Royal Exile (Valisar Trilogy) [Paperback]

Fiona McIntosh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 21, 2008 | Series: Valisar Trilogy

Led by Loethar, an ambitious and ruthless tyrant, a terrifying army of mercenaries and renegades from the great southern steppes threatens to overwhelm the Kingdom of Penraven - the army has already overthrown its two neighbouring realms and left a trail of devastation and broken lives in their wake. Penraven is Loethar's most desired prize. Driven by dreams of empire, fuelled by his increasing obsession with magic, Loethar's plan to overthrow King Brennus of Penraven, 9th of the Valisars, was cemented the hour he learned that Brennus possessed the power of coercion. All Valisar heirs have been blessed down the ages with the sinister ability to bend people entirely to their will. Loethar is convinced that if he consumes these empowered people he will then be imbued with their skills and magics...and be unstoppable.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Fiona McIntosh: 'It's a "just one more chapter" sort of book. Don't start reading in the evening if you have to get up early the next morning' Robin Hobb --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Originally from Brighton, Fiona McIntosh moved to Australia in her teens and forged a successful career in travel - running a business with her husband - before becoming a writer. She continues her work and on top of this not only writes at least two books a year, but also spearheads the Fab Fantasy Bookclub - Australia's premier fantasy bookclub. She lives in southern Australia with her husband, her two lovely sons, two mad dogs and two insane birds. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd (August 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0732284775
• ISBN-13: 978-0732284770
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,521,439 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not engaging, April 21, 2009

By 

N. Brett (Wiltshire, England) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Royal Exile: Book One of The Valisar Trilogy (Mass Market Paperback)

Well, previous reviewers seem to have enjoyed this a lot more then I did. I really enjoyed some of the author's previous work, she writes fantasy with a real dark edge and when she pulls it off it really works. Here it didn't come together for me, I found the pace a little slow and lacking the inventiveness previously displayed by the author. While the dark violent side is there, it just didn't engage me sufficiently to keep turning the pages. This is the first part of a trilogy and I'm sorry to say I shall probably not bother with the next two.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars it's fantasy yes, but .... unplausible people, February 17, 2010

By 

C. Boylan (Saint Paul, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Royal Exile: Book One of The Valisar Trilogy (Mass Market Paperback)

After enjoying her Quickening series I was hoping and expecting another nice fantasy series. Instead I could barely wade through this book. I read a lot of fantasy and I can't recall another book where the characters simply are so unrealistic and where it just stands out. Maybe it's the dialog. At some level the characters have to have some relationship to what real people would do - whether they are heroes, cowards, villains, kings or servants. However tenuous. Not in this book. I want to believe in the Loethar character but for all I know the next page he'll pop out in a Groucho Marx imitation.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent fantasy, January 3, 2009

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Royal Exile: Book One of The Valisar Trilogy (Mass Market Paperback)

Using strategy that makes no military sense, tribal warlord Loethar and his deadly barbaric horde easily conquered Dregon and Voragan while Cremond capitulated without a fight. He now invades the final land in the Denova Set, the Kingdom of Penraven with once again little successful opposition. The flesh eaters easily slice their way to conquest defeating everyone who dares to face them. King Brennus is frustrated and worried, but will soon be dead as Loethar fearing nothing has every member of the renowned ruling family the Valisars killed although the king and queen go willingly so that one member of the royals can escape and insure Loethar fails to have access to their power.

The Champion of the Cohort Gavriel De Vis escorts away from the castle the first born son of the Valisars, young Prince Leo, whose special skills unlike that of his father and forefathers back eight generations has failed to surface. He seeks allies, but few sign up to join his noble but seemingly helpless cause. Not only has his talent remains dormant, but Loethar is too powerful and malevolent to fight against anymore; evil has won as the side of good allowed complacency and egotism to leave them unprepared leading them to defeat.

The first book of the Valisar trilogy occurs in the same world as the Percheron Saga, but is a different age and place. Readers will relish the return to Fiona McIntosh's fantasy realm as the opening act proves to be a worthy successor. The story line is fast-paced from the onset as the kings wonder how they could fall so fast to the blitzkrieg of Loethar. Leo is a wonderful wannabe hero, but his coming of age has a long way to go (two more novels) while Loethar is a fascinating in a macabre way villain who we meet early on after he has drank blood and looks forward to sharing a drink with King Ormond of Barronel. Ms. McIntosh opens her latest fantasy with a terrific thriller.

Harriet Klausner