56 books like Exile

By Colleen Vanderlinden,

Here are 56 books that Exile fans have personally recommended if you like Exile. Shepherd is a community of 10,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Divine

B.L. Twitchell Author Of The Green

From my list on sci-fi/fantasy driven by romance.

Why am I passionate about this?

I didn’t want to write about this world when I could submerse myself in a magical one! I’ve always had a passion for Sci-fi and Fantasy books and movies. With these genres, you can push your mind to limits that can’t be explored in the normal world. You can investigate imaginary places and fall in love with someone who can throw fire from their hands or teleport to another time. You can slay monsters and swim with merfolk; you can marry an alien and join your two kingdoms. You can even perform science experiments on someone and turn them into a hulk-like creature who runs around town naked! How fun! 

B.L.'s book list on sci-fi/fantasy driven by romance

B.L. Twitchell Why did B.L. love this book?

A coming-of-age fantasy romance with magical realism. The world is made up of two types of people: Typics and Divines. Typics are “typical” people, whereas Divines were born with powerful abilities.

Summer is a Divine who is supposed to teleport, but can’t. Starting over in a new place, she finds a new job, new boss, new friends, and most importantly, the romantic interest, Jonah, a muscly mechanic with a few secrets of his own.

Summer’s boss, a Divine, grows jealous as Summer and Jonah’s relationship blossoms, and they find themselves escaping his rage.

The wit and affection Jonah and Summer share are intoxicating. They are a young couple but are mature for their age and things don’t progress until she turns eighteen. Urban fantasy at its finest!

By B.L. Teschner,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Divine as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

** This is a new cover edition. There have been previous cover editions of this book that may show up different on other websites such as Goodreads **

There are two kinds of people in the world: Typics and Divines. Typics are known to society as the normal people on the earth, or, the “typical” human beings. And Divines? Well, they are the people who were born with unique super-human abilities, those of which they choose to either expose or conceal while living among the world of Typics. Divines can be powerful.

Summer Peregrine is a Divine who has the…


Book cover of The Cursed Doubloon

B.L. Twitchell Author Of The Green

From my list on sci-fi/fantasy driven by romance.

Why am I passionate about this?

I didn’t want to write about this world when I could submerse myself in a magical one! I’ve always had a passion for Sci-fi and Fantasy books and movies. With these genres, you can push your mind to limits that can’t be explored in the normal world. You can investigate imaginary places and fall in love with someone who can throw fire from their hands or teleport to another time. You can slay monsters and swim with merfolk; you can marry an alien and join your two kingdoms. You can even perform science experiments on someone and turn them into a hulk-like creature who runs around town naked! How fun! 

B.L.'s book list on sci-fi/fantasy driven by romance

B.L. Twitchell Why did B.L. love this book?

A fantasy romance between a young woman who finds an alluring merman while out at sea.

After her father professes to be cursed, Grace agrees to help him find treasure he lost. When their ship gets caught in a storm, a man's melodic voice guides them to safety. Grace goes in search of the stranger and finds the gorgeous mythical creature responsible—Ladarius. His shimmering skin and muscly chest entrance her; her womanly beauty captivates him. As they fall in love, the difference between their species takes center stage.

Ladarius had a sweet and sexy charm that made me swoon. It had “The Little Mermaid” vibes, but the roles were reversed. The relationship between Grace and her father was complex, and it wrapped up nicely in the ending. Fun read!

By B.T. Love,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Cursed Doubloon as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Grace Hayes detested pirates. They were smelly and boisterous, and their antics often disrupted her peace. But as much as she despised their behavior, she found herself living amongst a ship full of them on the sea, a decision she made out of love for her father.

Grace's father, Captain William "Grog Blossom" Hayes, was a cursed man. Ever since taking the rare Spanish coin know as the Cursed Doubloon into his possession, he'd been chased by bad luck. He blamed the Doubloon for his wife's death, his fading memory, and the layer of fog that always seemed to surround…


Book cover of Linnet and the Prince

B.L. Twitchell Author Of The Green

From my list on sci-fi/fantasy driven by romance.

Why am I passionate about this?

I didn’t want to write about this world when I could submerse myself in a magical one! I’ve always had a passion for Sci-fi and Fantasy books and movies. With these genres, you can push your mind to limits that can’t be explored in the normal world. You can investigate imaginary places and fall in love with someone who can throw fire from their hands or teleport to another time. You can slay monsters and swim with merfolk; you can marry an alien and join your two kingdoms. You can even perform science experiments on someone and turn them into a hulk-like creature who runs around town naked! How fun! 

