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Exiled (The Never Chronicles #1)

by J.R. Wagner (Goodreads Author)

3.66 of 5 stars 3.66 · rating details · 128 ratings · 65 reviews

James has never known an ordinary life. As long as he can remember, he and his family have been on the run—moving from place to place, never settling down, never growing roots. Now, just when he’s on the brink of manhood, the very thing his family has been trying to prevent tears him from all he has ever known and thrusts him into a place where he is powerless and alone.

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Paperback, 312 pages

Published June 5th 2012 by Live Oak Book Company (first published May 5th 2012)

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Community Reviews

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Jul 11, 2012 Gina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-tours, 4-star

Be at Behind A Million And One Pages on 12 June for a exclusive review of Exiled then stop back in on 13 June for an exclusive Interview with J.R. Wagner! Join the blog tour!

I am completely and in love with the world that J.R. has built in The Never! The world is built up perfectly and I am completely sucked into this new and exciting world. The character building of James on his journey through The Never as well as everything he discovers on the way, as well as things he doesn't discover just a...more

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Jun 12, 2012 Rayne rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, between-the-3-and-the-4, fantasy, magic, there-s-romance-in-there-somewhere, witches-and-wizards, young-adult

Review originally posted at http://www.mycutebookshelf.com/2012/0...

Real Score: 3.5 stars

In his debut novel, Wagner has created a wonderful and complex tale of magic, intrigue and heart-pounding adventure that held my attention from start to finish.

The magic in this book is intricate, complex but breathtakingly beautiful. I loved the whole historical background and the careful detail the author gave to every aspect of his magical world. This is a very well-conceived world that is easy to get lo...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Leanne (The Selkie Reads Stories) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Exiled is J.R. Wagner's debut YA fantasy set in the 19th century and introduces us to a dark new world of magic. Think Harry Potter + Alesana.

Let's start with the bits that bothered me a bit, shall we?

First, the book started too slow and I wanted to skip a few parts just because they dragged on too much. Second, the book constantly switches between time periods, and I wasn't really a fan of that. The time-switching left me hanging a few times and had me confused, since they weren't really in a...more

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Jun 26, 2012 Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

What do you get when you cross the Harry Potter series with the television show "Lost"? The answer: The Never Chronicles by J.R. Wagner. Book 1 titled "Exiled" throws you into a magical world that intermixes with an island fantasy realm.

This YA book introduces you to James, the center of a prophecy that will bring about change in the magical and unmagical world (the faithful and the faithless). He is exiled to The Never for a crime he did not commit and has begun his journey on how to live up t...more

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Jun 13, 2012 Roxanne Kade rated it 4 of 5 stars

Exiled is an exciting adventure which takes place within the realm of The Never as well as the everyday world. James, a young sorcerer destined to become the Anointed One, is forced to live a life on the run, as his parents do everything they can to protect him.

A twist of fate sees James being banished to The Never, a magical realm created for those found guilty of various crimes. He wakes up to find he no longer has his powers, and he struggles with the new, strange world he finds himself in. B...more Exiled is an exciting adventure which takes place within the realm of The Never as well as the everyday world. James, a young sorcerer destined to become the Anointed One, is forced to live a life on the run, as his parents do everything they can to protect him.

A twist of fate sees James being banished to The Never, a magical realm created for those found guilty of various crimes. He wakes up to find he no longer has his powers, and he struggles with the new, strange world he finds himself in. But James soon meets up with others who have been sent to The Never, and that is when the adventure really begins. Along with his new friends, he goes in search of a way back to the normal world. Their explorations lead to a number of interesting discoveries, as James' destiny as the Anointed One begins to take shape.

This book was an exciting read. What I loved most of all was the world building, especially when it came to The Never. Wagner's descriptions made it feel like I was actually there, exploring this strange land for myself. I loved the idea of the fire plants. They were a tiny detail in the book but the imagination that brought them to life left me in awe. I love stories set in fictional worlds, because I am fascinated by their creation and what it must take to think of such things. It's sheer brilliance!!

Throughout the book the timeline changes. It goes from the present to the past and then back again. Although I enjoyed reading about the occurences that led up to James' current situation, I would have preferred them to run in chronological order, because at times it got a bit confusing. Having said that, it didn't take away from the overall pleasure of reading this book, and believe it had a lot to do with the easy flow of the story.

The ending is a definate cliffhanger. I got to the last page and I wanted to scream. I wasn't sure if I should be mad that I was left hanging, or if I should be excited by the cleverness of it all. I need the second book, and I need it now!
(less)

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Jun 11, 2012 ⚝ Ŧáẅņá ⚝ rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Story

There is the world of people who don't believe in magic, the "unfaithful" and in this same world there are the "faithful" who believe in and can perform magic. The faithful have a prophecy about the end of all magic and sorcerers, there is also a prophecy about one who can save them all. James has trained his whole life knowing that he was this person the prophecy told about, however, events have been sent into motion and he has been exiled to The Never. The Never is a place outside of...more The Story

There is the world of people who don't believe in magic, the "unfaithful" and in this same world there are the "faithful" who believe in and can perform magic. The faithful have a prophecy about the end of all magic and sorcerers, there is also a prophecy about one who can save them all. James has trained his whole life knowing that he was this person the prophecy told about, however, events have been sent into motion and he has been exiled to The Never. The Never is a place outside of the world, some believe a grand sorcerer created the place and it is where all of the magical criminals go. James can no longer use his magic and he must find a way out of there or else all the people he cares about and all the people who have sacrificed for him will be lost. This story tells of James' time in The Never and also flashes back to the events that led up to his training of magic.

Likes
--The world building is spectacular! There are reasons and explanations and yet so many mysterious areas we have yet to learn about.
--James as a character is good, he is young and has faced many hard things, not growing up as a normal kid and has doubts and fears and confidence as well.
--Kalani, I liked her too and can't wait to learn more about her
--Akil is interesting as a sorcerer and mentor and the last chapter of the book makes me so much more curious about him.
--The writing was descriptive and pulled you in and set the environment. I could see in my mind what was happening.

Dislikes
--I still don't really know if Alvaro is really a bad guy. I am thinking that yes he is, but so far as James knows there is no proof that he has done what they are telling him. Maybe I am being a conspiracy theorist and everything is as it seems, but maybe not.

Conclusion
This is a YA read, probably 13 up due to some of the words...I'm in my 20s and found a word or two that I needed to use the dictionary for. I would recommend for anyone interested sorcery and magic, Eragon without the dragons, Harry Potter without other kids, friends, or school (if you understand any of that)...this is a darker world set in the past and is quite intriguing. I am very excited to read the next book when it comes out.(less)

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Jun 07, 2012 Mrs. Kenyon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-books

In a world where magic is real, but can only be practiced by the Faithful there is a prophecy. The Anointed One will be born to Unfaithfuls and be a powerful sorcerer. It is believed that James is the Anointed One. His family was converted and trained when he was 3 years old and during this training period he was isolated, moved often and had several tutors (each more skilled than the last). Unfortunately, not everyone believes he is the Anointed One and some are jealous of his power. After a wi...more

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Jun 03, 2012 Rhonda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sunday, June 3, 2012Review:Exiled by J.R. Wagner
4 stars Exiled is a about a power fight,prophecy,magic and the boy it all falls around. This story jumps all around in time and place. I listened to it on my kindle and sometimes got lost because I did not realized it had jumped again. So I recommend just read it, don't listen to it. The story starts in 1989 in South America during a hearing. James Lochlan Stuart IV is on trial for murder. He is found guilty and sent to the Never. No one comes bac...more Sunday, June 3, 2012Review:Exiled by J.R. Wagner
4 stars Exiled is a about a power fight,prophecy,magic and the boy it all falls around. This story jumps all around in time and place. I listened to it on my kindle and sometimes got lost because I did not realized it had jumped again. So I recommend just read it, don't listen to it. The story starts in 1989 in South America during a hearing. James Lochlan Stuart IV is on trial for murder. He is found guilty and sent to the Never. No one comes back from thier. James wakes up and has none of his powers and is in a strange and dangerous place. The 3 chapeter takes place in December 1894 England. the last chapter takes place in June 1626, Ireland. Akil Karanis wants to find the person who the prophecy says will save their people. For many years the ones who do not believe in magic kill those who do. While thier laws prohibt fighting back. The prophecy says the fourth of the name with strong magic will save them. James the third is told about it and shown the world of magic and tells him his son will be the one it speaks of. So James third learns magic so he can teach and protect his son. Anyone can learn magic if they believe in it. They can use this powder to go to anyland that they have been before. You can transport to a place you dont know. This tale is good but I hate when you finsh a book and the story is not done and you have to wait for it. James when he gets to the never he meets the people that have been banished to thier and when they hear his name recognized him as the one who can save them. No one can drink standing water without dying. They can't travel across the ocean it spits them back out or they drown. There are a lot of different creatures and dangerous plant life. But they believe James can change that. In fact they build a small boat and have him sail across the bay and he survives and give the people hope. So they build a bigger boat so a group and can try and gather the things they will need to leave. Thier is so many unanswered questions that I want answered. Oh well I will have to wait for the next book. I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley. 05/05/2012 PUB Greenleaf Book Group(less)

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May 21, 2012 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, fantasy, historical, read-2012, science-fiction, netgalley

Posted on Book Chelle.

JR Wagner's Exiled is the first in The Never Chronicles series. The cover is dark and mysterious, a perfect reflection of the synopsis. I was intrigued by the story, and you know me, I was lured by the cover.

In Exiled, James Lochlan Stuart IV has been wrongly accused of murder. For his unfortunate punishment, he is exiled to The Never, a place no one escapes, and is stripped of his powers. Set in Europe in the late 1800s, James is determined to find his way back. What he do...more Posted on Book Chelle.

JR Wagner's Exiled is the first in The Never Chronicles series. The cover is dark and mysterious, a perfect reflection of the synopsis. I was intrigued by the story, and you know me, I was lured by the cover.

In Exiled, James Lochlan Stuart IV has been wrongly accused of murder. For his unfortunate punishment, he is exiled to The Never, a place no one escapes, and is stripped of his powers. Set in Europe in the late 1800s, James is determined to find his way back. What he doesn't expect are the discoveries that he stumbles upon during his time in the Exile.

James is the anointed one, with the promises of great power and magic. Being exiled was definitely a story standard, but Wagner wrote this hero in an interesting way. I admired James' strength, and I only wish to have see a lot more of it. Much more than the flashbacks. I wanted to know James in present day, but there are two other books to read through. I was immediately empathetic to James and his trials, and by the end, James was my hero.

Wagner's world is amazing. The Exiled is filled with water and magic, something that isn't usually used as a setting. He was detailed, enough so that I was there right next to James. I wish there was a little more to the character development of the supporting characters. Ankil should have been the other main character, but I didn't feel there was enough of him to invest in. I didn't appreciate Kilani as much as I wanted to. And really, too bad. This little glimmer of romance would have been so great in Exiled.

I felt a few disconnects throughout Exiled. In the beginning, I felt the nice speed of plot momentum, only to be halted by a flashback. It didn't flow, for me. A problem I have sometimes with fantasies are the details. Sometimes, I feel that there is too much detail to explain the world, the characters, and their history. It's like there is too much information and not enough interaction. Because of this, I couldn't fully connect to James.

I loved the concept of Exiled. I loved how Wagner too James' fears and turned them into something that he gathered his strength from. I loved the challenges that was set in front of James. I haven't seen any of these in a story in a long time. And while I had a few issues with the story, Wagner kept me interested throughout the book. Regardless of my own disconnects to the story, I was interested enough to keep going.

And I'm really glad I did. I wasn't exactly happy with the ending, but that usually happens for me when it's the first of a series.(less)

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May 20, 2012 Allizabeth Collins rated it 3 of 5 stars

Review:

After reading the book blurb and examining the atramentous, yet alluring cover art, I was ready to phase into the unfathomable world of The Never. The Exiled started out strong, J. R. Wagner's writing ability immediately apparent - his lambent language and imagery strewn across each page; however, after the first few 'flashbacks', I was more confused than engaged. The lines between past and present were unclear, and they did not seem to be in James' point of view, but recounted from a mo...more Review:

After reading the book blurb and examining the atramentous, yet alluring cover art, I was ready to phase into the unfathomable world of The Never. The Exiled started out strong, J. R. Wagner's writing ability immediately apparent - his lambent language and imagery strewn across each page; however, after the first few 'flashbacks', I was more confused than engaged. The lines between past and present were unclear, and they did not seem to be in James' point of view, but recounted from a more omniscient perspective. I eventually got used to these 'transitions', they added to the complexity of the plot which I found very interesting, although I did not enjoy some of the stranger character relationships. With the time-changes came an influx of old and new character introductions from Jame's past and present as well as his parents' timeline. It took me a while to nail-down certain personalities and what parts they played. The relationship that perturbed me the most was seventeen year-old Jame's immutable fawning over the mid-twenty-something Kilani. Teens have crushes, understandable, but I did not find their bond realistic. The characters were well-developed physically and descriptively, unfortunately they were missing an emotional factor, making it hard for me to connect with them. Exiled took me longer than expected to read because of its hidden intricacies, I now understand why J. R. Wagner said that his obsession with LOST inspired him to write The Never Chronicles. I was a fan of that show too, until the constant back-and-forth story-line became daunting; hopefully some of the reader's questions will be answered in book two of the series - I would really like to figure out how everything plays out in the end. Overall, I found the book intriguing, but not as exciting as I would have hoped based on its description. An actual cliffhanger would have been appreciated... Recommended for teen and adult readers who enjoy a more challenging read - fans of LOST included.

Rating: Bounty's Out (3/5)

*** I received this book from the author (JKSCommunications) in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.(less)

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May 16, 2012 Jenn Wagner rated it 4 of 5 stars

Exiled by J.R. Wagner is an exciting, mysterious tale of James Lochlan Stuart IV, a teen possessing unique magical powers, who is accused of a terrible crime and sentenced to eternal punishment in a world apart, The Never. Initially, the story follows the development of his talents as he trains with masters in far-flung secret locations, always trying to keep ahead of the secret society of evil sorcerers intent on destroying him, the Anointed One of his kind. Rich imagery draws the reader into a...more

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May 03, 2012 Heather Boustead rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: action-adventure, clean-romance, ebook, fantasy, young-adult

Exiled
By J.R. Wagner

James has been falsely accused of a murder he did not commit and exiled to The Never. Though James is the Anointed One, a powerful sorcerer who will bring about the end of the Epoch Terminus a war between the Faithful, those who believe in magic, and the Unfaithful, those who do not, in The Never James does not have any powers in this strange land where even the plants are dangerous. Along the way he meets a woman who shows him how to find water that makes him feel stronger...more

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May 03, 2012 Leah (The Pretty Good Gatsby) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, england, fantasy, for-review-netgalley, ya

http://theprettygoodgatsby.wordpress....

This book sounded so cool when I first read the summary! James, a gifted sorcerer at the ripe old age of 17, is convicted of a terrible crime and exiled to The Never - a place from which no one has escaped - and loses his powers. I couldn't wait to read Exiled!

Unfortunately, this ended up being a case where the idea was far more impressive than the execution. Wagner's writing was fine, and there were even a few moments of truly lovely wording and imagery;...more

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May 15, 2012 Sandra "Jeanz" rated it 4 of 5 stars

BLURB from Goodreads
James has never known an ordinary life. As long as he can remember, he and his family have been on the run—moving from place to place, never settling down, never growing roots. Now, just when he’s on the brink of manhood, the very thing his family has been trying to prevent tears him from all he has ever known and thrusts him into a place where he is powerless and alone.

Bent on finding a way back, James must brave a place reserved for the worst of his kind. He quickly learns...more BLURB from Goodreads
James has never known an ordinary life. As long as he can remember, he and his family have been on the run—moving from place to place, never settling down, never growing roots. Now, just when he’s on the brink of manhood, the very thing his family has been trying to prevent tears him from all he has ever known and thrusts him into a place where he is powerless and alone.

Bent on finding a way back, James must brave a place reserved for the worst of his kind. He quickly learns that the land itself poses a greater threat than its inhabitants and if he is to have any chance of returning, he must work with the very people he’s been raised to fear.

James has known magic since just after he was born. As a sorcerer, his skills are exceptional yet when he wakes in The Never, his abilities are gone. Armed with nothing but determination and the will to survive, he braves a land wrought with dangers, mysteries and temptations meant to ensnare both body and mind and prevent escape forever.

MY REVIEW
I did initially find this book difficult to get in to. I then finally got into the story only for the book to switch to a different time and place. The book was from James's point of view in The Never, then also telling his story from when he was younger, and also his parents story, so it had three perspectives which at times was a little confusing. I felt that I would just get into one perspective and then it would immediately jump to another perspective. this book is definitely not a light read, it has an involved and somewhat complex plot. I think it was made a little more difficult by the fact that James and his dad had exactly the same name.Having said all that by the end of the book I had grasped the plot and was liking what I was reading. I understand the climax at the ending that leaves us anxious to read BK2 but I also felt disappointment because I felt I was finally immersed in the plot and story only to have it pulled away from me at the very end. You would probably think that from my remarks that I did not enjoy the book and would not be interested in Bk2 , but you are so wrong I really do want to read Bk2 to find out what happens next. I usually can read anywhere, with/without music or a TV on etc but with this book I did need peace and quiet to fully take in what I was reading. I found that I rose to the challenge of the book and ended up feeling that I actually did enjoy it as much as I would have a light fluffy read. In fact even more so this may sound strange but I felt I had accomplished something by reading it! The relationships between the characters is complicated, and so is the plot, but that makes the book all the more interesting.
So did I enjoy the book? Once I got into it yes, Would I recommend it? To a serious reader who likes a deeper/heavier read yes, Would I read Bk2/more by J.R. Wagner? Yes please.

Available soon! 5th June 2012!(less)

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May 13, 2012 Marija rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-mg, fantasy-sci-fi, arc

Wagner has certainly envisioned an interesting fantasy and alternate reality. Though his story does contain elements common to its genre, he does combine them in a novel way. I was easily pulled into his story and was genuinely interested to see how it would all turn out.

Unfortunately, when I first came across this title, I didn’t realize it was a part of a series. So I was rather disappointed by the ending. The ending provides the reader with more questions than answers, leaving the reader hang...more

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Apr 28, 2012 Haley rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc

Firstly my thanks to Netgalley and Live Oak Publishing company for allowing me the chance to read this book.

So, what was it about? Is it worth reading? Gosh…this book was such a challenge for me. I started it last Monday and had the craziest week of my life so I only got to read bits and pieces until today. James is a…magic user. And he is also said to be the “anointed one.” But he is falsely accused of killing a man that is like a father to him and Banished into the Never. (banished Naked, I m...more Firstly my thanks to Netgalley and Live Oak Publishing company for allowing me the chance to read this book.

So, what was it about? Is it worth reading? Gosh…this book was such a challenge for me. I started it last Monday and had the craziest week of my life so I only got to read bits and pieces until today. James is a…magic user. And he is also said to be the “anointed one.” But he is falsely accused of killing a man that is like a father to him and Banished into the Never. (banished Naked, I might say. They not only banish him, but they banish him without clothes. That’s so uncool.)

The things I enjoyed: I don’t know what it is but I’ve had some baddish luck with Netgalley books lately. I did not enjoy Exiled. It was a good story. Innocent hero banished from home for something he didn’t do into a land of magic water. I have to give Wagner credit for that. The world building was very interesting and having water that makes you powerful beyond measure is intruding. The writing was well done, and I found that his chapters were appealing.

THE THINGS I DISLIKED: That’s in bold because it needs to be pointed out, for me. The changing tenses and people really really irritated me. You’d be going along fine, and then all of a sudden your 20 years back in the past and with a different characters point of view when you really wanted to know if James falls into the magic water fall and dies. And then, it leaves you on a cliff hanger. Grr.

Overall, the things that was best about this book was its characters and then…there was a line that would occasionally catch your eye. Like this one on page 67: "Why limit our potential for fear of a word?" That’s good! I like that a lot. And the characters. Even with the changing tense you were rooting for James, and his journey. What I really wanted, and what I think would have worked for me is one POV with James in the lead. He had his flaws but it was his story, and though it wasn’t for me, it is a good one.

(less)

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May 31, 2012 Meghan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, my-personal-library, author-review-request, reviewed

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I tend to enjoy stories with magic, witches, wizards, any of that good stuff. Mostly because I wish so badly magic was real haha. This one was definitely a unique one though. The word witch or wizard is never used, instead magic users are referred to as sorcerers or "The Faithful" and the non- magic users are called the "Un-Faithful". The idea in this story is that everyone in the world is capable of magic. All that is required is complete faith and belief that m...more I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I tend to enjoy stories with magic, witches, wizards, any of that good stuff. Mostly because I wish so badly magic was real haha. This one was definitely a unique one though. The word witch or wizard is never used, instead magic users are referred to as sorcerers or "The Faithful" and the non- magic users are called the "Un-Faithful". The idea in this story is that everyone in the world is capable of magic. All that is required is complete faith and belief that magic exists, if you believe you will gain the power to wield magic. I really enjoyed this dynamic, it was something really new and unique. Usually in stories involving magic you don't get a choice whether you can wield magic or not so that was a nice new twist. Unfortunately most people are scared of magic and shun the idea. It's pretty much taboo. It's been getting progressively worse to the point that now there are very few magic users and they are at risk to becoming non-existent.

The main character James is part of a prophecy that is supposed to stop this from happening. Here's the kicker though, he's just a kid. When his father finds out about this prophecy James is just a toddler. His father immediately starts training himself in magic so he can protect his son as he grows. However things don't really go as planned, James ends up being banished to The Never. The Never is one scary place! I loved the chapters that took place in The Never. It's place where the world itself is in control. It's like sentient and self-aware...And it's not a happy, nice thing. It's cruel and hard, you are constantly surrounded by life threatening dangers. James is thrust there unexpectedly and is faced my the massively unknown. All he does know is that he has to find a way back out, but no one has ever come back from The Never. The only tools he knows how to use, being his great magic abilities, are stripped from him. How will he survive in a world that seeks to destroy it inhabitants? But survive he must if he is to escape and stop the Epoch Terminus, which is the end of magic.

But poor James has had to grow up with the weight of the world on his shoulders. He has constantly lived in a giant shadow of expectation. I can't imagine having to deal with the things he has at his age. He is one strong young man. A lot of people in his situation would succumb to cowardice, but not James. That being said, he does indeed feel the massive weight. Wherever he goes in life all these great things are expected of him. He doesn't feel special, or superior, but he holds steady and tries to fill the spot expected of him just the same. I really liked James for these reasons. Despite being the "chosen one" he remains a humble, strong, brave, person. He doesn't crumble under the weight placed upon him, and he also doesn't go the opposite and become cocky and conceited, believing himself to be so much better than others. He is just a regular guy trying to find his place in life, with this prophecy hanging over his head.

