The Exiles is a stunning and original piece of historical fiction. This novel pulls you into the depths of despair that convict women felt in the 1800's with such force you can almost smell the urine. I absolutley loved the stories of all four of the women in this novel. The transition between Evangeline and Hazel was unexpected, but worked amazingly well. This is the first novel that I have read focused on this area of history, and it has made me hungary for more. The plot pulls you along and the characters make you root for them. I will absolutley be looking to read all of Kline's works to date, and this book has earned this author a spot on my 'automatic buy' list for any novels she releases in the future. An absolute must read for fans of historical fiction, heartbreaking stories and female resiliance.