Wondering whether to give Paths of Exile a try? Here is what some readers and reviewers have said about the novel:
This is some fan mail to say how much I enjoyed Ingeld's
Daughter and Paths of Exile. I happened to read Paths of Exile first and I'm
glad I did because although it was as well-written and engaging as Ingeld's
Daughter, and they both have the same delightful flashes of humour, it is
also a darker story and the ending is terribly sad. I'm afraid I'm all for
happily ever after.
I loved the interlude when Eadwine and his men were staying with Severa and
her people in the hafod and the way friendship and trust unfolded between
both sides. Severa is a lovely character, she and Eadwine were so well-suited.
"A considerable welcoming comittee for his soul." Very funny.
Ashhere's seeing of the elegant black cat with green eyes sitting by Eadwine's
shoulder and his obvious interpretation is priceless.
Many, many thanks for sharing these clever books and a wonderful read.
- Toni, by email
I've now finished reading "Paths of Exile", and
greatly enjoyed it. The description of the mixed-up post-Roman society slowly
settling into what will become England five centuries later was very convincing.
I look forward to the sequel.
- Alan Fisk.
... an exciting, tautly-plotted tale that's action-packed
thriller, murder mystery, tragedy and romance all rolled into one and set
in an authentic landscape I can see and touch and feel. But it's much more
than that, mainly because the author has peopled her story with flesh-and-blood-characters
who are both convincingly of their own time and yet, with all their fears
and hopes, not at all alien to us. I still find myself thinking of them as
if they were old friends just lately gone away and whom I hope to meet again.
Character is revealed mainly through dialogue which is often laced with humour,
wry, dry and bawdy. No doubt the purists won't like it (too modern, too much
swearing, tsk, tsk, yet it feels entirely right for Eadwine say "Bugger
off" in moments of affectionate exasperation such as when he tries in
vain to release his followers from their oath of loyalty - a telling, and
touching, scene).
Oh, and I learned a lot without even realising it, for example from Eadwine
in his moving exposition on the structure of Anglo-Saxon society.
- Sarah Cuthbertson. Read the full review here.
Paths of Exile is one of those books that, once sampled, cannot be forgotten. Nayland has certainly written an action-packed page turner, but "Paths" is so much more simply a good read. The novel simply oozes authenticity - rather than dress 21st century characters and issues in historical costume, Carla Nayland instead roots her story firmly in 7th century Britain. You can smell the air, taste the ale and feel the fear of her characters. Their dialogue, attitudes and issues are utterly convincing because - in certain places - they are so alien to us.
It's a rare talent to distance us from the protagonists by centuries yet keep us engaged with them. Nayland is so accomplished that you don't noticed how skilled her writing actually is...you are seduced into the 7th century by her prose and for a brief while...you are there with the characters. For me, the outside world faded away and I walked on the freezing moors with Eadwine and his friends, felt the same joy and relief when respite is found, and was shattered in grief with them.
Paths of Exile transcends the historical fiction genre: it is at once a thriller, a love story, an action-adventure and a whodunit set in a compelling reality that was once our own. Many authors would struggle to balance all of these threads, but because of the authenticity of the work, these facets are made utterly convincing.
The work demands a sequel.
- Russell Whitfield, author of Gladiatrix.
I'd like to thanks you for the enjoyable hours I spent with
this heart moving novel. I'm looking forward to read another chapter of Steeleye's
adventures :)))
It is really a collection of passion, humor and pain that can actually grab
you from the day-to-day hustle bustle into a more mystic world.
I really admired your work (though it kept me up till dawn :))) I just had
to finish it),
Great work and keep it up.
Keep going and good luck, I really admire you for
making history alive again through novels
-Tysseer, by email
I have now finished reading Paths of Exile and thought it was very good. The names gave me a bit of trouble remembering who was who with the lesser part characters. Really enjoyed the way the characters worked with each other and their stay with 'the witch' (I forget her name) whilst Eadwine recovered. It has obviously been left open for book 2... Which I will keep my eyes out for!
- Mark, by email
Set in 7th century Britain, Carla Nayland's Paths of Exile follows the the fate of Eadwine, who has lost his kingdom and found himself in sudden exile. The novel is rich in period detail, and the plot takes unexpected turns, leaving the reader wondering what will happen not just to Eadwine, but to the woman he's supposed to marry.
With his life on the line, Eadwine must discover a way not only to avenge a murder in his family, but to defeat the enemy king Aethelferth. A gripping good read!
- Michelle Moran, author of Nefertiti
The story is compact, neat, logical and consistent. You are a terrific storyteller. You paint interactions and how they reflect personalities beautifully. You capture the setting. and the whole sequence where Eadwine makes up the story about Eadric entering the Hall of the Gods was exquisite.. moving, evocative, beautiful.. one falls in love with Eadwine right there. I really like the point counterpoint between the Brythonic and Saxon/Angle characters.. and of course Drust is terrific. You show the realities of their lives without going on and on about it. Severa is one of the most uniquely individual female characters, very self contained but not insular, if that word fits. I already liked her for her intelligence and humor but when she comes alive helping the boys escape, it's magical. A great story and a wonderful read and has characters I won't soon forget.
-Nan Hawthorne
I would definitely recommend Paths of Exile to readers of historical fiction. Carla does a superb job as usual of bring the reader into the past. The premise of the story is quite interesting, there were some parts that had me chuckling, and there were a couple of plot twists that took me by surprise.
- Nessili, Hitting the Books. Read the full review here
I have just finished reading Paths of Exile. I enjoyed it so much i had to go back and keep reading it when i had the time. Excellent novel and quite funny in places and sad of course cause life isn't always fair, just like certain situations in Ingeld's Daughter.
Very Big Fan :-)
-Michelle, by email
Carla Nayland has woven together a tapestry of old for a modern day reader. The excitement starts on the first page and holds throughout the book. Reaching back into history, and using her gift of writing and artistic rights, she brings forth a story of heroes, love, loss and life.
The Character names can be a bit confusing at first, but you soon get used to them. The plot is nicely formed and while a bit predictable, it is told in such an enjoyable manner the book becomes a real page turner.
If you enjoy stories about heroes, heroines, and other characters presented as real people, you will enjoy this book.
-Jeff Gegner
finished it and wow !!! I mean wow again !!! u did it again. U have total control over your metereal and my mind too. The charectors were as captivating as the plot and storyline and the dialogues. You used different dialects again, and the whole thing was so perfect. And the end was so unusual and unique. I know I am a sucker for ends like this, but this one was so disquieting. It was just too sad.
Still I just love your creations, those are all written with so much conviction and intensity. u bring alive the nearly forgotten art of story telling.
You also are totally non predictable and your writing never moves in a set pattern. The politics and the psychology behind the choise and behaviors of the charectors were so perfect that they made the whole tale come alive..it became more like a legend or saga than a fiction. Among the writers who tackle the genre of historical fiction, you are my favorite.
The structural unity and spontaneity of your narratives
make it work for me., always.
-Mouri, by email
Do you agree? Disagree? Contact me and tell me what you think.