B.L.'s book list on sci-fi/fantasy driven by romance

B.L. Twitchell Why did B.L. love this book?

YA fantasy romance following a sixteen-year-old who is given the task of assassinating the prince she is supposed to marry.

Linnet is brought to Rajak’s palace in exchange for sparing her kingdom. She was trained to fight and is hyper-aware of the danger around her. Her mother instructs her to gain his trust and kill him.

Rajak isn’t what he appears to be and wants more for his people. Tough on the outside, she finds he has a soft heart.

Slow-building clean romance with great descriptions. I felt like I was immersed in the scenes. It is set in a fantasy world with “Aladdin” vibes.

One of my favorite parts was when Linnet said she felt Rajak’s protection as surely as she would have felt a shield in her hand.

By Alydia Rackham,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Linnet and the Prince as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Young Princess Linnet has been given a grave task. If she succeeds, it could end her life. If she fails, it could destroy her people. She must kill a prince. But first, she must marry him.
Prince Rajak of the Badi, son of the conquering desert king, has given Linnet's kingdom an ultimatum: give him a princess for his bride, or be slaughtered. Linnet volunteers, to save her people. Her mother, however, sees an opportunity. She secretly instructs Linnet to gain Rajak's trust, and then assassinate him. Now, Linnet is forced to live among foreigners and enemies, married to a…


Book cover of The Guardians' Daughter

B.L. Twitchell Author Of The Green

From my list on sci-fi/fantasy driven by romance.

Why am I passionate about this?

I didn’t want to write about this world when I could submerse myself in a magical one! I’ve always had a passion for Sci-fi and Fantasy books and movies. With these genres, you can push your mind to limits that can’t be explored in the normal world. You can investigate imaginary places and fall in love with someone who can throw fire from their hands or teleport to another time. You can slay monsters and swim with merfolk; you can marry an alien and join your two kingdoms. You can even perform science experiments on someone and turn them into a hulk-like creature who runs around town naked! How fun! 

B.L.'s book list on sci-fi/fantasy driven by romance

B.L. Twitchell Why did B.L. love this book?

This YA book is about a young woman, Ember, whose parents were murdered when she was young. They were Guardians, which are superheroes with awesome talents they use to keep the world safe. Flash forward to adulthood, and Ember goes off to a university where she meets Aiden, who knows quite a bit about Ember's past.

Ember and Aiden hang out and feelings generate between them. Aiden is keeping a secret from Ember, so he tries his best to keep an emotional distance from her, even though it's incredibly hard for him.

There are many interesting characters in the book; I enjoyed the descriptions of them sprinkled throughout. There is also a cute little rock golem named Lime who is a sidekick to one of the supporting characters. So adorable!

By A.M. McPherson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Guardians' Daughter as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

She wanted to forget her past. Love will force her to remember.

Ember Vulterra’s parents were Guardians—people who used their abilities to protect the city of Stalwarth no matter the cost. But when they pay the ultimate price to stop a villain attack, Ember loses her faith in the city’s heroes, swearing to never follow in her parents’ footsteps.

Aiden Stiles was accepted into the University of Stalwarth, ready to start his training to become a Guardian. Yet, a dark secret resurfaces when he meets Ember, linking him to her parents.

Will Aiden risk everything and tell Ember what he…


Book cover of Brass & Unity: One Woman's Journey Through the Hell of Afghanistan and Back

Alana Stott Author Of She Who Dares

From my list on helping you escape victimhood and keep you winning.

Why am I passionate about this?

In life my motto has always been “The buck stops with me.” There is no room in life for excuses, blame, and victimhood. You need to build your own strength and resilience and not rely on others when it comes to your own successes. I have spent my life putting this mindset into practice and have surrounded myself with people, and books that keep me winning. 

Alana's book list on helping you escape victimhood and keep you winning

Alana Stott Why did Alana love this book?

This is the story of a young woman who witnessed the worst in the War in Afghanistan, was confronted by demons of post-traumatic stress, and fought for her life to become stronger than ever. Her storytelling is raw and real and she will gift you with that little bit of extra grit and determination we sometimes need to ignore the voices of negativity. 

By Kelsi Sheren,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Brass & Unity as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This is the story of a woman who witnessed the worst in the War in Afghanistan, was confronted by demons of post-traumatic stress, and fought for her life to become stronger than ever.

As seen on:
* JOCKO Podcast Episode #381
* The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show "Post Traumatic Growth and Resiliency"
* Lex Fridman Podcast Episode #230

Fresh out of high school, Kelsi Sheren, a diminutive nineteen-year-old woman, sought to join the military to help liberate those oppressed by the Taliban in Afghanistan. While she was often the smallest person in basic training, she proved she had the biggest…


Book cover of The Living Unknown Soldier: A Story of Grief and the Great War

Richard S. Fogarty Author Of Race and War in France: Colonial Subjects in the French Army, 1914-1918

From my list on France and the first World War.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a historian of modern Europe and France and have focused my research and writing on the First World War for almost 30 years now. The war remains the “original catastrophe” of the catastrophic 20th century and continues to shape our world in decisive ways here in the 21st century.  I don’t think there are many topics that are of clearer and more urgent interest, and what fascinates me most is how every day, individual people experienced these colossal events, events that seemed only very personal and intimate to most of them at the time.  It is with this in mind that I’ve chosen the books on my list.

Richard's book list on France and the first World War

Richard S. Fogarty Why did Richard love this book?

With some 1.5 million men dead, and several million more wounded, the story of France and the Great War is in many ways simply the story of grief, and this work captures that beautifully. Through the tragic, true story of a wounded amnesiac veteran whose name and family are unknown, Le Naour tells the crucial story of women, families, and an entire culture in mourning, in many ways hopelessly. Yet the veteran and the people who try to help him or claim him as their own retain their dignity and humanity in this account.

By Jean-Yves Le Naour, Penny Allen (translator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Living Unknown Soldier as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Chronicles the remarkable story of a World War I soldier who was discovered wandering in France with no memory of his identity and who was the focus of twenty years of court battles when he was "claimed" by hundreds of families whose fathers, husbands, sons, and brothers had been lost in combat. 20,


Book cover of Forever Strong: A New, Science-Based Strategy for Aging Well

Navaz Habib Author Of Upgrade Your Vagus Nerve: Control Inflammation, Boost Immune Response, and Improve Heart Rate Variability with New Science-Backed Therapies

From my list on upgrading your health and vitality.

Why am I passionate about this?

I personally have struggled with weight, blood sugar, and blood pressure challenges while I was in my teens and twenties. It was through functional medicine and many of the strategies I share in my book that I was able to create a positive shift in my own health and support the health of my clients. In my education and subsequent research, the Vagus nerve always stuck out to me as a unique and underrepresented component of the health journey. My curiosity regarding human anatomy and physiology led me to this important and missing answer: enabling our bodies to enter a healing state and initiate the recovery of our health.

Navaz's book list on upgrading your health and vitality

Navaz Habib Why did Navaz love this book?

From this book, I learned how important muscle tissue is to overall health. It was quite eye-opening to learn about the effects of poor muscle quality on our longevity and healthspan.

I really appreciated the practical aspects of this book, which helped me come up with a strategic plan for myself and my clients to improve their muscle health for their overall health!

By Gabrielle Lyon,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Forever Strong as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Learn how to reboot your metabolism, build strength, and extend your life with this accessible new book that demonstrates the importance of muscle for health and longevity from the founder of the Institute for Muscle-Centric Medicine (R).

After years of watching patients cycle through her practice, Dr Gabrielle Lyon noticed a pattern. While her patients struggled with a wide range of conditions, they all suffered from the same core problem: they had too little muscle rather than too much fat.

When we think about muscle, we tend to think about strength or aesthetics, but…


Book cover of The Forgotten Beasts of Eld

Deby Fredericks Author Of Minstrels of Skaythe

From my list on 20th century fantasy centering on powerful women.

Why am I passionate about this?

The books I recommend here have inspired me and shaped my work. You see, I have always been a writer, but for a long time I viewed it as just a hobby. I did a lot of fan writing (Pern, especially) that allowed me to follow my heart and just have fun writing. My current work questions some of the underlying assumptions in fantasy. Must every problem be solved at the point of a sword? Does magical power always corrupt? And is it truly possible for evildoers to be redeemed? I hope you'll visit my land of Skaythe and find it as magical as Estcarp, Earthsea, and Eld Mountain!

Deby's book list on 20th century fantasy centering on powerful women

Deby Fredericks Why did Deby love this book?

How should I describe the voice of Patricia McKillip? Her words are meticulously chosen to show an opulent and fantastical world. I have sometimes tried to imitate her, but I just can't keep it up for long.  

In this stand-alone novel, the witch Sybel lives alone on Eld Mountain. She has inherited or captured and tamed a handful of incredible, magical beasts. These are all the company she needs, until she is asked to care for a king's lost heir. Soon she is no longer able to remain aloof from the world. 

In subsequent readings, I've been struck by Sybel's frustration that people won't leave her out of their drama. They think she owes them her time and attention. Can't we all relate to that?

By Patricia A. McKillip,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The Forgotten Beasts of Eld as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12.

What is this book about?

World Fantasy Award-Winner
Newly available in print and e-book editions

"Rich and regal."
―The New York Times

Young Sybel, the heiress of powerful wizards, needs the company of no-one outside her gates. In her exquisite stone mansion, she is attended by exotic, magical beasts: Riddle-master Cyrin the boar; the treasure-starved dragon Gyld; Gules the Lyon, tawny master of the Southern Deserts; Ter, the fiercely vengeful falcon; Moriah, feline Lady of the Night. Sybel only lacks the exquisite and mysterious Liralen, which continues to elude her most powerful enchantments.

But when a soldier bearing an infant arrives, Sybel discovers that the…


Book cover of Eating Stars

Siri Caldwell Author Of The Mermaid Hypothesis

From my list on LGBTQ+ stories about feeling lost, then found.

Why am I passionate about this?

Every time I write a romance novel, I find myself returning to the same themes: seeing people for who they are beneath the surface, respecting others despite differences, and choosing to love those who might seem a little odd. Whether they’re angels, mermaids, or plain old humans, my characters lead lives where, despite marginalization and alienation, love and a sense of belonging are possible. My Christmas novella, Mistletoe Mishap, was a Lambda Literary Award finalist.

Siri's book list on LGBTQ+ stories about feeling lost, then found

Siri Caldwell Why did Siri love this book?

I love romance novels with characters who care about others who are different than themselves. In this one, an extraterrestrial crash-lands on Earth and is rescued by a human man. They’re both emotionally lost, devastated by the deaths of their respective spouses, but as the man nurses the alien back to health, they both regain the will to live. The way they protect each other, despite barely being able to communicate, is heart-wrenchingly beautiful.

By Angel Martinez,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Eating Stars as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Flee. Scatter. Take your mates and your offspring and run.

A new Science Fiction Romance from Angel Martinez

The escape pods fall to Earth one by one over the course of weeks, a mysterious and diverse alien diaspora, each pod containing a different alien race and leaving the world's governments scrambling to deal with this unexpected immigration. Serge Kosygin, still grieving and isolated after his husband's death, watches events with gray disinterest until one day he witnesses a pod crash for himself while driving home. Two of the alien visitors have died, but one survives, badly injured, and Serge is…


Book cover of Making Faces

L.J. Evans Author Of Branded by a Song: A Small-town, Rock-star Romance

From my list on romance with slow burns you’ll feel for days.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been reading and writing romance for most of my life, and I found the stories I was truly drawn to were the ones where I got to know the characters deeply and personally before they got their hard-earned happily ever after. I want to feel like not only the main characters are my new best friends, but also their friends and families. I want to live beside them as they go through this wild ride called life. So, those are the books I set out to write...stories telling about life’s ups and downs, dreams cast aside and remade, and families found along the way. Achingly heartfelt romance with resilient characters readers will adore.

L.J.'s book list on romance with slow burns you’ll feel for days

L.J. Evans Why did L.J. love this book?

Amy Harmon is another author who you can read anything and love it! The emotions drip from her pages in the full range of laughter to anger to tears. It’s an incredible journey! Even though I read this book years ago, I still feel like I know these characters personally. They are, quite literally, part of the fabric of my life.

By Amy Harmon,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Making Faces as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Ambrose Young was beautiful. The kind of beautiful that graced the covers of romance novels, and Fern Taylor would know. She'd been reading them since she was thirteen. But maybe because he was so beautiful he was never someone Fern thought she could have...until he wasn't beautiful anymore

Making Faces is the story of a small town where five young men go off to war, and only one comes back. It is the story of loss. Collective loss, individual loss, loss of beauty, loss of life, loss of identity. It is the tale of one girl's love for a broken…


5 book lists we think you will like!

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