The story switches back and forth between past and present constantly. I think this is a tricky idea to pull off without confusing the reader but Wagner seems to pull it off easily. It's written in such a way that while we are reading about James' experiences in The Never we are also learning about the past and all the events that lead up to where he is now. It made the read an even funner adventure because it was like watching a puzzle being put together piece by piece. It also kept the story exciting, because we weren't left reading a bunch of lead up before getting to the more intense stuff. Not that the pieces from the past were any less boring in this case. But it was interesting and fun to switch back and forth. I am quite eager to see what happens next! By the time this review is posted there will only be another 5 days till the book is released. I would definitely recommend it! I hope we don't have to wait to long before book #2 comes out! I want some more Never adventures, and to read more about James. Thanks so much to J.R Wagner for sending me an ARC copy of his book! I really liked the story and I'm excited for book #2. (less)

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Apr 14, 2012 Jaime rated it 1 of 5 stars

A story about a young magician who is “exiled” to a vast wasteland because he has the potential to be a great leader and the power to change the world. Sounds great. Love the plot. Unfortunately, a great idea does not always mean a great book.

My main issue is with the flashback’s. Don’t get me wrong I have no issue with flashbacks per se. The book starts in the “present”, then a flashback to the past, then comes back to the present, then a flashback to the past again but even further back than t...more

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$Faye {Daydreaming_Star}$

Jun 15, 2012 Faye {Daydreaming_Star} rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review was originally posted on my blog on June 5th 2012, here

I was hooked on this book from the very first minute that I saw the synopsis. It was thrilling and enthralling and had me wanting to know so much more. I was not let down when this book finally made its way into my life. It is such a unique and interesting read that really pulls you headfirst into the story. I would have no trouble recommending this book to others so I urge you to go and pick up a copy. The story and style are or...more This review was originally posted on my blog on June 5th 2012, here

I was hooked on this book from the very first minute that I saw the synopsis. It was thrilling and enthralling and had me wanting to know so much more. I was not let down when this book finally made its way into my life. It is such a unique and interesting read that really pulls you headfirst into the story. I would have no trouble recommending this book to others so I urge you to go and pick up a copy. The story and style are original and really manage to get the reader pulled into the action. One thing to note is that the narrative is choppy, it jumps from one place to the next between chapters so if this isn't a writing style you like, this will not be an enjoyable book for you. I, on the other hand, thought it was fantastic and I marvelled over guessing what scene I was reading next - or if I would be coming back to this later on. It was brilliant.

I absolutely loved the concept of magic in this novel, I loved the Faithful and the Unfaithful and how it all came together. It was so intriguing to read and I found myself nodding along at parts because I could just see it happening. It was fascinating how it all came together and I really enjoyed witnessing the journey. I liked the ancient tongue and the fact that it was set in the 1800s, away from all our over-used technology. It really helped to bring an edge to the story, making it seem that much more realistic.

The characters were all fantastic. I loved James and the journey that I goes on. It's so nice being able to watch him grow, to become weak and strong and to just witness it all happening and know why he is, the way he is. It's a heavy burden to carry on your shoulders and I truly believed that he was carrying it as well as he could. I liked his relationship with Kilani and Luno, but also with his parents and with Akil. It was so complex and inspiring. It truly felt like this was a boy who needed to save everyone from things and I'm truly excited to see how his journey continues.

I really am intrigued by Kilani. She's so… mysterious and yet not so, all at the same time. I want to know her ins and outs, I want to know her secret. She has my mystified because I adored her character. I admired her strength and her will. She was willing to do what it took to get it all done in the end and it was great. On the other hand, I wasn't overly fond of Luno. I'm not entirely sure why but I feel like there's something… secretive about him and he seems more dark and dangerous then he probably is. It was probably just me but I couldn't help but double guess what he was doing all the time.

Along with the style, another great thing that must be mentioned is the description of the world. It is absolutely fantastic. I loved seeing the beautiful landscapes in my minds eye, imagining an island that is cut off from mainland everywhere. The exotic plants and creatures and the wonderful village. It was so well written that it was so easily seen within my minds eye - it was also just so beautiful and exotic. A great piece of creativity - that's for sure!

The only downside I had to this book was how long it took me to read but that was more my problem then anything else. Trying to read a book that makes you think while you have a groggy mind because you're ill is incredibly difficult. I also found it hard to keep my concentration for the same reason and some of the character names went over my head and I had to return to certain places in the book to remind myself. However, I do have a feeling that if I had read this while I was healthy, it would not have been such an issue and it, therefore, didn't sway too much of my rating decision. I am also looking forward to re-reading this when I am 100% better!

** I received this book from the publishers in return for an honest review **

Faye
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May 01, 2012 Sandy Farmer rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs

At most I'd give Exiled 3 stars. The book started out slowly, especially because there really wasn't too much dialogue in the very beginning. I have a hard time getting hooked when there's too much description and not enough interaction between characters. Also, this is another book where we jump around in time and events don't happen chronologically. After I got into the story further, this didn't bother me, but in the beginning I was really confused.

The concept seems like a better idea than i...more

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May 11, 2012 Elizabeth B rated it 2 of 5 stars

It took me so very, very long to read this book. I’ve lost count of the time actually and I am a superfast reader. While it has a few nicely written passages, this book just does not work for me. It took a while for me to pinpoint exactly what I didn’t like about the book until it finally dawned on me: this is like reading fanfiction. Down to the word choices, characters and settings, it’s a world written with other stories in mind. The flashbacks try to make it original and a stand alone story...more

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May 15, 2012 Heather Davis rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ok folks, I was unsure about this book in the beginning due to the fact that it constantly switches from present to past. I'm not a big fan of that. However, I do have to say that Mr. Wagner was able to capture my attention pretty much from the beginning and I was able to overlook it. I was quite intrigued with the story line. And could not help but to like James and worry for him during his struggles. This book was well written and I could most definitely see The Never in my minds eye. My only...more

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Nov 03, 2012 Cesar Cesar rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was quite good. It is similar in ways to the Harry Potter books in that the charachter exists in a world of magic, however with one key difference, in this book anyone can learn magic if they have 'faith'. But I have to admit there are some central themes as James the chosen one is taken away from his family and must learn to survive on his own in a world of people who seek his 'special-ness', but then he is sent to the Never, a place where one never escapes from but yet, people there...more

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May 17, 2012 ~Kate~ rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, ebooks, dont-own, urban-fantasy, magic, 2-stars, arc, ya

When looking through the new books that Netgalley had, I stumbled across this which sounded really good that I just had to try and I'm not sure whether I should have bothered as I ended up not liking it like I thought I would.

The cover looked a little creepy with using darker tones. I loved that it looks like they have used a photograph as it gives it a more realistic feel and something I was able to visualise a lot better than other books have done in the past. Also inside the book at the begin...more When looking through the new books that Netgalley had, I stumbled across this which sounded really good that I just had to try and I'm not sure whether I should have bothered as I ended up not liking it like I thought I would.

The cover looked a little creepy with using darker tones. I loved that it looks like they have used a photograph as it gives it a more realistic feel and something I was able to visualise a lot better than other books have done in the past. Also inside the book at the beginning of each chapter was a little drawing of what was happening and it again actually looked like a drawing rather than what someone did on a computer. With the drawings being there I was also able to get an image in my mind of what was going on and what the surrounding where like. It was definitely needed as I didn't get any of that through the actual words which was a shame.

I actually tried to start this book a couple of days before the date in which I stated but at that time I was tired and couldn't get into the first chapter but then when I went back to it I found that I still couldn't get into it I should have took the hint the first time round. It does actually start with things happening which I do usually like but to me it just didn't feel right. It was also very confusing as it jumps around in different time periods. First it would be that particular present time and then every other chapter would be where it would jump back and forth in time that it just got confusing. There was a couple of chapters where I thought here we go it's finally getting started but then it would go to a different time period where I am left wondering what happened in that particular time. I think if it wasn't for that I think this could have been a really good book but it just ended up being too confusing and nothing seemed to get wrapped up but maybe that's just because it's the first in a series and hopefully it will get better with the books to come although I'm not sure it's a series I want to continue with.

With the characters I didn't feel like I got to know them as well as what I have done in other books. I did start to warm to James he seemed to be nice enough as well as a strong guy I think there's going to be more about him that will come out in the next books as well as the other books.

Overall to me this book seemed more like an introduction to the world but I just couldn't get into which is such a shame as the outline did show promise but because I struggled with this I just don't think I could continue on in this journey.(less)

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May 12, 2012 Stephanie Cover2CoverBlog rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: early-review, a-z-ya-challenge, ya

Background: James is accused of murdering his mentor and as a punishment is sent to The Never to live out the rest of his life. The Never is an alternate world, an island really, that has a mind of its own. James has never had a simple life. Ever since he can remember his family has been running in order to keep him safe, and now he is stuck in a different world. James is determined to make it back to prove his innocence and save his real world.

