Title: Kingdom of Exiles
Author: Maxym M. Martineau
First published June 25, 2019
438 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9781492689386 (ISBN10: 1492689386)
Rating: 3.96
Overview
In the thrilling fantasy romance novel Kingdom of Exiles, debut author Maxym M. Martineau takes readers on a wild ride.
Leena Edenfrell, a skilled beast charmer, finds herself in a precarious situation. Desperate for money, she sold her beloved beasts on the black market – a crime punishable by death.
Now, a notorious assassin is hunting her down, and Leena must make a dangerous deal. She offers up powerful mythical creatures in exchange for her life.
However, this exchange is far from simple. The assassin, Noc, is bound by magic to complete his contracts, and risking his brotherhood is not an option.
Soon, Leena and Noc find themselves in a dangerous dance of love and death, where the stakes are high, and the consequences are deadly.
Editoral Review
Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym M. Martineau is an engaging work that seamlessly blends romance, fantasy, and adventure.
The book, published on June 25, 2019, is the first in a series called The Beast Charmer. Martineau is a talented writer who builds a magical world, expertly characterized and layered with thematic depth.
With intricate descriptions, a compelling cast of characters, and atmospheric details, Martineau captivates the reader’s imagination from the very first page. The story follows the journey of Leena, an exiled beast-charmer who is on a mission to prove her innocence and return home to her family.
She is a fierce, independent woman who forms an unlikely bond with Noc, a sassy and powerful shadow assassin. Together, Leena and Noc navigate a treacherous quest, battling mythical creatures and powerful adversaries while exploring a world of darkness and light.
The narrative is intricately woven, with multiple storylines that converge towards an explosive climax. Throughout the book, Martineau tackles themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice, and explores the perils of revenge and the healing power of forgiveness.
One of the most impressive aspects of Kingdom of Exiles is the character development. Martineau takes great care to build complex, relatable characters who grow and evolve throughout the book.
The chemistry between Leena and Noc is electrifying, and their interactions are filled with witty banter and heartwarming moments of vulnerability. Another strength of the book is the world-building.
Martineau’s writing is richly detailed and creates a vivid and immersive world that pulls the reader into the story. The magical beasts and creatures are described in intricate detail, and the various cultures and peoples that populate the world are well-crafted and fascinating.
While the pacing of the book is generally good, there are some moments where the action slows down, and the story loses momentum. Additionally, some of the secondary characters could be better developed, as they often feel peripheral to the main story.
That said, Kingdom of Exiles is an excellent start to what promises to be an exciting series. Fans of Sarah J.
Maas and Leigh Bardugo will find much to love in this book. It’s a must-read for anyone who enjoys well-written fantasy and romance.
It earns a solid four out of five stars from us.
