Just out of sight, a banished society dedicated to artistic exploration and scientific advancement flourishes.

At age 17, Ada Castle lands her first assignment: leave her New York City home for a remote island in the Atlantic; infiltrate the Genesis Institute, the school that forms the heart of this secret society; and bring its bountiful innovations back to share with the rest of the world. Ada descends from one of the Families, a secret order of masters that, since the Renaissance, has passed down the history of the school and its exiled founders, the Makers. Ada’s mission is compromised when she finds a true home at Genesis, one replete with friends, a tantalizing romantic prospect (or two), and nourishment for her unique gifts. Max derives some of the hidden mysteries of the Makers from Jewish mysticism and folk tradition, and she evokes the bloody history of the Spanish Inquisition as a parallel for the expulsion of the original Makers from Renaissance Italy. Ada’s father is Jewish (her agnostic mother’s family is Catholic), and she identifies with other Jewish characters on the basis of their shared culture and history. Clearly calling out antisemitic tropes and emphasizing the diversity of the Makers, Max provides contextualizing details for the worldbuilding, which includes both secret masters and blood magic. The main characters are cued white, and the supporting cast includes a variety of religious and ethnic identities.

An inventive, compelling debut that’s sure to leave readers eager for the next installment. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)

– Kirkus, 3/15/2025

"In The Art of Exile, Andrea Max weaves a razor-sharp tale where history and myth collide, crafting a narrative that pulses with emotion. Ada’s journey unfolds as a tale of ambition, self-discovery, and the delicate art of finding one’s place in an ever-changing world. Beautifully fast-paced!"

– Shea Ernshaw, #1 NYT bestselling author of Long Live the Pumpkin Queen

"Andrea Max has a flair for writing dramatic action, vivid imagery, and well-drawn characters. The Art of Exile should be on everyone's TBR!"

– Brigid Kemmerer, NYT bestselling author of Forging Silver into Stars

"Unputdownable. The Art of Exile is in every way an exhilarating read, captivating in its clever mythology and utterly swoonworthy romance."

– Ashley Shuttleworth, author of the Hollow Star Saga 

"Clever, propulsive, and atmospheric. Like a Renaissance master, Max’s strengths are numerous: The Art of Exile combines meticulous plotting with a vast, lived-in world, and characters one can’t help but root for. Between the many twists and turns, our protagonist’s messy love life, and the hoverjousting, The Art of Exile had me on the edge of my seat until the very last page."

– Genoveva Dimova, author of Foul Days

“Andrea Max’s The Art of Exile is a delicious light academia romp. Simply put, I devoured this book. With an irresistible cast of characters, plenty of witty banter, and a collection of hair-raising secrets, this is a novel for anyone who ever dreamed that school should (and could) be a truly magical experience. Entirely propulsive and delightful, Max's novel is a remarkable debut.”

– Katy Hays, author of NYT Bestseller The Cloisters