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The Waking Land #3
The Soul of Power
One young woman learns the true nature of power--both her own and others'--in the riveting conclusion to The Waking Land Trilogy.
"Bates brilliantly concludes an impressive high fantasy trilogy with this tale of scheming and magic."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Sophy Dunbarron--the illegitimate daughter of a king who never was--has always felt like an impostor. Separated from her birth mother, raised by parents mourning the loss of their true daughter, and unacknowledged by her father, Sophy desires only a place and a family to call her own. But fate has other ideas. Caught up in Elanna Valtai's revolution, Sophy has become the reigning monarch of a once-divided country--a role she has been groomed her whole life to fill.
But as she quickly discovers, wearing a crown is quite a different thing from keeping a crown. With an influx of magic-bearing refugees pouring across the border, resources already thinned by war are stretched to the breaking point. Half the nobility in her court want her deposed, and the other half question her every decision. And every third person seems to be spontaneously manifesting magical powers.
When Elanna is captured and taken to Paladis, Sophy's last ally seems to have vanished. Now it is up to her alone to navigate a political maze that becomes more complex and thorny by the day. And worse, Sophy is hiding a huge secret--one that could destroy her tenuous hold on the crown forever.
"Sophy is truly a feminist hero: she embraces equality and justice for all--a theme running throughout the novel--while challenging societal norms."--Booklist
Don't miss any of Callie Bates's magical Waking Land trilogy:
THE WAKING LAND - THE MEMORY OF FIRE - THE SOUL OF POWER
"Bates brilliantly concludes an impressive high fantasy trilogy with this tale of scheming and magic."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Sophy Dunbarron--the illegitimate daughter of a king who never was--has always felt like an impostor. Separated from her birth mother, raised by parents mourning the loss of their true daughter, and unacknowledged by her father, Sophy desires only a place and a family to call her own. But fate has other ideas. Caught up in Elanna Valtai's revolution, Sophy has become the reigning monarch of a once-divided country--a role she has been groomed her whole life to fill.
But as she quickly discovers, wearing a crown is quite a different thing from keeping a crown. With an influx of magic-bearing refugees pouring across the border, resources already thinned by war are stretched to the breaking point. Half the nobility in her court want her deposed, and the other half question her every decision. And every third person seems to be spontaneously manifesting magical powers.
When Elanna is captured and taken to Paladis, Sophy's last ally seems to have vanished. Now it is up to her alone to navigate a political maze that becomes more complex and thorny by the day. And worse, Sophy is hiding a huge secret--one that could destroy her tenuous hold on the crown forever.
"Sophy is truly a feminist hero: she embraces equality and justice for all--a theme running throughout the novel--while challenging societal norms."--Booklist
Don't miss any of Callie Bates's magical Waking Land trilogy:
THE WAKING LAND - THE MEMORY OF FIRE - THE SOUL OF POWER
480 pages, Hardcover
Published June 4, 2019
30 people are currently reading
1119 people want to read
About the author
Callie Bates
7 books269 followersCallie Bates is a writer, harpist and certified harp therapist, sometimes artist, and nature nerd. When she’s not creating, she’s hitting the trails or streets and exploring new places. Her debut fantasy novel, THE WAKING LAND, is forthcoming from Del Rey Books in 2017.
She is represented by Hannah Bowman of Liza Dawson Associates.
She is represented by Hannah Bowman of Liza Dawson Associates.
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June 17, 2019In this conclusion to Bates’ trilogy, the author does not return to either Elanna or Jahan, the protagonists of the first two books, but shifts to a third—Sophy, who was crowned queen at the end of The Waking Land.
I didn’t even remember Sophy, who was greatly overshadowed by Jahan’s traumatized complexity, and Elanna’s tremendous powers. At the beginning of the book, she’s trying to become the queen in reality, not just in title, with nobles and mages and outlanders all arrayed against her.
She also has a secret that is easily guessed very early on, and soon revealed, which adds to her difficulties. But on her side she has Alastair, her lover, and Rhia, her guard (one of my favorite characters).
She also deals with the enigmatic Philippe, whose loyalties seem to be diffuse, at best. And finally, she will face the father she never knew—which is totally unexpected, both in encounter, and in result.
There is a lot of politics going on in this third volume, mixed with violence and revolution, plus the awakening magic. Sophy doubts herself for a lot of the beginning, but in spite of everything that gets thrown at her (and there are a lot of setbacks) she starts coming into her own, which is a pleasure to watch.
