Exile Review

Author: Anne Osterlund
Release date: April 28, 2011
Publisher: Speak
Pages: 304
How I got it: From author for review
Other titles in series: Aurelia 

Crown princess Aurelia is a survivor. She survived attempted assassination. She survived the king's rejection. She survived her mother's abandonment. And now, in exile, she must survive her kingdom-from hostile crowds to raw frontier to desert sands. But even as unknown assailants track Aurelia and expedition guide Robert, she knows her greatest risk is falling in love...

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Exile was a lot like its predecessor, Aurelia, in that it could've been great but fell completely flat for me.

In Exile, there is a lot of unnecessary talking and then more talking and not much doing. It felt very drawn out for me, and if I enjoyed the romance the author was trying to focus on then maybe I wouldn't mind that. However, I cannot say I enjoyed the romance. I was told that these two characters felt something for each other, but not once in the entire novel did I feel any kind of romantic tension between them. It all felt very forced.

I do wish I liked the romance more, because I do like Aurelia. She's damaged but soft-hearted and vulnerable in a unique and compelling way that most main characters are not. Robert is also nice, but he is so driven by his "love" for Aurelia that it was his main characteristic.

This series is not my favorite despite its heaps of potential. If it sounds like something you would like, then I wouldn't tell you not to read it, but I would suggest checking it out from the library instead of buying it.

Plot: Rather boring.

Characters: I like Aurelia but that's it.

Writing: There was no TENSION. I need my SEXUAL TENSION.

Ending: Fine, though not exciting enough to make me want to read the next book.

Kid friendly? Very. There's a brief mention of sex but it never happens, and their swear words are about crowns.

Overall:

Kinda had to force myself to get through this one.

This is just not the series for me, plain and simple. 

Other thoughts on Exile:

Reading Vacation

Bookworm1858

Maxine Matthew

Aurelia Review

Author: Anne Osterlund
Release Date: April 17, 2008
Pages: 246 (Paperback)
Publisher: Puffin
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: From library

An impressive debut, equal parts commercial appeal and literary prowess. 

Princess Aurelia is next in line to rule the kingdom of Tyralt, but she would rather be one of the common folk, free to learn and roam and . . . not marry the next tyrannical prince that comes courting. Naturally, the king wants Aurelia to marry for political power. Aurelia wants to marry for love. And someone in the kingdom wants her . . . dead. Assigned to investigate and protect Aurelia is Robert, the son of the king's former royal spy and one of Aurelia's oldest friends. As Aurelia and Robert slowly uncover clues as to who is threatening her, their friendship turns to romance. With everything possible on the line, her life, her kingdom, her heart, Aurelia is forced to take matters into her own hands, no matter the cost.

It took me a while to get through Aurelia, but when I did I was pretty happy with it overall. So no it didn't wow me, I was able to find quite a few things to enjoy in my first Osterlund book.

I'll start with my main negative about Aurelia: the pacing was very slow, but it didn't help that it was far out of my normal genre. It just seemed like not a lot happened to me. And when things did happen, I saw them coming pretty early on.

My main positives about the novel would be its winning main character, Aurelia. Aurelia is trying to avoid all of her old and grody suitors, and torn between seeing the world and waiting to rule her beloved kingdom, Tyralt. And you never get to know Robert quite as well as you do Aurelia (though the story's told from both their perspectives) I still enjoyed his character a lot.

While I thought the story could've developed more smoothly and quickly, I enjoyed Aurelia overall. I'll be interested in reading the sequel to see on what other adventures Osterlund can take these great characters.

Plot: Kinda slow-moving and under-developed.

Characters: I was sad that there weren't really any side characters, I really liked the main characters.

Writing: Very good!

Ending: Predictable, but should make for an interesting sequel.

Kind Friendly? There may have been a tad of swearing, as well as a little violence, but that's it.

Should I read it? If it sounds good to you, give it a go.

Overall: