Review: An Exile of Water & Gold by Joshua Walker

Blurb:

Brandon Sanderson's Rhythm of War meets Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time in this epic fantasy mystery adventure.

EXILED FROM HEAVEN. FORCED INTO HELL.

For centuries, the Aobians of the Great Tree have shared the continent of Q’ara with humanity. A select few known as Sleepers are empowered by Luminosity, the Tree’s greatest blessing.

Drift, a young and cynical Aobian, has been exiled from his homeland – forever. Now, with no understanding of this condemnation, Drift must traverse the land of humans below, and find his purpose in an ever-changing world. Tarri, his betrothed, seeks to do the same, whilst also bringing him home.

Elsewhere on Q’ara, an unknown organisation seeks to weaponise Luminosity for their own nefarious purposes. Drift himself is a part of this puzzle, and it quickly becomes apparent that the struggle for true power in Q’ara is emerging for reasons greater than anyone is prepared to grasp.

Review:

Intro:

Prepare to journey into the land of Q’ara in this high-stakes fantasy tale that is as extraordinary and it is dark. From condemnation and investigations into political unrest, to the discovery of oneself in an unknown world. Tensions are running high as an exiled Aobian, his betrothed, a Sleeper of the Great Tree, and a newly crowned young queen of the Sea Kingdom all suddenly feel the fate of Q’ara rested upon their shoulders.

World Building

From the canopies of the Great Tree, to bioluminescent forests and fungi, high backed mountains, and kingdoms on the edge of the sea, the world that Walker has built will be sure to take your breath away. With his rich and descriptive writing, you are easily transported into the very heart of Q’ara and its people. Here is where I was truly enraptured. I deeply enjoy descriptive world building and that is exactly what Walker has nailed on the head. From the Aobian’s tree-dwelling home and the diverse yet vivid landscapes, to the unique clothing, food, and architecture of each culture, every detail felt as if it were alive and I was standing right alongside the characters. 

Characters:

Readers will encounter a diverse cast of characters through multiple POV’s. Alongside some new faces, familiar characters from the prequal novella The Rest to the Gods also make an appearance. I highly recommend reading the novella prior to diving into the first book in the series. It provides readers with a valuable background on specific characters and their past. However, one could still read Exile prior to the novella as Walker’s character development is meticulous and thorough. Personalities, values, and motivations all grow and change throughout the story. You will quickly find yourself caring for the cast and start to form favorites. Some have an easier life, while others truly go through hell and torture. Without giving any spoilers, one of my favorite characters had something revealed about them after so much buildup that I was left completely blindsided and in shock. 

Magic:

As mentioned prior in my review of The Rest to the Gods, Walker’s magic system of luminosity is fresh, unique, and something that has never been seen before. From powering the Aobian’s tree dwelling community, to the art of healing, and even the destructive capacity in warfare. Readers who had a taste in the TRTTG novella have their horizons expanded in Exile as they learn about more in-depth properties of luminosity, its capabilities, and its secrets that only a selected few are privy to know. However, things are not as they appear, as opposing forces have their eyes locked on acquiring and using luminosity for their own nefarious plans of bringing Q’ara to its knees. 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Walker has truly outdone himself. I enjoyed every individual page from start to finish. This novel is easily my Top Indie Read of 2024, and in my Top 5 Indie Reads of all time. You can feel the love, heart and soul put into this story. An Exile of Water & Gold is a dynamite standout debut novel that is perfect for fans of The Licanius Trilogy or The Wheel of Time. I cannot wait for the next installment in the series, set to arrive in early 2025!