Review: This was a pretty quick read for me; I only...more

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Apr 29, 2012 Jennifer C rated it 4 of 5 stars

From the first page you will be submersed in the world of The Never. Wagner's use of imagery creates a world full of magic and wonder. Early on in the book you will become invested in the main character, James; rooting for him as he navigates challenges both in the world of The Never, and in the recesses of his mind. Readers may find the flashbacks scattered throughout the book distracting and the shifting point of view inconsistent, and I agree, however, I find that the pages dripping with imag...more

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Jun 10, 2012 Claire rated it 4 of 5 stars

James, our main character, is a powerful sorcerer. Set up for a crime he didn't commit, he is sent to The Never. A place of exile where his magic is gone. He is known as the Anointed one, the one to save all the other sorcerers on The Never.

This story had an amazing plot. I loved the characters, I loved the story. I absolutely love fantasy books and this one didn't disappoint. Although most of the plots secrets aren't really secrets, the continued twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat....more

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Aug 11, 2012 Hwa Sun rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: disliked, review

*Review is based on only the first 100 pages.*

WARNING: There may be a bit of ranting in this review. Please go away if you don't want to be offended. That is all. Read on at your own risk.

Gah... That took me forever to read.

Honestly, I really do believe that this could have been a great book. The plot seemed so very promising, but it just wasn't enough for me.

The main thing that I had an issue with was the writing. It was so unbelievably boring (not to mention confusing, too).

The style reminded...more

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Aug 28, 2012 Kerry rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-have

This book had so much potential...but it just wasn't put together right.
The premise was very intriguing. But it took me forever to read this book. After half-way I had to MAKE myself read it.
Unfortunately, I read this in such a monotone that it was grating and difficult to get into.
I did not care for the writing style or structure of this book. It's hard to follow, and you forget everything important as you read. There was no real excitement and part of that was because any time you got close to...more

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Aug 07, 2012 Katy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of fantasy adventure, coming of age stories

Recommended to Katy by: JKS Communications

Shelves: ebook, galley-for-review

Book Info: Genre: Fantasy Reading Level: Young Adult

Disclosure: I received a free ebook ARC from JKS Communications (the author’s publicist) in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: James has never known an ordinary life. As long as he can remember, he and his family have been on the run—moving from place to place, never settling down, never growing roots. Now, just when he’s on the brink of manhood, the very thing his family has been trying to prevent tears him from all he has ever known and...more Book Info: Genre: Fantasy Reading Level: Young Adult

Disclosure: I received a free ebook ARC from JKS Communications (the author’s publicist) in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: James has never known an ordinary life. As long as he can remember, he and his family have been on the run—moving from place to place, never settling down, never growing roots. Now, just when he’s on the brink of manhood, the very thing his family has been trying to prevent tears him from all he has ever known and thrusts him into a place where he is powerless and alone.

Bent on finding a way back, James must brave a place reserved for the worst of his kind. He quickly learns that the land itself poses a greater threat than its inhabitants and if he is to have any chance of returning, he must work with the very people he’s been raised to fear.

James has known magic since just after he was born. As a sorcerer, his skills are exceptional yet when he wakes in The Never, his abilities are gone. Armed with nothing but determination and the will to survive, he braves a land wrought with dangers, mysteries and temptations meant to ensnare both body and mind and prevent escape forever.

My Thoughts: This is book 1 in the Never Chronicles. It was released just this past week, although I’ve had a copy for a couple months now, which I had hoped to read before now; I just got bogged down.

Wow... just, simply … wow - I literally said that when I finished this book. The Never is a super-cool place. James is a very interesting boy, and the world of the faithful is a very interesting world. It is highly complex. This story is primarily giving us background – telling us about the magic users, showing us how James grew up, and his adventures in the Never. I’m not sure how many books will be in this series, but it is a series for which I will definitely be watching. Wagner is a talented story-teller, and I was captivated by this book. I think most people who enjoyed stories like the Chronicles of Prydain, the Harry Potter books, and even the tales of Narnia should enjoy this wonderful new fantasy adventure. Check it out - I highly recommend it!(less)

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About J.R. Wagner

J. R. Wagner was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, during a blizzard. The snow made travel by car impossible, so his father called an ambulance when his mother went into labor. The ambulance became stuck at the bottom of their home’s driveway, prompting the dispatch of a fire truck, which towed the ambulance to the hospital where he was
born.

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Quotes from Exiled

“Words are words. Nothing more, nothing less. It is the user's intent of the word that is good or evil. If you do not intend to use it for a dark purpose, I do not believe you should be restricted from using a word.” — 5 people liked it

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Exiled (The Never Chronicles #1)

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