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Anne de Bohun is trying to survive in 15th century Brugge. She is under the protection of Sir Matthew Cuttifer but being a single woman is still difficult. She is determined to build a career for herself as a merchant but she must battle against local businessmen who do not want to do business with a woman. On top of this, she is raising her son, King Edward IV's love child. No one knows this is the King's child -- including the King. Her neighbors and servants believe she is raising her dead sister's son, as this is safer for everyone. While the future is uncertain, Anne feels that the present is finally going smoothly. Then she is attacked on her way home. None of the attackers are found and it is impossible to track down their leader. Someone wants Anne dead and this person will stop at nothing to accomplish this goal. Anne does not know who is powerful and rich enough to hire these men but she must stop them. Anne must battle those with political agendas in order to keep her son and herself alive. THE EXILED is the second book of a trilogy. The first book to feature Anne is THE INNOCENT. Reading a trilogy by starting with the middle book is not always productive. The first book of a trilogy usually sets the scene and provides some action to keep the reader hooked. The second book is usually detail-oriented and provides all of the information and development needed for the climax. The third book then provides resolution and closure for all of the loose ends left in the first two books. This middle book syndrome comes true with THE EXILED. While it is possible to read this book as a standalone, it is explicit that the story is not over. Some questions still remain about Anne's experience. In addition, the story refers to certain events in THE INNOCENT that influenced Anne's choices and actions in this book. Some of these events were described briefly but there are still one or two of Anne's decisions that remain unclear without knowing everything that happened in the previous book. Not having this missing information about Anne's past makes this book less satisfying than a true standalone, with all necessary information provided, would be.
Reviewed by Sarah Dudley, June 2006
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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