Convicts and Exiles: A Blaine McFadden Adventures Collection

King's Convicts

by Gail Z. Martin

From the intro (paraphrased):

King's Convicts and King's Exiles fill in the "missing" history of Blaine during the six years that skipped in Ice Forged.


Collection includes:

King's Convicts (books 1-3)

No Reprieve

King's Exiles

and a bonus story,

Reconciling Memory

is Kestel Falke's origin story.

Genres: Fantasy

470 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2019

About the author

Gail Z. Martin discovered her passion for science fiction, fantasy and ghost stories in elementary school. The first story she wroteat age fivewas about a vampire. Her favorite TV show as a preschooler was Dark Shadows. At age 14, she decided to become a writer.

She enjoys attending science fiction/fantasy conventions, Renaissance fairs and living history sites. She is married and has three children, a Maltese and a golden retriever.

Gail Z. Martin is also Morgan Brice, which is her pen name for urban fantasy MM paranormal romance.

In addition to the online sites listed below, you can find me on
Facebook.com/Groups/MartinShadowAlliance
Facebook.com/Groups/WorldsOfMorganBrice
Twitter: @GailZMartin and @MorganBriceAuthor
YouTube: YouTube.com/c/GailZMartinAuthor
IG: @MorganBriceAuthorGail & Larry newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dd5XLj
Morgan Brice newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dy_8oL
BookBub for Morgan: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/morga...
Bookbub for Gail: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/gail-...
Amazon profile: https://www.amazon.com/Morgan-Brice/e...?
Amazon profile: https://www.amazon.com/Gail-Z-Martin/...
Pinterest (for Morgan and Gail) www.Pinterest.com/Gzmartin

Reviews

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a prequel to the Ascendants Kingdom saga and is not what you would expect, at nearly five hundred pages in length! It introduces the reader to the character Blaine McFadden and his many adventures. He kills his father for an unspeakable act against his younger sister and as the king knows what his father is like, instead of being beheaded for murder, he is spared and sentenced to life in a frozen convict colony. There is no hope of escape and convicts must survive three years to then be entitled to become a colonist on the Edgeland Colony, still under the eye of the prison guards, but no longer stuck in the prison.

The initial trip to the boat leaves many in despair and the long journey out to Edgeland leaves more dead and those that survive thus far, in a weakened state. Would death have been easier? Blaine makes some friends of a kind, on the long journey and these become some of his trusted new ‘family’ once in prison. He renamed himself ‘Mick’ on the boat, not wanting anyone to know who he really was, nor what he had done to end up there. Their introduction to Velant Prison is not pleasant, as the warden is a man also sent there with a life sentence, as the king can no longer control this man. He got out of control committing atrocities in war and couldn’t be left in normal society.

There are some great characters amongst the prisoners and Mick’s interactions with them show how he manages to adapt to survive. The prisoners have to work in dangerous conditions, in the mines digging for rubies, out on the ships fishing in all weathers or looking after the farm and its animals. Some of the prisoners die in the working and living conditions, others succumb to ill health. The small group of friends Mick has come to treat as his new family, such as Verran the thief are great companions who make it easier for Mick to live. Piran who was a famous war hero (but won’t give the reason as to why he ended up in prison) and also has a quick temper which gets the two of them in lots of trouble with the warden. Then there is Kestel, a female assassin and femme fatale, again with a hidden secret behind her presence in the prison.

They try to make it for three long years, to earn their Tickets of Leave, to become colonists on Edgeland. They can never return to their homes in the kingdom of Donderath. They are all exiles as well as convicts. Now war is coming between Donderath and its neighbours. Supply ships are in short supply and now more danger is coming to the prison colony and the homesteaders. Their hard fought time in prison, for survival and a ticket to semi-freedom, may all be for nothing if war comes to their shores and the new lives they are trying to build.

I have not yet read any of the Ascendant Kingdoms series, but this has certainly whet my appetite to learn more. I have read other books by this author and enjoyed their writing style. The characters are always well drawn out and the pace keeps your interest throughout. The stories are easy to read and make the settings seem so real. I certainly will be following and catching up with the authors other series’. I would recommend this prequel to all who enjoy books by this author and those who love a good fantasy read. I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Coqui Rana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convicts and Exiles: A Blaine McFadden Adventures Collection by Gail Z. Martin is an enthralling compilation that offers a deep dive into the early life of Blaine “Mick” McFadden. This collection, which serves as a prequel to the Ascendant Kingdoms Saga, includes “King’s Convicts,” “No Reprieve,” “King’s Exiles,” and a bonus story, "Reconciling Memory."

Set in the unforgiving environment of Velant Prison and the Edgeland colony, the narrative follows Blaine, a disgraced nobleman spared execution for patricide, as he endures the harsh conditions of his exile. The story is a powerful testament to resilience and camaraderie as Blaine and his fellow convicts strive to survive and build new lives amidst adversity.

Martin’s storytelling is immersive and emotionally charged, capturing the essence of survival and the quest for redemption. The characters are well-developed, each with their backstories and motivations, making the reader deeply invested in their fates. The collection also provides crucial context to Blaine’s character, filling in the gaps left in the main series.

Overall, Convicts and Exiles is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy and those who enjoy tales of perseverance and friendship in the face of overwhelming odds. Martin’s ability to weave intricate plots with rich character development makes this collection a standout addition to the Blaine McFadden adventures.

Feel free to adjust this review better to match your thoughts and experiences with the book. Have you read any other works by Gail Z. Martin?

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I think there is a good bit of world and character set-up in these stories, but they are clearly meant to be part of the greater story arc. I haven't read the subsequent series that tells the rest of Blaine's story, but I think this works well as a prequel to the series. Edgeland is far enough away from Donderath that the events happening back there are hinted at in these stories, but are still mostly rumors, but there are hints of the trouble the characters will face in the main series. Velant prison and time spent in the colony gives Blaine the tempering and mental strength that he will need to face the coming trouble. Blaine needed to find friends he could trust to survive Velant and the hardships of living in the exile colony, but there is also tragedies they must face as they struggle to survive.

I have to say at times I was more curious about the other characters than I was about Blaine (or Mick as he is called). Piran gives just enough hints about his background, but still leaves a good bit of mystery. The bonus story at the end gives us a bit more about Kestel's background, she has an interesting background, though I'm a little curious about what ultimately got her sent to Velant. Dawe was a bit more on the periphery. Verran was a good mix of thief and musician and a good companion for Blaine.

[Adena Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gail Z. Martin has an amazing knack of creating memorable and relatable characters. Mick and Kestrel are 2 of her characters who stand out as people whose lives I want to follow. I thrill with them, I hurt with them, I sympathize with their pain. That together with the epic of the Ascendant Kingdoms (this being the prequel collection) calls to mind the kind of characters and quests of the Wheel of Time and the Song of Ice and Fire series. Wonderful!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Convicts and Exiles" was my introduction to a whole new world and cast of characters created by one of my favourite authors. I wasn't disappointed. The characters are full of light and shade, the world is solidly built, and the writing is superb. Loved it.

I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy.

[Join the Penguin Resistance! · Rating 5 out of 5]

CONVICTS AND EXILES is an exciting and entertaining collection from fascinating author Gail Z. Martin which backstops and backstories her fantasy character Blaine McFadden of ICE FORGED (ASCENDANT KINGDOMS SAGA). Readers always want to know "more" about favoured characters. There's plenty new to learn here about Blaine and his entertaining friends.

[irv Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good book to get.

The book is a good read and you kept on edge wondering what was going to happen next. The r has a way of keeping you wanting to read more, well done like you usually due.