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Exile
Vengeance. Atonement. Exile.
After killing a paladin in revenge for her family, Squire Bryn is cast out by order of the god Avgorath himself. Now she seeks atonement with the father of the dead paladin. But machinations far greater than a disgraced squire are at play. Unicorn riders—believed to be only legend—ride through the land. A young sorcerer needs help in finding his father, and a mystery brews that could hold the fate of two worlds.
Will hatred prove stronger than the need to preserve a crumbling world?
Authors 4 Authors Content RatingThis title has been rated 14+, appropriate for teens, and
moderate languageintense violencebrief kissingnegative moderate alcohol usenegative mild fantasy drug useFor more information on our rating system, please, visit Authors4AuthorsPublishing.com/books/r...
After killing a paladin in revenge for her family, Squire Bryn is cast out by order of the god Avgorath himself. Now she seeks atonement with the father of the dead paladin. But machinations far greater than a disgraced squire are at play. Unicorn riders—believed to be only legend—ride through the land. A young sorcerer needs help in finding his father, and a mystery brews that could hold the fate of two worlds.
Will hatred prove stronger than the need to preserve a crumbling world?
Authors 4 Authors Content RatingThis title has been rated 14+, appropriate for teens, and
moderate languageintense violencebrief kissingnegative moderate alcohol usenegative mild fantasy drug useFor more information on our rating system, please, visit Authors4AuthorsPublishing.com/books/r...
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2020
12 people want to read
About the author
Melion Traverse
11 books8 followersMelion Traverse lives with one spouse, two dogs, and a mostly acceptable amount of chaos. Melion's short stories have appeared in a variety of publications including Deep Magic, Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores, and Cast of Wonders. Melion is the author of the YA fantasy novel Exile.
When not writing, Melion trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and other martial arts, practices historical fencing, reads Latin, lifts weights, and wages the eternal Battle of the Dog Fur while consuming an unhealthy amount of caffeine.
When not writing, Melion trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and other martial arts, practices historical fencing, reads Latin, lifts weights, and wages the eternal Battle of the Dog Fur while consuming an unhealthy amount of caffeine.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 6, 2021
I had a great time reading this book! The trio of Bryn, Eckard, and Erland make for an exciting cast as they journey together. I appreciated the book's play with mythical creatures, magic, spirits, and the general feel of otherworldliness. I also liked watching the characters grow and change together. If part of a series, looking forward to the second! (Side note: the author knows a lot about horses!)
December 25, 2021
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free copy provided for a review
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I requested a free ebook of this novel a long time ago and I wasn't really thinking about whether or not it would be for me, I just went off the cover and all 5 star reviews.
I didn't really think about how much I hate books/movies/etc set in this time period...
I didn't find this interesting, I'm sorry. after a whole 20% of this book (it's super long) I knew I wasn't gonna like it but I really wanted to finish cause I had to review it.
another unfortunate case of "it's not you, it's me," so bad that I skimmed through like half of it.
it just wasn't for me! but if medieval fiction like this interests you, maybe you'd enjoy it.
honestly, I'm sorry, but I can't tell you much about the plot, or characters, because I was so not invested in it that I kept zoning out and I feel like I'd already forgotten everything that happened.
my bad !
I requested a free ebook of this novel a long time ago and I wasn't really thinking about whether or not it would be for me, I just went off the cover and all 5 star reviews.
I didn't really think about how much I hate books/movies/etc set in this time period...
I didn't find this interesting, I'm sorry. after a whole 20% of this book (it's super long) I knew I wasn't gonna like it but I really wanted to finish cause I had to review it.
another unfortunate case of "it's not you, it's me," so bad that I skimmed through like half of it.
it just wasn't for me! but if medieval fiction like this interests you, maybe you'd enjoy it.
honestly, I'm sorry, but I can't tell you much about the plot, or characters, because I was so not invested in it that I kept zoning out and I feel like I'd already forgotten everything that happened.
my bad !
April 25, 2021
I went into this book with few expectations. It was a fantasy about a girl seeking atonement. That is all I knew. I did not expect to get swept away in a sprawling world with slow-burn world-building or magical prose. This story took me on an adventure, and I loved it. This book felt like I'd gotten caught up in some Skyrim quest, exploring the land and setting undead skeletons on fire and helping townsfolk. It had a very classic feel to it.
And oh, the prose! This book made me feel the wind in my hair and the grass under my feet, without every leaving the comfort of the indoors. It painted the scenery with a masterful hand, and as a writer, I took notes. I wish I'd gotten the kindle edition so I could have highlighted. (I'm not so much a heathen as to take a highlighter to a paper copy.) But Melion did an amazing job at painting this fantastic world of ruins and mystery and medieval workings.
I also enjoyed the fight scenes. I generally skim over fight scenes in books because they bore me, because it gets so technical and I don't care, but Exile didn't do that. The fight scenes had a purpose other than to be a fight scene. They furthered the plot and/or character development.
The purpose of the exile was for Bryn and Eckard to atone for what they'd done. And they do. The path they take to get there feels so natural. Everything that happens is another brick in their building atonement, and it happens gradually amid self-doubt and backtracking, which is what made it feel normal. The paths the characters take felt realistic.
I also enjoyed the faith aspect throughout the book. Bryn stuck to her faith in her god and never wavered. In moments of darkness, she sought out her faith to steady herself. It's rare anymore to see fictional characters calling on their faith for spiritual steadiness. It seems as though more and more authors are writing characters than turn away from their faith, and it is refreshing to see a character who does the opposite.
Exile by Melion Traverse gets a shield-smashing 5 out of 5 from me. It highly recommend it anyone that enjoys a refreshing and adventurous fantasy.
And oh, the prose! This book made me feel the wind in my hair and the grass under my feet, without every leaving the comfort of the indoors. It painted the scenery with a masterful hand, and as a writer, I took notes. I wish I'd gotten the kindle edition so I could have highlighted. (I'm not so much a heathen as to take a highlighter to a paper copy.) But Melion did an amazing job at painting this fantastic world of ruins and mystery and medieval workings.
I also enjoyed the fight scenes. I generally skim over fight scenes in books because they bore me, because it gets so technical and I don't care, but Exile didn't do that. The fight scenes had a purpose other than to be a fight scene. They furthered the plot and/or character development.
The purpose of the exile was for Bryn and Eckard to atone for what they'd done. And they do. The path they take to get there feels so natural. Everything that happens is another brick in their building atonement, and it happens gradually amid self-doubt and backtracking, which is what made it feel normal. The paths the characters take felt realistic.
I also enjoyed the faith aspect throughout the book. Bryn stuck to her faith in her god and never wavered. In moments of darkness, she sought out her faith to steady herself. It's rare anymore to see fictional characters calling on their faith for spiritual steadiness. It seems as though more and more authors are writing characters than turn away from their faith, and it is refreshing to see a character who does the opposite.
Exile by Melion Traverse gets a shield-smashing 5 out of 5 from me. It highly recommend it anyone that enjoys a refreshing and adventurous fantasy.
September 28, 2021
A wonderful story set in a world that has a perfect balance of familiar and fantastic.
I was curious how the aspect of two enemies going on a journey of redemption would work. Because there had to be a good reason for them to hate each other. There had to be a good reason for their punishment and journey. But it also needed to be something that they'd be able to work past.
I think it was set up well with both their crimes and how each came to commit them. I could understand each's pain. But also see that neither one was evil and how they could be expected to work around to forgiveness.
I enjoyed the journey and loved seeing the characters grow. I'll admit the names of Erland and Eckard confused me. I still couldn't tell you off the top of my head which name went to which character! I'm abysmally unable to separate similar names.
I'm not really reviewing this year and I wish I had the energy to give this the time it deserves but I at least wanted to leave a quick note stating my enjoyment of story.
I was curious how the aspect of two enemies going on a journey of redemption would work. Because there had to be a good reason for them to hate each other. There had to be a good reason for their punishment and journey. But it also needed to be something that they'd be able to work past.
I think it was set up well with both their crimes and how each came to commit them. I could understand each's pain. But also see that neither one was evil and how they could be expected to work around to forgiveness.
I enjoyed the journey and loved seeing the characters grow. I'll admit the names of Erland and Eckard confused me. I still couldn't tell you off the top of my head which name went to which character! I'm abysmally unable to separate similar names.
I'm not really reviewing this year and I wish I had the energy to give this the time it deserves but I at least wanted to leave a quick note stating my enjoyment of story.
December 19, 2020
Everything about this book is just beautiful. The writing is so delicate and poetic, it was a true pleasure to read. Page one starts the story off at a cracking pace and it doesn’t let up. Bryn is a fantastic character, likeable and relatable, and the plot takes her to some very interesting places and crossing the paths of interesting characters. The medieval elements are masterfully woven into the tale and interspersed with fresh and familiar fantasy tropes. A pleasure to read. I’m excited for the next book to come from this author.
November 11, 2021
An absolute gem. The author’s voice is fresh and different. Flawless prose, unique characters, and a plot that keeps you on your toes. I finished it in a matter of days because I simply couldn’t put it down. I loved the perfectly timed comedy sprinkled expertly throughout the story, namely in the MC’s running dialogue in her head. I laughed. I was brought to tears. I bought the Kindle version, but I definitely need a hard copy for my bookshelf. Highly recommend if you want a fresh take on fantasy adventure!
May 23, 2021
A interesting setup word with a strong female character and a good medieval fantasy story I got this book for free and honest review
May 13, 2022
This book says profound things and says them profoundly well
I'm about to gush like those fruit gushers candies. If Goodreads provided a hidden sixth star somewhere in the page source, I'd enable it because 5 stars are not enough. This books does all the things to readers that books are supposed to do: provide an experience beyond what you can get in real life and press all your pathos buttons along the way. And boy does it press those buttons! It almost made me cry twice. The geese out in my front lawn got bumps as I read this book. The themes of forgiveness and redemption are strong the whole way through, and the way the main characters have to win in the end even draw from that. Warned you I was going to gush. Now I'm going to gush some more. This time by sharing just a fraction of the quotes I loved, by category:
Big pathos guns:
"O Avgorath, I cannot even pray. I have never hated someone so thoroughly, my Lord. How do I pray when I want him dead? How do I show your righteous mercy when I have none left in me?"
"Mother. Father. Forgive me. You raised me better than this. Aulus, I am sorry—I am unworthy of you."
"Now Bryn had learned that she could be assured of nothing--good and beautiful things could be destroyed in an instant on one man's order. Or with one sword stroke."
"How far back would a person reach to erase a sin? Would a person know if they were pruning a dead branch or a living limb?"
"I am in this moment. Avgorath, I am in this moment and I am your imperfect servant."
Vivid prose:
"...he glanced about the room as though drinking the scene down to the dregs."
"...frothing thoughts howling in her skull."
"Dust grimed his features"
"It was a nice laugh that reminded Bryn of church bells on a feast day with the sun warm across the courtyard and the smell of rich food soaking the air..."
"When he looked back at his son, a hundred years seemed to have gathered in his eyes"
Keen observations:
"The first was a young man--not much more than a boy just growing into his limbs"
"She knew it like she knew the shift of weather in the scent of the wind, or the way a body betrayed fear in small motions even beneath armor."
"No one can outrun themselves."
Points of realism:
"Bryn half-sworded her weapon, one hand on the blade as she stabbed again and again."--Most authors don't think to include legit HEMA techniques like this :)
"Erland had gone pale, but she admired his steady hand as he led his horse--she'd seen people get so nervous before a battle that they'd hold the reins too high near the mouth and shake so badly that they'd pull on the bit and upset the horse."--holy attention to detail!
"Bryn glanced upwards, just to see whether arrows might be trained on them."--stuff like this fully convinced me that Bryn is a trained fighter.
And when Bryn turned down a huge offer from a bigshot character, I was so proud of her. (I think I said that in a non-spoilery way. If not, just forget what I said.) I can tell this author not only does her research, but actually wears armor and practices historical european martial arts. Seriously. And, Dear Avgorath, her writing craftsmanship is so good I'm going to reread it just to take notes. The world needs more books like this. Books that have a message that readers desperately need to hear.
Now I'm done gushing. Until her next book, that is.
I'm about to gush like those fruit gushers candies. If Goodreads provided a hidden sixth star somewhere in the page source, I'd enable it because 5 stars are not enough. This books does all the things to readers that books are supposed to do: provide an experience beyond what you can get in real life and press all your pathos buttons along the way. And boy does it press those buttons! It almost made me cry twice. The geese out in my front lawn got bumps as I read this book. The themes of forgiveness and redemption are strong the whole way through, and the way the main characters have to win in the end even draw from that. Warned you I was going to gush. Now I'm going to gush some more. This time by sharing just a fraction of the quotes I loved, by category:
Big pathos guns:
"O Avgorath, I cannot even pray. I have never hated someone so thoroughly, my Lord. How do I pray when I want him dead? How do I show your righteous mercy when I have none left in me?"
"Mother. Father. Forgive me. You raised me better than this. Aulus, I am sorry—I am unworthy of you."
"Now Bryn had learned that she could be assured of nothing--good and beautiful things could be destroyed in an instant on one man's order. Or with one sword stroke."
"How far back would a person reach to erase a sin? Would a person know if they were pruning a dead branch or a living limb?"
"I am in this moment. Avgorath, I am in this moment and I am your imperfect servant."
Vivid prose:
"...he glanced about the room as though drinking the scene down to the dregs."
"...frothing thoughts howling in her skull."
"Dust grimed his features"
"It was a nice laugh that reminded Bryn of church bells on a feast day with the sun warm across the courtyard and the smell of rich food soaking the air..."
"When he looked back at his son, a hundred years seemed to have gathered in his eyes"
Keen observations:
"The first was a young man--not much more than a boy just growing into his limbs"
"She knew it like she knew the shift of weather in the scent of the wind, or the way a body betrayed fear in small motions even beneath armor."
"No one can outrun themselves."
Points of realism:
"Bryn half-sworded her weapon, one hand on the blade as she stabbed again and again."--Most authors don't think to include legit HEMA techniques like this :)
"Erland had gone pale, but she admired his steady hand as he led his horse--she'd seen people get so nervous before a battle that they'd hold the reins too high near the mouth and shake so badly that they'd pull on the bit and upset the horse."--holy attention to detail!
"Bryn glanced upwards, just to see whether arrows might be trained on them."--stuff like this fully convinced me that Bryn is a trained fighter.
And when Bryn turned down a huge offer from a bigshot character, I was so proud of her. (I think I said that in a non-spoilery way. If not, just forget what I said.) I can tell this author not only does her research, but actually wears armor and practices historical european martial arts. Seriously. And, Dear Avgorath, her writing craftsmanship is so good I'm going to reread it just to take notes. The world needs more books like this. Books that have a message that readers desperately need to hear.
Now I'm done gushing. Until her next book, that is.
July 8, 2025
I got this book because I liked the story blurb, though I wasn't crazy about the cover. Still, I'm delighted I got it. The book is written from a single point of view, Bryn's. That was a bit hard to follow at first, as she was somewhat annoying. This worked in the end, though. We get to watch as Bryn grows, matures, and truly blossoms. I enjoyed her so much that I want to keep following her story. What does she do next? Her companions, Ekard and Erland, are just as enjoyable to follow.
The story building was nice. It fit my style of reading well. I don't care for too much detail within the story building. The author included just enough to pull you into the story, but not so much that your eyes started to glaze over from boredom. The overall story kept me coming back for more, curious about what happens next.
If you like high fantasy, I recommend this book. It has the swords and sorcery of a good fantasy, with people and relationships you come to care about.
The story building was nice. It fit my style of reading well. I don't care for too much detail within the story building. The author included just enough to pull you into the story, but not so much that your eyes started to glaze over from boredom. The overall story kept me coming back for more, curious about what happens next.
If you like high fantasy, I recommend this book. It has the swords and sorcery of a good fantasy, with people and relationships you come to care about.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews