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Exiles #1
Exiles
An experiment in survival awaits estranged twin sisters in a thrilling science fiction adventure by the authors of The Rule of One series.
Is fear the killer of dreams?
It’s been twelve years since the 2040 Quake rocked the Golden State, fracturing Los Angeles and the fortunes of millions. It’s been six years since tech billionaire Damon Yates founded his elite academy, giving Unfortunates from the wrong side of his hyperloop tracks a new future at Quest Campus, tucked away in the Santa Monica Mountains. But an endeavor that sought to bridge a divide only tore eighteen-year-old twin sisters apart.
Jade is a street-savvy adrenaline seeker ruling the city’s downtrodden eastside. Crys is an influential socialite ensconced in Yates’s westside mansion—every bit her foster father’s daughter. After the mysterious murder of one of the academy’s brightest, Jade sets out with her factious band of exiles to prove there’s something sinister going on behind the walls of Yates’s exclusive empire. But to expose the earthshaking truth, Jade needs her estranged sister back on her side.
There’s a big problem, though: Crys is inexplicably terrified of her own twin’s face.
Combining a thrilling mystery with an examination of class difference, Exiles is an explosive coming-of-age adventure about living in—and doing anything to survive—the technologically advanced metropolis of the unshakable City of Dreams.
Is fear the killer of dreams?
It’s been twelve years since the 2040 Quake rocked the Golden State, fracturing Los Angeles and the fortunes of millions. It’s been six years since tech billionaire Damon Yates founded his elite academy, giving Unfortunates from the wrong side of his hyperloop tracks a new future at Quest Campus, tucked away in the Santa Monica Mountains. But an endeavor that sought to bridge a divide only tore eighteen-year-old twin sisters apart.
Jade is a street-savvy adrenaline seeker ruling the city’s downtrodden eastside. Crys is an influential socialite ensconced in Yates’s westside mansion—every bit her foster father’s daughter. After the mysterious murder of one of the academy’s brightest, Jade sets out with her factious band of exiles to prove there’s something sinister going on behind the walls of Yates’s exclusive empire. But to expose the earthshaking truth, Jade needs her estranged sister back on her side.
There’s a big problem, though: Crys is inexplicably terrified of her own twin’s face.
Combining a thrilling mystery with an examination of class difference, Exiles is an explosive coming-of-age adventure about living in—and doing anything to survive—the technologically advanced metropolis of the unshakable City of Dreams.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2022
2671 people are currently reading
8946 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Saunders
8 books431 followersTwin sisters Ashley Saunders and Leslie Saunders are the authors of The Rule of One dystopian series and the forthcoming Exiles duology. The sisters honed their love of storytelling in film school at the University of Texas at Austin. After just under a decade penning screenplays and directing commercials, the sisters deliberately stumbled into the world of novel writing. They vow to never leave it. The duo can be found with their Boston terriers in sunny Los Angeles, exploring hiking trails and drinking entirely too much yerba maté.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
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September 3, 2022Rival twins where one sister can’t stand the sight of the other (literally)?! A book by twin co-authors about twin protagonists?! I might be biased but . . . I’d read that ☺
August 3, 2022
Enjoyable
This near-future ya science fiction was enjoyable, albeit pretty predictable; I will look out for the sequel next year.
Love the idea of twins writing the dual perspectives of twins together.
This near-future ya science fiction was enjoyable, albeit pretty predictable; I will look out for the sequel next year.
Love the idea of twins writing the dual perspectives of twins together.
July 28, 2022
As a fan of grounded sci-fi fantasy, I loved it!
Exiles is a great adventure scifi mystery set in a grounded futuristic Los Angeles. The writers imagine an all too believable future world with haves vs have nots and the influence of rich tech billionaires our society. There's a lot of fun characters in this that center around an intriguing rivalry between estranged twin sisters. The world building in this book is great, from the future tech to the realistic reimagining of what our future as a society could look like. There are elements that remind me of Blade Runner, Final Fantasy and other great scifi stories.
I really enjoyed their writing style - which I best describe as cinematic storytelling: plenty of action, mystery and twists. The story moves quickly and opens up a whole world that I am looking forward to reading more of - so glad there is a sequel!
