dreamreader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Though this is still getting a high rating from me, it was my least favorite Deverry book so far. I was at first excited to follow Rhodry and Jill again, but this book ended up not really being about them. Mostly it was about Aderyn's life, and then the rest of it followed one of Rhodry's past lives in the form of a man named Maer. Though the reincarnated souls plot was as fascinating as ever, I didn't really enjoy Maer as a character. I also didn't like Aderyn that much. Not even the Nevyn that we get in the past timeline was enough to really redeem the characters in this book for me. I also didn't care for the plot as much this time around, especially the arc with the Blue Sprite. I really didn't enjoy that. Getting to know more about Pertyc and the Maelwaedd clan was very cool though, and I did enjoy learning more about the elves for sure, and am intrigued by the Guardians. The final scene in this book with Jill and Rhodry was AMAZING and really has me looking forward to more, so I will say that as usual, Kerr continues to hook me with her brilliant endings.
annekepaige's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kej182's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
felinity's review against another edition
5.0
In general, the new Westlands saga helps join the history of the Westfolk and Aderyn to that of Deverry and Rhodry, but this does far more than that. It expands the world both chronologically and geographically, giving more depth to characters and reminding me once again that there's no such thing as a casual reference for Katharine Kerr; names mentioned just once in the earlier books now come to life here.
katmarhan's review
4.0
9/10
A Time of Exile begins a new arc in the Deverry Cylce while carrying forward the main story of Rhodry and Jill. Most of the book is devoted to the story of Aderyn, apprentice to Nevyn and dweomermaster or a Wise One to the elves. It takes place with earlier incarnations of some familiar characters, filling in some of the history of Deverry, Eldidd, and the Westlands..
A Time of Exile begins a new arc in the Deverry Cylce while carrying forward the main story of Rhodry and Jill. Most of the book is devoted to the story of Aderyn, apprentice to Nevyn and dweomermaster or a Wise One to the elves. It takes place with earlier incarnations of some familiar characters, filling in some of the history of Deverry, Eldidd, and the Westlands..
angrywombat's review
3.0
Ahh, its a comfort coming back to the world of Deverry and the style of Ms Kerr.
This book, like many of the "dagger*" series is composed of different timelines - this time the 'present' is somme 40 years later when Rhodry is regretting his elvish heritage (and so is his son, waiting for his father to die off so he can inherit). The other timelines mainly follow Adeyrn and the an ill fated uprising which cause the Maelwaedd family (Rhodry's family) to come to power.
This book focussed much more on the Westfolk - the elves of this world, and their mysterious Guardians. Honestly the spirit/otherworldly bits are a bit tiring for me, and I don't yet see their significance, although I am sure I will later in this series. But I really enjoy reading more about the convoluted human politics of how the various families vie for power - and how it all looks so ridiculous to the Westfolk.
Also this book ends on an awesome cliffhanger, where we finally find out what the mysterious silver ring is all about!
This book, like many of the "dagger*" series is composed of different timelines - this time the 'present' is somme 40 years later when Rhodry is regretting his elvish heritage (and so is his son, waiting for his father to die off so he can inherit). The other timelines mainly follow Adeyrn and the an ill fated uprising which cause the Maelwaedd family (Rhodry's family) to come to power.
This book focussed much more on the Westfolk - the elves of this world, and their mysterious Guardians. Honestly the spirit/otherworldly bits are a bit tiring for me, and I don't yet see their significance, although I am sure I will later in this series. But I really enjoy reading more about the convoluted human politics of how the various families vie for power - and how it all looks so ridiculous to the Westfolk.
Also this book ends on an awesome cliffhanger, where we finally find out what the mysterious silver ring is all about!
vaderbird's review
3.0
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish