Exiles

This book when I got it from a friend to read I thought "I'll start to read it, and then give it back" Much to my suprise i liked it! The concept of the magic and wardings, and the way society is structured is unique, and the characters while difficult to understand at the begining very quickly grow on you, along with their strugles. This author did a wonderful job, and i can't wait for the next installment, as i have just now finished book 2 and I'm waiting on #3.

Melanie Rawn is one of the most gifted fantasy wrtiers around becasue she can blend a complex plot with amazing characterization (of major and minor) characters without letting the plot slow down or get confusing. All her characters are human and have flaws, which makes you love them more. this series is on level with Lord of the Rings."Exiles: The Ruins of Ambrari" is an amazing journey into another world and political structure. In this world women are dominant in society and men are the background. It is a world of magic and power struggles. It is the story of Sarra, Cailet, and Glenin, three sisters who are on opposite sides of a war between two different factions of Mageborn people. Glenin is for the people who want to take over LenfellSarra is working to stop her older sister Gleninand Cailet is the most powrful mage but she is still a childSarra and the other Mageborn must protect her at all costs.Melanie rawn blends politics, characters, action, mystery, and romance perfectly in this epic novel about survival and good v. evil.Rawn also has a lot of humor especially in the romance between Sarra and Collan. Melanie Rawn has created her best series in "Exiles" because her talent has fully awakened. Rawn has amazing skill and subtlety that immediatly captures the reader's attention! I read "The Ruins of Ambrari" and "The Mageborn Traitor" in two days!Melanie PLEASE finish the Third book soon!

The Ruins of Ambrai is an expertly woven tapestry, as neatly worked as any the Malerissi dream of. Three mageborn sisters of the Ambrai Blood take sides in a civil war between the Mage Guardians, who believe in the freedom of the individual, and the Malerissi, who believe that the mageborn should have complete control of the government, and the lives of every citizen in every Shir. The three Ambrais each have their own sphere of power, Sarra 'Liwellan' weilds political clout as First Daughter of a powerful Blood, her magic Warded so well none suspect its existance, esential as mageborn cannot hold government office. Cailet 'Rille' must grow from an unremarkable young Waster (e.g.of the Waste, the northern part of Lenfall) to the Mage Captal, leader of the Mage Guardians, almost literally overnight. Meanwhile, Glenin 'Feiran' has risen rapidly in Ryka Court, she is the daughter-in-law of the First Counciller, and more secretly, an ambitious Lady of Maleris. Cailet and Sarra will support the Rising, an underground resistance opposed to the First Counciller, and Malerissi whom she represents while Glenin poses as loyal to the First Counciler, her true loyalty lieing only with the Malerissi. The sisters are symbols, but so much more, in one of the best fantasy epics I've read in a long time. The seemingly controversial feminist theme actually fit quite well, as explained in Book 2, after the Waste War, a woman's ability to bear healthy children gave her power, and so it remained. And considering the rough era in our history Lenfall corresponds with, sexism would be more likely than a nice equal oppertunity society. But quibbles aside, The Ruins Of Ambrai will continue to hold a deserved spot on my list of favorites. I highly recomend this book, and its sequel.

An absolute classic, one of the best books I have ever read. Even though the book may appear long and boring at first sight, Rawn reinforces very well the phrase "A book cannot be judged by it's cover".I found that after reading the first page there will bound to be endless intrigue and mystey throughout the plot. Once you get into the book, it is definately very hard to put down.Readability: I would give it a 10 out of 10If I could give it 10 stars, I certainly would.

I must admit, this was the first book of Rawn's that I have ever read, and I picked it up simply because it was the thickest book on the book store shelf that I had not read yet. It is beautiful. The plot gets a little boggy at time when the author explains heritage, and a few of the name are a little too similer, but that was my only complaint. The idea of this society run completly by women is interesting, (In response to a comment placed before, women are in power because of their ability to bear children, as we find out in the next book) and Rawn carries it well in this brilliant book. The story is filled with characters you can really wrap your head (and heart) around, in particular, I found my self caring for two of them, Alin and Val, as I world my own two brothers, the love between them is something we all aspire to have one day. However, a word of warning, if you have no sense of humor this might not be a book for you, sometimes men are seen in a rather, shall we say, unique light. Also, be forwarned, if you fall in love with this series, you should know that the third is indefinatly delayed, pending the completion and release of another book by Rawn (Divination) so plan to read the two that are out over and over until they fall apart, I have!