The Exile by C.T. Adams

The Fae,  Book 1

Synopsis: Brianna Hai runs an occult shop that sells useless trinkets to tourists—and real magic supplies to witches and warlocks. The magical painting that hangs in Brianna’s apartment is the last portal between the fae and human worlds.

A shocking magical assault on her home reveals to Brianna that her father, High King Liu of the Fae, is under attack. With the help of her gargoyle, Pug, her friend David, and Nick, a police detective who doesn’t believe in magic, Brianna recovers what was stolen from her and becomes an unwilling potential heir to the throne.

Review: I have a major weakness when it comes to faes so when I saw the novel, I was immediately intrigued. All this was confirmed as soon as I started reading it and when I was completely swept away by the story.

I was a little surprised at first because the format is a little different from what is usually found in urban fantasy. Indeed, we follow here the POV of several characters moving around Brianna, though she remains central and recurring in the history compared to the others. I was a bit scared to see that we were left with a lot of characters without really connecting them, but this is not the case at all in this novel. Even if we follow different persons, especially Nick, Liu, and Brianna, it helps us understanding everything, especially as they advance together in the early chapters.

Brianna is a princess, the daughter of the king of the fae, but her half-human side has always set her slightly back from her siblings, especially when we know that her mother was considered as a criminal in this parallel world. This is also why the young woman lives among humans and avoids all the political shenanigans. Alas, her world will change when she finds herself attacked in her home by a variety of pixies. Accompanied by her best friend David and his brother Nick (who does not really believe in magic), our three protagonists will go in Faery to realize that troubles are just beginning. Yes, as the veil between the worlds only allows partly human individuals to go through, faes can not kidnap anyone as they used to. But the arrival of Nick and David will raise many desires and it will be very difficult for Brianna to manage all the problems it generates. But in addition to this, our heroine will also have to face the consequences of a big change: it seems that her latest actions have placed her on the list of possible heirs to the throne, something she did not really want. Political intrigues, conspiracies, betrayals, are present here.

I really enjoyed Brianna! This is a girl who really loves her father and she is willing to do anything to help the people she cares of. She is strong and courageous, but she is not really interested in becoming a sovereign. No, she only hopes to live a quiet life away from everything. Alas, it seems that all this seems impossible when on her way home, she finds herself in the midst of a political intrigue. I also loved to discover more about the faes, although eventually we still have a lot to understand as how this world is truly governed. We learn a little bit about Brianna’s past and what she had endured to get there. Liu, the king, is an interesting protagonist to discover because of his different facets, the father and the king often compete.

But as I said, we also follow Nick… Ah Nick… We feel that there is an attraction between the two characters and at the same time there is no time for anything, I’m curious to see if we feel something more present in the next volumes. The only things that disturbed me a little are all the stories with the police in the human world. I admit that I had trouble seeing why Brianna was the suspect, and why everyone was interested in her that way, but this is ultimately a detail.

In any case, I had a great time with this novel. We have a good introduction to the series. It takes us from the first chapter and we’re pleased until the end. I am now very curious to read more to find out the next Brianna’s actions, especially after such a purpose. A very good story to discover!

 

4

mellianefini

44 thoughts on “The Exile by C.T. Adams

  1. Ah, faes… Sigh. They are my weakness too, ever since I read Maggie Stiefvater’s Books of Faerie. And then Holly Black’s Tithe and Ironside and …argh! I really love faeries 😀 I’ve put this on my list too, because as Linda says, it sounds promising. Plus, it’s book one, so I can finally start a series at the same time as everyone else 🙂 Lately it seems as though I can’t catch up to you, guys. Beautiful review.

  2. That’s usually my problem when it comes to a lot of secondary characters, I usually can’t connect or get lost, so glad that isn’t the case here. Rats. 🙁 Hopefully book no.2 develops in the romance area, haha. 🙂

  3. So glad the multiple POVs didn’t detract from your overall enjoyment of this one Melliane! That’s usually something I struggle with, but I’ve read a few books lately that had a large number of character perspectives and it worked really well for me. Plus, I’m with you on the fae. Love them:)

  4. Ahhhh I’m so excited to read this! Still a couple more books to read that are in my schedule before I can get to it though. But that’s okay, it’ll be like my reward to myself! Great review, now I’m even more looking forward to this! 😀

  5. Ahhhh Yes! I’m so excited to read this and I’m so glad you enjoyed it Melliane. I love books featuring the Fae as well. The world of the Fae sounds like it was describes well too. And, I see there’s a possibility of romance in the future which makes the romance lover in me happy.
    Great review 🙂

  6. I don’t read much about faes, but that is not because of the lack of interest in them, I just can’t seem to find stories that really call to me… Yet, when I find one I always end up enjoying it, and the one you shared sounds one I could decide to pick up. 🙂

  7. This book kind of reminds me of the Canadian tv show called lost Girl.. haven’t watched it for quite some time but used to be obsessed with it. I like that this book’s POVs are of people around the main character, but not hers (at least that’s what I got from your review..let me know if I read that wrong!) Definitely a new style of writing that I’ve never read 😀

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