Exiles is a great adventure scifi mystery set in a grounded futuristic Los Angeles. The writers imagine an all too believable future world with haves vs have nots and the influence of rich tech billionaires our society. There's a lot of fun characters in this that center around an intriguing rivalry between estranged twin sisters. The world building in this book is great, from the future tech to the realistic reimagining of what our future as a society could look like. There are elements that remind me of Blade Runner, Final Fantasy and other great scifi stories.
I really enjoyed their writing style - which I best describe as cinematic storytelling: plenty of action, mystery and twists. The story moves quickly and opens up a whole world that I am looking forward to reading more of - so glad there is a sequel!
August 11, 2022
Technology out of Control
Let me just say, "Wow!" I haven't been this impressed with a near future, young adult book ever! Exiles can stand beside solidly written Science Fiction for a Hugo award any day.
The twin sister authors excel in drawing you into the hearts and minds of each character. Slowly plumbing the depths of each plotline, crucial pieces of the master plan are thrown at you just when you think you've figured out what's going on.
What I appreciated the most is that the enormity and monstrousness of overview isn't even hinted at until the end. And, because this is only the first book in the series, I'm so invested, I have to read the rest of the books.
I'm giving this a solid five star recommendation and, word to the wise to adult readers, don't miss this just because it's tagged as a young adult book, you'll regret it.
Let me just say, "Wow!" I haven't been this impressed with a near future, young adult book ever! Exiles can stand beside solidly written Science Fiction for a Hugo award any day.
The twin sister authors excel in drawing you into the hearts and minds of each character. Slowly plumbing the depths of each plotline, crucial pieces of the master plan are thrown at you just when you think you've figured out what's going on.
What I appreciated the most is that the enormity and monstrousness of overview isn't even hinted at until the end. And, because this is only the first book in the series, I'm so invested, I have to read the rest of the books.
I'm giving this a solid five star recommendation and, word to the wise to adult readers, don't miss this just because it's tagged as a young adult book, you'll regret it.
August 2, 2022
Rating: 1.2/5
Although is isn't really made clear from the accompanying blurb, this is "Young Adult" fiction. This book is certainly not the "near future thriller" that it is described as being in the Amazon Editor notes.
There is a marked absence of proper scene setting and depth of characterisation. It doesn't feel like the first book in a series, it feels more like you have been dropped into the middle of an existing one and are simply expected to know the background. The action is pacy, but it is all too superficial and clichéd.
"Exiles" is YA science fiction, but not a particularly good example. It may have made for a passable short story / novella, but as a full-length novel it falls woefully short of the mark. "Amazon First Reads" really needs to make better material than this available to its customers.
Although is isn't really made clear from the accompanying blurb, this is "Young Adult" fiction. This book is certainly not the "near future thriller" that it is described as being in the Amazon Editor notes.
There is a marked absence of proper scene setting and depth of characterisation. It doesn't feel like the first book in a series, it feels more like you have been dropped into the middle of an existing one and are simply expected to know the background. The action is pacy, but it is all too superficial and clichéd.
"Exiles" is YA science fiction, but not a particularly good example. It may have made for a passable short story / novella, but as a full-length novel it falls woefully short of the mark. "Amazon First Reads" really needs to make better material than this available to its customers.
August 5, 2022
Really enjoyed this fast-paced read! It was interesting to read a book by twin sisters about twin sisters, and the near-future LA setting was really engaging and felt eerily believable and relevant.
August 5, 2022
So the story hits the ground running, but once I got my bearings of the world, I loved all the twists and turns! I'm a sucker for the found family trope and this book nailed that for me with the misfit Exiles. Also appreciated the mix of a murder mystery into a sci fi genre story-- solid story all around.
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August 30, 2022DNF. Unable to get into this one.
August 1, 2022
Outstanding.
It's nonstop action in a fascinating near future, with twists and turns, deliciously crafted characters and a sci-fi showstopper overall. The tech and futuristic Los Angeles is a scary look into what's coming and what a tech billionaire could do, whilst exploring the enthralling dynamic between rival twins.
