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Banished
She always looks out for number one. Will losing her powers push her into a fight for freedom? Meg’s abilities let her get away with anything. Until the spoiled shapeshifter is exiled to a dimension where magic is heresy and enchanted beings like herself are hunted and imprisoned. Worse still when night falls, she’s unable to morph and left helpless against brutal raiders. With no choice but to team up with a scrappy group of outcasts, Meg’s survival depends on trusting others—even the Ordinaries. But when her newfound friends plan a daring jailbreak, she must decide if she’s willing to lay her life on the line for a bunch of strangers. Can Meg put her selfish ways behind her and become a force for good? Banished is the first book in a spellbinding clean fantasy series. If you like determined heroines, character-driven action, and magical intrigue, then you’ll love Beca Lewis’s gripping tale. Buy Banished to stop the oppression today!
- GenresFantasy
247 pages, Paperback
Published March 2, 2020
3 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 3, 2020
I liked this book, even though it was somewhat stereotypical with the group of people trying to overthrow their oppressors. I did feel that this book did a really good job of showing how religion can be used to control people. At times, the writing in this did get repetitive, and there were a few info-dumps, the worst lasting for around two pages.
Plot
The plot in this was super quick moving, and I don't feel like there was ever a moment when it dragged. All of the characters' plans were fun to read and try and figure out, which kept it exciting. The ending was okay, I feel like it moved a bit fast and went a bit too well.
Characters
My favorite aspect of this book was the characters because we had so many different opinions on the conflict, and everyone had their own agenda. This book did have a very large cast of characters, but I didn't find it different to keep track of them as they were all very different. I feel that the author did a good job of showing Meg's transition from being spoiled.
Worldbuilding
At times, this felt like a somewhat forced sci-fi novel. Other planets continued to be mentioned, and the book would have been just as good without them. I wish we would've gotten to know more about the rest of their planet, and the dimensions on Meg's home planet, but hopefully those will be explored in the next book. I was never confused by the world, so that's a good sign.
Overall
I really enjoyed this as a break from normal YA. It was refreshing to read a book that didn't focus on romance, and instead focused on plot. This was definitely a page-turner, and kept you hooked.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Meg's abilities let her get away with anything. Until the spoiled shapeshifter is exiled to a dimension where magic is heresy and enchanted beings like herself are hunted and imprisoned. Worse still when night falls, she's unable to morph and left helpless against brutal raiders.
With no choice but to team up with a scrappy group of outcasts, Meg's survival depends on trusting others--even the Ordinaries. But when her newfound friends plan a daring jailbreak, she must decide if she's willing to lay her life on the line for a bunch of strangers.
Plot
The plot in this was super quick moving, and I don't feel like there was ever a moment when it dragged. All of the characters' plans were fun to read and try and figure out, which kept it exciting. The ending was okay, I feel like it moved a bit fast and went a bit too well.
Characters
My favorite aspect of this book was the characters because we had so many different opinions on the conflict, and everyone had their own agenda. This book did have a very large cast of characters, but I didn't find it different to keep track of them as they were all very different. I feel that the author did a good job of showing Meg's transition from being spoiled.
Worldbuilding
At times, this felt like a somewhat forced sci-fi novel. Other planets continued to be mentioned, and the book would have been just as good without them. I wish we would've gotten to know more about the rest of their planet, and the dimensions on Meg's home planet, but hopefully those will be explored in the next book. I was never confused by the world, so that's a good sign.
Overall
I really enjoyed this as a break from normal YA. It was refreshing to read a book that didn't focus on romance, and instead focused on plot. This was definitely a page-turner, and kept you hooked.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2020
Belief is a very strong thing. It is also something that people choose to manipulate for their own devious purposes at time. In a world with one choice to believe in, one man is running the show. However, his dictatorship is bound to fall when a group of shape shifters and magically driven form a coup. He is no match for them in end. It is well written and a story that just keeps going.
I received a free copy from Hidden Gems Books in return for an honest review.
