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Series Review: The Kingston Cycle by C.L. Polk

Greetings and welcome to Reviews That Burn: Series Reviews, part of Books That Burn. Series Reviews discuss at least three books in a series and cover the overarching themes and development of the story across several books. I'd like to thank longtime Patron Case Aiken, who receives a monthly shoutout. This episode discusses The Kingston Cycle by C. L. Polk.  Full Audio Here    In an original world reminiscent of Edwardian England in the shadow of a World War, cabals of noble families use their unique magical gifts to control the fates of nations, while one young man seeks only to live a life of his own. Magic marked Miles Singer for suffering the day he was born, doomed either to be enslaved to his family's interest or to be committed to a witches' asylum. He went to war to escape his destiny and came home a different man, but he couldn’t leave his past behind. The war between Aeland and Laneer leaves men changed, strangers to their friends and family, but even after...
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Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova (Brooklyn Brujas, #1)

I was chosen by the Deos. Even gods make mistakes.

Alex is a bruja, the most powerful witch in a generation…and she hates magic. At her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. But it backfires. Her whole family vanishes into thin air, leaving her alone with Nova, a brujo she can’t trust, but who may be Alex’s only chance at saving her family.

TITLE: Labyrinth Lost
AUTHOR: Zoraida Córdova
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Fire
YEAR: 2016
LENGTH: 336 pages
AGE: Young Adult
GENRE: Fantasy
RECOMMENDED: Highly

Labyrinth Lost fits an epic journey into a story of personal growth and family strength. It feels like the first step into a rich and dynamic world, and I'm excited to spend more time there. Agosto and Madra are my favorites, I hope to see them again.

Every scene felt so purposeful, like it contained precisely what it ought so I felt settled about what happened while also craving the next chapter. I like the dynamic between Alex, Nova, and Rishi, it's a well-executed relationship triangle where every connection feels complex and complete. Nova is just the right amount of mysterious and brooding, and Rishi feels like a good fit for Alex. That isn't settled, obviously, since it's just the start, but I like how there's no reservation about Alex having feelings for both of them. I especially like how they are framed as being different kinds of feelings, but I'll watch to see how or if that changes as the series continues.

I love Agosto and Madra, they're such different but powerful leaders in a very taxing situation. I love stories about the Fae, and this take on the Underhill concept was nice. Their plights felt like natural tests of Alex's confidence and power, so that the conclusion made sense and the display of power felt appropriate. Rishi's fake wings were a cute touch, something that made her sudden entrance really feel unplanned and heartfelt.

CW for bullying, child abuse (backstory), blood, violence, panic attacks, missing parent, animal death, death.


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