Best book I have read this year and so glad to hear there is a sequel coming not too far in the future!
Would also highly recommend their previous series Rule of One when you are done flying through the pages of this one.
It's nonstop action in a fascinating near future, with twists and turns, deliciously crafted characters and a sci-fi showstopper overall. The tech and futuristic Los Angeles is a scary look into what's coming and what a tech billionaire could do, whilst exploring the enthralling dynamic between rival twins.
Best book I have read this year and so glad to hear there is a sequel coming not too far in the future!
Would also highly recommend their previous series Rule of One when you are done flying through the pages of this one.
March 22, 2025
As a big fan of the Rule of One, I was excited to pick up the authors' next adventure. Exiles did not disappoint. Action packed thriller that everyone will love. I'm already counting down the days until Intruders releases!
August 1, 2022
Really enjoyed this! I read a lot of Sci Fi, but this stood out. Loved the action, plot twists and characters!
August 10, 2022
many moments a few instant switches
I enjoyed the read. There were many wonderful moments and it was an overall delightful story. Yes, it’s a dystopian story but like many similar type stories, the primary characters were incredibly mobile, intelligent, active, heroic, capable, redeeming, and much much more that made it easier to ignore the dystopian masses. The vulnerable homeless are in the background as that was not or did not appear to be the story.
The story of the two twin sisters, of family, of support, betrayal, tribalism, conspiracy, and similar was entertaining. A few instant shifts in the characters was a bit jarring. At one moment they are/ they think “x” and the next sentence, they are / they think “y.” There’s no gradual growth or back and forth.
I enjoyed the dialogue, descriptors and basic story.
I enjoyed the read. There were many wonderful moments and it was an overall delightful story. Yes, it’s a dystopian story but like many similar type stories, the primary characters were incredibly mobile, intelligent, active, heroic, capable, redeeming, and much much more that made it easier to ignore the dystopian masses. The vulnerable homeless are in the background as that was not or did not appear to be the story.
The story of the two twin sisters, of family, of support, betrayal, tribalism, conspiracy, and similar was entertaining. A few instant shifts in the characters was a bit jarring. At one moment they are/ they think “x” and the next sentence, they are / they think “y.” There’s no gradual growth or back and forth.
I enjoyed the dialogue, descriptors and basic story.
August 10, 2022
Silly
True to my self, I did finish this book but have to ask myself, why? I realize this fantasy is of the YA category but is so childish and so poorly written even for a child that I need to go back and see who published this…oh wait…prolly the authors.😅
True to my self, I did finish this book but have to ask myself, why? I realize this fantasy is of the YA category but is so childish and so poorly written even for a child that I need to go back and see who published this…oh wait…prolly the authors.😅
August 10, 2022
twins in the near future deal with homelessness and a “cure” for it.
This book reminds me of some of the classics that challenge of creating a perfect society brings.
Displaced, I sheltered twins get offered the opportunity to improve their state, but at what cost?
This book reminds me of some of the classics that challenge of creating a perfect society brings.
Displaced, I sheltered twins get offered the opportunity to improve their state, but at what cost?
August 16, 2022
This is one of those books you wonder how it was even published. The writing is very juvenile and just plain boring. The author managed to write the twins in such a way as to annoy me with both of them. Wherever this story is going I found very quickly I did not care. It’s strange how many references seem to be to Elon Musk but then the authors clearly don’t have anything interesting or original to say. I have no interest in finishing out this book and recommend against it.
August 16, 2022
I suppose this was urban sci-fi, perhaps fantasy (nobody knows the difference, apparently). Not my genre, but some interesting ideas. The characters, although each was different, seemed a little flat. Plenty of content for the next in series.
November 9, 2022
Exiles has some interesting ideas and I did enjoy reading it. However, I had two issues with it. Firstly everything felt rushed - the action clattered on at such a rate that there was little time for us to understand the feelings and decision making of most of the characters. The second thing I will try say without spoilers: none of the 'bad guys' in this book are very fleshed out. They are barely bit-part characters for most of the time.
August 5, 2022
I couldn't get into this book at all. I was so lost and confused and honestly should have dnf it but I needed it for bingo lol.
August 11, 2022
A near-future thriller that takes place in LA. A massive earthquake in 2040 destroyed much of the city, leaving many resident “unfortunates” homeless. Honestly the world she was describing sounds much like LA today. Anyone who went to Venice after Covid hit knows what I’m talking about. Thousands of unhoused people already live around dry riverbeds. The city has also tried to criminalize homelessness repeatedly, and the unhoused have been physically removed by law enforcement from more affluent neighborhoods. Additionally the hate spewed toward the unhoused in LA is shocking to me. I like to remind people that many of the folks they shit on are veterans. But I digress.
I enjoyed the story and the characters. The only thing I found weird was how many old English words the characters used in daily conversation. I’m sure slang will evolve over the next thirty years, but it is highly unlikely we will be resurrecting old English.
I enjoyed the story and the characters. The only thing I found weird was how many old English words the characters used in daily conversation. I’m sure slang will evolve over the next thirty years, but it is highly unlikely we will be resurrecting old English.
August 9, 2022
Not Great
Way too many overdone metaphors in an uneven concept and plot. The main characters were well done but the story just wasn’t believable.
Way too many overdone metaphors in an uneven concept and plot. The main characters were well done but the story just wasn’t believable.
March 18, 2023
I picked this up when it was a monthly selection for Amazon First Reads. I almost always grab the sci-fi/dystopian selection if there is one. This is a YA dystopian set in Los Angeles in 2052 after a massive earthquake devestated much of the city. The population is divided into Fortunate and Unfortunates, which by the name you can deduce are those who have means and those who are barely surviving.
Twins Jade and Crys were plucked from their Unfortunate lives at 12 by billionaire genius Damon Yates who wanted to give kids a better chance at life. He created an academy to foster Unfortunate children and turn them into Fortunate members of society through his elite academy by becoming their guardian and creating a safe space for them to learn and grow. Fast forward a few years, when the twins are 18, Jade has left the safety of the academy and become a sort of leader of the Exiles, while Crys is the beloved adopted daughter of Yates. When Crys best friend turns up dead, she immediately points a finger at her sister, but she uncovers something much more sinister that pionts to her beloved father figure. To find the truth, Crys has to team up with the Exiles that she loathes and rethink everything she knows. Jade has always suspected something was wrong at the academy, its why she left, she's just hoping it isn't too late to save her friends and get her sister back.
I enjoyed this. It was a bit slow in the beginning as the story sets up, but the action really picks up toward the end. There is a good discussion about class dynamics when it comes to wealth vs poverty and an even better discussion about technology and how it can be used for good and then quickly be weaponized. I thought the science was well presented and you can tell the authors did their homework on the technology. I would have liked to see a bit more character development. There are alot of characters to keep track of, and I often find when the cast is so large character development tends to suffer especially in a shorter book such as this one. The writing style was a bit choppy. I often felt like I missed something, but it wasn't there which can lead to the reader being confused about what is going on which impacts the pacing when you have to go back and reread pages to figure out if you skipped something.
Overall I enjoyed this, and I've already started on book two. I'm looking forward to finding out where the story goes and how everything plays out.
Twins Jade and Crys were plucked from their Unfortunate lives at 12 by billionaire genius Damon Yates who wanted to give kids a better chance at life. He created an academy to foster Unfortunate children and turn them into Fortunate members of society through his elite academy by becoming their guardian and creating a safe space for them to learn and grow. Fast forward a few years, when the twins are 18, Jade has left the safety of the academy and become a sort of leader of the Exiles, while Crys is the beloved adopted daughter of Yates. When Crys best friend turns up dead, she immediately points a finger at her sister, but she uncovers something much more sinister that pionts to her beloved father figure. To find the truth, Crys has to team up with the Exiles that she loathes and rethink everything she knows. Jade has always suspected something was wrong at the academy, its why she left, she's just hoping it isn't too late to save her friends and get her sister back.
