A Kingdom of Exiles: The Outcast Fantasy Series

First and foremost, this book is captivating! The way I love this book and these characters made it immediately shoot to a new top 10 favorite read of all of ever. The world building, the complex characters, the magic, and adventure are just perfect. The way it made me angry from the beginning to how it made me cry and then laugh, how can you not fall in love with this story. There is also the tiniest bit of spice but the build up to that is both delicious and frustrating, in the best possible way of course. Something that I truly appreciate the S.B. Nova did is write the hard scenes, the scenes that can make people uncomfortable to read. Without those hard and triggering moments some moments wouldn’t have been as impactful. I just have mad respect for authors who will go there. If you are a fan of Sarah J Maas or Jennifer L Armentrout you will love this book as well. I can’t recommend it enough, it is so freaking good!!

I was looking for a new read for the long bus rides to school and work during the weekdays. This was in my recommended novels after a few other clicks and bookmarks on my “to purchase” mental checklist. Being a relatively low price for a fantasy novels that checked off a bunch of initial interests and piqued others for the originality in the Gauntlet section of the book really had me.But... that’s where it fell flat for me. Once in the faelands I felt that there was a somewhat forced shift from the grungy, dark, and Grimm Brother feeling world that I almost had to double take. Was I reading the same novel?I give this novel a 4/5 Star review because it does hit most of my checkboxes but does need editing and fleshing out in the next book. If I could I’d give a 3.5 for having a good start, but still needing some editing and world-building done. On to some of my thoughts:The h’s relationship with Hunter was... lacking. Perhaps it was because of the forced situation she was in, but after her first interaction with him every time he popped back up... I felt myself grow increasingly irate at the h for the way she treated someone who seemed to be trying to help her despite his strained circumstance. And for what? Because there were things out of his control? That’d mean instant death? A bizarre reaction to someone who tried to do some good for our h towards the end (not that I agree with his methods).Then comes Wilder. The build-up to romance felt swift, almost non-existent. Maybe I’m just a reader who enjoys a slow burn, to see some respect or friendship to form before romance. Y’know? I compared his circumstance to Hunter’s on more than one occasion. Wilder was bound by his position as her mentor, trainer, an elder and should not have so easily been swayed by a youngling human who had no experience in fae culture. Yet... is it simply different because the h is attracted to him?I can appreciate the unyielding friendship the siblings offered her. Their hesitation at revealing their situation was believable. And then they still had their reservations and moments showing they still trusted each other more than the h. The whole time I felt myself cheering for Lo (or Li) to stand up to her brother or just take Adi for herself. I believe a romance between those two would take the cake instead of having Cai keep chasing her.As for Adi, I enjoyed her character. I think she may be the most believable one out of the whole pack. Very guarded for good reason and even when she shares her secrets she’s reserved in her affections. We see she trusts and believes the pack though, which makes up for her own haunting demons.Frazer... was an enigma to me. All stoic, hard lines and silent. I didn’t expect him to be so important to the h, nor how the novel would turn the way it did. It surely was interesting, but as with Wilder it felt forced. Like the author kind of forced this relationship to happen and develop rather than being natural. Though, I do believe he is very sweet, deep under the thorny personality.The structure needs work. There were noticeable spelling and grammar errors that were more obvious than others, simple ones irked me the most. While I’m not the best writer (example: this review!), I do like novels I pay for to at least be proofed for minor errors like these. I do understand that simple errors escape an editing eye, so I’ll give this the benefit of doubt.Overall, what kept me going was the world building. Sometimes the author throws in words, phrases, and bits of lore that leave me with more questions than answers. And that don’t get answers. Often I have a feeling like, “What... does that mean?” And it goes unanswered. (A glossary of fae language or terms at the back of the book would be really nice!) I think I’ll still purchase the second book if it comes out. I’ll see these series through, but I do expect improvement in the second and on.

