Monday, September 15, 2014

Exiled - Review




Author: Sophie Davis
Publication Date: September 3, 2014
Publisher: Sophie Davis Books
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 15 and up
Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:

Kenly Baker is alone. TOXIC has been defeated. Her friends from the McDonough School for the Talented are scattered to the wind. Even Kenly’s only living family member cannot hide the scared teenager from those who wish to contain her. Because Kenly is one of the Created.
For her, it’s a future worse than death.
She travels across the Atlantic Ocean, to the slums of London. There, Kenly finds tentative acceptance among a group of outcasts. They have spent their enire lives dodging shadows, barely staying alive. Kenly thought she knew what horrors haunt the night, but her new companions reveal predators far more alarming than anything she’s ever faced. Suddenly, she is brutally aware of the dark side of humanity.
Kenly’s biggest concern was the UNITED trackers, who round up and capture the Created. But there are adversaries in this new world who are far more terrifying. And unfortunately for Kenly, now their sites are set on the Created.

My Review:

First let me say that this book is a companion novel, not a stand alone.  For your best reading experience I suggest reading the entire Talented series before picking up Exiled. There is a lot of background that you will need in order to truly understand what is going on.  

Exiled follows Kenly Baker, the one time protege of Talia, as she finds herself alone and on the run from the newly formed Union organization.  The Created are being hunted and in order to survive Kenly escapes to London hoping to find safety.  I love that we are getting to see more of the world and characters that Sophie Davis creates.   I think that one of my favorite aspects of her books in this series is Sohie's character interactions and the bonds they create with one another.  Sophie writes these characters raw, there is no fluff and filler to who they are.  We seem them at their best and their worst and Exiled is no different in this aspect.  

Kenly, oh Kenly...I admit it was a bit hard for me to connect with her, but I think she's been that way since her first introduction in the series.  She's a bit of an introvert with a black and white view to the world around her.  Yes, she has a higher reasoning talent and she can assess a situation in seconds, but she doesn't easily see the grey all around her.  Things are the way they are in her mind and this often leads her into dangerous situations, and creates danger for those around her.  That said this is definitely a coming of age tale for Kenly and she needs every one of those situations to occur for her to be able to find herself, to come to terms with the world around her, and to allow herself to love and trust others.  Now keep in mind Kenly is not Talia, don't go into the book thinking she's this kick ass girl who is going to conquer it all and maybe take names on her way out.  Kenly is a totally different character, she's strong in her own right, and once she stops believing that because she is Created she should somehow be better than everyone else we really get to see her shine!  We readers couldn't really handle another Talia anyway could we?  ;-)

I loved all the 'gang' in this book Willa, Honora, Riley, Tug, and of course James.  Ah, James, the brooding hot boy with an edge that girls just can't help but swoon over.  I really liked his protectiveness and compassion.  His relationship with Kenly is wonderfully sweet and well written.  He's just one of those characters you immediately take a liking to and only adore more as the book continues.  He and Erik are definitely two amazing make heroes.
The start of the books is a slow build up, I find this to be common in most of the series.  There are a lot of pondering and thoughtful moments looking back on the past for Kenly in the first several chapters, but don't let that discourage you.  As usual with this series once the action begins it is full on and loaded with twists and turns.  So just keep reading!  
This is a great series for Young Adult book fans.  If you enjoy Dystopians, Science Fiction, and/or Contemporary Romance this is a great read for you.  If you have already read the other books in the Talented Series do not let this one slip by it's a must read as it brings back some of your favorite characters, introduces you to new ones, and sets us up for what comes next! 


Connect to the Authors:


ophie moved to Washington, D.C. after graduating from Penn State University to pursue a career in the Sciences.  After deciding to actually write down one of the stories she makes up in her head, Sophie began the long journey towards her first full-length novel, Talented.  Caged is her second novel, and the second in the Talented Saga.  Hunted, the third novel in the Talented Saga is available now.  
The final installment in Talia's story, Created, will be released in Summer 2013!  
PAWN will be the first book in Sophie's new series, the Nightmares Trilogy, and is set for  April 26, 2013 release.   
When Sophie isn't hunched over her computer, she can be found shopping in Georgetown, running in Rock Creek Park, or at the local dive bars in her Columbia Heights Neighborhood.
- See more at: http://www.sophiedavisbooks.com/bio/#sthash.QA2e0F2S.dpuf
ophie moved to Washington, D.C. after graduating from Penn State University to pursue a career in the Sciences.  After deciding to actually write down one of the stories she makes up in her head, Sophie began the long journey towards her first full-length novel, Talented.  Caged is her second novel, and the second in the Talented Saga.  Hunted, the third novel in the Talented Saga is available now.  
The final installment in Talia's story, Created, will be released in Summer 2013!  
PAWN will be the first book in Sophie's new series, the Nightmares Trilogy, and is set for  April 26, 2013 release.   
When Sophie isn't hunched over her computer, she can be found shopping in Georgetown, running in Rock Creek Park, or at the local dive bars in her Columbia Heights Neighborhood.
- See more at: http://www.sophiedavisbooks.com/bio/#sthash.QA2e0F2S.dpuf
ophie moved to Washington, D.C. after graduating from Penn State University to pursue a career in the Sciences.  After deciding to actually write down one of the stories she makes up in her head, Sophie began the long journey towards her first full-length novel, Talented.  Caged is her second novel, and the second in the Talented Saga.  Hunted, the third novel in the Talented Saga is available now.  
The final installment in Talia's story, Created, will be released in Summer 2013!  
PAWN will be the first book in Sophie's new series, the Nightmares Trilogy, and is set for  April 26, 2013 release.   
When Sophie isn't hunched over her computer, she can be found shopping in Georgetown, running in Rock Creek Park, or at the local dive bars in her Columbia Heights Neighborhood.
- See more at: http://www.sophiedavisbooks.com/bio/#sthash.QA2e0F2S.dpuf

No comments:

Post a Comment