The Exile Waiting cover

The Exile Waiting

by Vonda N. McIntyre

The time is the distant future. Earth has been rendered uninhabitable by terrible storms during which its only city, Center, constructed around a natural cave system, is sealed from the outside. Mischa, a young thief whose capabilities are enhanced by hereditary mutation, is trying to escape with her drug addicted brother from the dominance of her uncle. When a starship arrives, commanded by the twin alien pseudosibs, Subone and Subtwo, Mischa seizes her chance. All goes well until Subone, in a moment of cruelty, lures Mischa's brother into a fight, killing him. Mischa exacts her revenge, but has to flee the wrath of the aliens and take refuge back in the deep caves underneath the city.

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Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?