Book Review: The Banished of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood #1) by Jeff Wheeler

The Banished of Muirwood 

(Covenant of Muirwood #1) 

by Jeff Wheeler 

Published August 18th 2015 

by 47North 

ARC for Review 

Summary
In a stand-alone series set in the world of Muirwood, eighteen-year-old Maia is the exiled princess of Comoros and heir to the throne. As a result of her father’s ceaseless need for authority, she was left disinherited and forced to live as a servant in her enemy’s home. When the king invites chaos into the land by expelling the magical order known as the Dochte Mandar, Maia finds herself on a perilous quest to save her people. To survive, she must use magic she has learned in secret—despite the fact that women are forbidden to control it. Hunted by enemies at every turn, Maia realizes that danger lurks within her, too. Her powers threaten to steal not only her consciousness but also her sense of right and wrong. Can she set herself free and save the realm she loves—even if that realm has forgotten her?

The Destination is Always Decided What Varies is the Way We Get There

Well The Banished of Muirwood was a very interesting read that I enjoyed quite well. I have to be honest when I say that I prefer heavy dialogue books so the beginning was a little dry for me. The romance was nearly non existent and I do love me a good love story even in the midst of clanging swords. LOL actually those are usually my favorites. I haven't given up on the romance though hopefully we get a dose of more. The world building was excellent and the author does an great job of putting the reader in the scene, the story and characters were great, the cover leaves a bit to be desired but what are ya gonna do? Ya just cant’ make everyone happy when it comes to creative presentation. I was on the fence about whether I would continue this series or not but with the ending and what happens to the main character I just have to find out. Though the beginning was a bit slow for me and some of the terminology was foreign, by mid way I was really committed and didn’t want to stop. I am officially a Muirwood fan and will continue this series to see where we find Maia next.

The Story, so we are told about a princess and she is banished but this is much more than that. Maia our main character faces fears she never imagined and there is deception at every turn. Amidst everything going on Maia must discover who she is and who she can trust. Everything she has ever held dear has a role in the political pawn she feels she has become. Finding the truth does not solve her problems it creates more. The only thing Maia can count on is the power of the medium and it lives within her. Trusting it she will have to make a very difficult decision but it is one for her people. This story is full of lavish forests mountains villages duels horses and wonderful companions.

The Characters, Maia wow talk about faithful to the core she has sworn her allegiance to her father the king and noting will dissuade her actions of loyalty. Maia had a wonderful childhood where she learned so much. People along with languages were just a portion of her hearts desire. Soon something goes awry and her father is no longer the man she thought him to be. This is a testament to her unwavering loyalty there are so many times she is faced with choosing herself her people her father or just people and every time her choices are selfless. Maia’s betrothed wow I won’t go into him too much but I will say he is the one for her. Regardless of what everyone totes around about who Maia should be with I say it is him! Although there are like zero references of love I really want these two to end up together.

The End, was wonderful Maia learns so much about who she is and what is expected of her. As always she takes everything in stride. As I mentioned before there were a lot of difficult decisions that were made. Unfortunately this poor girl is forever doomed to not have what she thinks she wants. Her whole life has been about what others want for her. She is strong in her own way so I like her character very much. We are introduced to a very important person in Maia’s life towards the end and it is very exciting to say the least. As I mentioned before although this wasn’t a perfect read for me I very much look forward to whats next.

4.0 Adventure in search of ones true self while saving the land from destruction, lonely princess filled stars.

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About the Author

BE IT KNOWN THAT: We have locked Jeff Wheeler away in Muirwood Abbey for a couple of years and have commanded him to write many more adventuresome books. He is permitted free time to roam the grounds under heavy guard. After he has written enough books that we can scarcely read them all in a lifetime, we may finally become, in our old age, sated in our quest for new characters and lands. Perhaps then, all would be well in the kingdom.

TRANSLATION: Jeff took an early retirement from his career at Intel in 2014 to become a full-time author. He is, most importantly, a husband and father, a devout member of his church, and is occasionally spotted roaming hills with oak trees and granite boulders in California or in any number of the state's majestic redwood groves.

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