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Exiles
In Daniel Blythe’s science fiction epic, Exiles, Bethany Kane escapes the catastrophic failure of the colony ship on which she was born and makes landfall in an escape pod on a windswept world known as The Edge. She is light years from civilisation in more ways than one. Battered and shaken, she soon finds she is not alone.A teenaged group find her and take her back to where they live and work in some semblance of society. They call it Town. It sits on a converted scientific base in the shadow of a crashed spaceship.Beth struggles to adjust to her new life, beset by fears but desperate to learn new skills and earn the respect of the others, in particular the leader Zach, and the resentful Mia.When a terrible, violent event shatters the colony’s existence, fragile ties and loyalties are breached. Is every one of them clinging to a secret? And just how isolated are they really?
494 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 5, 2019
1 person is currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Blythe
86 books32 followersDaniel Blythe was born in Maidstone and educated at Maidstone Grammar School and St John’s College, Oxford. He is the author of three Doctor Who novels including Autonomy, as well as the novels The Cut, Losing Faith and This Is The Day. He has also written the non-fiction books The Encyclopaedia Of Classic 80s Pop, I Hate Christmas: A Manifesto for the Modern-Day Scrooge, Dadlands: The Alternative Handbook For New Fathers, the irreverent politics primer X Marks The Box and the collectors' guide Collecting Gadgets and Games from the 1950s-90s. In 2012, Chicken House published his book for younger readers, Shadow Runners. His Emerald Greene books for younger readers are also out now. Daniel now lives in Yorkshire, on the edge of the Peak District, with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 22, 2019
In this quite extraordinary novel we have a piece of science fiction that could well become a literary classic. The combination of figurative language, timeless universal themes, and adventure shown through the eyes of carefully realised and presented characters places this work high above many in the genre. In fact, it can’t really be confined by the strictures of genre; it’s far too ubiquitous and representative to be shackled by labels.
The author sets this tale on a planet at the very edge of space, signalling his intention to employ the themes of the outcast and the marginalised to convey his story. And what a story it is: complex, devious, twisting, multifaceted, deep, involving, startling, engaging and, ultimately, deeply satisfying.
I read a fair amount and amongst my selection is a good deal of science fiction. This book gripped me from the outset and clung to my attention and imagination throughout. It’s a novel I didn’t want to put down once started.
We’re faced with a cast of flawed players dumped into a dead-end world with almost no hope of ever living through the challenges they face, let alone escaping them. Abandoned, rejected, tossed away without concern by a commercially driven uncaring galactic authority, the Towners are effectively left to rot on their prison home. There is no hope of escape, no likelihood of rescue, no chance of redemption. They must survive or die. Faced with a hostile environment populated by vicious native wildlife, they must find ways to adapt if they are to find any sort of future.
When the unreliable and old tech they’ve inherited begins to fail and some unknown force becomes a murderous threat, the disparate crew of misfits and criminals must decide whether to trust the quixotic judgment of their self-appointed leader or take note of the newcomer who fell from the sky in an escape pod. She faces doubt, suspicion and threat increased by her inability to explain her arrival; her story of being ejected from the exploding mother ship she previously occupied in some luxury is hard for them to swallow, but it’s the only story she knows.
Amid the ensuing death and destruction, and the rebellion of old servile tech, courage, honesty and justice rise to spur on those who would rather risk all for the sake of their small community.
Parallels with contemporary life on Earth are clear to the perceptive reader who will recognise the barriers, challenges and problems facing this small group of determined survivors. You’ll definitely want to know what happens to the people depicted in this great read.
The author sets this tale on a planet at the very edge of space, signalling his intention to employ the themes of the outcast and the marginalised to convey his story. And what a story it is: complex, devious, twisting, multifaceted, deep, involving, startling, engaging and, ultimately, deeply satisfying.
I read a fair amount and amongst my selection is a good deal of science fiction. This book gripped me from the outset and clung to my attention and imagination throughout. It’s a novel I didn’t want to put down once started.
We’re faced with a cast of flawed players dumped into a dead-end world with almost no hope of ever living through the challenges they face, let alone escaping them. Abandoned, rejected, tossed away without concern by a commercially driven uncaring galactic authority, the Towners are effectively left to rot on their prison home. There is no hope of escape, no likelihood of rescue, no chance of redemption. They must survive or die. Faced with a hostile environment populated by vicious native wildlife, they must find ways to adapt if they are to find any sort of future.