I received a free copy from Hidden Gems Books in return for an honest review.
March 26, 2020
Great read this is a first for me by Beca and it won't be the last I enjoyed her style and world building it's definalty a page turner and I will be reading book 2!😍🤩🥰
June 11, 2020
Preface: I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating: 2.5 stars
This was not an enjoyable reading experience. Despite the relatively short length, I found this novel very difficult to get through purely because it was so boring and tedious. Characters repeat the same thoughts/feelings/exposition over and over throughout this entire novel, with the Preacher being the worst offender. Literally every one of the Preacher's POVs have him espousing the same discontent and feelings toward the island/Stryker, without actually taking any action. It was maddening.
The characterization was also pretty weak. Meg is selfish and wants to be a free-spirit, which could be intriguing, but her development comes off as very forced because we have no reason to care about any of the minor characters that are supposed to be impacting her change. They're all flat and interchangeable. There's also supposedly some sort of weird romance between her and another character, but they have absolutely no chemistry.
The worldbuilding was also a little confusing, as it seems to mix primitive technology with literal lasers for no reason, among other things. I also didn't understand why the magic users were the underdogs - Meg has the power to be literally anything, but somehow she's not strong enough to actually take anyone on herself, among other things. Also, despite being a super powerful shifter in a book specifically about shapeshifting, the extent of her shifting in this novel is being a raven a handful of times and slightly altering her appearance so the villains don't know who she is. Why is this all we get?
Finally, the plot is super underwhelming. Basically nothing of importance happens. The main characters fail to pull off their one mission, and the villain gets a critical item off-screen. Meg attempts to be useful, completely fails, and is saved by a deus ex machina. The end.
Overall, this book was a snoozefest, and I really wouldn't recommend it to most readers. The characters are flat, the narration is irritating, and the plot goes nowhere.
Actual rating: 2.5 stars
This was not an enjoyable reading experience. Despite the relatively short length, I found this novel very difficult to get through purely because it was so boring and tedious. Characters repeat the same thoughts/feelings/exposition over and over throughout this entire novel, with the Preacher being the worst offender. Literally every one of the Preacher's POVs have him espousing the same discontent and feelings toward the island/Stryker, without actually taking any action. It was maddening.
The characterization was also pretty weak. Meg is selfish and wants to be a free-spirit, which could be intriguing, but her development comes off as very forced because we have no reason to care about any of the minor characters that are supposed to be impacting her change. They're all flat and interchangeable. There's also supposedly some sort of weird romance between her and another character, but they have absolutely no chemistry.
The worldbuilding was also a little confusing, as it seems to mix primitive technology with literal lasers for no reason, among other things. I also didn't understand why the magic users were the underdogs - Meg has the power to be literally anything, but somehow she's not strong enough to actually take anyone on herself, among other things. Also, despite being a super powerful shifter in a book specifically about shapeshifting, the extent of her shifting in this novel is being a raven a handful of times and slightly altering her appearance so the villains don't know who she is. Why is this all we get?
Finally, the plot is super underwhelming. Basically nothing of importance happens. The main characters fail to pull off their one mission, and the villain gets a critical item off-screen. Meg attempts to be useful, completely fails, and is saved by a deus ex machina. The end.
Overall, this book was a snoozefest, and I really wouldn't recommend it to most readers. The characters are flat, the narration is irritating, and the plot goes nowhere.
November 8, 2022
Unique. First thing I noticed was the unique writing style that I wasn't used to, but I liked it nonetheless. There was almost no dialogue in the entire story. The intrigue and suspense was written in the narration. It was exciting, even unusual.
In one chapter would be about character 1 (All 3rd POV), their intentions, history, thoughts, what they know, and what they're planning. Then the next chapter will be about the character 2, their intentions, history, etc. and the fact that they knew what character 1 knew and was planning. They thus had a counter-plan to their plans.
Then character 3 came in. They knew all of what character 1 & 2 knew, and was planning. But well and behold, character 1 knows what character 3 knows and...
You get the point.
The plans for the antagonists seemed more solid than the protagonist group. The protagonists contradicted themselves at times and didn't come up with viable strategies even though things worked out for them in the end.
Part of the time I anticipated something happening or someone saying something, but it almost never happened. The story moved forward while skipping most of the action. Some of what happened wasn't completely clear.
It had a positive underlining message and character growth that I liked.
In one chapter would be about character 1 (All 3rd POV), their intentions, history, thoughts, what they know, and what they're planning. Then the next chapter will be about the character 2, their intentions, history, etc. and the fact that they knew what character 1 knew and was planning. They thus had a counter-plan to their plans.
Then character 3 came in. They knew all of what character 1 & 2 knew, and was planning. But well and behold, character 1 knows what character 3 knows and...
You get the point.
The plans for the antagonists seemed more solid than the protagonist group. The protagonists contradicted themselves at times and didn't come up with viable strategies even though things worked out for them in the end.
Part of the time I anticipated something happening or someone saying something, but it almost never happened. The story moved forward while skipping most of the action. Some of what happened wasn't completely clear.
It had a positive underlining message and character growth that I liked.
March 12, 2020
Wow. That is all I can say about this book. It kept me on my toes waiting to find out what came next. I was left wanting more and I am very eager to read anything written by this writer. This book had everything I like in the fantasy genre. I would definitely recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 4, 2020
ONE PERSON IS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN LIFE
I received this book for free and am giving my honest and voluntary review
Meg is a spoiled young lady from the planet Erda. She runs away and is transported to the planet Thamus where all people of magic are being imprisoned and murdered under the guise of a new god, Aaron-Lem, a non-magical man. Meg’s behavior and belief that she is superior to everyone, including her sister, causes her to be banished by the portal maker who sent her to Thamus. This book teaches how to love, make friends and not be so self-righteous and self-serving. Meg learns a lot and the book ends with one wondering what happens next. This is definitely a cliff-hanging story.
I received this book for free and am giving my honest and voluntary review
Meg is a spoiled young lady from the planet Erda. She runs away and is transported to the planet Thamus where all people of magic are being imprisoned and murdered under the guise of a new god, Aaron-Lem, a non-magical man. Meg’s behavior and belief that she is superior to everyone, including her sister, causes her to be banished by the portal maker who sent her to Thamus. This book teaches how to love, make friends and not be so self-righteous and self-serving. Meg learns a lot and the book ends with one wondering what happens next. This is definitely a cliff-hanging story.
June 6, 2020
** I received a complementary ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review**
Banished takes place in a world of magic and shape shifting and a place where the battle for power has violent ramifications on everyone. I thought that the premise for this book was quite clever and pulled in the genre of fantasy and a bit of sci-fi in a cool way. I just wasn’t the biggest fan of the result. Maybe because I’m much more of a character-focus person, and I just felt like the character development was lacking on anything below surface level, I just couldn’t really get into the book as much as I would have liked. That being said, it’s an interesting story with clever world building and fits into its genre quite well.
Banished takes place in a world of magic and shape shifting and a place where the battle for power has violent ramifications on everyone. I thought that the premise for this book was quite clever and pulled in the genre of fantasy and a bit of sci-fi in a cool way. I just wasn’t the biggest fan of the result. Maybe because I’m much more of a character-focus person, and I just felt like the character development was lacking on anything below surface level, I just couldn’t really get into the book as much as I would have liked. That being said, it’s an interesting story with clever world building and fits into its genre quite well.
May 19, 2020
Another wonderful read! So now we get to find out about another character referenced in the previous series. A very different character, I might say. Couldn't wait to find out how this was all going to turn out!!!
June 6, 2020
This has the potential to be a great read. I found it very slow and hard to get into, I stuck with it but would not continue with the series. I didnt connect with the characters - most likely because the was no depth to them. It is an okay read in my opinion
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews