Exile (The Oneness Cycle Book 1)

The story is broad and epic: The universal tale of good versus evil. Only it's not quite so black and white. A mysterious woman is suddenly thrust into the life of the two men who find her in the cold waters of the bay where they fish daily. They've rescued her, not only from herself, but from a hideous rejection that has left her questioning who she is. The grand, larger entity to which she is connected, The Oneness, needs her to remember and to heal. Darkness is coming to the world, and The Oneness may be all that separates humankind from its destructive forces. Exile and The Oneness Cycle Series by Rachel Starr Thomson, is set in modern times on planet earth. That made it much more relatable to me. I could just as easily take lessons from it as I could lose myself in the fictional tale. After shaking my dubious feelings about fantasy novels, I found myself readily caring for the characters and understanding their strengths and weaknesses. The story gets complicated as it runs several different scenes in different locations with different players. It's hard to follow, especially if you can't read it (that section) all in one sitting. It does all come together eventually, and it all makes sense. I found myself eager to see how the situation would play out. And there are a few surprises. I recommend this book especially for those who already like the genre, and also to those who may be trying it for the first time. There are loose allegories to Christianity, but they do not need to be drawn to enjoy the story.

The right amount of everything: character descriptions, setting, suspense, mystery, light and dark, internal conflict, being wrongfully accused, and the fast pacing of Thomson's storytelling. I enjoyed the battles with grief and anger, and the concept of the Oneness, echoing Jesus' prayer to his Father in John 17:21 that we all be one.

I'll freely admit that I pulled an all-nighter last night, reading 'Exile' from start to finish because I was loathe to put it down. That it was a story that drew me in from the beginning and kept me turning pages til the end. That there's a lot to like about this series, and that I would like to read more.That said...? There are also things that bother me. A lot. Enough to voice them in caution, much like a sign warning you of a speed-bump ahead.While the Oneness and its allies are clearly supposed to be from and/or influenced by God, that connection is never really made. Not exactly. Certain characters are "from the cloud" or "from above." The reader is left to fill in Whom they serve because He is never (in my bleary-eyed recollection) mentioned by name. And while the demonic forces and their allies are called out as precisely that, again the connection to whom they serve is never mentioned by name.While the apostles receiving the Holy Spirit is touched upon as to how the Oneness began, there is no mention from Whom that Spirit was received. No mention of Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer. No mention of Him being the impetus behind the Oneness.I get that this is a fictional, fantasy-based take on some spiritual truths around which the human mind can't always wrap. I get that there may be plot building and setup going on behind the scenes. Despite its flaws, there are some powerful spiritual truths in this book that were addressed. Such as oneness as a spiritual body...though the reality is more like a big, extended family than using the Force per Star Wars. Prayer and fasting...they are powerful defenses that make the enemy tremble in fear and rage. Spiritual warfare...though our sword is the Word of God and the Name of Jesus Christ is a mighty weapon...but not one to be wielded carelessly.Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I cannot, in all good conscience, give five stars because of the aforementioned spiritual discrepancies. That said, I am by no means trying to dishonor Rachel Starr Thomson...the author of this book/series. I'm simply trying to honor the Author and Giver of Life...Jesus Christ...and the part He plays in the true Oneness.

Intriguing, compelling and challenging. Read and enjoyed this unusual book in one sitting and have downloaded the next one . Reminiscent of Frank Peretti's novels of spiritual warfare in a realm alongside - and overlapping - that of human experience, it is a page turner; an easy read, but with some profound truths that stay with you after the story is finished. Thank you.

What an utter load of rubbish, worst thing I've read in years. Don't normally leave bad reviews, but felt I should help people avoid this

Would like to see all the rest in hardcopy version rather than kindle Was definitely a page turner

I liked this book. It's not like any book I've read before. Great character descriptions really bring the main characters to life. I would recommend this book to readers who like supernatural books with angels and demons.

Interesting, enjoyable, well written. The beginning of a fantasy series which touches on important moral, psychological and social issues.