The Ruins of Ambrai (Exiles, Vol. 1) [Hardcover]

Melanie Rawn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1994 | Series: Ruins of Ambrai

Torn apart in childhood by the intrigues and machinations of their elders, three Mageborn sisters take their stands against one another on opposing sides of a conflict between two powerful schools of magic.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A thousand years ago, Mageborns fled prejudice and persecution to colonize the planet Lenfell--a perfect refuge for those whose powers were perceived as a threat by people not gifted with magic. But the greater the magic, the greater the peril. Lenfell was soon devastated by a war between rival Mageborn factions that polluted the land with Wild Magic and unleashed hideous specters called Wraithenbeasts. Now, generations later, someone is planning another war on the still crippled planet that will tear three Mageborn sisters apart.

"I am mad (petulant, in fact!) that I can't immediately read book number two in the Exiles trilogy.... Melanie Rawn has established beyond doubt that she is a great writer of fantasy and The Ruins of Ambrai will join the Dragon series in my library of favorites for years to come." --Realms of Fantasy

From Library Journal

Once ravaged by wars between rival factions of mages, the land of Lenfell now strives to maintain peace through the careful restriction of magic. A conspiracy, however, born of the political aspirations of the now-exiled mage-born Lords of Malerris, threatens to plunge the world into chaos once again. Against this background, the author of the popular "Dragon Prince" and "Dragon Star" trilogies begins a new epic adventure that focuses on the destinies of three sisters of unlimited power. Rawn's talent for lush descriptions and complex characterizations provides a broad range of drama, intrigue, romance, and adventure. Her depiction of Lenfell's unique matriarchal society adds further texture to this densely woven fantasy tapestry. Most libraries should consider multiples of this title.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: DAW Hardcover; First edition (November 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0886776198
• ISBN-13: 978-0886776190
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (160 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,086,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing, December 29, 2001

By 

Kent (St. Cloud, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ruins of Ambrai (Exiles, Vol. 1) (Hardcover)

This book does a wonderful job of tying a lot of little plots into a cohesive whole. Three sisters seperated by various circumstances end up in three different positions of leadership with some very complex political, emotional, and power struggles between each. The interaction between each is pretty skillfully written.

The biggest positive to this book, is definitely the world Rawn has created here. We've got political parallels to Communism & Democracy. And we've got gender role reversal, a deeply Matriarchal society, instead of a Patriarchal one. As a man, I found myself repeatedly getting flustered at the treatment of men in this world, only to step back and realize it draws a very significant parallel to the treatment of women in our real world. It is a refreshingly unexpected change in a fantasy storyline.

All that aside, the book is not inherently perfect; there are a few annoyances. Rawn seems to take a few shortcuts here and there, the most annoying being a particular characters ability of super-intuition. There are parts where the characters seem to have a lapse of common sense and you're left screaming at the book, praying you could slap some thought into their heads.

Overall, a very good book. Slight annoyances, bring it down from a 5 to a 4, but still a intriguing read.

Thumbs up|down? Definitely up...

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, December 23, 1999

By 

"luca9" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ruins of Ambrai (Exiles, Vol. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

I must admit, this was the first book of Rawn's that I have ever read, and I picked it up simply because it was the thickest book on the book store shelf that I had not read yet. It is beautiful. The plot gets a little boggy at time when the author explains heritage, and a few of the name are a little too similer, but that was my only complaint. The idea of this society run completly by women is interesting, (In response to a comment placed before, women are in power because of their ability to bear children, as we find out in the next book) and Rawn carries it well in this brilliant book. The story is filled with characters you can really wrap your head (and heart) around, in particular, I found my self caring for two of them, Alin and Val, as I world my own two brothers, the love between them is something we all aspire to have one day. However, a word of warning, if you have no sense of humor this might not be a book for you, sometimes men are seen in a rather, shall we say, unique light. Also, be forwarned, if you fall in love with this series, you should know that the third is indefinatly delayed, pending the completion and release of another book by Rawn (Divination) so plan to read the two that are out over and over until they fall apart, I have!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A complex book full of wonderful characters!!, July 19, 2002

By 

"bear283" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ruins of Ambrai (Exiles, Vol. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

Melanie Rawn is one of the most gifted fantasy wrtiers around becasue she can blend a complex plot with amazing characterization (of major and minor) characters without letting the plot slow down or get confusing. All her characters are human and have flaws, which makes you love them more. this series is on level with Lord of the Rings.
"Exiles: The Ruins of Ambrari" is an amazing journey into another world and political structure. In this world women are dominant in society and men are the background. It is a world of magic and power struggles.
It is the story of Sarra, Cailet, and Glenin, three sisters who are on opposite sides of a war between two different factions of Mageborn people.
Glenin is for the people who want to take over Lenfell
Sarra is working to stop her older sister Glenin
and Cailet is the most powrful mage but she is still a child
Sarra and the other Mageborn must protect her at all costs.
Melanie rawn blends politics, characters, action, mystery, and romance perfectly in this epic novel about survival and good v. evil.
Rawn also has a lot of humor especially in the romance between Sarra and Collan.
Melanie Rawn has created her best series in "Exiles" because her talent has fully awakened. Rawn has amazing skill and subtlety that immediatly captures the reader's attention!
I read "The Ruins of Ambrari" and "The Mageborn Traitor" in two days!
Melanie PLEASE finish the Third book soon!