The Exemeus

Opening up The Exemeus was quite the experience. From page one, this story takes off at a manic pace. There is so much to absorb, so much to catch up on, that it all but left me breathless. This isn't like anything else that I've read lately, so it swept me up and made me want to figure things out. I'm just giving you a warning that this book doesn't stop to wait for you. It moves, and it moves quick.

The story follows Dephon as he slowly discovers who he is, and what he is meant to to do. As the heir to the one power that can save his society, Dephon is wanted man. We watch as his story ties up into Hyalee's over the course of the book, showing that these two are inexorably linked. The narration comes from both characters, but not quite the way you'd think. Dephon is our narrator, and he reads about Hyalee through a journal that is passed down to him. It's a very interesting perspective and done quite well. This story is all about cause and effect. If you change something, does it change the future?

In terms of plot, this book is fairly solid. There is a lot to learn about the people in Dephon's world and about the powers that they possess. The biggest problem comes in that you don't start to learn the majority of it until well into the book. I was fairly confused for a good five chapters or so. The saving grace was that I really liked Dephon, and I was willing to follow him wherever things might take him. He's brave, kind, and everything that a hero should be. While I never really felt he quite hit his full potential, I know there are more books coming around the corner.

Overall, I ended up enjoying this story. The Exemeus is a book that utilizes the “slow burn”. You'll be scrambling to catch up but, once things start happening, the story sucks you in. Dephon and Hyalee's stories are intriguing. Especially in the way they link to one another. If you're looking for a different kind of read, and are willing to step outside the box, give this one a a shot.