Soulstar

Soulstar (2021) C.L. Polk (The Kingston Cycle #3)

This is the conclusion to the Kingston Cycle, and there is a lot going on here: Severin Mountrose is now king, witches are free, there is a search to replace aether, and Solidarity has decided to hold an open election–even if it doesn’t officially count.

“Why doesn’t it sting, though?” Halima asked. “It used to hurt my ears.”

“I don’t know, treasure,” Halima’s father, Boyd, said.

“Robin! Did Zelind tell you why it doesn’t sting?”

“I don’t know.” But I had a guess. The invention used wind, not souls. What we used to hear was their pain.

There are also a LOT of characters, including most of those from the previous book. Robin and Zelind are the primary characters in this book, but Miles and Tristan and Robin play a large part, as do the Amaranthine. This meant I sometimes got confused as to who was who among the secondary characters.

I liked Robin from the start of the first book. She’s smart and level-headed and sensible. She was also wisely doubtful of those in charge.

The character I continued to have issue with was Grace–primarily Grace’s romance with Avia, who played almost no part in this story. I didn’t every really feel her romance or that Avia was really behind the choices she made.

Honestly, I wish Grace would have stood on her own, without the need for Avia as an excuse/reason for her actions. Seeing what her father did, how her father manipulated her and treated her brother (and everyone who wasn’t him), should have been enough to set her on her journey of change.

That ended up weakening this story for me, especially since Avia was all but non-existent in this story, playing no part in the events except in comments made by Grace.

I was also a little iffy about Robin’s move into politics. It didn’t seem something she wanted but was instead forced into by circumstances, and that just seems–awful for Robin.

Characters: Miss Robin Thorpe, Zelind Bay Thorpe, Dame Fiona Grace Hensley, Avia Jessup, Dr. Christopher Miles Hensley Singer, Mr. Tristan Hunter, Grand Duchess Aife, Ysonde, King Severin Mountrose, Aunt Glory Thorpe, Amos Thorpe, Joy Thorpe, Eldest Thorpe, Aunt Bernice, Cousin Delia, Jacob Clarke, Winnie Clarke, Duke, Carlotta Brown, Marlon, Maurice, Octavius, Tressie Lawrence, Loretta Green, Jamille Wolf, Jonathan “Jack” Wolf, Murray, Jean-Marie, Emma, Cora, Jane Parker, Miss Agnes Gable, Jarom Bay, Jedrus, Mrs. Bellita Bay, Halima, Albert Jessup, Althea, Cortland Jubilation Brown, Basil Brown, Charles Brown, Gabrielle Meadows, Corporal Moore, Tupper Bell, James Hammett, Orlena, John Runson, Mr. Alfred West, Marjorie Potts, Christopher Hensley, Headmaster Bell, Miss Minerva Cage, Henry, Onora Wright, Millicent Roebuck, Caitrin Scholar, Amelia Summer, Evelyn Plemmons, Laura Debenham, Theresa, Judita Linton, Nurse Harriet Baker, Corporal Jeremy Blounds, Leden Wilson

Cover by Will Staehle

Publisher: Tor

Rating: 7.5/10

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