**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**

Note: This is the second book in a series that must be read in order.
If you are new to the Stranje House series, check out my review of book one, A School for Unusual Girls HERE
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Exile for Dreamers is the second book in the Stanje House series by Kathleen Baldwin. I absolutely loved, the first book in the series, A School for Unusual Girls, and this book was even better than the first book. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Georgie and Lord Wyatt, but I really really adore the setup of this series. Each of the books is told from one of the five Stranje House girls point of views. Book one was Georgie, book two is Tess and book three will be Jane. I just love that idea. The series follows a single timeline and the events of the books take place one right after another, so the series must be read in order. But from each book we get to see the next set of events unfold from a different perspective. It is brilliantly done.

Exile for Dreamers is Tess' story. Tess is such an interesting character. I was super intrigued by her in the first book, and I grew to totally love her in this book. Her story with Lord Ravencross was excellent. Not to mention her ability is really fascinating. Not only her dreaming ability but also her connection with animals. She is a multifaceted character that I was eager to keep learning more about as the book progressed. And I was totally surprised with the direction things took with one of the characters.

With Daneska. The former student that betrayed the girls. (And that is all the detail you will get on this one...even in the spoilers.) :p

The Stranje House series is quickly turning into one of my favorites. I love that it blends different genres seamlessly. It is part historical fiction/alternate history, party magic, and part secret spy school. I have never read another book quite like it. I should note that in the historical aspect, at the end of the last book we took a departure from actual historical events. I thought Kathleen Bladwin did an excellent job explaining the what and the why in her afterword, which I would encourage everyone to read. The Stranje House novels are more of an alternate version of history, where just shifting one event in Napoleon's time could have resulted in a very different turn of events. It is so much fun to explore this possibility. (Can you tell I love history!?) But even non-history majors can easily enjoy these novels. Katleen Baldwin does a fantastic job making them accessible and easy to follow, all the while creating a world and characters that are unputdownable. I am in love with the Stranje House novels. Seriously, in love.

I can't wait to learn more about Jane, Maya, and Sera in each of their stories. I am almost positive that each of the girls will get their own story, and I could not be more thrilled about that. They are each so fascinating in their own regard. So different, and valuable in their own way. I love watching them all work together. They have each other's backs and they don't hesitate to jump in after another girl to help out. (Sometimes literally jumping into something)

Overall, Exile for Dreamers was a FANTASTIC follow up to the Stranje House series. This is a series for readers and lovers of all different genres. I think everyone should read this series. There will be something in between these pages that you will fall in love with, I'm sure of it. Book three, A Refuge for Masterminds is Lady Jane's story- our resident mastermind herself. I am so pumped for the book. I have been absolutely loving it. I know I am going to be so sad when it is over because I will have to wait until next year for the fourth book. Kathleen Baldwin has not let me down yet. I am in love with this series!

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs