A thousand years ago, Mageborns fled prejudice and persecution to colonize the planet Lenfell--a perfect refuge for those whose powers were perceived as a threat by people not gifted with magic. But the greater the magic, the greater the peril. Lenfell was soon devastated by a war between rival Mageborn factions that polluted the land with Wild Magic and unleashed hideous specters called Wraithenbeasts. Now, generations later, someone is planning another war on the still crippled planet that will tear three Mageborn sisters apart. "I am mad (petulant, in fact!) that I can't immediately read book number two in the Exiles trilogy.... Melanie Rawn has established beyond doubt that she is a great writer of fantasy and The Ruins of Ambrai will join the Dragon series in my library of favorites for years to come." --Realms of Fantasy

From Library Journal
Once ravaged by wars between rival factions of mages, the land of Lenfell now strives to maintain peace through the careful restriction of magic. A conspiracy, however, born of the political aspirations of the now-exiled mage-born Lords of Malerris, threatens to plunge the world into chaos once again. Against this background, the author of the popular "Dragon Prince" and "Dragon Star" trilogies begins a new epic adventure that focuses on the destinies of three sisters of unlimited power. Rawn's talent for lush descriptions and complex characterizations provides a broad range of drama, intrigue, romance, and adventure. Her depiction of Lenfell's unique matriarchal society adds further texture to this densely woven fantasy tapestry. Most libraries should consider multiples of this title.Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
Rawn (Skybowl, 1993, etc.) makes a strong bid to establish herself as the Rube Goldberg of fantasy as she embellishes her account of revolution on the planet Lenfell with an excess of explication, minor characters, and details (some explored in an ``index'' too spotty to be useful) that ensure the plot mechanism never gets out of first gear. Glenin Ferian, Sarra Liewellan, and Cailet Rille are the daughters of Auvrey Ferian, who serves at Ryka Court as the powerful right-hand man of First Councillor Avira Anniyas. Glenin, who surpasses her father in ambition and magic, inches toward succeeding Avira as ruler. Meanwhile Sarra and Cailet, who were raised separately, are drawn into ``the Rising,'' an effort by Mage Guardians and their allies to topple Ryka Court and its magic-wielding Lords of Malerris. Sarra, who has the makings of a tactician, shrewdly deduces what horrors could come from the defeat of Mage Guardians, but it is Cailet, still a teenager, who is thrust into the eye of this storm. As the sisters clash in projected subsequent volumes, the most interesting question will be whether they can eradicate the blatant sexism that Rawn, as a heavy-handed joke, has built into her woman-dominated society. Unfortunately, she does a better job of reinscribing sexism than undermining it. A story packed with Mages and devoid of magic. -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

ANNOTATION

The isolated world of Lenfell seemed the perfect refuge for the Mageborn--a people persecuted for their magic powers. But the greater the magic, the greater the peril--and Lenfell was soon devastated by a war between rival Mage factions. Now, long after the war, three Mageborn sisters will find themselves on opposing sides in this world-shattering conflict.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The isolated world of Lenfell seemed the perfect refuge for the Mageborn--a people persecuted for their magic powers. But the greater the magic, the greater the peril--and Lenfell was soon devastated by a war between rival Mage factions. Now, long after the war, three Mageborn sisters will find themselves on opposing sides in this world-shattering conflict. HC: Daw.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The first volume in Rawn's newest fantasy trilogy, which revolves around a long-standing rivalry between two opposing groups of magicians. (Nov.)

Library Journal