When the unreliable and old tech they’ve inherited begins to fail and some unknown force becomes a murderous threat, the disparate crew of misfits and criminals must decide whether to trust the quixotic judgment of their self-appointed leader or take note of the newcomer who fell from the sky in an escape pod. She faces doubt, suspicion and threat increased by her inability to explain her arrival; her story of being ejected from the exploding mother ship she previously occupied in some luxury is hard for them to swallow, but it’s the only story she knows.
Amid the ensuing death and destruction, and the rebellion of old servile tech, courage, honesty and justice rise to spur on those who would rather risk all for the sake of their small community.
Parallels with contemporary life on Earth are clear to the perceptive reader who will recognise the barriers, challenges and problems facing this small group of determined survivors. You’ll definitely want to know what happens to the people depicted in this great read.
September 29, 2022
An exciting dystopian read that’s thought-provoking, foreboding and impactful. The brilliant writing builds a complex and vast world which grabbed me from the get go, and it’s so descriptive and engaging it placed me right there feeling like I was experiencing it alongside the characters! There’s a plentiful supply of intrigue and suspense interspersed which had me eagerly turning the pages, on the other hand I didn’t want the story to end!
A group of children are abandoned on a desolate planet – it’s a hostile environment as they try to build a life and future together. The flawed characters are multi-layered and their growth well written – my opinions of some changed as the story moved forward and I wasn’t always sure if they were a “good” or “bad guy,” which made for an entertaining read! I loved the multiple points of view which helped me get to know each character in a meaningful way, each bringing something different to the story, and it was easy to feel invested in them – I needed to know how their journey would end!
Beth, a newcomer ends up landing on their turf and the perspective of an outsider is perfectly conveyed. When weird and dangerous things start happening, and amidst paranoia and panic, it’s easy to blame the outsider as a fix to all their problems. We see how easily and quickly a community can be driven apart and how morality and justice can become twisted and distorted as they try to cling to a sense of civilisation and their humanity. Outside the usual structures of society their true natures are revealed as they fight for their survival – it’s gripping to see how far they will go!
It’s an eye-opening read and holds a mirror up to human nature showing it at its very best and worst. Those with power can become corrupted by it, there’s the strength of the human spirit and how resilient it can be, the power of hope, rebellion and revolution, brutality, courage, and what fear can drive people to do.
As the community is pushed to its limit in the ultimate fight for survival they must discover who their true enemy is. I was hooked throughout, especially as the pace and urgency picked up and the full terror of the situation is revealed. I’d recommend to any dystopian, sci-fi lover – this will be a new fave read!
With thanks to @ZooloosBT, @danblythewriter and @SpellBoundBks for a place on the tour and the opportunity to read and review this book.
A group of children are abandoned on a desolate planet – it’s a hostile environment as they try to build a life and future together. The flawed characters are multi-layered and their growth well written – my opinions of some changed as the story moved forward and I wasn’t always sure if they were a “good” or “bad guy,” which made for an entertaining read! I loved the multiple points of view which helped me get to know each character in a meaningful way, each bringing something different to the story, and it was easy to feel invested in them – I needed to know how their journey would end!
Beth, a newcomer ends up landing on their turf and the perspective of an outsider is perfectly conveyed. When weird and dangerous things start happening, and amidst paranoia and panic, it’s easy to blame the outsider as a fix to all their problems. We see how easily and quickly a community can be driven apart and how morality and justice can become twisted and distorted as they try to cling to a sense of civilisation and their humanity. Outside the usual structures of society their true natures are revealed as they fight for their survival – it’s gripping to see how far they will go!
It’s an eye-opening read and holds a mirror up to human nature showing it at its very best and worst. Those with power can become corrupted by it, there’s the strength of the human spirit and how resilient it can be, the power of hope, rebellion and revolution, brutality, courage, and what fear can drive people to do.
As the community is pushed to its limit in the ultimate fight for survival they must discover who their true enemy is. I was hooked throughout, especially as the pace and urgency picked up and the full terror of the situation is revealed. I’d recommend to any dystopian, sci-fi lover – this will be a new fave read!
With thanks to @ZooloosBT, @danblythewriter and @SpellBoundBks for a place on the tour and the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 3, 2020
Daniel Blythe has created a world far in the future, so believable, you would live in it for the duration of your read. The characters have depth and authenticity, I kept thinking about them long after I have finished the book. I am an avid reader and a writer myself and also very choosy in what I read. After a lifetime of devouring books of all sorts, these days, I find it rare for a book to truly get under my skin and make an impact. But the EXILES surely did. It is by far one of the best science fiction novels I read in a long time. The beautiful narrative and the world-building is exquisite. TASTY! The Edge as a whole new world connects through the story with the wider picture of the human state. There are no omissions, no wholes in the plot just a masterfully knitted novel which excites and entertains. Writing science fiction requires a special set of skills and Daniel Blythe proves to be the master of them all ( imagery, world-building, character development, pace, prose, plot...). I rarely write a review on books ( bad or good), but after finishing the Exiles, writing a review was the first thing I wanted to do. As someone in love with sci-fi, I am forever looking for a new, fresh theme and a story that has never been told before in a new world, with new 'people'. There are so many sub-standard sci-fi books out there, so much repeating of what was said before, that finding EXILES was like winning a lottery. Stop looking and enjoy this read. It's flawless.
October 9, 2022
I love dystopia novels so was looking forward to reading this one. Daniel has built a great landscape and the characters are very well developed with their own back stories and flaws.
Throughout the book I was hooked and didn't want to put it down.
The story flows and was a very good read, can't wait to read more by Daniel.
Throughout the book I was hooked and didn't want to put it down.
The story flows and was a very good read, can't wait to read more by Daniel.
October 24, 2022
Exiles by Daniel Blythes.
In a distant galaxy, Bethany Kane has cheated death.
Now, she has to fight for life.In an escape pod launched from a great starship, 15-year-old ChapterSister Bethany Aurelia Kane, believer in the Great Power, makes landfall on a windswept world known as The Edge – a planet light years from civilisation.
I really enjoyed this book. Hope there is more to come. 4*.
In a distant galaxy, Bethany Kane has cheated death.
Now, she has to fight for life.In an escape pod launched from a great starship, 15-year-old ChapterSister Bethany Aurelia Kane, believer in the Great Power, makes landfall on a windswept world known as The Edge – a planet light years from civilisation.
I really enjoyed this book. Hope there is more to come. 4*.
January 31, 2023
So great!! Will definitely read again someday and am really looking forward to a second book! The reality created in the book is so captivating, and I just love all the sci-fi aspects. The characters have so much depth and are all really unique. I could totally see this being a movie - 100% recommend, I really enjoyed.
March 18, 2025
A community of teens and tweens stranded on an alien planet. What a perfect way to begin a sci fi tale.
Exiles by Daniel Blythe is a long read but absolutely worth it. There’s a lot of characters but the author made sure that none of them were forgettable. Neither was the world they inhabited, from the sci fi technology and drones, to the alien planet with its blue sand and animals they hunt, and the political differences in the rest of the universe.
I massively enjoyed reading Exiles. I wanted to know what these young people were going to face next, especially Mia and Maddi. I have to admit that I didn’t really like Beth until the final struggle began, but the way she unsettled the balance of Town was brilliantly developed.
All in all, if you like sci fi, tales of survival, and YA, read Exiles. What’s even better is that the story continues in the next novel, Voyagers.
Exiles by Daniel Blythe is a long read but absolutely worth it. There’s a lot of characters but the author made sure that none of them were forgettable. Neither was the world they inhabited, from the sci fi technology and drones, to the alien planet with its blue sand and animals they hunt, and the political differences in the rest of the universe.
I massively enjoyed reading Exiles. I wanted to know what these young people were going to face next, especially Mia and Maddi. I have to admit that I didn’t really like Beth until the final struggle began, but the way she unsettled the balance of Town was brilliantly developed.
All in all, if you like sci fi, tales of survival, and YA, read Exiles. What’s even better is that the story continues in the next novel, Voyagers.
November 22, 2019
The author has really upped his game with this book. If you like Sci Fi, you will love this. I can even picture this on the big screen. I can’t recommend it highly enough!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews