annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Stormsong is the second book in the Kingston Cycle by C. L. Polk. Released 11th Feb 2020 by Macmillan on their Tor imprint, it's 344 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
This is well written grand fantasy. The world building and magical components are engaging and enjoyable, but it's the corresponding applicability to the world we live in which gives it a poignant relevance. There is scathing political commentary along with the "forbidden magic" trope. The romance plot elements include a great deal of sighing and longing, but nothing explicit.
The technical aspects of the writing, characterization, and plotting are well executed; the author is a gifted storyteller. Fans of YA fantasy with a romance subplot will likely enjoy it a lot. I found it a diverting read, charming and escapist.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Stormsong is the second book in the Kingston Cycle by C. L. Polk. Released 11th Feb 2020 by Macmillan on their Tor imprint, it's 344 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
This is well written grand fantasy. The world building and magical components are engaging and enjoyable, but it's the corresponding applicability to the world we live in which gives it a poignant relevance. There is scathing political commentary along with the "forbidden magic" trope. The romance plot elements include a great deal of sighing and longing, but nothing explicit.
The technical aspects of the writing, characterization, and plotting are well executed; the author is a gifted storyteller. Fans of YA fantasy with a romance subplot will likely enjoy it a lot. I found it a diverting read, charming and escapist.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
lotalimareva's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
3.0
cupiscent's review against another edition
mysterious
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? Yes
4.75
Such a delightful continuation of this series. I really loved Grace as a narrator, a sharp-honed political and magical blade but also a tight tangle of uncertainties, with a deep desire to do better but an even deeper understanding of the difficulties. Her romantic line was light and delicate (not quite as central as in the first one) but it provided the perfect contrasting gracenote to the twists of Grace's responsibilities and guilts. The ending peters out in a bundle of unresolved elements, but I have sympathy with this occupational hazard of trilogy planning, and I'm very enthusiastic about finishing off with the third book!
leanne_miron's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
evafantasy's review against another edition
3.0
⭐⭐⭐
I don't like Grace so this was a hard one to get through. The plot was interesting and it's why I kept reading but Grace was definitely what made me lower my rating so much. She did not get any retribution for her terrible actions in the previous book so for the first half of the book I was grinding my teeth as everyone treated her like a saviour for doing the bare minimum. I get she was the best choice for this particular book, her having an insight in the palace but damm was it hard. She is still so much of a biggot for the most part of the book 'we tortured and enslaved witches for the longest time but we can't tell people that, they might hate us 🥺'
Also she had zero chemistry with her love interest for like 99% of the book as they barely spent any time together so I don't care about either of them. Like the only moment I sensed anything between them was literally on the last few lines of the last chapter. So like...a bit late.
I'm glad the next book is about Robyn though because my girl is everything and I loved seeing her shut Grace's mouth.
I don't like Grace so this was a hard one to get through. The plot was interesting and it's why I kept reading but Grace was definitely what made me lower my rating so much. She did not get any retribution for her terrible actions in the previous book so for the first half of the book I was grinding my teeth as everyone treated her like a saviour for doing the bare minimum. I get she was the best choice for this particular book, her having an insight in the palace but damm was it hard. She is still so much of a biggot for the most part of the book 'we tortured and enslaved witches for the longest time but we can't tell people that, they might hate us 🥺'
Also she had zero chemistry with her love interest for like 99% of the book as they barely spent any time together so I don't care about either of them. Like the only moment I sensed anything between them was literally on the last few lines of the last chapter. So like...a bit late.
I'm glad the next book is about Robyn though because my girl is everything and I loved seeing her shut Grace's mouth.
dryad23's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
vsrkive's review against another edition
I haven't read book 1 but I already know I'm gonna love this
kajalhalwa's review against another edition
4.0
I found this entry much more solid than the first, with characters and relationships that felt more immediate.
I thought the plot was a bit predictable but I really didn't care. Polk has a very warm way of writing and this felt like sitting in a big window in my favourite hoodie, sipping hot chocolate and watching heavy gusts of snow blanketing the world.
What a delight.
Moira Quirk's performance made the audiobook extra fun, with distinct voices for each character.
I thought the plot was a bit predictable but I really didn't care. Polk has a very warm way of writing and this felt like sitting in a big window in my favourite hoodie, sipping hot chocolate and watching heavy gusts of snow blanketing the world.
What a delight.
Moira Quirk's performance made the audiobook extra fun, with distinct voices for each character.
chippyreads's review against another edition
4.0
Stormsong by C. L. Polk. 4 stars. Physical book, library. I LOVED the first book in this series. I didn’t like this one as much due to it being more political than magical. Sapphic love interest, slow burn, and got to see the characters from book 1 a lot, Looking forward to finishing this trilogy.