A thousand years ago, Mageborns fled prejudice and persecution to colonize the planet Lenfell – prisitine, untouched, 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 and Lenfell was soon devastated by a war between rival Mageborn factions that polluted land, sea and air with Wild Magic and unleashed the hideous specters known as the Wraithenbeasts.
Generations after that terrible war, with the land recovered from criplling wounds and the people no longer threated by genetic damage, Mageborns still practice their craft – but under strict constraints. Yet so long as the rivlary between the Mage Guardians and the Lords of Malerris continues, the threat of another war is ever-present. And someone has been planning just such a war for many long years, the final strike in a generations-old bid for total power.
Bound together by ties of their ancient Blood Line, torn asunder by the magical intrigues and political ambitions of their elders, three Mageborn sisters will find themselves on opposing sides in the conflict.
Glennin, initiated by her father into the secrets of Malerrisi magic, craves the power and position she believes are her rightful heritage – and she will do anything and use anyone in pursuit of her goals.
Sarra, fostered under a name not her own when a treacherous attack destroys all she holds dear, will devote herself to championing the underground resistance force known as the Rising – and in protecting the younger sister whose very existance is the most closely guarded secret in their world.
Cailet, destined from birth to become the Mage Guardians' last, best hope, will grow to young womanhood ignorant of her abilities and her destiny – and will prevail only if she can overcome the spell barriers long ago imposed upone her magic.
Together, the sisters will fight their own private war, and the victors will determine whether or not the Wild Magic and Wraithenbeasts are once again loosed to wreak havoc upon their world.
The series
In a world where magic is both a gift and a curse, the Exiles trilogy by Melanie Rawn immerses readers in a richly layered landscape of power, betrayal, and survival. Set in the land of Lenfell, a realm steeped in ancient secrets and fraught with political tension, the series follows the intertwined lives of three sisters from the fallen House of Ambrai.
Read full series description
When tragedy strikes their once-proud family, the sisters—Glenin, Sarra, and Cailet—are scattered to the winds. Each takes a different path, but none can escape the shadow of their family’s legacy. As they grow and face the harsh realities of a world where magical prowess and social standing dictate fate, their journeys explore the delicate balance between loyalty and ambition, love and sacrifice, as they strive to reclaim what was lost.
The first book, The Ruins of Ambrai, sets the stage for a compelling saga of political intrigue and magical warfare, as Glenin, Sarra, and Cailet navigate a society that is as treacherous as it is enchanting. But it’s in the depths of the second novel, The Mageborn Traitor, that the stakes intensify. With their fates now intertwined in a web of alliances, deceptions, and revelations, the sisters must face choices that will not only shape their futures but alter the very fabric of Lenfell.
Though the third installment remains unfinished, Exiles has captivated readers with its complex world-building, strong-willed characters, and the atmospheric depth that defines Melanie Rawn's writing. Magic in this world is not just a tool; it’s a force that shapes destinies, forges alliances, and tears apart lives. The trilogy delves into themes of power, identity, and family—where every choice, every bond, has lasting consequences.
If you crave a story where every character is tested by love, magic, and destiny, and where the stakes of political and magical intrigue are as high as the fall of kingdoms, Exiles will draw you into its spellbinding web.
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