Kingdom of Exiles
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4.0 • 5 Ratings
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
"Lush world-building and intoxicating magic"—Entertainment Weekly
"A sweeping swords-and-sorcery romance"—The New York Times
Assassin's Creed meets Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in this gripping, epic fantasy romance.
My heart wasn't part of the deal when I bargained for my life,
But assassins so rarely keep their word.
Exiled Charmer Leena Edenfrell is running out of time. Empty pockets forced her to sell her beloved magical beasts—an offense punishable by death—and now there's a price on her head. With the realm's most talented murderer-for-hire nipping at her heels, Leena makes Noc an offer he can't refuse: powerful mythical creatures in exchange for her life.
Plagued by a curse that kills everyone he loves, Noc agrees to Leena's terms in hopes of finding a cure. Never mind that the dark magic binding the assassin's oath will eventually force him to choose between Leena's continued survival…and his own.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Martineau's impressive debut novel, the first of a romantic fantasy trilogy, marries grand-scale wonder with the intimacy of relationships among traveling companions and a layered plot. Leena is a Charmer, one with the ability to mentally commune with and train a wide range of beasts. She's been exiled from her home for crimes she didn't commit, and her only path to survival is illegally selling trained beasts. She knows this will draw notice, but she never expected that to come in the form of Kost, a shadow-wielding undead assassin. Her beasts defend her and she demands that Kost take her to his master, the brooding, handsome Noc, so she can convince him to revoke the commission for her death. Noc is cursed and haunted by his past, but blessed with a second chance at building his life. Leena is merely a job at first. Soon he's struggling to keep from falling for her. Martineau's intricate world-building melds traditional high fantasy with a hint of Victorian sensibility, then elevates it with endearing characters and a deliciously complex story that will leave readers anxiously awaiting the second book.
