Rosalie Skinner, Exiled: Autumn's Plight

I was fortunate enough to review Exiled Autumn's Peril by Rosalie Skinner soon to be released by Enspiren Press. The book introduces the reader to Caleath the rather personable hero of the series. We join him after six years in Exile when he survives a shipwreck and struggles ashore on the planet's southern continent. Caleath's character instantly draws the reader's interest. He comes from a world of advanced technology but is stranded on a planet where swords and sorcery take precedence. With genetic enhancements, microchip implants and healing nanobots, he has survived as a gladiator slave. The shipwreck, we discover, is a result of his desperation to reach a fallen satellite that offers him his only chance of escape. A simple quest is made more difficult when assassins dog his footsteps. His first encounter with one leads to the death of Rybolt, his best friend from his home world. Caleath learns that his enemy has not only planned to have him killed, but he has arranged for a network of satellites to watch his progress. Rybolt's death prompts Caleath to begin his quest before repercussions affect the family who have given him shelter. Gwilt, a young local who seeks adventure rather than a life of farming, joins Caleath on his journey. Again, an assassin's death thwarts Caleath's plans. To maintain his freedom he makes an agreement with one of the ruling Council Mages. His willingness not to kill another of their rangers forces him to flee when another ranger/assassin catches up to him. In a desperate attempt to escape without crossing swords with the assassin, he takes one of the ranger's companions as a hostage. His troubles begin in earnest when he finds he has taken hostage the Ilthane Nasith. The woman is the historian for the Ferran tribes and the Council of Mages has guaranteed her safety. Although the main character Caleath is a technologically superior alien, we can understand his motivation. A dissatisfied youth, obsessed with his success in Virtual Reality games his arrogance and naivety lead to his exile. There are hints of darker conspiracies at play in his former life, while in the world of his exile darker forces drive him towards a powerful destiny.He finds in this world, sorcery and politics are accommodating bedfellows and we sweat as we watch his chances of retaining life and freedom become more difficult.Rosalie Skinner's writing style brings the world to life for the reader. The characters become as familiar as old friends and we empathize with each step of Caleath's journey. The pace of the story carries the reader effortlessly while giving us the opportunity to experience the sensory world Rosalie creates. On reaching the last page, I dreamed of returning to Caleath's world and immersing myself again in his adventures. Thankfully, there are several books in the series Exiled, awaiting publication.