I enjoyed this. It was a bit slow in the beginning as the story sets up, but the action really picks up toward the end. There is a good discussion about class dynamics when it comes to wealth vs poverty and an even better discussion about technology and how it can be used for good and then quickly be weaponized. I thought the science was well presented and you can tell the authors did their homework on the technology. I would have liked to see a bit more character development. There are alot of characters to keep track of, and I often find when the cast is so large character development tends to suffer especially in a shorter book such as this one. The writing style was a bit choppy. I often felt like I missed something, but it wasn't there which can lead to the reader being confused about what is going on which impacts the pacing when you have to go back and reread pages to figure out if you skipped something.
Overall I enjoyed this, and I've already started on book two. I'm looking forward to finding out where the story goes and how everything plays out.
November 24, 2022
Exiles is one of those books that had me curious because the name kept popping up in places. It had me curious enough to want to find out more, but it did not hold my attention once I started reading.
While there was the potential for a gripping story, this one did not have the depth I had hoped for. Everything was too easy, things felt too cliched, and there was never anything that sucked me in to the point where the book was difficult to put down. In fact, this is one of those stories where I found myself forgetting about it quickly after finishing.
All in all, this was a case where the book did not work for me. Others have loved it, but there was nothing that held my attention.
While there was the potential for a gripping story, this one did not have the depth I had hoped for. Everything was too easy, things felt too cliched, and there was never anything that sucked me in to the point where the book was difficult to put down. In fact, this is one of those stories where I found myself forgetting about it quickly after finishing.
All in all, this was a case where the book did not work for me. Others have loved it, but there was nothing that held my attention.
December 13, 2024
This was pretty good. Kind of a little weird, but it held my attention. A pretty crazy sci-fi type dystopian touching on the toxic society and social media. As well as scary tech that is developed. I am intrigued enough that I will definitely read the next books.
I did enjoy the twins' story and hope that theirs can continue in to more adventure and kicking butt. Definitely something I would recommend as a good clean teen read. Not up there with my faves tho like Hunger Games or Divergent. 🤷♀️
I did enjoy the twins' story and hope that theirs can continue in to more adventure and kicking butt. Definitely something I would recommend as a good clean teen read. Not up there with my faves tho like Hunger Games or Divergent. 🤷♀️
September 7, 2022
after an earthquake splits California the Exiles are struggling to survive while wealthy people try to get them to move on. A billion-heir has "invented" bots which can change your personality and health when inplanted or even ingested causing certain emotions or strengths/weaknesses - such as a perfume which makes you hate your own image thus making you hate your twin, or making you bold and reckless, or helping you overcome a physical handicap.
A little confusing, but interesting.
A little confusing, but interesting.
April 5, 2023
3.5 stars. A very fast paced book. I’m gonna go ahead and call it a YA science fiction book? Very futuristic. I thought it was well written, but it took me a while to understand the concept of the book, I did enjoy it though and I do think I’ll read the second book.
August 7, 2022
What a book and so happy there is a second one coming out! Thrilling sci-fi with enthralling twin dynamic - loved their other series too!
March 12, 2023
It isn't badly written or anything like that; I just never really got into the story, mainly because I felt no connection to either of the main characters. And maybe I'm over Dystopian lit?
October 25, 2022
Super fun and fast-paced read - looking forward to the second one! The plot was interesting and definitely drew me in, but I would have liked a bit more character development - many of them “switched sides” pretty quickly, and a little more build-up would have drew me in even more.
September 6, 2022
Writing was immature and overly cliched. Plot points were introduced as surprises to the protagonists, but they seemed to immediately have full knowledge of parts that were never explained. The story is entirely action driven with very shallow world building or character development.
August 31, 2022
Some really cool ideas, but the pacing of this book and editing is just off. The authors would jump and I kept thinking, "Wait, what did I miss?" "Oh wait, THAT event had this impact on this character?" It was like I was in a conversation with bad reception and couldn't quite keep up with what was happening.
I liked their previous series The Rule of One. And I think the setting and concept for this adventure (a twin being terrified of her own image/her sister's image) is intriguing, but ultimately it left me wanting more. I won't continue this series.
I liked their previous series The Rule of One. And I think the setting and concept for this adventure (a twin being terrified of her own image/her sister's image) is intriguing, but ultimately it left me wanting more. I won't continue this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews