The Art of Exile by Andrea Max is the first in the Academy of Muses Series and is such a fun ride from the start. It pulls you in from the very first line! I really enjoyed this story. I was drawn to it from the book cover and once I read the Legendborn meets Da Vinci Code line in the description, I was absolutely hooked!

The writing in this book was so freaking refreshing. The way Andrea uses her words to express even the tiniest things is so beautifully perfect. It sets the tone, allows for more emotion and even visualizations.

I liked that this was rooted in family dynamics and trying to prove oneself. It’s such a relatable things for many, if not everyone. That feeling of being less than everybody else around you and having to live up to other people’s expectations of you. It’s a lot, but people get through it. I also liked that at the same time as Ada feeling down on herself, she also had to hide herself and not know the extent of her true self. Such a fun dynamic to play with for her journey.

It was interesting to see things from a teen’s perspective, not only traveling alone to a foreign country but also put into so many different circumstances. I loved her snarkiness and the art history throughout the story.

If you love things like fantasy, kidnapping, magical schools, art history, magical gifts, mysteries, and some twists and turns, this is for you!

I can’t wait for the next book to come out!

*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of The Art of Exile from Andrea Max via NetGalley

Thank you to SimonTeen for an eARC of this book.
#SimonTeenInfluencers

I gave myself until 20% before I could DNF this book. While 20% isn't very far, I was not hooked.
The opening chapters were a good start and did pull me in, but the more we learn about the society and the FMC situation I became disinterested.
Unfortunately the emotional investment for any character or situation wasn't there so I was not compelled to keep reading.
The premise was interesting, and the first couple of chapters were good, but this just wasn't for me!

2.5 rounded down

while the blurb was intriguing to me, this book unfortunately did not end up being to my taste.

to be glib about it- the book’s plot relies on you buying a whole lot of Europe-glazing (which I don’t), accepting a high schooler-teacher relationship as romantic a la pretty little liars (I don’t), finding our MC’s fixation on her bladder amusing (still don’t), and accepting that someone can be hot and bothered by someone who keeps calling them slurs (I don’t, but it is commonplace in romantasy). so it’s not for me…..

I think the prose and narration was very juvenile, but upon reflection, that’s okay for a juvenile audience. I actually think the overall tone, plot cohesion, and humor is not that far removed from stuff like PJO which I loved when I read. unfortunately, the book does incorporate more maturity into the romance, so I can’t recommend it to middle grade audiences.

Thank you to SimonTeen for an eARC and physical arc of this book. #SimonTeenInfluencers

W0w! This was so good! I had such a good time with this one. The world building was fabulous. The descriptions of the world were so rich that I felt like I could close my eyes and be there. I thought the relationship dynamics between our main characters came into interesting play and will continue to in the future. I was hooked and HAD to know what happened next. The plot was set up well and I look forward to reading more from this author. I love Ada and I am excited to hear more about Rafe and Michael. I can't wait for book 2!

Side note: I know the book was talking about the actual artists when they mentioned Raphael and Michaelangelo but my first thought was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles which was a very fun visual for me.

From the moment I started reading, I knew I was going to love this book. By chapter 12, I was completely hooked—this quickly became one of my most memorable reads, and I’d give it six stars if I could! The rich descriptions of Avant’s scenery, the spot-on depictions of New York, and the fascinating details about Maker society were all beautifully done.
As a big fantasy fan, I was a little nervous when I noticed some sci-fi elements creeping in, but the author makes them incredibly accessible and easy to follow—I was pleasantly surprised!
And the romance? It had me hanging on by a thread! Ada’s love triangle (or love pyramid?) had me flipping pages just to see what she’d decide. While the romance had its steamy moments of tension, it’s perfect for readers who want something with spark but not spice—think intense kisses and touches that could’ve led to more.
The only downside? It’s a new release—so now I have to wait in agony for the sequel! I found myself slowing down just to savor it, even though I was desperate to know what would happen next. BRAVO!

I am a lover of dark academia so I was a little unsure whether I would like “light academia.” If this book is that, the answer is yes! It was still atmospheric, lots of world building, some humor, some love (and a love triangle to boot!) and I ate it UP. CANT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK!!!

The Art of Exile almost made me exile the book. Much of the plot felt delivered through telling and the dialogue often felt awkward, and so I gave my self to 50% to decide if I should DNF. While I continued to rage read, there were some interesting plot points that started to show up. I made it to 50% and kept going. There are some parts of this that felt like a mashup of a bunch of other YA series… Vampire Diaries and Harry Potter in particular… the being sorted into guilds that have hoverjousting teams that compete against each other. But I did finish it, so that counts for something. Will I read the next one… I honestly don’t know.

A secret magical school for descendants of Renaissance masters on an island hidden away from “normal” humans. There’s magic, a love triangle, and high stakes.

Thank you @simonteen #partner for the gifted copies of this book!

Book friends — The Art of Exile by Andrea Max completely took me by surprise. No really, it blew my mind! This was my first read by Andrea, and let’s just say I’ve officially laced up my running shoes so I can sprint to grab whatever she writes next. Seriously… this book was an absolute blast.

I had no idea how much I was going to fall in love with this world. Secret schools? Check. Houses with actual personalities (yep, you read that right — houses with attitudes). Magic, talent rankings, gifted characters, loveable weirdos, heart, humor — it’s all here, and somehow it just works. It gave me major Harry Potter-meets-secret-society vibes with its own fresh, original spin that made it feel totally unique.

I don’t think any review I write will fully capture how much fun this book was, but if you’re a fan of fantasy, magic, secret societies, or just stories that feel wonderfully different from anything else out there, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. I’m already itching for a reread just to soak it all in again. And thank goodness this is book one because I am hooked. Bravo, Andrea Max — you’ve got a new fan over here! 5 big, sparkling stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

Oh, this was different!

This magical school includes those with and without magic; those without magic are highly intelligent with a twist. I loved this book, and Ada was a wonderful main female character. She is looking for her place, her tribe, a place to belong. Reading her reflection of hw poorly she felt, thinking that she wasn't gifted and a failure to her family, drew tears from my eyes. I place a lot of weight on ensuring my family is pleased, so this part of the story snatched Ada's character from the page and made her a real person for me. This was such a real moment. The character and world-building were solid, though I wish we dove deeper into the world and its magic system. However, considering that this is a series, I am sure we will get more. I appreciated Ada's morals and willingness to go against the norm to support what she felt was right.

This book is a journey. It has a magic school, an interesting magic system, a soft love triangle, flying, a magical sporting event, and a solid enemies-to-lovers, fake dating trope. I can't wait for the next installment of this series.

Thank you to Netgalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Margaret K. McElderry Books, and Andrea Max for the ARC of The Art of Exile

This book was everything I wanted and more! It is addictive and entrancing, with the writing being some of the best I’ve ever read. When it comes to the world building, it is so perfectly woven into the story that it never feels like info-dumping is occurring. You are just able to enjoy the story as it begins to unfold in front of you. When it comes to the characters, their nuances and interactions just elevate the story even more. I loved the puzzles and the questions and everything in between! I cannot wait to see everyone fall in love with this book and world.

One of my most anticipated reads this year after I kept seeing it everywhere 😍😍 and I was not let down! I was so happy I got the chance to read this story!

This book was so good! I loved the magical school and training a lot it’s one of my favorite things in books. I also loved how the characters grew, trusted each other and all the plot twists as well. I can’t wait for the second book.

I'm thankful for being on the tour for this; however, this wasn't for me. The synopsis was interesting and made me really interested in reading this, but it was hard to get into. It lagged for quite a bit for my liking. I know there's an audience for this, and I can see a massive amount of people enjoying this. I don't think I was the target audience for this, which is unfortunate because I wanted to like this. There were a few tropes that are not my thing, but that doesn't mean it's not for others. They just weren't for me. I just expected... more, I guess.

One of my reads for Jewish Heritage Month!

This is pure fun; a refreshing, smart twist on the secret magic school trope that actually feels new. In a world where magical academies often feel overdone, this one stands out and actually recaptured a little of the magic of my youth. But honestly, It starts out feeling like a typical YA fantasy setup. But as the story unfolds, it reveals layers of hidden depth that make it stand out. I wasn’t sure where it was going at first, but then the book really comes into its own. And the themes play out in such a thoughtful, unexpected way.

Ada has always struggled with not being good enough, so when she’s chosen for a mission, she’s eager to prove herself. Her voice has plenty of internal drama and sarcasm, but what really makes her work is how much she grows throughout the story. She’s thrown into this hidden magical school when most of the students look down upon her and has to navigate espionage, romance, self-doubt, and some ethically murky decisions.

The romantic subplot doesn’t overpower the main plot but it was a super fun aspect of the story. Bonus points for twists that I didn’t see coming and some genuinely emotional turns; especially when centered around Ada’s sense of belonging and family loyalties. I do not want to spoil anything, so I’m trying to keep things really vague here.

If I had one minor gripe, it’s that it is quite young adult. I hope the second in the duology dives a little deeper and gets a little darker. But that is a personal preference.

Secret societies, lots of twists and turns, and steeped in Jewish culture. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something fun but also thoughtful.

Thanks so much to TBR and Beyond Tours, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

I am a big fan of anything set in academia, and this was no different. What a beautiful story and world. The enemies to lovers story was super fun and I really enjoyed rooting for them. This story had everything you would want in a YA fantasy. Found family, enemies to lovers, save the world vibes.

Thanks for allowing me to read this as a Simon Teen Influencer.

Fans of world building and unique magic systems, this one is for you. We follow Ada, a girl from a impressively powerful family who just doesn't quite fit the mold. She hopes finding her way into the Genesis Institute, a school for the descendants of exiled Renaissance masters will help her, or at least that's what she claims. Nothing and no one is who they seem.

There are a lot of moving parts to this world and it took me a while to make it all click into place as I read. Elements of both the world as well as the magic comes from places that I am not familiar with (the pigeon golem comes to mind). I'm left with quite a few questions that I'm hopeful the sequel will be able to address.

This was a fun read overall and I will definitely be checking out the next book to see what happens! 4⭐

This book is a treat that absolutely hooks you from the first page and does not let go - I actually elongated my time reading it because I just did not want this story to end.

Somehow this is Andrea Max's debut which makes absolutely no sense, as this reads to me with the same level of world building and intent and care as someone like Naomi Novik. The idea of the world Max has created for Ada is intensely fascinating, and was one I could vividly see in Max's words and writing style. The idea of a Utopia is dangerous in and of itself, and this is no exception, especially once Ada truly starts to fit in and find herself at the school.

This was a story and a world that was almost animated in my head, and I'm usually not one to hope for adaptations but believe me I HOPE this gets turned into a full animated series to do it justice.

I am 100% adding Max to my perma-buy list, and I enjoyed this book so much I am picking up a physical copy ASAP. I will be recommending this to everyone I know!!

Thank you so much to Andrea Max, the Publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title!!

What a phenomenal debut! Andrea Max delivers an electrifying mix of history, magic, and mystery. I agree with the Legendborn and Da Vinci Code vibes, but I would also add a dash of Harry Potter (but way more inclusive, progressive, and LGBTQ+ friendly). 💜

The world-building is fantastic—love the map and the Genesis Institute Guilds guide at the front. The contrast between the utopian Maker’s world and the deeply flawed Provincial world is powerful and thought-provoking. I love stories that include social commentary, and this one delivers, exploring themes like inequality, sustainability, and universal medicine.

Read this if you love:
✨ Secret Societies
✨ Renaissance-era Lore
✨ Magic Powers
✨ Found Family
✨ Romance Tropes - fake dating, love triangle, enemies to lovers
✨ Diverse and Inclusive Cast (including Jewish rep!)

🎧 Narration Note: Emily Lawrence is a standout! Her voice work brings to life Ada Castle (our fierce and funny FMC), and she beautifully captures Ada’s relatable self-doubt, determination, and wit.

Final Verdict: An unforgettable ride full of secrets, power, and purpose. Can’t wait for Book 2!

Enemies to lovers? Yup. Light academia? Absolutely. This book had so many of my favorite things—secret societies, magic, found family, and a love triangle that didn’t feel forced. Andrea Max crushed it.

The culture and magic were totally intertwined and Ada was a great main character, and her friendships felt real and earned. Also, Rafe? Total favorite from the moment he showed up—snarky, protective, and the perfect balance to Ada.

I do wish the world had been a bit more fleshed out. There were a few spots that left me feeling like I missed something. But overall, I was hooked and can’t wait for the sequel.