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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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Late September Reviews (2024)

Greetings

Welcome to the Books That Burn Fortnightly Roundup! Releasing every two weeks (one week early for Patrons) - at least that’s the plan. My father-in-law passed away at the end of September, and it’ll be a few weeks yet before everything is settled with that. If the next newsletter is delayed, it will not be by more than a week or two.

I’ve been participating in BBNYA 2024, and for the next two months there will be book spotlight posts on the blog. I’ve read parts of some of the books, but I’m sharing all the SFF books it seemed like you, the audience, might like, given that you like my reviews and the podcast.

News and Events

I am no longer using TheStoryGraph, due to their continued use of AI.

I track upcoming book releases by authors we've previously covered on a shareable google calendar.

Notable October Releases:

  • Right Hand by Natalie Zina Walschotts

  • Swordcrossed by Freya Marske

  • Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews

  • The Reanimator's Remains by Kara Jorgensen

Recent Reviews

A CROWN SO CURSED by L.L. McKinney, book 3 of The Nightmareverse is Fantasy, with queer character(s), marketed as Young Adult. Alice has to defend her family when the Nightmares get stronger and stranger. Told in First/Third Person with Ensemble POVs.

Review forthcoming for SWORDCROSSED by Freya Marske.

Rereads and Older Reviews

I’m still re-reading October Daye, but I’m nearing the end and have started having room for new books.

Current Reads

THE HANDS OF THE EMPEROR by Victoria Goddard is a queer slow-burn about the Secretary to the Sun on Earth. It’s nearly a thousand pages, and the first 500 pages have been excellent.

FOUL HEART HUNTSMAN by Chloe Gong is the sequel to FOUL LADY FORTUNE. It’s been a while since I read the previous book, so my main praise for now is that it’s very forgiving of gaps in information, helping me catch up and remember what happened last time even as new things occur.

In Case You Missed It

This time last year I read TALES OF MUNDANE MAGIC: VOLUME FOUR by Shaina Krevat.

Pluggables and Podcast News

As for the podcast, hopefully you're enjoying our most recent episode. If you'd like to receive episodes early, as well as bonus content, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Patrons receive this newsletter one week early, as well as a list of upcoming podcast episodes and even more planned reviews.

Patrons at any level receive the booklist with our planned episodes for up to three months at a time.

Thanks for reading, the next roundup will be in two weeks!

-Robin

Co-host of Books That Burn

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