Island of Exiles by Erica Cameron
Island Of Exiles By Erica Cameron is a gritty, action-packed survival fantasy featuring a fierce warrior girl and a diverse cast of characters set on a harsh, desert island. Magic, twists, and romance round out this fierce tale of intrigue.
Summary
In this diverse, gritty survival fantasy, a girl warrior turns against her island clan to find the brother they claim died, uncovering secrets. Perfect for fans of Graceling and Snow Like Ashes.
In Khya’s world, every breath is a battle.
On the isolated desert island of Shiara, dying young is inevitable. The clan comes before self, and protecting her home means Khya is a warrior above all else.
But when following the clan and obeying their leaders could cost her brother his life, Khya's home becomes a deadly trap. The only person who can help is Tessen, her lifelong rival and the boy who challenges her at every turn. The council she hoped to join has betrayed her, and their secrets, hundreds of years deep, reach around a world she's never seen.
To save her brother’s life and her island home, her only choice is to trust Tessen, turn against her clan, and go on the run—a betrayal and a death sentence.
Book Details
Island of Exiles by Erica Cameron
Series: The Ryogan Chronicles
On Sale Date: February 14, 2017
Young Adult / Science Fiction
Entangled: Teen, 400 pages
Source: Publisher
My Rating: 4 Stars
My Review
When Khya is betrayed by her clan's council for secrets revealed of an undiscovered world she's never seen, threats to her brother's life and deadly traps are set into motion. The only person who can help is Tessen, her lifelong rival and the boy who challenges her at every turn.
Island Of Exiles is a richly imagined fantasy world with harsh elements and fierce magic.
The world building is definitely exciting and unique. The setting takes place on an isolated desert island called Shiara where fierce storms rage and harsh elements threaten. Khya's world is very much one of survival. Each page seems to bring new forms of hostile danger.
“On the isolated desert island of Shiara, dying young is inevitable. The clan comes before self, and protecting her home means Khya is a warrior above all else.”
Fierce, cunning and loyal, Khya is a warrior above all else.
Khya is one of those heroines who is very goal driven, which sometimes blinds her. She's loyal to those she cares about and it is her love for her brother which sets into motion acts of betrayal and many twists. I loved watching her grow as a character as she learns the need to let others choose their own fate and to trust others. She's fierce and pretty bad-ass on all levels.
It reads with diversity on many levels.
One aspect the surprised me was how fluid Cameron's writing is creating a world of diverseness on so many levels. From the wide range of cultures and social and magical orders to the unique take on traditions and customs. The language is really fascinating as well but I recommend referencing the glossary in the back of the book until you get the hang of it. I had some trouble staying focused at the beginning because of it.
A slow-burn, ship-worthy romance.
If you enjoy a slow-burn, sassy romance with plenty of chemistry brewing then Cameron's Island of Exiles is for you. Snarky dialogue and verbal banter are my favorites and there is no shortage of it while the romance is teasingly increased until you are practically on edge with shipping this couple.
In the end:
Island of Exiles is an exciting new YA fantasy series that boast an equally unique and diverse world and characters and despite some hiccups, I had initially with the language, I'm very excited to grab up its sequel.
