Exiled (The Protector Book 1) [Kindle Edition]

M.R. Merrick (Author)

Book Description

Exiled is an intense, thrilling and action-packed urban fantasy meets epic adventure story with an electrifying pace that will keep readers racing through the pages.
- Fiktshun

This excellent debut sparks and crackles with so much detail and emotion that it's virtually impossible not to fall in love with it.
- Evie (Bookish Blog)

Book Description

Chase Williams is a demon hunter in the Circle, or at least he was supposed to be. On his fifteenth birthday, Chase stepped up to the altar to claim his elemental power, but it never came. Elemental magic is passed down to a hunter through the bloodline, but on Chase's birthday, the bloodline stopped.

Exiled without the Circle's protection, Chase has spent two years trying to survive a world riddled with half-demons and magic. When he has a run in with a frightened and seemingly innocent demon, he learns the Circle's agenda has changed: the Circle plans to unlock a portal and unleash pure-blood demons into the world.

Vowing to stop them, and knowing he can't do it alone, Chase forms a reluctant alliance with Rayna - a sexy witch with an attitude and a secret. In their attempt to stop them however, Chase and Rayna find themselves in the middle of the Circle's plan, leaving one of them to decide what their friendship is worth, and the other's life depending on it.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer and author of Exiled & Shift, the first two installments in The Protector series. Having never travelled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he's usually found at the computer between a pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.

Product Details

• File Size: 494 KB
• Print Length: 264 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: M.R. Merrick (June 28, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0058OMWYU
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,465 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)
  • #20 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children's eBooks > Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror > Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful debut to what promises to be a great series! June 12, 2012

By I. Cespedes

Format:Paperback

Merrick offers us a fresh, new take on an old concept. Chase, our male lead was trained to be a Hunter (the good guys) but when he is exiled by his father for not having an elemental power, he and his mother are forced to live on their own, away from the refuge of The Circle. However, just because he's not officially a part of that world anymore does not mean he's not still a target for Demons (the bad guys). One day, during a battle with a demon, he's rescued...er...helped by another Hunter, Marcus who was working alongside a demon, Rayna. Wait, aren't demons supposed to be bad? This was a huge turning point for Chase because he's forced to rethink everything he's ever learned about Hunters versus Demons.

Chase was a great character because there was so much to him. He was impulsive, protective, vulnerable, strong and a fighter through and through! He did frustrate me at times because he was a bit too impulsive. He meant well, but going off half-cocked usually gets you into more trouble (not less). Rayna was a total badass! I love strong female leads and this chick is as tough as they come, but she too has her share of vulnerabilities. One of my favorite aspects of reading any book is character growth and I loved watching these two characters mature and learn to trust in each other. Of course, we can't forget the secondary characters. Merrick gives us a motley crew of Hunters and Demons who have to work together, even when they're at odds with each other and most of it is quite humorous. (Side note: You'll learn a bit more about them over the course of this week's feature posts *wink*)

As for world building, Merrick gets two thumbs up from this gal. There are actually three worlds in this book and he connected them together almost seamlessly. Each world is vastly different and completely fascinating and all relevant to the plot of the book. They were all beautifully described and it's just as easy to get lost in them as Chase and Rayna did. There's also no lack of action! The fight scenes practically leaped off the page and I was tempted to duck a few times. Ok...not really...but you get my point!

With layered and likable characters, an interesting plot, solid world-building, and good writing, this was a wonderful debut to what promises to be a great series by M. R. Merrick.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Action-packed while full of magic and lore! January 17, 2013

By Bonnie Lynn Wagner

Format:Kindle Edition

The Protector Series begins by throwing readers right into the action, as do the rest of the books in the series. If you're looking for a lot of action, mayhem, and battle mixed together with elemental magical and the fate of the world falling on one teenager's shoulders, look no further because you've found your series!

Chase grew up his entire life knowing he was a Hunter, destined to purge the world of demon scum. On his fifteenth birthday, when he's expecting to come into his elemental power and join the Circle as a full-fledged member, he's stunned to find out that he's barren. Shunned from the Circle and disowned by his own father, Chase and his mother flee into exile. They've been in hiding for two years and Chase fights the demons he comes across, but a chance encounter with Rayna, a girl of mixed-blood changes everything. Suddenly up is down, and Chase begins to realize that not all demons are evil creatures that need demolishing. Not only that, the Circle is set on opening a portal that will bring Hell to Earth, and only by banding together with those Chase was brought up to distrust can stop them.

One great thing about the series is that even the "Save the World" storyline doesn't take place to the "overpowering romance" of two (or sometimes three, if you're reading a book with a triangle) starcrossed lovers. I don't know about you, but I'm so sick of seeing that in so much of the YA currently out there. There should be a strong balance between the two, especially in fantasy, and M.R. Merrick doesn't disappoint, creating just the right blend throughout the series.

Chase grows so much as a character, and is put through trials and horrors no human being should have to encounter. He is truly destined to become a hero despite the sacrifices along the way. In a way, Chase reminds me of Buffy, because he pulls together a core group of people, works with his enemies, and attempts to save the world from destruction and mayhem, sacrificing so much of himself along the way in order to save the greater good.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Coolest book EVER! December 3, 2011

By Evie Seo (Bookish blog)

Format:Paperback

Supernatural (the TV Show) meets The Mortal Instruments in Matt Merrick's insanely addictive, action-packed novel, Exiled. This excellent debut sparks and crackles with so much detail and emotion that it's virtually impossible not to fell in love with it. A superb cast of characters, clever dialogues, exciting plot twists and rich visual tapestry - all that makes it a book that readers simply can't afford to pass up! An absolute must-read!

Chase Williams is a demon hunter who once belonged to the Circle (group of warriors bearing elemental magic). He was raised and trained to become a hunter. At the age of fifteen his powers were supposed to manifest themselves, but, well, they didn't. He's a magic-free zone, null, zero, nada. Together with his mother, he gets kicked-out of the Circle as a punishment for being a disgrace to his father and other Hunters. But that is only the beginning of his problems. Not only does he have to learn how to live among mortals on Earth, but it also appears that our MC is a magnet for all sorts of trouble, always crossing paths with Underworlders, and having to fight his way through life.

Two years after his exile, he runs into a weird looking demon(ess) and a hunter who seems to be protecting her. Imagine his surprise when these two end up saving his life! Like that wasn't enough, they also tell him that things have changed in the Circle. And not for good at all. Something weird is going on, demon hunters are kidnapping Underworlders and no one knows why. Chase is about to uncover a disturbingly sophisticated web of lies and a plot to take over the world. He will also learn that not all demon hunters are noble and good willed, and not all Underworlders deserve to die.

OMG! Exiled exceeded all my expectations! Seriously, I did not think it would be THAT good. I saw people raving about it on Twitter, and I noticed that its Goodreads page is literally bombarded with tons of 5 star reviews, but I really didn't anticipate to be so amazed by it! OH-MY-GOSH!! It's just... unbelievably good! I know we all have those moments when we're hesitant to pick up a self published book, but let me just tell you - this book is nothing short of awesome. Passing up on it would be like saying no to a huge box of brand new books (or Starbucks Gingerbread Latte) - impossible to resist!

All the characters are fabulous. From the overly confident, charming, sexy and incredibly witty MC (Chase), to all the fantastic supporting characters, like the hilarious and insanely cute Underworlder, Willy (he is soooo adorable!!!). And then there's also Rayna! Wow, what a great chick! She's hot, totally kick-ass, sassy, funny, thoughtful, temperamental and loyal. Most importantly - she's not in the least whiny - thank goodness for that! I love Rayna (sorry Chase, you're awesome, too, but she's better!) Merrick's character-and-world-building is simply splendid. I honestly don't know how he does it! There's so much detail to the story, every scene, place and person is described so well, you can easily visualize all that in your head. The plot itself is brilliant, I wouldn't change a thing! I found myself wanting to learn more about the Circle and the Underworld, discover all the mysteries, get to know the characters! I genuinely cared about all that stuff, how extremely rare is that! The wait for the second part is going to be painful for sure, I can't wait to get my hands on it.

To sum it all up: Exiled is a mesmerizing, spine-tingling wonder of a book. It's the perfect blend of action, magic, mystery, thriller, romance and humor. A one-of-a-kind reading experience that you'll never forget! Read it!

More About the Author

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer and author of The Protector series, a young adult mash-up between urban and epic fantasy. Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he's usually found at the computer between a pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.