The cover of Exile: Part I – From an Antique Land by Anthony Hodge immediately drew me in with its heavy The Odyssey vibes. The book opens with an epigraph from Shelley’s Ozymandias, which I can’t help but associate with Breaking Bad now. From the first page to the last, Hodge builds an immersive world that feels both familiar and fresh, with Roman and Hellenic vibes. This is fantasy that doesn’t have too much or any magic, but instead bases the plot on realistic politics and characters in an immersive fantasy world, the land of Caeria.
The story follows three connected characters whose lives are upended when King Zjandius of Caeria suddenly declares that all slaves are to be freed. His trusted agent Terzjin works behind the scenes to enforce the King’s rule and gather intelligence, uncovering troubling signs that the northern kingdom of Rhenivia is preparing for war. One of his early missions involves confronting smugglers and forcing them to report on what they learn, hinting that danger is growing beyond Caeria’s borders. As political tension rises, Zjandius finds himself increasingly isolated from the nobles who once supported him. Meanwhile, the looming threat from the north casts a long shadow over a kingdom already beginning to fracture.
For ordinary people, the King’s decree has painful consequences. Valcero, a young slave in a wealthy household, is thrown out as soon as he is legally freed. With no home, no money, and no protection, he is left to survive on the streets alongside his friend Saedelas. Concurrently, in the north, a rising Rhenivian warrior named Heirik learns that a massive army is gathering and that he is destined to play a major role in the coming invasion. As Caeria struggles with unrest and angry nobles, the kingdom fails to notice the enemy forces assembling just across the sea.
The multiple storylines mirror each other beautifully, the structural choice recalling the multi-POV approach of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire or Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth, where different perspectives on the same events create dramatic irony and mounting tension. The lack of magic or mythical creatures in the story also reminded me of them. What makes Hodge’s writing particularly impressive is his ability to balance intimate character moments with sweeping political machinations. The prose is clean and polished without being showy, flowing smoothly, avoiding purple prose while still delivering vivid sensory details.
Though there are exciting moments, the book does have a measured pace in its opening chapters, focusing on worldbuilding and political foundation rather than immediate action. Hodge introduces multiple viewpoints and invented terms (Lenotari, Palantare, Winter’s Reign) quickly, creating immersion but also demanding attention from readers. Some might find the opening hard to get through, though fans of Mary Renault or Guy Gavriel Kay will recognize this approach as characteristic of historically-grounded fantasy, and thankfully the characters are largely likeable. I should say I was slightly confused because I found the manuscript had a lot of black pages, but I’m presuming that’s just some sort of error with our copy.
Valcero emerges as the emotional core and likely long-term protagonist, following the classic hero’s journey from nothing. His arc recalls characters like Kaladin from Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive or Daenerys from Game of Thrones, someone born into bondage who will presumably rise to significance. Terzjin provides the political intrigue and moral complexity of a loyal servant watching his king’s idealism spiral toward disaster, functioning as a Davos Seaworth figure. And Heirik, though positioned as a kind of antagonist, is rendered with enough charisma and complexity to feel like a protagonist in his own right, along with his lover, Razna.
There aren’t weaknesses so much as choices that favor depth over immediate gratification. This is epic fantasy that takes its time to build a world worth caring about. Hodge draws from the best from fantasy and historical fiction, while carving something of his own. The “Part 1” in the title suggests we’re only at the beginning of a much larger journey. If this opening volume is any indication and Hodge sticks the landing, it will be a journey worth taking, as the world it has already built is actually very impressive. I would have loved a glossary to help understand some of the made-up terms, but that’s a minor personal preference.
With strong character work, powerful thematic richness, and a compelling world that feels both ancient and relevant to contemporary times, Exile: Part I rewards patient readers who appreciate character-driven epics. The exploration of slavery and the human toll of political upheaval elevates this beyond typical fantasy fare into something thought-provoking, but most importantly, it’s just an entertaining, often gripping read. This is a compelling opening to what could be a major fantasy series, and I’m eager to see where Hodge takes these characters next.
Final verdict: For fans of Mary Renault, George R.R. Martin, and Guy Gavriel Kay, Exile: Part I – From an Antique Land is an essential read. A lovingly written debut that balances political fantasy with characters you will root for, this book casts a spell that conjures a perfect fantasy world to get lost in this winter season. A vividly imagined, well-written debut novel, and I’ll be first in line for Part II!
You can get your copy of Exile or read for free on Kindle Unlimited here!
