The Ruins of Ambrai (Exiles, Vol. 1)

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Summary: a great book with alive characters!
Review: I absolutley loved this book. It has strong, and alive characters that really bring you into the story. Each character has their own personal history and a personality that evolves as the characters get older. This story follows the life of three sisters who were seperated from each other as children as a result of a civil war between the two magical groups in their land, the Mage Gaurdians and Malerrisi. Glenin, the oldest daughter, is taken with her father and learns the way of the Malerrisi. Sarra, ther middle child, and her mother are forced to flee their home after her fater attacks it and all the Mage Gaurdians within. All of Sara's memories are taken and she is raised to later join the rising, a group trying to overthrow their government. It is through the rising that Sarra meets Cailet, the final sister who has a lot of potential as a Mage Gaurdian but is still very young. We watch as these tree women grow and fight for what they belive in despite all personal peril

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Summary: It is a truth universally acknowleged...
Review: ...good characters make a good book. "The Ruins of Ambrai" is the first book I've read in a long time were the charcters and relationships seemed utterly realistic. In comparision other modern fantasy characters, including even Robert Jordan's, seem shallow. Sarra and Collan's relationship was one of the first I've read that didn't strike me as either contreived, shallow, or fake. It was at this time that I formed the opinion that only women authors are capable of seeing a realistic relationship. She also seemed to be the only author who doesn't have the strange compulsion to involve every male and female who get thrown together into a romance. For once, they could actually TALK. I was especilally impressed with Rawn's presentation of good and evil. It wsa a pleaser not being told for once what to think, but rather being left to draw cunclusions for myself. In the beginning I was torn between a like for Glenin and Auvrey, whille I couldn't help feeling they were wrong. This slow development of evil in people was beautifully done, and much closer to reall concepts of evil now in days then all the typical fantasy's black and white presentasion. The turning and twisting plot held me glued to the page, and it did not disapoint me. Even after two readings, I still feel that there are alot of ideas left to explore. The richness of the book is amazing. The only draw back in this otherwise perfect book was the complate lack of morality of any kind, and the sometimes crude vulgarity of the society. Examples: the charming bawer custom and the lovely coin just issued. I completly agree with Sarra's opinion on the coin, and Gorynel Desse rematk that an opening between a bower and serwer was appropriate. Otherwise, it was an amazing book, and Rawn was very sucsessfull in building characters very different from each other, while keeping up the tensions and lapses between them. The best example is, of course, the three sisters: Glenin, Sarra and Cailet. I only hope that the second book manages to keep it up

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Summary: Wonderous!
Review: Melanie Rawn spun together an intricate story about a world at war, and the people caught in it. One sister strives for power, one for her people, and one for her world. Moving and powerful, this is a must read for any Fantasy reader! Pick it up

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Summary: The cover is the best thing about this!
Review: The first 2 pages were great!! Unfortunatley, the next 800 or so were extreemly boring. I kept on reading, hoping to find some justification for speding 8 odd dollars.....well, atleast i got a picture of a beautiful woman......

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Summary: Many levels of meaning, like a multi layered tapestry
Review: I picked up this book because the cover intriuged me.However I read it and I hated it. The plot eluded me. As I continued through I began to grow more and more attatched to the writing style. I re-read "Exiles" a number of times and each time I did the meanings and characters became clearer. I now find "Exiles" a most mentaly stimulating book, full of symbols and amazing paralells to our own world. I recomend this book to anyone who longs for a challanging book. It's plot is superbly woven

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Summary: This book is a fantasy reader's dream come true.
Review: Far off lands, magical times, and more adventure that mere pages can contain. Melanie Rawn has outdone herself in this book; it grabs ahold of the reader and keeps their eyes glued to each page. I had trouble putting the book down and stayed up late every night for a week straight just to finish it. One of the best things about this tale was the unexpected turns the plot would take at the drop of a hat, or, should I say, at the turn of the page. You will not get bored reading it, so don't let the number of pages scare you off. I'd have to say the only bad thing about this novel is that the sequel isn't out yet

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Summary: To all Sci Fi, Fantasy book lovers this is a must read.
Review: If you want a book where the Women wear the pant's in thefamily and the men bring up the children, here it is. There are magicand sword fights galore. It's a love story and a coming of age story. Melanie Rawn has written a truly remarkable book about the way life would be if male and female roles were switched, but woman recognize the fact that men and women should not be stereotyped into certain roles because of gender. You must read this book if you are a Sci-Fi Fantasy lover.

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Summary: THE NEXT FANTASY EPIC
Review: RAWN IS ONE OUR MOST RELIABLE IMAGINARY WORLD-BUILDERS.EXILES IS FINE EXAMPLE OF HER TALENT. IT HAS ALL THE INGREDIENTS OF A EPIC SAGA:MAGIC,INTRIGUE, ROMANCE. RAWN HAS CREATED A WORLD AND GIVEN US IT'S HISTORY AND CONFLICTS. YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE IN LENFELL WITH IT'S INTRIGUES, CONFLICTS AND PASSIONS.EXILES IS A EXCELLENT START OF A SERIES BUT IT DOESN'T LIVE UP ALTHOUGH TO HER DRAGON PRINCE AND DRAGON STAR SAGAS, BUT WHAT DOES?

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Summary: A magnificent world of magic, mystery, love, and hate.
Review: This is the best book I've ever had the fortune to read. It was also my first Rawn book. Exiles is a book that will make you want to read it again and again; I'm on my way to have read it 5 times. Next time you drive by the bookstore, be sure to pick this one up!

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Summary: A wonderful journey. Don't miss this one!
Review: Once again Melanie Rawn has managed to create a world both believable and compelling. The story is vast, the characters complex, and I have never run across another author who can create and give life to so much, with such realism. The best thing I can say is that the characters are like family. I care what happens to them all, and Book II can not be published fast enough