Release-Day Review: Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym M. Martineau (Beast Charmer #1)

Kingdom of Exiles (The Beast Charmer #1)
Maxym M. Martineau
Published: June 25, 2019 (Sourcebooks Casablanca)
Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon
Review Source: Copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by: Amy

Rating (out of 5): 5 stars

Leena Edenfrell thought exile from the Charmer home of Hireath was the worst thing that could happen to her. I mean, because of her exile, she was forced to sell her precious beasts on the black market just to survive—which itself is an offense punishable by death.

When she learns there’s been a bounty put on her head, she’s both surprised and not. For years, she’s been cultivating a plan to get back to Hireath and clear her name, and when she confronts the bounty hunter who holds her contract, she thinks her plan may have a chance to come to fruition.

Since being named leader of Cruor, Noc has tried to do right by his brother and sister assassins, but a curse he carries keeps him from getting too close or emotionally involved due to the resulting death of anyone he loves that loves him in turn. When a bargain with Leena demands that she provide his people with four beasts in exchange for the cancellation of her contract, he sees the opportunity to finally get the curse lifted.

Soon, however, the lines between their individual objectives begin to blur as they get caught up in an attraction neither saw coming. What Leena doesn’t know, however, is that the Cruor are bound by their oaths to carry out their jobs, no matter what, or face death.

Kingdom of Exiles reminded me of the first time I read the Night Huntress series or the Kate Daniels series or Mercy Thompson, and the list goes on. It is what I look for every time I open a new book by a new author. The feeling of every aspect of a story fitting together in just the right way. The world building, the romance, the action, the mythology, the pacing.

It was interesting seeing how Leena and Noc play off one another because they are both people who feel loneliness and vulnerabilities, but their strength lies in being able to continue on despite the loneliness and vulnerability. To continue fighting even when there seems to be no end in sight. They complement one another in that way. I found it so interesting that Maxym Martineau decided to show such blatant yearning on Noc’s part in regards to how much he’s closed himself off from feeling, and how much he wants to be able to feel. It’s probably one of the big things that separates their experiences because, if nothing else, Leena does have her connection to her beasts.

And boy, do those beasts really take center stage. Maxym Martineau has brought some truly visualized creatures to life in this book. I love their powers and I enjoyed seeing Leena pair the different beasts to the Cruor who travel with her as she searches for her own Myad-Beast whose taming will show the Charmer Council Leena’s worthiness. Having the group slowly build from enemies to family was a joy to behold.

Maxym Martineau knows how to perfectly plot out the story. While we get some closure as far as Leena’s issues with the Charmers, by the end a completely new can of worms has been opened. Noc still holds some secrets close to the chest, and while the pieces are slowly coming together, the puzzle isn’t yet complete, nor are the implications for the future realized.

I cannot wait to find out where we go next. I’m excited to meet and learn about more Beasts and I’m eagerly waiting to spend more time with this group of characters. It’s official, Maxym Martineau is an author to watch. Highly recommended.

Content: Sex, scenes of torture