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junojuniper's review
4.0
Fast, sweet and very sexy read. Vampires are so easily boring. Not this time. I enjoyed the first person present tense. I was worried at first but it's very well done.
the_novel_approach's review
3.0
Escaping Exile is the opening novella for a trilogy, and the blurb basically tells you everything you need to know about the story outside of the details for Andrew’s exile. Andrew is…a vampire. His joy in killing, innocent souls in particular, against his coven’s “drinking only” mandate and the machinations of a fellow vampire, lead to his exile on the island by the coven leader. After rescuing Edmund from a shipwreck so Andrew could have him as a meal instead of the cannibals, Edmund’s attractiveness and Andrew’s loneliness override the “dark creature” within, and he spares Edmund’s life. Andrew, who considers himself a soulless monster, has spent centuries wallowing in the pleasures of sex and the kill, and is captivated enough by his unexpected devil-may-care human companion to take care of him instead of giving in to his baser desires.
Edmund is a naturalist but more in the mold of Indiana Jones rather than Charles Darwin. He’s fearless, likes living on the knife’s edge of danger, and possesses a curiosity about the living world and an almost irresistible need to touch the flames of danger that make him a perfect match for Andrew. Instead of the horror and fear Andrew expects, he receives excitement, heightened desire and a request to be studied as a specimen of his species. As they spend time together, Andrew becomes more enthralled and enchanted by Edmund’s humor, charm and intellect, and their island would be a paradise instead of a prison, if it wasn’t for the cannibals who are stalking Edmund.
For me, this novella was a quick, enjoyable enough read, and I found Edmund to be as unexpectedly fun and charming as Andrew does; on the other hand, I found Andrew to be as boring as he finds his exile. Besides being a vampire, there’s really not much to him. However, the novella does tell a complete, entertaining story, and is a good series starter. So, if you enjoy all things vampy and don’t mind a vampire born in 1036CE but is too much “a man of the city” to know anything about surviving on an island, a naturalist/adventurer who embraces death with pleasure (literally), and human cannibals with a supernaturally uncanny ability to smell that sweet, sweet non-islander long pig, then bon voyage.
Edmund is a naturalist but more in the mold of Indiana Jones rather than Charles Darwin. He’s fearless, likes living on the knife’s edge of danger, and possesses a curiosity about the living world and an almost irresistible need to touch the flames of danger that make him a perfect match for Andrew. Instead of the horror and fear Andrew expects, he receives excitement, heightened desire and a request to be studied as a specimen of his species. As they spend time together, Andrew becomes more enthralled and enchanted by Edmund’s humor, charm and intellect, and their island would be a paradise instead of a prison, if it wasn’t for the cannibals who are stalking Edmund.
For me, this novella was a quick, enjoyable enough read, and I found Edmund to be as unexpectedly fun and charming as Andrew does; on the other hand, I found Andrew to be as boring as he finds his exile. Besides being a vampire, there’s really not much to him. However, the novella does tell a complete, entertaining story, and is a good series starter. So, if you enjoy all things vampy and don’t mind a vampire born in 1036CE but is too much “a man of the city” to know anything about surviving on an island, a naturalist/adventurer who embraces death with pleasure (literally), and human cannibals with a supernaturally uncanny ability to smell that sweet, sweet non-islander long pig, then bon voyage.
haletostilinski1's review
2.0
Meh.
That's how I feel after reading this. Just "meh."
It wasn't bad, the writing structure was good, but I didn't feel anything for Andrew or Edmund, or any chemistry between them. The sex was okay, but it wasn't as hot as I was expecting.
This is a short story, so not much happens. And I don't know how I feel about the natives of this island being cannibals and "barbarians." People in the 1800's would have thought them like that though, of course, but all the natives - not white people - were barbarian cannibals, monsters. I think they were meant to draw a parallel to Andrew, who before Edmund had no remorse for those he killed, ever. But honestly I just didn't like it, but I guess they served the purpose of being something that could kill Edmund, but I would have preferred animals like the bore or something to be the threat than for it to be other human beings who served no other purpose than to be monstrous and make Andrew think about himself.
Not that Andrew drawing the parallels between him and the natives made him feel any remorse or will to change - so honestly, what is the point? To get Edmund to see his monstrous ways? That could have been done without the cannibals and honestly, Edmund wasn't that great either.
I have loved reprehensible, amoral characters in books before (hello, [b:Call the Coroner|33975583|Call the Coroner|Avril Ashton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485215960s/33975583.jpg|54962366]) so it isn't exactly that Andrew and Edmund both were...just...complete assholes, and both perfect for each other in their lack of morality or any good virtue at all. But really, there was nothing ELSE redeeming about them. Even their "love" for each other didn't feel real, so I didn't feel much for them because they were nothing more than bad people.
And I'm not one that likes villainous type characters all that often, but if they're written well and interestingly, I can like the character. But I didn't find Andrew or Edmund all that interesting.
Andrew has been a vampire for about 800 or so years, and has never felt bad for killing anyone, no remorse at all. There's a scene in the book that's a flashback to him and he doesn't feel one ounce of remorse for it. And that would have been fine if he was interesting at all. But nah, he's just horrible and on top of that, doesn't give a shit about murdering innocent people, so...
And Edmund isn't exactly evil or anything, but he doesn't really give a shit about murdering people (but caterpillars, he can't do????) and he's done it before and he's kind of just an asshole. In that way, he's perfect for Andrew. But also, there wasn't enough with them for them to be interesting. And also, their leap from strangers to "being in love" happens way too fast and unconvincingly. Honestly, we don't get much from Edmund, because not only is this not in his POV, but he just doesn't seem all that interested in Andrew aside from sex and "studying" him when he finds out he's a vampire.
Just...this one wasn't for me. No thanks.
That's how I feel after reading this. Just "meh."
It wasn't bad, the writing structure was good, but I didn't feel anything for Andrew or Edmund, or any chemistry between them. The sex was okay, but it wasn't as hot as I was expecting.
This is a short story, so not much happens. And I don't know how I feel about the natives of this island being cannibals and "barbarians." People in the 1800's would have thought them like that though, of course, but all the natives - not white people - were barbarian cannibals, monsters. I think they were meant to draw a parallel to Andrew, who before Edmund had no remorse for those he killed, ever. But honestly I just didn't like it, but I guess they served the purpose of being something that could kill Edmund, but I would have preferred animals like the bore or something to be the threat than for it to be other human beings who served no other purpose than to be monstrous and make Andrew think about himself.
Not that Andrew drawing the parallels between him and the natives made him feel any remorse or will to change - so honestly, what is the point? To get Edmund to see his monstrous ways? That could have been done without the cannibals and honestly, Edmund wasn't that great either.
I have loved reprehensible, amoral characters in books before (hello, [b:Call the Coroner|33975583|Call the Coroner|Avril Ashton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485215960s/33975583.jpg|54962366]) so it isn't exactly that Andrew and Edmund both were...just...complete assholes, and both perfect for each other in their lack of morality or any good virtue at all. But really, there was nothing ELSE redeeming about them. Even their "love" for each other didn't feel real, so I didn't feel much for them because they were nothing more than bad people.
And I'm not one that likes villainous type characters all that often, but if they're written well and interestingly, I can like the character. But I didn't find Andrew or Edmund all that interesting.
Andrew has been a vampire for about 800 or so years, and has never felt bad for killing anyone, no remorse at all. There's a scene in the book that's a flashback to him
Spoiler
murdering a "pure" and honestly sweet prostitute, a young one of 18And Edmund isn't exactly evil or anything, but he doesn't really give a shit about murdering people (but caterpillars, he can't do????) and he's done it before and he's kind of just an asshole. In that way, he's perfect for Andrew. But also, there wasn't enough with them for them to be interesting. And also, their leap from strangers to "being in love" happens way too fast and unconvincingly. Honestly, we don't get much from Edmund, because not only is this not in his POV, but he just doesn't seem all that interested in Andrew aside from sex and "studying" him when he finds out he's a vampire.
Just...this one wasn't for me. No thanks.
gabi90's review
4.0
If this would've been any other book, I would say it was too rushed. We didn't linger on thoughts, emotions or events too much (which should clue you in, that I'm left with questions), and usually I would complain. But the more I think about it, it might've turned out to be boring if it would've been more detailed. It actually flowed nicely, and I liked it.
However this rushed manner prevented me to feel their love for each other. I think it was more sexual attraction than anything else.
To me the ending was perfect, so I'm not sure I read the other books. Even though I would probably get answers to my questions. Despite that I don't feel the need to go on with the series.
Uhm... I'll go with 3.5 stars, rounded up.
However this rushed manner prevented me to feel their love for each other. I think it was more sexual attraction than anything else.
To me the ending was perfect, so I'm not sure I read the other books. Even though I would probably get answers to my questions. Despite that I don't feel the need to go on with the series.
Uhm... I'll go with 3.5 stars, rounded up.
lillian_francis's review
5.0
Excellent vampire story.
It ends on a 'tbc' but I think it's solid enough in its own right.
Thoughts to follow.
An interesting take on a vampire story.
There's nothing sparkly about Andrew. He's not a soft-focus vampire, he's charmed and killed. Killed one too many times, which is how he ends up in exile, his only companions a tribe of cannibals, who he can't kill because they smell of death and decay. And who don't try to eat him for the same reason.
Then one day a ship crashes during a storm and a live sweet smelling man is swept ashore. Food, is Andrew's initial thought, until he catches sight of his 'dinner' and wonders if company would be a better use of the gorgeous man.
Edmund is, well, there's not a lot I can reveal about Edmund that wouldn't be more fun to out as the story unfolds (it's written solely in Andrew's POV, so we get the reveals at the same time as Andrew). I did love him though.
This book is well written and creates a perfect setting and story in such a short read (1 hr - 1.5 hrs). It's written in present tense, which I always find jarring at first but I settled into it quickly enough.
The book finishes on a 'to be continued'. This is not a cliffhanger. There is no danger present and the relationship is solid. Personally I'm happy with where the story leaves off and would regard that as a completed story. However, if I get the chance I'll certainly pick up the next book in the series.
It ends on a 'tbc' but I think it's solid enough in its own right.
Thoughts to follow.
An interesting take on a vampire story.
There's nothing sparkly about Andrew. He's not a soft-focus vampire, he's charmed and killed. Killed one too many times, which is how he ends up in exile, his only companions a tribe of cannibals, who he can't kill because they smell of death and decay. And who don't try to eat him for the same reason.
Then one day a ship crashes during a storm and a live sweet smelling man is swept ashore. Food, is Andrew's initial thought, until he catches sight of his 'dinner' and wonders if company would be a better use of the gorgeous man.
Edmund is, well, there's not a lot I can reveal about Edmund that wouldn't be more fun to out as the story unfolds (it's written solely in Andrew's POV, so we get the reveals at the same time as Andrew). I did love him though.
This book is well written and creates a perfect setting and story in such a short read (1 hr - 1.5 hrs). It's written in present tense, which I always find jarring at first but I settled into it quickly enough.
The book finishes on a 'to be continued'. This is not a cliffhanger. There is no danger present and the relationship is solid. Personally I'm happy with where the story leaves off and would regard that as a completed story. However, if I get the chance I'll certainly pick up the next book in the series.
tiffanymichellebrown's review
5.0
What happens when you maroon a brutal, brooding vampire and a smart-cracking human naturalist on a tropical island? Primal urges. Hidden desires. Battles with cannibals. Sweaty jungle nights. And a tantalizing story by Sara Dobie Bauer that elevates vampire mythos to new, exciting, erotic heights. If you like reading about sexy men who love sexy men, this first installation in the Escape series is for you.
the_sassy_bookworm's review
4.0
I am not usually a historical romance fan, and I avoid serials like the plague, but every once in a while a book intrigues me enough that I step outside my box and give it a chance. Such was the case with this book... 
I am very glad that I decided to give this book a go because I utterly enjoyed every minute of it. It was very well written. It is rather short, so the pace was very quick. The plot was quite original and incredibly engaging. It was smokin' hot. I found both the main characters very likable. Last, it was all wrapped up in a satisfying happy for now ending that implies more adventures to come for these two.
emmajaye's review
5.0
A short book that felt like a longer one, but in a good way.
No twinkly vampires, an honest to god evil, blood thirty villian! Yay!
Told from the vampire's POV, the character development and 19C writing style drew me in. I loved the way our vamp's emotions develop from saving a shipwreck victim because he wants a live meal. Enjoyed the way the shipwreck victim's character is developed, even though we only see him from the vamps POV.
Definitely a fun way to spend an hour or two.
Recommended.
No twinkly vampires, an honest to god evil, blood thirty villian! Yay!
Told from the vampire's POV, the character development and 19C writing style drew me in. I loved the way our vamp's emotions develop from saving a shipwreck victim because he wants a live meal. Enjoyed the way the shipwreck victim's character is developed, even though we only see him from the vamps POV.
Definitely a fun way to spend an hour or two.
Recommended.
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