Daughter of Exile

Rating:
Summary: An enchanting first novel
Review: It's been awhile since a book has enthralled me on every single page, but this one kept me longing to return to it whenever it wasn't in my hands. A fine cast of intriguing characters, an intricate but coherent plot, and a fascinating world of magic and politics make this an entertaining read from beginning to end.

I haven't read much romantic fantasy, so I can't attest to the book's originality, but for me it was a wonderful introduction to the genre. I look forward to Glass's future works, which I hope will include more of Angarred's adventures and will probe deeper into some of the issues that were touched upon in Daughter of Exile.

Rating:
Summary: An enchanting first novel
Review: It's been awhile since a book has enthralled me on every single page, but this one kept me longing to return to it whenever it wasn't in my hands. A fine cast of intriguing characters, an intricate but coherent plot, and a fascinating world of magic and politics make this an entertaining read from beginning to end.

I haven't read much romantic fantasy, so I can't attest to the book's originality, but for me it was a wonderful introduction to the genre. I look forward to Glass's future works, which I hope will include more of Angarred's adventures and will probe deeper into some of the issues that were touched upon in Daughter of Exile.

Rating:
Summary: Everything Except the Kitchen Sink
Review: Somehow Isabel Glass manages to shoehorn in nearly every element of fantasy going and yet somehow manages to keep it from overwhelming her story. She's got your standard medieval setting, a king in peril, a kingdom invaded, elves, enchanted forests, schools of magic, giants, shapeshifting, torture, plotting heirs, deformities, drug addiction, snotty nobles, adolescent rebellion AND a spunky heroine.

What allows this book to suceed is that Glass keeps the book straightforward, in both plot, tone and page count. Rather than wax poetic on the strange magic-wielding/shape-shifting women of the forest for four chapters, they are introduced, help our main protagonists and come back to give a twist to the story towards the end. Interactions among characters are similarly blunt. There isn't of romantic prose on offer, but there also isn't a lot of overheated melodrama either.

Those looking for something new to sate their jaded fantasy palate should probably look elsewhere, although I found it a reasonably enjoyable and quick read. At least you won't feel cheated of hours of you life at the end. Newer readers getting into the genre and teens will likely find this an engaging read. Overall Glass shows she can put a story together. If she can narrow her focus and develop an original concept or a twist on something old, she could definately go places.

Rating:
Summary: So-so.
Review: When it was suspected that Lord Challo Hassan was part of the conspiracy to overthrow the king, he and his four-year-old daughter Angarred were banished from court for fourteen years. Lord Hagar plotted to find a way to get back in the graces of King Tezue, but before he could accomplish this, he was assassinated in the forest while on a hunt. When someone tries to kill Angarred in her home, she travels to the capital city of Pergodi to seek the king?s justice.

When she arrives at court, she learns that the king is under the spell of the magician Alkarren, the heir Prince Norue is plotting with the Takeke and Princess Roddarren is mad. The giants are on the move to conquer Pergodi while the princess escapes the city and tries to gather up an army to overthrow the heir. Angarred realizes that someone is controlling all these events and she, along with the magician Matthewar as an ally try to find the pieces of a magical artifact said to contain the power of many sorcerers to learn who the puppet master is and stop him.

DAUGHTER OF EXILE is a very complex entertaining romantic fantasy with so many twists and turns that it is impossible to predict what will happen next. The heroine changes over the course of this novel from a naive innocent to a brilliant strategist and warrior; she always seeks peace for her homeland without sacrificing her morals at court. This is Isabel?s Glass?s debut novel and it ranks with the works of Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Great debut novel-fine fantasy
Review: When it was suspected that Lord Challo Hassan was part of the conspiracy to overthrow the king, he and his four-year-old daughter Angarred were banished from court for fourteen years. Lord Hagar plotted to find a way to get back in the graces of King Tezue, but before he could accomplish this, he was assassinated in the forest while on a hunt. When someone tries to kill Angarred in her home, she travels to the capital city of Pergodi to seek the king's justice.

When she arrives at court, she learns that the king is under the spell of the magician Alkarren, the heir Prince Norue is plotting with the Takeke and Princess Roddarren is mad. The giants are on the move to conquer Pergodi while the princess escapes the city and tries to gather up an army to overthrow the heir. Angarred realizes that someone is controlling all these events and she, along with the magician Matthewar as an ally try to find the pieces of a magical artifact said to contain the power of many sorcerers to learn who the puppet master is and stop him.

DAUGHTER OF EXILE is a very complex entertaining romantic fantasy with so many twists and turns that it is impossible to predict what will happen next. The heroine changes over the course of this novel from a naive innocent to a brilliant strategist and warrior; she always seeks peace for her homeland without sacrificing her morals at court. This is Isabel's Glass's debut novel and it ranks with the works of Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey.

Harriet Klausner