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novella42's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
My favorite of the Kingston Cycle! This book picked up momentum and was the most exciting and satisfying of the three for me.
I feel like CL Polk wrote the other books in order to get to the story she really wanted to tell: the revolution. I think that's where Polk's heart has been this whole time, and while they want their characters to be well-rounded, while they want to balance mystery with romance, at the core their story focuses on what it takes for people to transform a nation and reckon with the ghosts of their past. I think the mystery and romance aspects of the story aren't as well-rounded as they could be sometimes, but the elements that she did include felt good and real to me. (I'm taking away a half star for that, partly because I kept coming out of the story when I expected Robin to orient herself towards her love interest and she just... sort of dissociated right back into the work she had to do. It was understandable, and it was addressed in the book with a delightful example of healthy communication, and... I guess I should redirect my frustration at the book cover since it builds expectations for a romance when it's more of a political urban fantasy with some romantic elements.) As I said, the mystery and romance elements were good when they took center stage, it's just that these were eclipsed by the greater love story of revolution—the work we do for people we care about because we want a more just world for them.
This might be a bit of a tangent, but I feel like the progression of this series, particularly the last two books, would be especially satisfying for an Enneagram 1. Or for any person who cares very deeply about what it means to be a good person, and how we all struggle with right and wrong, and the story of convincing others and making an imperfect world a better place for us all.
(Also, hooray, respectful representation for BIPOC, queer, gender non-conforming, and polyamorous characters!)
I feel like CL Polk wrote the other books in order to get to the story she really wanted to tell: the revolution. I think that's where Polk's heart has been this whole time, and while they want their characters to be well-rounded, while they want to balance mystery with romance, at the core their story focuses on what it takes for people to transform a nation and reckon with the ghosts of their past. I think the mystery and romance aspects of the story aren't as well-rounded as they could be sometimes, but the elements that she did include felt good and real to me. (I'm taking away a half star for that, partly because I kept coming out of the story when I expected Robin to orient herself towards her love interest and she just... sort of dissociated right back into the work she had to do. It was understandable, and it was addressed in the book with a delightful example of healthy communication, and... I guess I should redirect my frustration at the book cover since it builds expectations for a romance when it's more of a political urban fantasy with some romantic elements.) As I said, the mystery and romance elements were good when they took center stage, it's just that these were eclipsed by the greater love story of revolution—the work we do for people we care about because we want a more just world for them.
This might be a bit of a tangent, but I feel like the progression of this series, particularly the last two books, would be especially satisfying for an Enneagram 1. Or for any person who cares very deeply about what it means to be a good person, and how we all struggle with right and wrong, and the story of convincing others and making an imperfect world a better place for us all.
(Also, hooray, respectful representation for BIPOC, queer, gender non-conforming, and polyamorous characters!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Infertility, Medical content, Medical trauma, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Death, Deportation, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Classism, and Trafficking
Moderate: Murder, Kidnapping, Grief, Chronic illness, Suicide, Genocide, Cancer, Terminal illness, and Homophobia
Minor: Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual assault, War, Blood, and Alcohol
There was no antisemitism or ableism in this book, but if you struggle with themes related to the Holocaust or the forced institutionalization of people with disabilities...hendrixpants's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse
Arsonallisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Soulstar has the distinct feeling of a trilogy arriving at its destination. The series has slowly uncovered a corrupt system of government, and the characters have fought against political intrigues, economic strangleholds, and social expectations throughout. Now the storm has come to a head, and Soulstar dials up the activism as Robin takes the lead as protagonist.
Robin is long familiar with agitating for change, unwilling to compromise on championing basic rights and correcting inequities. She doesn't need to learn the world is broken; she's lived it and suffered for it firsthand. Robin is a skilled organizer, a shrewd negotiator, and dedicated to anyone who needs her help. Often, she is called on to support the Solidarity movement because she's the best, her work not asked for but assumed. Through her, the story addresses all the unpaid, no-thanks labor of Black women, even when fighting for something they believe in.
Robin's second-chance romance with her spouse, Zelind (khe/kher) has emotional gravitas. Twenty years ago, they were secretly wed without permission from their families. That very night, Zelind was captured as a witch and shipped off to an asylum. Now, Robin marches into that asylum, the imprisonment of witches abolished, in no small part due to Robin's efforts. She hasn't dared to imagine Zelind alive after all this time, and the asylum held even more horrors than she knew to expect. It will be a difficult journey to find their way back to one another after all they've been through. How do you make room for someone in your life when you've been purposefully filling up the empty space they left behind for two decades?
In terms of world-building, this book offers a closer look at the Samindans, always important to the series but previously peripheral. Not only did I appreciate the invitation to visit the clans to see their family structures at work, but I also admired the way their society is more accepting of queer characters than narrow-minded Aelanders. Space for non-binary people like Zelind is one example, as well as acceptance of poly people through the practice of triangle marriages.
I love the bones of this story. It takes a thoughtful, unflinching look at reparations with obvious real world implications. There's revolution and justice, collectivism and community. There are tense, heart-stopping moments including an assassination and police brutality towards peaceful protestors. I think what held me back from complete enjoyment of the quality content was the heavy emphasis on bureaucracy and the practicalities of organizing. While true-to-life, these portions didn't always hold my attention well. These sections were interspersed with many different plots with more action and intrigue, resulting in a frantic, bouncing pace to match Robin's busy, overextended schedule, unfortunately lacking the sense of adventure and excitement that can wear such an energy well. Because of it, my engagement was spotty even though my overall investment was high.
Robin is long familiar with agitating for change, unwilling to compromise on championing basic rights and correcting inequities. She doesn't need to learn the world is broken; she's lived it and suffered for it firsthand. Robin is a skilled organizer, a shrewd negotiator, and dedicated to anyone who needs her help. Often, she is called on to support the Solidarity movement because she's the best, her work not asked for but assumed. Through her, the story addresses all the unpaid, no-thanks labor of Black women, even when fighting for something they believe in.
Robin's second-chance romance with her spouse, Zelind (khe/kher) has emotional gravitas. Twenty years ago, they were secretly wed without permission from their families. That very night, Zelind was captured as a witch and shipped off to an asylum. Now, Robin marches into that asylum, the imprisonment of witches abolished, in no small part due to Robin's efforts. She hasn't dared to imagine Zelind alive after all this time, and the asylum held even more horrors than she knew to expect. It will be a difficult journey to find their way back to one another after all they've been through. How do you make room for someone in your life when you've been purposefully filling up the empty space they left behind for two decades?
In terms of world-building, this book offers a closer look at the Samindans, always important to the series but previously peripheral. Not only did I appreciate the invitation to visit the clans to see their family structures at work, but I also admired the way their society is more accepting of queer characters than narrow-minded Aelanders. Space for non-binary people like Zelind is one example, as well as acceptance of poly people through the practice of triangle marriages.
I love the bones of this story. It takes a thoughtful, unflinching look at reparations with obvious real world implications. There's revolution and justice, collectivism and community. There are tense, heart-stopping moments including an assassination and police brutality towards peaceful protestors. I think what held me back from complete enjoyment of the quality content was the heavy emphasis on bureaucracy and the practicalities of organizing. While true-to-life, these portions didn't always hold my attention well. These sections were interspersed with many different plots with more action and intrigue, resulting in a frantic, bouncing pace to match Robin's busy, overextended schedule, unfortunately lacking the sense of adventure and excitement that can wear such an energy well. Because of it, my engagement was spotty even though my overall investment was high.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, and Police brutality
Moderate: Medical trauma, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: War, Death of parent, and Transphobia
yuna's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A great cap to a great trilogy. Each book has been building off the former to culminate here, and I thought Polk did a nice job bringing so much change together in the end. The pace is fast, especially with how many subplots get going. For me, it ended up being a little too fast in the sense that it felt like certain threads got rushed endings after having so much time spent building up the stakes and conflict. Like the sniper--a lot of sleuthing went into figuring out who she was, but the final showdown felt anticlimactic since she's barely gets a mention? I know Severin was the bigger deal in the moment but I guess I just felt like there would be more to do with her. Same with Basil's reveal as the bad (one of them, anyway) guy. And, is he a witch? Seemed like every time he put his hand around people's mouths they acted like they got chloroformed. Found myself wanting a bit more with the Greystars and their revenge subplot which kinda didn't end up forming into an entire plot?
Robin is a great character and so likeable and *real*. She's hard-working and brave and good, but not above having petty jealousies and flaws. But she is honest enough to acknowledge them and endeavor to do better. I liked the relationship with Zelind, but felt like some of its weight was sacrificed by the fast pace and I didn't get to feel as much of their struggling to find their way together after 20yrs apart.
Loved seeing more Miles and Tristan. Felt like we got a bit more of them than we did in Stormsong. And Grace continues to be wonderful. I think she has the fullest character arc, and considering how intensely I DISLIKED her in Witchmark I'm delighted at how great she's turned out to be. May all allies have even half of her will.
Without spoiling the ending--I wasn't sure if they'd all go through with it. The subject matter is controversial, putting it lightly. I'm glad they did and how it ultimately turned out because fuck that guy .
Robin is a great character and so likeable and *real*. She's hard-working and brave and good, but not above having petty jealousies and flaws. But she is honest enough to acknowledge them and endeavor to do better. I liked the relationship with Zelind, but felt like some of its weight was sacrificed by the fast pace and I didn't get to feel as much of their struggling to find their way together after 20yrs apart.
Loved seeing more Miles and Tristan. Felt like we got a bit more of them than we did in Stormsong. And Grace continues to be wonderful. I think she has the fullest character arc, and considering how intensely I DISLIKED her in Witchmark I'm delighted at how great she's turned out to be. May all allies have even half of her will.
Without spoiling the ending--I wasn't sure if they'd all go through with it. The subject matter is controversial, putting it lightly. I'm glad they did and how it ultimately turned out because fuck that
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Police brutality, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Bullying, Forced institutionalization, and Gun violence
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