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romiress's review
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The change in tone from the previous book is staggering. It feels like there is very little magic, and parts of the stories world just get glossed over in a big way. The old characters were sidelined, and the character development felt scant in comparison. Also just, in general, a ripped from the headlines depressing book with an all-ends-tied happy end did NOT land.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Slavery, Confinement, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Colonisation, Homophobia, and Terminal illness
Forced impregnation is a major plot point.booksthatburn's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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
5.0
SOULSTAR is the hard work of keeping promises and transforming from survival to thriving. It’s where the characters have to figure out a way to actually solve problems for people imprisoned, displaced, or otherwise affected first by the aether network and then by its removal earlier in the series. It stars a new narrator, Robin Thorpe, who should be recognizable from the earlier books.
Robin’s arc is very different from those of Miles and Grace. Miles’s story is one of running away from power, of refusing to be used. Grace had to figure out what to do with power once she knew what it had cost. Robin is stepping up to accept power, trying to balance between new responsibilities and prior commitments. She’s bonded with her community, paying attention to their needs and trying to get the ruling class to listen. As busy as she is on the page, it conveys the impression that she’s even busier between scenes, every moment full of frenetic drive and concern that unless things materially change for the common people then the small steps won’t be much better than nothing at all.
There’s a major character, Zelind, who appears here for the first time, having been imprisoned in one of the asylums for the last twenty years. I love kher place in the narrative, khe has a sub plot which revolves around kher and becomes very important later in the book. The dynamic between the two of them is understandably strained, as the intervening decades and trauma has shaped them into different people from who they were, and they have to figure out what’s left and what they want now that they’ve been reconnected.
This wraps up a major thing which was left hanging at the end of WITCHMARK, developed but not solved in STORMSONG, and now finally addressed in a really great way in SOULSTAR. There's a few major storylines which begin here and weren't present previously, with a very major thing that's both introduced and resolved here. It is the last book in the series and feels very finished. The world has room for more stories in it, but there's a definite arc that has reached its conclusion, and a minimum of hanging threads. The main thing left is I'd love to see these characters thriving in the background of even more stories, but overall I'm satisfied by what's here. The main character is Robin Thorpe, who was a secondary character in the first two books (moreso in WITCHMARK than STORMSONG), and her narration is very distinct from the other two. One way that I noticed this is as a narrator she refuses to treat whiteness as a default, where the narrators of the other two books didn't comment on race at all. It's a subtle thing that fits the backgrounds and biases of the three narrators in the series and is just one example of the way they prioritize completely different things from each other.
This might make sense if someone started here and didn't know about the rest of the series. The main plot is pretty self-contained since Robin wasn't really involved in how things got to be this way (specifically but not only with regards to the aether crisis), so her perspective would likely help pull a new reader into the story. As always, this is the third book of a trilogy and I do recommend starting with the first book rather than beginning here.
I love SOULSTAR, on its own and as a strong ending to a great trilogy.
Robin’s arc is very different from those of Miles and Grace. Miles’s story is one of running away from power, of refusing to be used. Grace had to figure out what to do with power once she knew what it had cost. Robin is stepping up to accept power, trying to balance between new responsibilities and prior commitments. She’s bonded with her community, paying attention to their needs and trying to get the ruling class to listen. As busy as she is on the page, it conveys the impression that she’s even busier between scenes, every moment full of frenetic drive and concern that unless things materially change for the common people then the small steps won’t be much better than nothing at all.
There’s a major character, Zelind, who appears here for the first time, having been imprisoned in one of the asylums for the last twenty years. I love kher place in the narrative, khe has a sub plot which revolves around kher and becomes very important later in the book. The dynamic between the two of them is understandably strained, as the intervening decades and trauma has shaped them into different people from who they were, and they have to figure out what’s left and what they want now that they’ve been reconnected.
This wraps up a major thing which was left hanging at the end of WITCHMARK, developed but not solved in STORMSONG, and now finally addressed in a really great way in SOULSTAR. There's a few major storylines which begin here and weren't present previously, with a very major thing that's both introduced and resolved here. It is the last book in the series and feels very finished. The world has room for more stories in it, but there's a definite arc that has reached its conclusion, and a minimum of hanging threads. The main thing left is I'd love to see these characters thriving in the background of even more stories, but overall I'm satisfied by what's here. The main character is Robin Thorpe, who was a secondary character in the first two books (moreso in WITCHMARK than STORMSONG), and her narration is very distinct from the other two. One way that I noticed this is as a narrator she refuses to treat whiteness as a default, where the narrators of the other two books didn't comment on race at all. It's a subtle thing that fits the backgrounds and biases of the three narrators in the series and is just one example of the way they prioritize completely different things from each other.
This might make sense if someone started here and didn't know about the rest of the series. The main plot is pretty self-contained since Robin wasn't really involved in how things got to be this way (specifically but not only with regards to the aether crisis), so her perspective would likely help pull a new reader into the story. As always, this is the third book of a trilogy and I do recommend starting with the first book rather than beginning here.
I love SOULSTAR, on its own and as a strong ending to a great trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Police brutality, Gun violence, Confinement, Murder, and Grief
Minor: Slavery, Child abuse, Suicide, Drug use, Medical content, and Rape
breekeeler's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Not my favourite in the Kingston Cycle, but an enjoyable read nonetheless. The plot is gripping, offing mystery and intrigue, and weaving several storylines together quite effectively. Robin and Zelind’s relationship is incredibly lovely, and I particularly liked the ways they were allowed to struggle and find their way back to each other in so many senses of that phrase. Poll’s world building is still incredible, and the magic system continued to fascinate me.
At times, I found it difficult to grasp character motivations. This was particularly true when it came to peripheral characters in this book whose behaviour was essential to driving the plot. Severin seemed to become a plot convenience, his behaviour was not wholly out of character but not entirely believable either. Grace and Miles both dropped in and out of the story, often with flimsy excuses for why they weren’t present or didn’t act. I often felt we could have arrived at the same plot points without undermining characters that we had come to know and love in earlier books. The day to day politics also persisted in this story, albeit from a very different viewpoint, which just isn’t my personal favourite plot.
Good fun though, and a satisfying ending to the series.
At times, I found it difficult to grasp character motivations. This was particularly true when it came to peripheral characters in this book whose behaviour was essential to driving the plot. Severin seemed to become a plot convenience, his behaviour was not wholly out of character but not entirely believable either. Grace and Miles both dropped in and out of the story, often with flimsy excuses for why they weren’t present or didn’t act. I often felt we could have arrived at the same plot points without undermining characters that we had come to know and love in earlier books. The day to day politics also persisted in this story, albeit from a very different viewpoint, which just isn’t my personal favourite plot.
Good fun though, and a satisfying ending to the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Police brutality, and Gun violence
allisonwonderlandreads'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
maryellen's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Murder, Police brutality, and Violence
bookworm_leilani's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Police brutality, and Murder
griffinthief's review
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Police brutality, and Blood
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Confinement, and Kidnapping
Minor: Cancer
mar's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
a good ending to an decent series! i do like the Kingston Cycle, like, thematically and conceptually, but i could never get properly into it - mostly because my feelings towards most of the characters are lukewarm at best, which translates to lukewarm feelings towards the romances, too, but character-wise this might be the most best of the trilogy (bc robin is infinitely more interesting and likeable than grace or miles imo fjdkngkjfn ANYWAY). the worldbuilding in this whole series is def my favourite part - the world and its politics are v well fleshed out and fascinating. overall an enjoyable read, if a liiittle slow and boring in the first half
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Police brutality
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Blood
juliecathryn's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality
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