A review by hectaizani
The Banished of Muirwood by Jeff Wheeler

3.0

An interesting and engrossing story about Maia a young princess who is exiled by her father as a result of a power struggle between king and church. It's a sad story, somewhat reminiscent of Cinderella, complete with an evil stepmother and evil stepsisters. Eventually, she finds herself sent on a great quest to save herself, her family and her people from evil. This is the story of Maia's coming of age, as she is forced to grow up and confront her own magic.

A little misogynistic, women in this world are forbidden to read, write and use magic. Maia did all three, and could have found herself in great trouble at any time if anyone found out. Somehow it's always the princesses that find themselves forbidden never the princes. At first Maia seemed a weak character, events and circumstances happened to her without much input on her part. It took a little while for the story to unfold, and for Maia to come into her own.

I found the flashbacks a little distracting. The story would get interesting, something was going to happen, and... flashback. Relevant information or no, that took a little getting used to.

Netgalley gave me an ARC copy of the ebook in return for a review and have offered me the second in the series as well.