As reviewed in the October/November 2003 ConNotations, the bi-monthly science fiction, fantasy & convention newszine of the Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society (volume 13, Issue 5)

Reviewed by: William B. Whitmore

This story starts out as your standard disaffected modern youth magically transported to a fantasy realm of sword and sorcery novel, but then Mr. Mattheis makes it uniquely his own. The hero of our story is Jeff Friedrick, a professor of cultural anthropology who has lost his girlfriend, been fires from his job, and beaten up by a gang of thugs. All in one really bad weekend. To clear his head he goes out camping in the Cascade Mountains near Seattle, Washington. A huge earthquake hits and the next thing he knows he is someplace with two moons, carnivore deer, and telepathic wolves. Totally confused, Jeff struggles to survive and make a new life for himself and then things really start to get difficult!

Mr. Mattheis has written a very good novel. His tightly knit story line is fast paced and held my interest. His character development is superb, by the end of the novel I was left truly caring what was to become of the lead characters. While the action scenes were not plentiful they were well written and show a detailed knowledge of wilderness survival techniques.

The promo material that came with this book states that this is the first book of a five (possibly six) book series. I look forward to the release of the planned books and would recommend Exile to the Stars to anyone who likes heroic fantasy series.

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