Book Review: Exile for Dreamers by Kathleen Baldwin

Exile for Dreamers
Author: Kathleen Baldwin
Series: Stranje House (Book 2)
Publication: Tor Teen (May 24, 2016)

Description: Exile for Dreamers is the second captivating installment in the Stranje House series for young adults by award-winning author Kathleen Baldwin. #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot calls this romantic Regency adventure "completely original and totally engrossing."

Tess Aubreyson can't run far enough or fast enough to escape the prophetic dreams that haunt her. Her dreams bring nothing but death and grief. Tess refuses to accept that she may be destined for the same madness that destroyed her mother, until her disturbing dreams become the only means of saving Lord Ravencross, the man she loves, and her fellow students at Stranje House. Tess’s old friend, the traitorous Lady Daneska and the Ghost, ruthless leader of the Iron Crown, have returned to England, intent on paving the way for Napoleon’s invasion of England. Can the young ladies of Stranje House prevail once more? Or is England destined to fall into the hands of the power-mad dictator?

My Thoughts: EXILE FOR DREAMERS makes Tess the star this time. Tess is plagued by prophetic dreams and also fears that she will lose her mind and die young like her mother and grandmother. Gabriel who is the new Lord Ravencross isn't going to let that happen. Despite her determination that they will just be friendly strangers, he keeps courting her.

Besides this romance plot, our heroines also have to deal with Lady Daneska returning after being routed in the first book to try to capture Tess as a gift for Napoleon and kill Tess's Lord Ravencross to make the way for her lover, his older brother.

Meanwhile, Napoleon is planning an invasion of England. Luckily, Sebastian who is in France manages to rescue the nephew of Robert Fulton and send him to Stranje House where he works to create a steamboat and other weapons to help England in its fight against Napoleon. However, this brash young American manages to really rub Lady Jane the wrong way (leading, I hope, to the romance in the next book.)

I liked Tess and thought she was a great character. Her fears of coming madness weren't so much about herself as they were about what they would do to man she loves. She was an outwardly combative person who hid a very loving nature. Gabriel was also a great hero who is overcoming a difficult childhood. The only problem is that, every time he turns around, he seems to gather a new injury or two. Tess is as determined to keep him from harm as he is to protect her.

This is a fun alternative history series with all sorts of great characters.

Favorite Quote:

I, on the other hand, came along to avoid Lord Ravencross's unsettling gaze. Even when he wasn't looking at me I could feel his thoughts curling around me. Good heavens, the man might as well stand up and wrap his arm around my shoulder. It was outrageous how, without a word or even a touch, he had a way of making me feel like an overwarm caramel, all weak, and gooey, and melted inside.

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.