Exile (Outcast Chronicles) [Mass Market Paperback]

Exile is the the second book of the Outcast Chronicles.

The Outcast Chronicles are a prequel to Daniells' 1999 sell-out series The Shadow Kingdom (called The Last T'en Trilogy in the US).

Where as the Shadow Kingdom was an intimate fantasy tale, the Outcast Chronicles is a political power fantasy that is mature, confronting and damn near impossible to put down.

Exile is carefully crafted to background readers who have the misfortune to only have discovered book 2 in the series. I do, however, implore you to pick up Besieged. You'll appreciate the additional build up of tension, and exploration of character.

The final pages of Besieged left us at the outskirts of the Celestial City with the forces of King Charald breaching the walls. With Exile, readers will be relieved to note, the T'En are able to hold off the attack and there is an uneasy cessation to the fighting as King Charald seeks their surrender.

Imoshen is elected Causare of the T'En, more through Brotherhood division than popular sentiment and seeks to gain precious time for her people who are spread out and surrounded by the Mieren (humans) settlements.

King Charald wants to wipe the T'En from his kingdom. Imoshen must save what she can to lead them into exile. Can she hold her divided people together while their enemy contemplates genocide? Can King Charald hold his Kingdom together with traitorous, barons nipping at his heals?

Exile is tightly written and rarely lets up the pace. Any breaks in the pacing are filled with rich scenes of character development that allow Daniells to entice you into caring deeply for her darlings. Only when you have fallen in love with them does she apply the pressure, turning Exile into a page turner of exquisite torture.

But it doesn't stop at the excellent display of craft. The exploration of gender and sexuality in Exile is a mature look not only at the possibility of real female political power but at the destructive culture that can develop in male only institutions.

Some of the treatment of Brotherhood members by their own organisations has echoes of the real life abuse and bastardisation that occurs in organisations such as the military.

It was a discomforting read for me as a male, because it turned a critical eye to issues that we might like to handle with humour or not talk about at all. Nonetheless it's the fact that Daniells doesn't shy away that makes the book and the series not only enjoyable fiction but a creation of something with substance.

I'd like to see a book from the series win the Norma K Hemming Award.

If you're tired of the standard fantasy tale. If you would like a fantasy with depth and colour, pick up the outcast chronicles. All three titles were released this year so you will be treated to the rare delight of being able to pick up all the books in what I am sure will become your favourite trilogy.

This book was provided by the Author at no cost to me.

'Exile' was just as good as the first book ('Besieged') in the trilogy 'The Outcast Chronicals' ... again I could not put it down. The characters are great, the story-line is compelling, and I'm looking forward to reading the last book - 'Sanctuary'. Thank you Rowena Cory Daniells for a great series.Exile: The Outcast Chronicles

I had to start this at once when I got it. I just had to know what would happen!

Book 1 ended with a cliffhanger, still a cliffhanger that I could live with since the city was under siege. All good for now. But it was just the kind of book that you just crave more, you need to know how the story will end.

As this is fantasy there are many threads and people but I will mention a few. Sorne, the half-blood in the enemy camp who watches the king become more and more crazy. Imoshen who is chosen to make terms with the king. She has a brain, she wants more for her people. The whole Brotherhood against Sisterhood can't last. I have hopes for her.

Then there are others, siblings on an island who does not know that there is a deadline. Leave the country or die! An evil Baron trying to claim power. A member of the Brotherhood realizing how bad their leader is. All coming together in one good plot.

This story is all with trying to stay alive. The "humans" does not want them their. They will kill them all, they want them gone. But can they leave? And how? Daniells had me on needles as I read this book and had my heart in my throat. I love how dark the world is, and how stupid the humans are. That might be strange to say but it does make it more thrilling. They are so stuck in their ways, racists that does not like people being different. It made me hate them so much. Most are willing to slaughter a whole people. And the point is that the people that they hate are not really that different. If all of them leave half-bloods will still be born, yes they are all the same. That is just sad.

It's a rich world filled with conflict and even if I say that the "humans" are bad does not make the other guys good. But at least they only kill each other. Their society can't last they way it is. The T'en on top, the half-bloods under them and men and women leaving separately.

In the end I can't wait to see how this all comes together. Can they survive this hostile world? And can they come to live peacefully among themselves? I can't wait to find out as I need to read the next book. I need to know.