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abbeygoess's review
3.0
I picked up this book from the Mass Market Paperback shelf at the bookstore. It was labeled "Fantasy Romance" and was pretty cheap so I thought, hey, why not. But I had very low expectations. After finishing it I am happy to say that this book really surprised me!
The back of the book describes this as an "Assassins Creed" meets "Fantastic Beasts..." type of story. Please don't read this book solely based on these comparisons. This novel is unique and the world is interesting on its own. Comparing it to those two only makes sense on the most base level and discounts all of the other really well done aspects of the book!
The romance here wasn't too heavy, and there were only a few sex scenes throughout the book. I will say that I am giving this book a whole extra star solely for the fact that it avoids the fluffy and intentionally vague innuendo that romance novels love. You won't find that here. The author tells it exactly as it is: A clit is a clit. An orgasm is an orgasm. None of that "she found her release" or she "came undone" crap here. I appreciated this!
Another strength of this book is the casual way that queer characters are included. There are three queer characters in this book! That is so rare in Fantasy fiction, and the way it is presented is so matter of fact. It isn't a major plot point but rather just part of the characters. Another star earned for that one!
Unfortunately I didn't feel that the two main characters had that much chemistry together. Their banter wasn't the best I've ever read, but since their romance isn't really the main factor for most of the plot, this is okay.
All in all this wasn't the best book I've ever read, but I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy it as much as I did. I think once I get through the rest of my TBR list I will even check out the sequel.
Pros: straightforward language during sex scenes, interesting world building, creative creatures, queer characters, well written prose
Cons: a little slow in the middle, nothing super innovative about the plot, quick resolution to the main problem/villain, lack of chemistry between love interests
The back of the book describes this as an "Assassins Creed" meets "Fantastic Beasts..." type of story. Please don't read this book solely based on these comparisons. This novel is unique and the world is interesting on its own. Comparing it to those two only makes sense on the most base level and discounts all of the other really well done aspects of the book!
The romance here wasn't too heavy, and there were only a few sex scenes throughout the book. I will say that I am giving this book a whole extra star solely for the fact that it avoids the fluffy and intentionally vague innuendo that romance novels love. You won't find that here. The author tells it exactly as it is: A clit is a clit. An orgasm is an orgasm. None of that "she found her release" or she "came undone" crap here. I appreciated this!
Another strength of this book is the casual way that queer characters are included. There are three queer characters in this book! That is so rare in Fantasy fiction, and the way it is presented is so matter of fact. It isn't a major plot point but rather just part of the characters. Another star earned for that one!
Unfortunately I didn't feel that the two main characters had that much chemistry together. Their banter wasn't the best I've ever read, but since their romance isn't really the main factor for most of the plot, this is okay.
All in all this wasn't the best book I've ever read, but I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy it as much as I did. I think once I get through the rest of my TBR list I will even check out the sequel.
Pros: straightforward language during sex scenes, interesting world building, creative creatures, queer characters, well written prose
Cons: a little slow in the middle, nothing super innovative about the plot, quick resolution to the main problem/villain, lack of chemistry between love interests
racheln23's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Fun, light fantasy book with fantastical creatures. I felt that Leena had a little bit of Stockholm syndrome going on at the beginning, but eh, it's all right lol. The ending was a little less enticing than the beginning and middle, but it makes everything fit together well. I enjoyed the adventure more than the destination in this book for sure. It is important to know that there are several versions of this book. One is more youth friendly and the other has more adult content. I recommend the one that is not adult content! It was a little jarring to read as the style of the rest of the book was more like a YA read.
idalindemann's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
alwaysbooking's review
5.0
I cannot believe that this a debut novel?? I ignored my whole family for a day to sit and read this novel, once I started it I could not put it down. There was no waiting with this book, it dives head first into danger within the first chapter. Of course that doesn’t give you much time for explaining everything that needs explained but I beg of you give it time the author does explain everything.
I love, love, love Leena’s kickass character, anytime there is a strong female character involved I am there. She starts off the book strong and doesn’t waver throughout the whole book. It’s amazing that she can control all of these different “beasts” with just a magical touch. Yet she doesn’t abuse this power, which is wrong in her eyes and the charmer’s eyes. She of course has learned to not trust anyone with her heart or her friendship. So when she has to trust these assassins for the time being it goes against everything she knows. I enjoyed seeing how she interacted differently with each assassin and how she picked out each beast for each one. I loved learning about each of the beasts and their powers.
The assassins were a different kind of power and so very interesting. I have read a lot of books and I don’t think I have read anything with their certain type of powers. Maybe I have and I just don’t remember. Either way I loved it, and I loved the brotherhood they created. I know Noc was a very interesting character for certain reasons and we had to dig deep to get some of his story in this one. However I loved learning about the rest of the characters like Oz, and Calem. I’m hoping we get to learn more about them? Or maybe get individual stories? I’m not sure I just need more of this world and characters that’s for sure.
I really don’t want to say too much because I think you should go into this book blind and just enjoy the ride. I would like to thank Netgalley, Source books, and Maxym M. Martineau for a copy in lieu of my honest review. Honestly it’s a great debut novel and I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for book two!!
I love, love, love Leena’s kickass character, anytime there is a strong female character involved I am there. She starts off the book strong and doesn’t waver throughout the whole book. It’s amazing that she can control all of these different “beasts” with just a magical touch. Yet she doesn’t abuse this power, which is wrong in her eyes and the charmer’s eyes. She of course has learned to not trust anyone with her heart or her friendship. So when she has to trust these assassins for the time being it goes against everything she knows. I enjoyed seeing how she interacted differently with each assassin and how she picked out each beast for each one. I loved learning about each of the beasts and their powers.
The assassins were a different kind of power and so very interesting. I have read a lot of books and I don’t think I have read anything with their certain type of powers. Maybe I have and I just don’t remember. Either way I loved it, and I loved the brotherhood they created. I know Noc was a very interesting character for certain reasons and we had to dig deep to get some of his story in this one. However I loved learning about the rest of the characters like Oz, and Calem. I’m hoping we get to learn more about them? Or maybe get individual stories? I’m not sure I just need more of this world and characters that’s for sure.
I really don’t want to say too much because I think you should go into this book blind and just enjoy the ride. I would like to thank Netgalley, Source books, and Maxym M. Martineau for a copy in lieu of my honest review. Honestly it’s a great debut novel and I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for book two!!
lollidekoriererin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
amy_bachnik's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
amym84's review
5.0
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
Leena Edenfrell thought exile from the Charmer home of Hireath was the worst thing that could happen to her. I mean, because of her exile, she was forced to sell her precious beasts on the black market just to survive—which itself is an offense punishable by death.
When she learns there’s been a bounty put on her head, she’s both surprised and not. For years, she’s been cultivating a plan to get back to Hireath and clear her name, and when she confronts the bounty hunter who holds her contract, she thinks her plan may have a chance to come to fruition.
Since being named leader of Cruor, Noc has tried to do right by his brother and sister assassins, but a curse he carries keeps him from getting too close or emotionally involved due to the resulting death of anyone he loves that loves him in turn. When a bargain with Leena demands that she provide his people with four beasts in exchange for the cancellation of her contract, he sees the opportunity to finally get the curse lifted.
Soon, however, the lines between their individual objectives begin to blur as they get caught up in an attraction neither saw coming. What Leena doesn’t know, however, is that the Cruor are bound by their oaths to carry out their jobs, no matter what, or face death.
Kingdom of Exiles reminded me of the first time I read the Night Huntress series or the Kate Daniels series or Mercy Thompson, and the list goes on. It is what I look for every time I open a new book by a new author. The feeling of every aspect of a story fitting together in just the right way. The world building, the romance, the action, the mythology, the pacing.
It was interesting seeing how Leena and Noc play off one another because they are both people who feel loneliness and vulnerabilities, but their strength lies in being able to continue on despite the loneliness and vulnerability. To continue fighting even when there seems to be no end in sight. They complement one another in that way. I found it so interesting that Maxym Martineau decided to show such blatant yearning on Noc’s part in regards to how much he’s closed himself off from feeling, and how much he wants to be able to feel. It’s probably one of the big things that separates their experiences because, if nothing else, Leena does have her connection to her beasts.
And boy, do those beasts really take center stage. Maxym Martineau has brought some truly visualized creatures to life in this book. I love their powers and I enjoyed seeing Leena pair the different beasts to the Cruor who travel with her as she searches for her own Myad-Beast whose taming will show the Charmer Council Leena’s worthiness. Having the group slowly build from enemies to family was a joy to behold.
Maxym Martineau knows how to perfectly plot out the story. While we get some closure as far as Leena’s issues with the Charmers, by the end a completely new can of worms has been opened. Noc still holds some secrets close to the chest, and while the pieces are slowly coming together, the puzzle isn’t yet complete, nor are the implications for the future realized.
I cannot wait to find out where we go next. I’m excited to meet and learn about more Beasts and I’m eagerly waiting to spend more time with this group of characters. It’s official, Maxym Martineau is an author to watch. Highly recommended.
Leena Edenfrell thought exile from the Charmer home of Hireath was the worst thing that could happen to her. I mean, because of her exile, she was forced to sell her precious beasts on the black market just to survive—which itself is an offense punishable by death.
When she learns there’s been a bounty put on her head, she’s both surprised and not. For years, she’s been cultivating a plan to get back to Hireath and clear her name, and when she confronts the bounty hunter who holds her contract, she thinks her plan may have a chance to come to fruition.
Since being named leader of Cruor, Noc has tried to do right by his brother and sister assassins, but a curse he carries keeps him from getting too close or emotionally involved due to the resulting death of anyone he loves that loves him in turn. When a bargain with Leena demands that she provide his people with four beasts in exchange for the cancellation of her contract, he sees the opportunity to finally get the curse lifted.
Soon, however, the lines between their individual objectives begin to blur as they get caught up in an attraction neither saw coming. What Leena doesn’t know, however, is that the Cruor are bound by their oaths to carry out their jobs, no matter what, or face death.
Kingdom of Exiles reminded me of the first time I read the Night Huntress series or the Kate Daniels series or Mercy Thompson, and the list goes on. It is what I look for every time I open a new book by a new author. The feeling of every aspect of a story fitting together in just the right way. The world building, the romance, the action, the mythology, the pacing.
It was interesting seeing how Leena and Noc play off one another because they are both people who feel loneliness and vulnerabilities, but their strength lies in being able to continue on despite the loneliness and vulnerability. To continue fighting even when there seems to be no end in sight. They complement one another in that way. I found it so interesting that Maxym Martineau decided to show such blatant yearning on Noc’s part in regards to how much he’s closed himself off from feeling, and how much he wants to be able to feel. It’s probably one of the big things that separates their experiences because, if nothing else, Leena does have her connection to her beasts.
And boy, do those beasts really take center stage. Maxym Martineau has brought some truly visualized creatures to life in this book. I love their powers and I enjoyed seeing Leena pair the different beasts to the Cruor who travel with her as she searches for her own Myad-Beast whose taming will show the Charmer Council Leena’s worthiness. Having the group slowly build from enemies to family was a joy to behold.
Maxym Martineau knows how to perfectly plot out the story. While we get some closure as far as Leena’s issues with the Charmers, by the end a completely new can of worms has been opened. Noc still holds some secrets close to the chest, and while the pieces are slowly coming together, the puzzle isn’t yet complete, nor are the implications for the future realized.
I cannot wait to find out where we go next. I’m excited to meet and learn about more Beasts and I’m eagerly waiting to spend more time with this group of characters. It’s official, Maxym Martineau is an author to watch. Highly recommended.
infinite_tbr's review
4.0
It took me a while to find the time to sit down and really get into this story, but once I did, I was hooked. I loved that Leena was not some weak-willed woman who needed a man to save her, nor was she a stereotypical strong-female character who hated love. I also liked that Noc had an actual reason for not wanting to let anyone get close to him, instead of it just being because he thought he was despicable. I liked the world and want to know more about it, but feel like I did understand the rules. The characters were excellent, the romance was nice and didn’t detract from the plot or serve as the only plotline. I liked Leena’s Charmer powers, though at times the beasts/Charmer dynamic felt very similar to Pokemon (not necessarily bad).
I’m really excited to read the next book as I have some questions that I’d like to see answered. Who was Noc before his resurrection? Who put the hit on Leena? And what is going on in Wilhelm? This book definitely delivered as both a romance novel and a fantasy novel.
**ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
I’m really excited to read the next book as I have some questions that I’d like to see answered. Who was Noc before his resurrection? Who put the hit on Leena? And what is going on in Wilhelm? This book definitely delivered as both a romance novel and a fantasy novel.
**ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
ameserole's review
4.0
I have received this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Kingdom of Exiles was actually pretty good. I definitely flew through this once I found time to just sit and read. Leena is an exiled beast charmer who does what she has to do in order to live. It sucks that she can't go home and basically would trust a rock over a person but hey - she's adapting. I honestly really enjoyed her character. She was refreshing and quite lovable.
So we know that she's kind of the run due to being shunned from her homeland and it wasn't hard to believe that someone out there wanted her dead. It wasn't hard to think about who it was but it was fun for the book to try. I am, however, intrigued to find out which woman was behind all of this since we didn't see what we were looking for - maybe it's someone who comes at the end of the book?
Anyhoo, love is kind of in the air and the romance was cute. HOWEVER, I hate cliffhangers and this book did me dirty. I was so happy and I shouldn't have been because the rug was swept underneath me. Dirty book and a dirty cliffhanger that makes me want to scream. I definitely need the next one and I need for a certain someone to outsmart a certain villain ASAP.
Kingdom of Exiles was actually pretty good. I definitely flew through this once I found time to just sit and read. Leena is an exiled beast charmer who does what she has to do in order to live. It sucks that she can't go home and basically would trust a rock over a person but hey - she's adapting. I honestly really enjoyed her character. She was refreshing and quite lovable.
So we know that she's kind of the run due to being shunned from her homeland and it wasn't hard to believe that someone out there wanted her dead. It wasn't hard to think about who it was but it was fun for the book to try. I am, however, intrigued to find out which woman was behind all of this since we didn't see what we were looking for - maybe it's someone who comes at the end of the book?
Anyhoo, love is kind of in the air and the romance was cute. HOWEVER, I hate cliffhangers and this book did me dirty. I was so happy and I shouldn't have been because the rug was swept underneath me. Dirty book and a dirty cliffhanger that makes me want to scream. I definitely need the next one and I need for a certain someone to outsmart a certain villain ASAP.