Kingdom of Exiles is a debut fantasy romance novel by Maxym M. Martineau.
Leena is a Charmer, someone who tames, collects, and can wield beasts in battles (kind-of like a bad ass Pokemon trainer, I guess?). Leena has been framed and exiled from the only home she has ever known and thus forced to commit crimes punishable by death from her people – selling her beasts – just to stay alive. When someone puts a hit out on her by commissioning the most dangerous group of assassins ever known, she comes face to face with a danger she promised she would never risk again – love and family.
Noc is the ruthless leader of the Curor assassin’s guild. Due to a curse and lifetime of suppressing emotions he is a wall of ice, but that wall seems to be melting away with every moment he spends with Leena – risking his own life and the life of everyone he can’t seem to stop himself for caring for.
The book starts right away with action, witty, banter, and suspense. The characters, both main and supporting, are likable, funny, and complex. We are given small snippets into each of their pasts but none except Leena are fully revealed in this book, which is the first of a planned trilogy. I appreciate MMM giving us something to look forward to in the coming books on that front.
The story was set at a good pace, with no major lags or scenes that felt rushed. I do feel that comparing it to Assassin’s Creed is inaccurate though, as I’ve seen it being marketed. Although the book has assassins in it, there’s really not much assassinating. It’s more of an adventure book, with some romance and a couple of battle scenes sprinkled in. This is not to say I didn’t enjoy it, because I definitely did.
Leena is a Charmer, someone who tames, collects, and can wield beasts in battles (kind-of like a bad ass Pokemon trainer, I guess?). Leena has been framed and exiled from the only home she has ever known and thus forced to commit crimes punishable by death from her people – selling her beasts – just to stay alive. When someone puts a hit out on her by commissioning the most dangerous group of assassins ever known, she comes face to face with a danger she promised she would never risk again – love and family.
Noc is the ruthless leader of the Curor assassin’s guild. Due to a curse and lifetime of suppressing emotions he is a wall of ice, but that wall seems to be melting away with every moment he spends with Leena – risking his own life and the life of everyone he can’t seem to stop himself for caring for.
The book starts right away with action, witty, banter, and suspense. The characters, both main and supporting, are likable, funny, and complex. We are given small snippets into each of their pasts but none except Leena are fully revealed in this book, which is the first of a planned trilogy. I appreciate MMM giving us something to look forward to in the coming books on that front.
The story was set at a good pace, with no major lags or scenes that felt rushed. I do feel that comparing it to Assassin’s Creed is inaccurate though, as I’ve seen it being marketed. Although the book has assassins in it, there’s really not much assassinating. It’s more of an adventure book, with some romance and a couple of battle scenes sprinkled in. This is not to say I didn’t enjoy it, because I definitely did.