The Exiled Queen (The Seven Realms Series) »

You can't always run from danger...

Haunted by the loss of his mother and sister, Han Alister journeys south to begin his schooling at Mystwerk House in Oden’s Ford. But leaving the Fells doesn’t mean danger isn’t far behind. Han is hunted every step of the way by the Bayars, a powerful wizarding family set on reclaiming the amulet Han stole from them. And Mystwerk House has dangers of its own. There, Han meets Crow, a mysterious wizard who agrees to tutor Han in the darker parts of sorcery—but the bargain they make is one Han may regret.

Meanwhile, Princess Raisa ana’Marianna runs from a forced marriage in the Fells, accompanied by her friend Amon and his triple of cadets. Now, the safest place for Raisa is Wein House, the military academy at Oden's Ford. If Raisa can pass as a regular student, Wein House will offer both sanctuary and the education Raisa needs to succeed as the next Gray Wolf queen.

The Exiled Queen is an epic tale of uncertain friendships, cut-throat politics, and the irresistible power of attraction.

EXCERPT:

Han slid his fingers inside his shirt and absently touched the serpent amulet that sizzled against the skin of his chest. Power flowed out of him and into the jinxpiece, relieving the magical pressure that had been building all day.

It had become a habit, this drawing off of power that might otherwise pinwheel out of control. He needed to constantly reassure himself the amulet was still there. Han had become strangely attached to it since he’d stolen it from Micah Bayar.

The magical pendant had once belonged to his ancestor, Alger Waterlow, known by most people as the Demon King. Meanwhile, the Lone Hunter amulet made for him by the Clan Matriarch Elena Demonai languished in his saddlebag.

He should hate the Waterlow jinxpiece. He’d paid for it with Mam’s and Mari’s lives. Some said the amulet was a black magic piece—capable of naught but evil. But it was all he had to show for his nearly seventeen years, save Mari’s charred storybook and Mam’s gold locket. It was all that remained of a season of disaster.

VOYA

Princess Raisa has fled from a forced marriage with Micah Bayar and traveled with Amon Byrne to Oden's Ford, where she hopes to pass as a normal soldier and get some valuable military training. Han Alister, still grieving the loss of his mother and sister, has also come to Oden's Ford, and with the companionship of Dancer and Cat, he hopes to develop his newly discovered wizarding abilities. Han proves to be a powerful wizard sought by others—Micah, the mysterious Crow, even Dean Abelard—but whom can he trust? And Raisa (known as Rebecca at the school) is drawn to both Amon and Han, yet both are forbidden to her. Vividly drawn and lusciously executed, the Seven Realms series continues to grow in breadth and detail with this sequel to The Demon King (Hyperion, 2009/VOYA October 2009). The story lines are intricately plotted and the characters fully realized, even as questions about truth, loyalty, and power are explored. The pacing of the story is pitch-perfect, with the focus shifting back and forth from Han to Raisa until their paths merge, making this an excellent choice for reluctant readers who refuse to be put off by the size of the book. Readers may be reminded of Hogwarts (with the beautifully imagined Oden's Ford) or the Twilight (Little Brown Young Readers) books (with the passionate and forbidden feelings Raisa experiences), yet the novel stands on its own and will leave readers once again begging for more. Reviewer: Melissa Moore