Review of EXILES from Gina Rae Mitchell

Enjoy the review from Gina Rae Mitchell

n the final book of the Reflections of Michael Trilogy, Michael’s wish sends Ron to the heart of Paris. Amid its beautiful culture and the passionate protests of its citizens fighting for the city’s soul, Ron’s journey unfolds with life-affirming friendships and profound lessons.

Starting with A Reservoir Man and continuing in Reflections on the Boulevard, the trilogy culminates with Exiles.

“Exiles” is a powerful exploration of friendship, love, and self-discovery. In this last installment, we follow Ron as he honors Michael’s wish by immersing himself in the vibrant culture of Paris, a city teeming with protests and a struggle for its essence.

Readers will experience a wide range of emotions, from laughter and fear to wonder and grief. The most impactful aspect for me was the amazing friendship between Ron and Louie. You can overcome anything in life if you have solid friendships.

The richly descriptive settings bring the story to life, while the well-developed characters drive it forward.

“Exiles” is a compelling conclusion to a thought-provoking trilogy that will leave you pondering the fate of these characters long after you turn the last page.

The novel, the last installment in this engrossing trilogy, takes readers to the heart of Paris, where the protagonist Ron, at his friend Michael's suggestion, sets out on a journey of self-exile. Ron's story develops with depth and resonance against the backdrop of the city's lively culture and passionate protests, providing a complex examination of identity, friendship, and the search for purpose.

Much like its predecessors, this novel makes me feel a variety of things, including laughter, anxiety, excitement, wonder, and loss. Ambrosio's skill in incorporating these emotions into the story is what gives the trilogy its unique quality. While there is room for improvement in the book, overall the story is heartwarming and well worth reading.

Ambrosio shows a wonderful capacity to add levels of intellectual insight and emotional depth to her storytelling throughout the story. Every page exudes a feeling of urgency and poignancy that drive readers to reflect on life's most important issues in tandem with the characters.

Excerpt

Ron slowly walked up to his apartment stairs, anxious to play with Rhonda, his little aging Jack Russell terrier. She scratched her nose and pawed at the door expecting his arrival, and sometimes he would sing to her through the door, especially songs like “My Little Buttercup.”

He opened the door, and Rhonda leaped towards him. He grabbed her and continued to pet her for several moments, especially under her belly. It was always like this.

He looked at Rhonda and quietly said “You are the rock of my life. Boy, do I love you; you want a bone?” He went to the closet, took one gigantic bone, and placed it near her mouth.

Rhonda quickly grabbed the bone, ran around the house, and hid it under a blanket on the ground. This action forced Ron to look for it. As this game went on, Rhonda would just bark and bark, like a chant, that her best friend was home. Rhonda again hid her bone, but Ron knew this is what she would always do regardless.

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