and their companions must put their trust in one another in order to survive. But when curious events unfold and a mysterious crown is discovered in the Woods, questions and secrets are brought to the surface....
348 pages, Hardcover
Published August 29, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 3, 2019
Exhilarating.
The book starts of with an interesting plot and diverse characters. The story gradually builds up but kind of drags in the middle but only to rocket up towards the end.
Trying not to put any spoilers so would just say the end was really well written and ties up the the whole reading experience well.
But the best thing about the book is the narration. The way it's written and all the descriptions just entice you and keep you interested. I honestly believe no matter how good a story is, if it's not written well on paper than the reading experience goes out of the window. So kudos to the author for putting everything so finely.
Would definitely recommend to read it.
The book starts of with an interesting plot and diverse characters. The story gradually builds up but kind of drags in the middle but only to rocket up towards the end.
Trying not to put any spoilers so would just say the end was really well written and ties up the the whole reading experience well.
But the best thing about the book is the narration. The way it's written and all the descriptions just entice you and keep you interested. I honestly believe no matter how good a story is, if it's not written well on paper than the reading experience goes out of the window. So kudos to the author for putting everything so finely.
Would definitely recommend to read it.
September 22, 2019
Estoy muy intrigada con la corona! Prácticamente no dicen nada de ella y es mejor así! Porque nos dejan con querer saber que es y así uno solo quiere leer el segundo libro 😱
Le pongo 3.5 estrellas por dos razones: 1. Encuentro que Fig y Dodd me sobran en la historia, no puedo ver cuál es la importancia de cada uno en la historia y ojalá eso cambie y 2. Predije algo muy obvio que sí ocurrió, y no me dio pena
Aún así me gustaría leer el segundo libro porque presiento que Ara se convertirá en una gran mujer 😊
Le pongo 3.5 estrellas por dos razones: 1. Encuentro que Fig y Dodd me sobran en la historia, no puedo ver cuál es la importancia de cada uno en la historia y ojalá eso cambie y 2. Predije algo muy obvio que sí ocurrió, y no me dio pena
Aún así me gustaría leer el segundo libro porque presiento que Ara se convertirá en una gran mujer 😊
November 3, 2019
True Rating: 3 Stars
Heirs in Exile is an exciting story about a young royal whose life gets flipped upside down. When a dangerous plot surfaces and the royals are no longer safe, they must abandon the life that they know and throw themselves into one of danger. Throughout it all, Ara will find that she's smarter, stronger, and more capable than she ever could have imagined.
The Characters
Ara
Ara is the main protagonist of this novel, the princess of Abner. I loved Ara in this book because of the character growth that we see! Ara is very strong-willed and stubborn. She is a bit of a dreamer and is definitely an optimist, and she has an incredibly big heart. I absolutely loved seeing Ara grow throughout the course of this novel and was thrilled to see as she became more confident in herself. I really hope that this continues throughout the series!
Hoefler
Hoefler is a precious gem and no one can tell me otherwise. He is introduced to us as a thief, but throughout the story, we are able to understand why he became one. I will admit, in the beginning I did not care very much about Hoefler. I didn't understand the point of him being in the story, I knew that I was supposed to feel bad about his lack of family but didn't, and overall I was pretty indifferent towards him. However, as the story progressed I began to fall in love with the sweet boy. Hoefler is kind, fiercely loyal, and incredibly brave. Believe me when I say that he must be protected at all costs.
Bodhi
Bodhi is Ara's older brother, heir to the throne of Abner. I want to like Bodhi because I understand that he has all of the best intentions at heart, but I couldn't help but be annoyed by him. Bodhi is opinionated and slightly reckless, but also incredibly protective of his younger sister and very strong. Throughout the story I was hoping to see more character development from him - becoming more understanding of the company Ara has ended up keeping, becoming open to the idea that maybe a thief can be a person with a good heart - but unfortunately we weren't able to see that. I would've loved to have gotten a better understanding of his attitudes and motivations throughout the story.
Lokhome
Lokhome is an interesting character and it's hard for me to determine how I feel about him. Lokhome is a thief who seems to only have his best interest in mind - disappearing and reappearing when things are convenient to him. We don't get a clear understanding of his motives for anything that he does - aside from self-preservation - but we do get to see that he is snarky, witty, and conflicted in his own ways. I really want to learn more about where Lokhome comes from and understand what it is that he's hoping to get out of everything that he does.
The Writing
While I absolutely loved the plot of this novel, I didn't always feel like the style of writing did it justice. While Knapp is able to write in a way that is easy to understand, I feel that she does a lot more telling than she does showing. I felt like so many things were plainly stated to me throughout the store as opposed to showed to me. This took me out of the story a little bit and made me read through the book slower. I wanted to be able to feel like I was connecting with the characters more and get a better sense for how they were feeling instead of just being told what they were feeling.
Final Thoughts
I think that Heirs in Exile is a gripping novel with lots of promise. Knapp has created a storyline that is compelling and exciting, and that makes you want to read more. I think that with more emphasis on showing rather than telling, this book would easily jump to four stars for me.
Heirs in Exile is an exciting story about a young royal whose life gets flipped upside down. When a dangerous plot surfaces and the royals are no longer safe, they must abandon the life that they know and throw themselves into one of danger. Throughout it all, Ara will find that she's smarter, stronger, and more capable than she ever could have imagined.
The Characters
Ara
"You're barbaric," Ara grinned. "In a surprisingly good way."
Ara is the main protagonist of this novel, the princess of Abner. I loved Ara in this book because of the character growth that we see! Ara is very strong-willed and stubborn. She is a bit of a dreamer and is definitely an optimist, and she has an incredibly big heart. I absolutely loved seeing Ara grow throughout the course of this novel and was thrilled to see as she became more confident in herself. I really hope that this continues throughout the series!
Hoefler
"Just because I'm a thief, doesn't mean I don't care."
Hoefler is a precious gem and no one can tell me otherwise. He is introduced to us as a thief, but throughout the story, we are able to understand why he became one. I will admit, in the beginning I did not care very much about Hoefler. I didn't understand the point of him being in the story, I knew that I was supposed to feel bad about his lack of family but didn't, and overall I was pretty indifferent towards him. However, as the story progressed I began to fall in love with the sweet boy. Hoefler is kind, fiercely loyal, and incredibly brave. Believe me when I say that he must be protected at all costs.
Bodhi
I want to protect Ara, he thought. So I don't lose her, again. For good."
Bodhi is Ara's older brother, heir to the throne of Abner. I want to like Bodhi because I understand that he has all of the best intentions at heart, but I couldn't help but be annoyed by him. Bodhi is opinionated and slightly reckless, but also incredibly protective of his younger sister and very strong. Throughout the story I was hoping to see more character development from him - becoming more understanding of the company Ara has ended up keeping, becoming open to the idea that maybe a thief can be a person with a good heart - but unfortunately we weren't able to see that. I would've loved to have gotten a better understanding of his attitudes and motivations throughout the story.
Lokhome
"You saved my neck, now I save yours. That's what friends do."
Lokhome is an interesting character and it's hard for me to determine how I feel about him. Lokhome is a thief who seems to only have his best interest in mind - disappearing and reappearing when things are convenient to him. We don't get a clear understanding of his motives for anything that he does - aside from self-preservation - but we do get to see that he is snarky, witty, and conflicted in his own ways. I really want to learn more about where Lokhome comes from and understand what it is that he's hoping to get out of everything that he does.
The Writing
While I absolutely loved the plot of this novel, I didn't always feel like the style of writing did it justice. While Knapp is able to write in a way that is easy to understand, I feel that she does a lot more telling than she does showing. I felt like so many things were plainly stated to me throughout the store as opposed to showed to me. This took me out of the story a little bit and made me read through the book slower. I wanted to be able to feel like I was connecting with the characters more and get a better sense for how they were feeling instead of just being told what they were feeling.
Final Thoughts
I think that Heirs in Exile is a gripping novel with lots of promise. Knapp has created a storyline that is compelling and exciting, and that makes you want to read more. I think that with more emphasis on showing rather than telling, this book would easily jump to four stars for me.
January 2, 2020
First impression, the map inside is beautifull! It's always a good way to enter a new world, and the kingdom of Amandine was worth the trip.
I like worlds, but the book is really about the characters. And they are all very humans, with flaws, doubts and strenghts they don't realise they have.
Ara is young, and all her world crumble. In a few days only, she has to change a lot, take decisions she never thought she would have to take, face her fears. She's probably the one who change the most, and is not sure she recognise herself in what she has to become. It's good to see a female character that isn't just a tomboy, or trained, or mysteriously capable, and has to learn to be strong, not just for herself.
Hoefler, he's a mystery, and I ended the book with more questions than I expected.
I won't say more about the others, even if I really like the company that Ara keep those days, even if they aren't the ones she would have handpicked. Dodd and Fig are my favorites, and a big part that keep the book balanced, when it could have been depressing given the circumstances/themes used.
I don't feel this book can't really be read as stand alone, even if the main arc has a proper ending. But I'm impatient to learn how everything and everyone's arcs will be solved in the next books.
I like worlds, but the book is really about the characters. And they are all very humans, with flaws, doubts and strenghts they don't realise they have.
Ara is young, and all her world crumble. In a few days only, she has to change a lot, take decisions she never thought she would have to take, face her fears. She's probably the one who change the most, and is not sure she recognise herself in what she has to become. It's good to see a female character that isn't just a tomboy, or trained, or mysteriously capable, and has to learn to be strong, not just for herself.
Hoefler, he's a mystery, and I ended the book with more questions than I expected.
I won't say more about the others, even if I really like the company that Ara keep those days, even if they aren't the ones she would have handpicked. Dodd and Fig are my favorites, and a big part that keep the book balanced, when it could have been depressing given the circumstances/themes used.
I don't feel this book can't really be read as stand alone, even if the main arc has a proper ending. But I'm impatient to learn how everything and everyone's arcs will be solved in the next books.
January 7, 2020
Heirs in Exhile details the adventures of two siblings, Ara and Bodhi, after they are forced to flee their homeland on the evening prior to Bodhi’s coronation as king. The siblings are separated and the story focuses primarily on Ara and her developing relationship with Hoefler, a thief, who helps Ara escape the palace. Ara and Hoefler are aided in avoiding capture by various other friends that they gain as the story progresses. The characters are well developed and provide interesting color to the story. The plot is entertaining but does end in a cliff hanger so I can only assume that the author has a second book or two in the works to complete the series. The conclusion is really the only thing that I didn’t like particularly well. I would have preferred for Ara and Bodhi’s story to be completed at the end of the book. Another book could follow focusing on Hoefler’s story to continue the saga. It was a let down to get to the end and still not have a resolution for Ara. I must praise the author on the excellent editing of this book. There weren’t any noticeable spelling or grammatical errors to distract the reader from the story.
July 29, 2019
Ata is the second child of the forever King of Abner, with her older brother Bodhi being the rightful heir to the throne. After their parents died years ago, they've been under the tutelage of their godfather Lord Erryl, who is planning to Kim them and seize the throne for himself. As Ara overhears a conversation about said plot, she and her brother flee from Abner, finding herself in very unlikely company of thieves and smugglers who are allying themselves with them in order to help recover their rightful place.
This is a very entertaining and fast paced book, the plot is very well developed and engaging, as well as the characters, being each chapter narrated from the point of view of the main characters. It had been a very enjoyable read.
This is a very entertaining and fast paced book, the plot is very well developed and engaging, as well as the characters, being each chapter narrated from the point of view of the main characters. It had been a very enjoyable read.
July 24, 2019
Nine years after Bodhi and Ara’s parents died, Bodhi is set to be coronated as King of Abneria. Ara overhears her Godfather plotting to kill her and her brother causing them both to flee the city. The story continues as they both fight for their lives and to reclaim their kingdom.
The author did a great job of setting the scene and the story had a good plot. I did find that I didn’t care what happened to Bodhi as much as I did the other characters. The story started out great and then kind of dragged a bit and then picked up and ended with a bang! The mystery with the crown was a nice added touch. It was a good story and the ending will probably have you out of breath.
The author did a great job of setting the scene and the story had a good plot. I did find that I didn’t care what happened to Bodhi as much as I did the other characters. The story started out great and then kind of dragged a bit and then picked up and ended with a bang! The mystery with the crown was a nice added touch. It was a good story and the ending will probably have you out of breath.
July 30, 2019
Number of stars 4.5 out of 5.
I really like this book the writing style is very well done, it's beautiful story. I'm also excited for the book two because I need to know that happens next.
I do recommend this book if you like fantasy. Pick up this book and you too will be lost into this fantasy world.
I really like this book the writing style is very well done, it's beautiful story. I'm also excited for the book two because I need to know that happens next.
I do recommend this book if you like fantasy. Pick up this book and you too will be lost into this fantasy world.
July 30, 2019
The story characters took me a while to put in place but as I continued, the plot thickened and I had to keep reading nonstop to get to what I thought would be the ending. That ending was not at all what I expected and so I can’t wait for book 2 to come to print to see what happens. Well written and although Medieval fiction would not be my usual choice, I enjoyed this book immensely.
August 29, 2019
I'm always happy to find a good fantasy book because it's my favorite genre. The story is well written, and the description of scenes and characters really brought it to life. Everyone is interesting in their own way and add to the story. I was drawn to Ara from the beginning and I can't wait to know what will happen in the next book.
February 3, 2020
It's a fast paced adventure sure to entertain. Has well developed characters with an engaging plot. Enjoyed reading it and would definitely recommend it.
May 12, 2020
I’ve read this novel several times now and it’s fantastic! The book is full of betrayal, adventure, friendship, and mystery. You can’t help but fall in love with the characters. I’m excited that it’s part of a 6 book series and can’t wait to read book 2. For being such a young author, J.N.Knapp has created a wonderful book for readers who love Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy, and coming of age novels.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews