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jwells's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
When I heard that book two in this series was f/f, I got my hopes up that it was going to be about Robin. It turned out to be about Grace, but I liked it anyway. Then I was thrilled to discover that book three is about Robin, so I got my wish! There's a lot of great stuff in this book. If anything, it's a bit overburdened with subplots. I wouldn't mind if there were fewer threads, and we had more time and depth for the remaining ones. But then life sometimes is chaotic, and Robin herself probably wishes that her problems wouldn't pile up so deep all at once.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Murder
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
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
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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