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ksophialydia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
lbarsk's review against another edition
5.0
AH! I'm so glad I finally got to read Soul of Stars, because I enjoyed Heart of Iron so much and really wanted to see how Poston would finish out the duology.
AND BOY WAS I NOT DISAPPOINTED! In a way it's a shame this series is only two books; I want to know so much more about Solani culture and Captain Siege's upbringing and the new crew members introduced in this book, and it's kind of sad because you can tell that Poston had fleshed these things out and just couldn't include them for space reasons.
But saying that, I really really enjoyed this book. It FLEW BY and I was hooked from the first pages; watching Ana and Di come back to each other was LIT AS HELL AHHHH and of course Jax and Robb... MY CHILDREN! GOOD! Also, as with Heart of Iron, I think it's worth noting how well characters of varying identities are woven into the story in a holistic, non-tokenizing way.
All in all a big enjoyment!
AND BOY WAS I NOT DISAPPOINTED! In a way it's a shame this series is only two books; I want to know so much more about Solani culture and Captain Siege's upbringing and the new crew members introduced in this book, and it's kind of sad because you can tell that Poston had fleshed these things out and just couldn't include them for space reasons.
But saying that, I really really enjoyed this book. It FLEW BY and I was hooked from the first pages; watching Ana and Di come back to each other was LIT AS HELL AHHHH and of course Jax and Robb... MY CHILDREN! GOOD! Also, as with Heart of Iron, I think it's worth noting how well characters of varying identities are woven into the story in a holistic, non-tokenizing way.
All in all a big enjoyment!
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
4/5
It took me such a long time to find this book to be available anywhere. When it first came out I was so confused because the only place I could find it for sale was on Amazon. That God for Libby! When I found it I instantly checked it out a d read it as the speed as a cheetah. I had forgotten some characters since it had been so long but they came back to me as I read on with the book.
It took me such a long time to find this book to be available anywhere. When it first came out I was so confused because the only place I could find it for sale was on Amazon. That God for Libby! When I found it I instantly checked it out a d read it as the speed as a cheetah. I had forgotten some characters since it had been so long but they came back to me as I read on with the book.
eileenrwerst's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
distant_ships's review against another edition
5.0
This one broke my heart constantly while reading. My family kept wondering what all the screaming was about. This book y'all.
nyeran's review
5.0
“Count your bullets.”
Io @ Ana, Di, Jax e Robb
Da oggi in poi Ana sarà il mio metro di paragone per tutte le future protagoniste YA.
Comunque, questo secondo ed ultimo libro ha tutto ciò che cercavo e speravo, un buon finale e poca sofferenza e anche qualcosa che mi ha lasciata un po' interdetta, la sconfitta di Mellifare e le troppe ingenuità.
♠ Poco chiara, per esempio, la dinamica per cui Jax è in coma/morto dopo aver consumato tutta la sua luce ma si risveglia e va a salvare i suoi amici nell'arca per poi scegliere di rimanere intrappolato mentre questa sta per saltare in aria, con Koren Vey che gli parla, lo tocca e a quanto pare gli trasferisce la sua luce così ora lui è tornato come nuovo e può anche controllare le sue visioni. Non viene spiegato ne come ne perchè e noi non sapevamo che fosse minimamente possibile. Ora però può toccare la gente senza morire quindi yay!
♠ Ho apprezzato, invece, il fatto che Ana non fosse tutto-Sia l'imperatrice, sia la Dea, sia la combattente, sia la damigella innamorata, da tipica prescelta. No lei è solo l'imperatrice che si ritrova a dover fare cose e prendere decisioni perché legata ad altre persone ma non per il ruolo che ricopre. Non è la dea che si reincarna ogni volta per sconfiggere il Grande Buio, non è la prescelta con i poteri magici o profetizzata, è solo una che non c'entra un cazzo ma si ritrova nel mezzo del casino, che si ritrova a dover fare la cosa giusta perché è una persona buona e vuole aiutare la gente.
♠ Un tantino telefonato invece il fatto che la dea fosse Siege. Era evidente dal primo libro che avesse qualcosa di particolare, i suoi capelli cambiano colore in base al suo umore, però stiamo nello spazio, in un universo dove ci sono automi, intelligenze artificiali senzienti, persone che toccandoti possono vedere il futuro nelle stelle, quindi lei ti risulta la cosa meno strana e non le dai quell'importanza. Quando arriva la rivelazione rimani un secondo interdetta però poi pensi che ci sta. Tra l'altro, questo fatto che lei è la Dea non ha avuto alcuna utilità nella storia perché ammazza Mellifare semplicemente sparandole, cosa che ha fatto pure Ana e che avrebbe potuto fare chiunque altro. Se vogliamo dirla tu è Di che la ammazza, alla fine. Quindi si, ok, non mi aspettavo fosse lei ma questa cosa è anche del tutto superflua.
♠ Totalmente ridicola, invece, la questione di Viera. Com'è possibile che nessuno si faccia due domande. Che nessuno sia un minimo sospettoso nei suoi confronti. L'avete trovata in una nave spaziale dove la gente prigioniera viene tramutata in automi e nessuno si chiede come mai questa sia ancora umana e normale. Sopratutto perché lei è sparita 6 mesi prima? Quando capiscono che nell'equipaggio c'è una spia, è proprio lei a dirlo la prima volta tra l 'altro, nessuno sospetta che sia lei quando, obbiettivamente, era la risposta più ovvia. Sono contenta però che non sia stata fatta fuori perché è sempre stato un personaggio interessante.
Lenda imperatrici del Regno di Ferro, subito.
Poi perché c'è un imperatrice se questo è un regno? Non dovrebbe esserci la regina?
Io @ Ana, Di, Jax e Robb
Da oggi in poi Ana sarà il mio metro di paragone per tutte le future protagoniste YA.
Comunque, questo secondo ed ultimo libro ha tutto ciò che cercavo e speravo, un buon finale e poca sofferenza e anche qualcosa che mi ha lasciata un po' interdetta, la sconfitta di Mellifare e le troppe ingenuità.
♠ Poco chiara, per esempio, la dinamica per cui Jax è in coma/morto dopo aver consumato tutta la sua luce ma si risveglia e va a salvare i suoi amici nell'arca per poi scegliere di rimanere intrappolato mentre questa sta per saltare in aria, con Koren Vey che gli parla, lo tocca e a quanto pare gli trasferisce la sua luce così ora lui è tornato come nuovo e può anche controllare le sue visioni. Non viene spiegato ne come ne perchè e noi non sapevamo che fosse minimamente possibile. Ora però può toccare la gente senza morire quindi yay!
♠ Ho apprezzato, invece, il fatto che Ana non fosse tutto-Sia l'imperatrice, sia la Dea, sia la combattente, sia la damigella innamorata, da tipica prescelta. No lei è solo l'imperatrice che si ritrova a dover fare cose e prendere decisioni perché legata ad altre persone ma non per il ruolo che ricopre. Non è la dea che si reincarna ogni volta per sconfiggere il Grande Buio, non è la prescelta con i poteri magici o profetizzata, è solo una che non c'entra un cazzo ma si ritrova nel mezzo del casino, che si ritrova a dover fare la cosa giusta perché è una persona buona e vuole aiutare la gente.
♠ Un tantino telefonato invece il fatto che la dea fosse Siege. Era evidente dal primo libro che avesse qualcosa di particolare, i suoi capelli cambiano colore in base al suo umore, però stiamo nello spazio, in un universo dove ci sono automi, intelligenze artificiali senzienti, persone che toccandoti possono vedere il futuro nelle stelle, quindi lei ti risulta la cosa meno strana e non le dai quell'importanza. Quando arriva la rivelazione rimani un secondo interdetta però poi pensi che ci sta. Tra l'altro, questo fatto che lei è la Dea non ha avuto alcuna utilità nella storia perché ammazza Mellifare semplicemente sparandole, cosa che ha fatto pure Ana e che avrebbe potuto fare chiunque altro. Se vogliamo dirla tu è Di che la ammazza, alla fine. Quindi si, ok, non mi aspettavo fosse lei ma questa cosa è anche del tutto superflua.
♠ Totalmente ridicola, invece, la questione di Viera. Com'è possibile che nessuno si faccia due domande. Che nessuno sia un minimo sospettoso nei suoi confronti. L'avete trovata in una nave spaziale dove la gente prigioniera viene tramutata in automi e nessuno si chiede come mai questa sia ancora umana e normale. Sopratutto perché lei è sparita 6 mesi prima? Quando capiscono che nell'equipaggio c'è una spia, è proprio lei a dirlo la prima volta tra l 'altro, nessuno sospetta che sia lei quando, obbiettivamente, era la risposta più ovvia. Sono contenta però che non sia stata fatta fuori perché è sempre stato un personaggio interessante.
Lenda imperatrici del Regno di Ferro, subito.
Poi perché c'è un imperatrice se questo è un regno? Non dovrebbe esserci la regina?
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
A thrilling finale to an exciting, sci fi duology packed with great characters and a lot of drama. The story moved along at a great pace and wrapped up all of the plots nicely. I felt the characters finished their growth in great ways, Di especially. He had a great arc and I was happy to see it completed.
That's always been the highlight for me, the characters. They each had distinct personalities and motives for their actions. I loved seeing more of Jax and Robb's relationship as it progressed. Di and Ana were a lot more complex, and she did mature far more than in the previous book, and I found her to be a lot stronger.
The action and lore held my attention and was always happy to read it. The ending was explosive and thrilling and had me biting my nails until the final pages. I think this was a great series and while there were some things I wanted to see explored more, and I would recommend it to everyone who likes YA sci fi with a tiny dose of fantasy!
That's always been the highlight for me, the characters. They each had distinct personalities and motives for their actions. I loved seeing more of Jax and Robb's relationship as it progressed. Di and Ana were a lot more complex, and she did mature far more than in the previous book, and I found her to be a lot stronger.
The action and lore held my attention and was always happy to read it. The ending was explosive and thrilling and had me biting my nails until the final pages. I think this was a great series and while there were some things I wanted to see explored more, and I would recommend it to everyone who likes YA sci fi with a tiny dose of fantasy!
tovetott's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Okay, first of all, this is probably not gonna be a very objective view of the quality of this book. My phone background is a picture of a purple night sky. One of my favorite movies of all time is Treasure Planet. My favorite BTS song is Mikrokosmos. My favorite, most comfort-YouTuber out there is Markiplier, who made an entire series on Youtube Originals about travelling together with him In Space.
So, when a book comes along with its lead words of hope as magical as "may the stars keep you steady, and the iron keep you safe" and follow a found-family group of people trying to help each other find themselves among the stars and planets and spaceships with solar powered sails, I already know I won't be able to put it down.
Does this book have some flaws? Absolutely. It is incredibly, almost dizzingly fast-paced, and sometimes I wished it would have lingered a little on the scenes at hand, but I can't describe what it should have been filled with. There are a lot of things that are repeated multiple times, and even though it is good stuff, it gets a little drawn out at times. The actual main plot feels a little all-over-the-place and is a little confusingand sometimes makes little sense or is left unexplained. It's a lot of back and forth and it's all tightly squeezed together back-to-back like a pack of sardines. And just like I said in the review for the first book, the entire back summary is basically dealt with/introduced within the first 50 pages of the book, and the remaining 370 or so pages are the aftermath up until the "final stand", instead of it being 370 pages of buildup to a 50 page resolution where the "mystery is resolved" like what I'm used to with other books. It is however, better this time around! Not sure if it's just because I'm more prepared this time tho, lol
But, despite these (maybe) quite major cons, the pros HEAVILY outweigh these (again, I am quite literally the exact audience for this series, so take it with a grain of salt I guess LOL). Poston has such a way with words when describing things that I want to keep the books just to be able to reference and get inspired by her incredible usage of metaphors and similies.
Examples;
"Familiarity scratched at the back of his head like a dog at a door."
"He stumbled like a pebble tripples across a pond."
Just to name two "spoiler-free" ones at the top of my head that stuck. And apart from this, the way she handles the AI-controlling HIVE and the perspective from someone inside it is just... perfect? To be able to convey such an intricate, complex and otherwordly concept in a way that made me feel what it was like is so so SO cool. (To be fair though, I am no programmer and so some of the words and phrases might be completely off LOL) I hope to the Goddess herself that someone in my friend group I've thrown, and will be throwing, this book at reads is soon so I can rant about it incoherently. Absolutely stunning and terrifying and just incredible.
And of course, the main thing that outshines all of the liiittle off dialogue and repeats of metaphors and fast pace is of course the characters. Oh god the characters. Without a doubt the most diverse cast I've ever read about, everything from skin tone to sexuality to gender to disabilities, this series has everything. And every single one of them are uniquely crafted and carved out of the most beautiful crystals and geodes that sparkle (and glow, wink wink) together in the most beautiful shades, both personality and looks wise, because DAMN. (Like, Elara's introduction ??? HELLO ????) Absolutely obsessed, and devastatingly heartbroken that I don't possess the artistic skills to bring them to life on a canvas.
Additionally, the fact that Poston just casually opens her acknowledgements with the statement that she writes them with Comic Sans makes me adore her all the more, to be honest. LOL
I know these books are some of her first ones, and that makes me all the more curious to see what her writing style has evolved into with her (mainly) romance books (even though sci-fi and fantasy will always have a special place in my heart 💔). Maybe she'll come back to it again one day.
I genuinely had an amazing time with this series, and still can't believe I just stumbled upon Heart of Iron in a thrift store in Zürich, Switzerland. If I hadn't, I would have missed out on this. I guess I have to thank my lucky stars for that one ✨️✨️
So, when a book comes along with its lead words of hope as magical as "may the stars keep you steady, and the iron keep you safe" and follow a found-family group of people trying to help each other find themselves among the stars and planets and spaceships with solar powered sails, I already know I won't be able to put it down.
Does this book have some flaws? Absolutely. It is incredibly, almost dizzingly fast-paced, and sometimes I wished it would have lingered a little on the scenes at hand, but I can't describe what it should have been filled with. There are a lot of things that are repeated multiple times, and even though it is good stuff, it gets a little drawn out at times. The actual main plot feels a little all-over-the-place and is a little confusingand sometimes makes little sense or is left unexplained. It's a lot of back and forth and it's all tightly squeezed together back-to-back like a pack of sardines. And just like I said in the review for the first book, the entire back summary is basically dealt with/introduced within the first 50 pages of the book, and the remaining 370 or so pages are the aftermath up until the "final stand", instead of it being 370 pages of buildup to a 50 page resolution where the "mystery is resolved" like what I'm used to with other books. It is however, better this time around! Not sure if it's just because I'm more prepared this time tho, lol
But, despite these (maybe) quite major cons, the pros HEAVILY outweigh these (again, I am quite literally the exact audience for this series, so take it with a grain of salt I guess LOL). Poston has such a way with words when describing things that I want to keep the books just to be able to reference and get inspired by her incredible usage of metaphors and similies.
Examples;
"Familiarity scratched at the back of his head like a dog at a door."
"He stumbled like a pebble tripples across a pond."
Just to name two "spoiler-free" ones at the top of my head that stuck. And apart from this, the way she handles the AI-controlling HIVE and the perspective from someone inside it is just... perfect? To be able to convey such an intricate, complex and otherwordly concept in a way that made me feel what it was like is so so SO cool. (To be fair though, I am no programmer and so some of the words and phrases might be completely off LOL) I hope to the Goddess herself that someone in my friend group I've thrown, and will be throwing, this book at reads is soon so I can rant about it incoherently. Absolutely stunning and terrifying and just incredible.
And of course, the main thing that outshines all of the liiittle off dialogue and repeats of metaphors and fast pace is of course the characters. Oh god the characters. Without a doubt the most diverse cast I've ever read about, everything from skin tone to sexuality to gender to disabilities, this series has everything. And every single one of them are uniquely crafted and carved out of the most beautiful crystals and geodes that sparkle (and glow, wink wink) together in the most beautiful shades, both personality and looks wise, because DAMN. (Like, Elara's introduction ??? HELLO ????) Absolutely obsessed, and devastatingly heartbroken that I don't possess the artistic skills to bring them to life on a canvas.
Additionally, the fact that Poston just casually opens her acknowledgements with the statement that she writes them with Comic Sans makes me adore her all the more, to be honest. LOL
I know these books are some of her first ones, and that makes me all the more curious to see what her writing style has evolved into with her (mainly) romance books (even though sci-fi and fantasy will always have a special place in my heart 💔). Maybe she'll come back to it again one day.
I genuinely had an amazing time with this series, and still can't believe I just stumbled upon Heart of Iron in a thrift store in Zürich, Switzerland. If I hadn't, I would have missed out on this. I guess I have to thank my lucky stars for that one ✨️✨️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death and Fire/Fire injury