The Ruins of Ambrai (Exiles, Vol. 1)

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Summary: One of the best fantasy authors today.
Review: Although Melanie Rawn doesn't seem to have the same name recognition as Jordan or Goodkind, she has to be in my top five list of favorite authors. Her characters are so well written and so three dimensional, it is astounding. Her grasp of political intrigue is amazing and really gives a sense of realism to the story. The nuances of her systems of magic make her books all that much more enjoyable to read. I have yet to read a book by her that I truly didn't like and this one beats most of them. I truly cared about the characters in this book and felt sympathy for their plight. This is yet another book that I had a hard time putting down.

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Summary: Reading this again, the second time.
Review: I first read this book several years ago, when I had borrowed it from a friend in college. I was counting on reading the second book in the series when my friend bought it. Unfortunately, it wasn't released until just before I graduated. I saw this book in a bookstore and asked my husband to get it and the second book for me for Christmas. I'm glad I requested a copy of Exiles, because it is so detailed, I'd be lost in the second book. I love these characters, even the ones I hate. I just finished this book and can't wait to go home and start on the next book.

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Summary: Exiles: A stunning world with realistic characters
Review: I have been an avid reader of Sci-fi / fantasy for years, and thought that I had read the best that there was... until I got my hands on this book. Rawn has created a real, functioning world which contains all the elements and emotions found in our own lives, as well as the classic struggle between good and evil. The plot is complex, the history and setting is described in minute detail. The world of Lenfel, somewhat startling in it's culture's gender-reversal, will captivate almost any reader within paragraphs. The complex and expertly crafted characters of Sarra, Collan, Cailet and Glenin are established in a unique way: each person's life story is told sepparately. The main characters are developed and made real in this manner- I felt as if I had known them all my life. However, the hundreds of wonderful supporting characters such as the amazonian Imilial Gorrst and lovable Alin and Val must not be forgotten. The family saga of the Ambrais carries several strong paralells to the Star Wars tale (one of my personal favorites). I heartily recommend this novel to anyone who loves that timeless story. However, for almost any sci-fi / fantasy reader, or writer, like myself, this book is a must read. Enjoy!

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Summary: It was Fabulous!
Review: It was the best book I've ever read, and the series only get's better. It has everything, it has magic, love, government, religion, family, everything. Everyone should read this book. Melanie Rawn is one of the best authors I have ever heard of. She is very imaginative, and I hope someday I can write as well as her.

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Summary: Boring
Review: I don't understand how anyone could read this book. It was simply too boring for me to finish. Half of the time I did not know what I was reading, esp. the parts about the political structrure and the history. From reading the few chapters i could stand in this book, I never want to again read another Melanie Rawn book of any series.

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Summary: An Excellent Novel for people who love magic and politics.
Review: A beautiful story. It captures your imagination with the characters Collan, Sarrah, Cailet, and Glenin. Other characters you pitty and hate their attackers, such as the bard.

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Summary: wonderful!
Review: For once, there is a science fiction series with strong female characters. What makes this book so wonderful is that everything in this world gets flip around in this book. Imagine women being the breadwinning in the family, men raising the kids and taking care of the running of the house, and women legal rights and men having to fight for theirs. Well, that book is that and a whole lot more. There are two fractions of magic, with one group wanting to control everything and the other group wanting to be left alone. The book gets really fast paced about a quarter into the book. The introduction to the characters really make them loveable.

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Summary: I LOVE This book
Review: Reading is is my big hobby so when I read a book and say it's a good one most other people agree. I've just finished the second bok in this triolgy and i can't wait for the third. Though i think both get a little wordy at times they really are great books(so are the Dragon Prince and Dragon Star trilogies)

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Summary: A great start to a new series.
Review: I first came across Melanie Rawn via the Dragon Series, which I loved. This new series is so different that it took me a while to get into Ruins of Ambrai - but once I did, I was hooked. I had many a wry smile at the 'injustices' imposed on the men with women as the dominant force in society. I thoroughly recommend this book.

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Summary: Rawn lovers-Avoid at all costs
Review: I am shocked and dismayed at the number of 4-5 star reviews this book has recieved. I consider myself quite a connoisseur of fantasy novels (I own hundreds), and was sorely disappointed at Rawn's second attempt at a series. Her first "Dragon" series was PHENOMENAL. It is one of my favorite series of all times along with Jordan's W.O.T. The plot is horribly simple and the characters overdone and pathetically easy to anticipate. I found myself rolling my eyes repeatedly and barely staggered through to the end. I agree with another "reviewer" that two different people are writing here under the same name.

If you want to read an excellent series by an excellent author, read Melanie Rawn's Dragon series (6 titles total). Please, someone bring the real Rawn back!