The Art of Exile - by Andrea Max (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Legendborn meets The Da Vinci Code in this captivating light academia contemporary fantasy following a teen who infiltrates a secret school for the descendants of exiled Renaissance masters to steal their long-lost arts and sciences.

Unlike the high-achieving members of her family's secret society, Ada Castle has mastered nothing but the art of falling for the wrong guys. But now she finally has the chance to prove her worth: she just needs to gain access to a hidden school that her family has been trying to locate for generations. Granted, she accidentally goes on a date with the recruiter first, then is temporarily abducted, but Ada manages to secure herself an invitation to the Genesis Institute, where descendants of exiled Renaissance masters practice long-lost arts and sciences.

The school is a utopia of sustainable technology, medical advancements, and myths come to life, yet they are unjustly hoarding their resources. Ada goes undercover to steal their innovations for the rest of the world, but Genesis nurtures her creativity and challenges her views, and she can't help but fall for the school...and maybe also for her frustratingly off-limits recruiter-turned-mentor.

Ada's tangle of lies starts to unravel when one of her new friends goes missing. To rescue her, Ada is forced to work with a dangerous (and dangerously hot) classmate whose suspicions threaten her cover. And when the information she's shared with her family puts her missing friend and all of Genesis in peril, she'll have to choose whom to betray: the family she loves or the school that has helped her find herself.

Review Quotes

"Andrea Max's The Art of Exile is a delicious light academia romp. Simply put, I devoured this book. With an irresistible cast of characters, plenty of witty banter, and a collection of hair-raising secrets, this is a novel for anyone who ever dreamed that school should (and could) be a truly magical experience. Entirely propulsive and delightful, Max's novel is a remarkable debut."--Katy Hays, author of NYT Bestseller The Cloisters

"Clever, propulsive, and atmospheric. Like a Renaissance master, Max's strengths are numerous: The Art of Exile combines meticulous plotting with a vast, lived-in world, and characters one can't help but root for. Between the many twists and turns, our protagonist's messy love life, and the hoverjousting, The Art of Exile had me on the edge of my seat until the very last page." --Genoveva Dimova, author of Foul Days

"In The Art of Exile, Andrea Max weaves a razor-sharp tale where history and myth collide, crafting a narrative that pulses with emotion. Ada's journey unfolds as a tale of ambition, self-discovery, and the delicate art of finding one's place in an ever-changing world. Beautifully fast-paced!"--Shea Ernshaw, #1 NYT bestselling author of Long Live the Pumpkin Queen

"Unputdownable. The Art of Exile is in every way an exhilarating read, captivating in its clever mythology and utterly swoon-worthy romance."--Ashley Shuttleworth, author of the Hollow Star Saga

About the Author

Andrea Max is an English teacher who previously worked as a clinical social worker with an MSW from New York University. Aspects of the history and magic systems in The Art of Exile were inspired by the Jewish tradition and mythology with which she was raised. Andrea lives with her husband and toddler in New Jersey.