5 Full StarsWow, what can I say? I'm in awe. Respect to the author for imagining & bringing to life such a vivid, engrossing, and obviously well planned story.I love Fantasy, especially fantasy involving the fae, and there's quite a bit out there, but S.B. Nova's Outcast series doesn't feel derivative. For just a bit of background, the heroine Serena lives a wretched life, has very little love or much to hope for. She's abused and essentially trapped, in a judgmental & repressive society. She's an outcast. This context leads to events that propel her immense journey forward, in which everything she knows is called into question. Her whole life she's been told to fear and hate the Fae. She's grown up with the nightmarish tales and legends, and then has to face the reality for herself. When she's thrown into their world, she meets a colorful cast of characters, starting with Hunter, followed by the connections she makes in the Riverlands (the fae kingdom where she ends up). Everything is intense & beautifully written. You'll love going on Serena's journey and seeing where it leads her. I don't want to say much more except you'll love Liora, Cai, Adrianna, Frazer, and Wilder, and their interactions with Serena and what they come to mean to her. There's twists that are surprising and and unlikely to be completely figured out by you ahead of time, but still make sense. The mythology and background is deep, intricately woven, & fascinating. This story proves Fantasy can and should be sexy, too. You'll be engrossed.I love when a story has lines that just kind of put you in awe of the sheer talent & creativity it must have taken to think of such words, and that's SB Nova's work here.I'm a fan for life now.

I was so surprised, delighted and moved by this book. I’d just given up on a different series I’d been trying to convince myself to finish when I turned to this book recommended to me by Storygraph.The characters are well developed, the plot is complex, but not confusing. I LOVED this. I read it on KindleUnlimited and will be buying a paperback postehaste!

I can't write enough great things about this book. Really wonderful world building with a lot of fresh take on faery tales. Loved the characters they are both interesting and likeable and the plot is lovely and unpredictable. Also, LOVE a big fat book=) I really can't wait for more

Easily one of the best books I have ever read- and I read a lot. I love the authors style of writing and their way of developing the storyline, however I would enjoy seeing the athmosphere and setting developed in more details in the books yet to come

This world is complicated and fascinating, it is full of characters that each have a story behind them. When I started this book I was wondering whether I should come back to it because of its slightly brutal start but after a few pages I became completely immersed in the world of the Fae. It is one of the best books I have ever read, I love the plot and the characters and all the twists and turns of this story.CONTAINS SPOILERSSerena may seem pretty scared and unsure at first but I feel that as soon as she gets dragged into a world of winged humans and their mysterious customs she starts to reveal her true, feisty, loyal and brave self.Frazer is thought of as grumpy, mean and mute at first but as you read more of the book and you uncover more of his story it is hard not to fall in love with his deep loyalty and overprotectiveness. I knew from the start that he was going to be my favourite character and I can’t wait to discover more about his past in the next book.Cai is the comedian of the group, he always lightens the mood and he is a huge flirt. If you have read the lunar chronicles then think of Thorne. Cai always seems to have some comment or another up his sleeve but he is also very protective of his sister and desperately in love with Adrianna. Cai is also the only witch that can access his powers and he is the leader of the group. I personally think that the pack wouldn’t have survived without himLiora is the heart and soul of the group. She is sweet, kind and caring and is very perceptive. She always seems to know what the rest of them are thinking and knows how to comfort them. She may be bound but that doesn’t stop her, she would do anything for her friends. Cai may hold the group together but the pack probably wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for her.Adrianna is the warrior of the group and the whole pack would be dead a hundred times over if it wasn’t for her quick thinking and incredible fighting skills. She may make life difficult for everyone and reject Cai dozens of times but it’s hard to imagine the pack without her sharp tongue.Overall I would like to thank S. B. Nova for bringing AKOE into the world and I can’t wait for AKON

¿Es un libro "perfecto"? NO. De hecho, hay un par de cosillas que podrían haber estado mejor, como el haber eliminado alguna que otra escena o descripción y haber desarrollado de una forma un poco más pausada tanto las relaciones de amistad como la amorosa, ya que queda todo muy instantáneo. Aunque, por contradictorio que parezca, esas relaciones se acaben convirtiendo en una de las mejores cosas de la novela. ¿Por qué le pongo 5★ entonces? Pues...1.— Porque me ha tenido enganchadísima y me ha sorprendido, en tanto a que no me vi venir más de una cosa pese a que las señales estaban ahí. Y eso me encanta.2.– Sus personajes y, como dije arriba, el vínculo que se forma entre ellos. SOBRE TODO entre Serena (la protagonista) y cierto personaje. O sea, lo que surge entre ellos dos me ha derretido el corazón, el alma y todo XD (y no, no es una relación amorosa 😋).

Honesty one of the best novels I’ve read in a long time. It’s fresh, a mix of new and old concepts for fae and other creatures. The world building is great, and the build up is amazing. I think the plot is kept simple and we get to ask the same questions that Serena is also asking. And it all adds up.