Saturday, July 6, 2024

Review of EXILES from One More Exclamation



Enjoy the review from One More Exclamation


Exiles is a beautiful story about friendship. It’s the third book from the Reflections of Michael series and I would highly recommend reading them in order.

Ron honors Michael’s wishes to exile himself to Paris. We are immersed in the culture of the city as the author does a phenomenal job with the setting. It’s a place for self-reflection and growth. Ron continues to attract diverse characters and proceeds to follow Michael’s legacy by taking Louie under his wing and sharing an unlikely friendship. The story brings out all the emotions and is a beautiful end to the Reflections of Michael Trilogy. Thank you for taking me along on the journey.

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 sat on the bench at the bookstore, exhausted from his pursuit of Louie. He felt a bit like Javert as he chased Jean Valjean but for a book rather than a loaf of bread.

The door of the bookstore was left wide open while he was gone but there were four Tumbleweeds staying overnight.

Suddenly, noticing a movement at the door, he looked up to see Julia. She asked, "Where were you?”

“Auditioning for Les Misérables, but I wasn't the right type.”

Julia grabbed Ron tightly and kissed him on the cheek.

“Let’s go home, pick up some food at Legalize, feed and walk Rhonda, and then sleep, forever.”

“Good idea,” Ron said, exhausted.

As they walked towards Ron’s apartment on Rue des fosses-Saint Jacques they passed the Patheon, a monument to the heroes of France after the Revolution.

Ron loved to sit in front of the statue occasionally and imagine how these heroes loved Paris and defended its spirit endlessly.

The citizens of Paris had a special love affair with their city, a city brimming with desire and passion. On their walk home, Ron and Julia would also pass the church of Saint Etienne du Mont, designed in true neo-classical architecture, with some elements of Gothic style.



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