Her goal is to not only to bring peace to splintered countries, but to find a way to accommodate the magic burgeoning in the land. Things are tense right up until the end.
The writing is vivid, with colorful characters and fascinating magic. The first person tense, so popular in YA these days, tended to get in the way at times, especially when so much of the book was backtracking to the timeline of the first book. I kept having to adjust to it each time I picked up the book after a break. But that’s a small quibble—the story overall was fast paced, especially the endgame, and I loved the ending.
Copy provided by NetGalley
I didn’t even remember Sophy, who was greatly overshadowed by Jahan’s traumatized complexity, and Elanna’s tremendous powers. At the beginning of the book, she’s trying to become the queen in reality, not just in title, with nobles and mages and outlanders all arrayed against her.
She also has a secret that is easily guessed very early on, and soon revealed, which adds to her difficulties. But on her side she has Alastair, her lover, and Rhia, her guard (one of my favorite characters).
She also deals with the enigmatic Philippe, whose loyalties seem to be diffuse, at best. And finally, she will face the father she never knew—which is totally unexpected, both in encounter, and in result.
There is a lot of politics going on in this third volume, mixed with violence and revolution, plus the awakening magic. Sophy doubts herself for a lot of the beginning, but in spite of everything that gets thrown at her (and there are a lot of setbacks) she starts coming into her own, which is a pleasure to watch.
Her goal is to not only to bring peace to splintered countries, but to find a way to accommodate the magic burgeoning in the land. Things are tense right up until the end.
The writing is vivid, with colorful characters and fascinating magic. The first person tense, so popular in YA these days, tended to get in the way at times, especially when so much of the book was backtracking to the timeline of the first book. I kept having to adjust to it each time I picked up the book after a break. But that’s a small quibble—the story overall was fast paced, especially the endgame, and I loved the ending.
Copy provided by NetGalley
June 5, 2019
3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/06/04/...
I think it’s always a challenge whenever the books in a series follow a new POV with each volume, because you never know whether you will enjoy the new character or how you would adjust to their perspective. Case in point, my own personal experience with this series has been complicated, for while I loved The Waking Land which featured Lady Elanna Valtai, I was less pleased with the protagonist of the next book, Jahan Korakides in The Memory of Fire. In fact, one of the biggest motivators for me to read this third novel, The Soul of Power, was knowing that once again we will be shifting the focus to a new character who I was curious to know more about.
The illegitimate daughter of an exiled king, Sophy Dunbarron now has the opportunity to claim the throne that had eluded her father, ruling over both the lands of Eren and Caeris. Unfortunately, it would be very difficult for her to hold on to power. For one thing, she has no support from the Eren nobles, who vehemently oppose her rule. For another, she is secretly with child, and the father is a man she loves but can never marry, due to his lack of status and political connection.
Despite all these obstacles, however, Sophy is determined to make it work. She has worked her whole life to fulfill this role, not to mention how much her mother had sacrificed for her. But as the world is thrown in turmoil in the wake of Elanna Valtai’s revolution, the political landscape has become unstable and treacherous to navigate. As anti-magic sentiment grows, those with talent in sorcery are also pouring into Sophy’s territory, hoping to find refuge within her nation’s borders, though with resources already stretched to the limit due to the war, her own citizens are growing disgruntled with the influx of more mouths to feed—and of course, the nobles in Sophy’s court who want to see her deposed are quick to use that negative sentiment to their advantage. It seems that everywhere she turns is another conflict, another fire to put out. And as if that weren’t enough, more and more people are inexplicably manifesting magical powers by the day.
Then comes the devastating news that Elanna has been captured by Paladis and their witchhunters. Sophy is left on her own to find the way, trying to figure out the political climate and predict the next moves of her enemies while keeping the secret of her pregnancy from those who will attempt to use it to ruin her.
I have to admit, I couldn’t really recall much about Sophy’s character from the first book, both because Elanna was such a larger-than-life personality and also because the supporting cast received so little attention. As a result, it was easy to overlook everything that wasn’t about Elanna, which I suppose is why the author decided to focus on different characters in the sequels, expanding her world with their unique perspectives. To my relief, I enjoyed reading about Sophy much more than I enjoyed reading about Jahan in the previous volume, which helped immensely to get me into the story—and a good thing too, because the plot turned out to be rather heavy on the political conflict and intrigue. Relative to the previous books, it is also lighter on the magical aspects. So if you don’t enjoy reading fantasy stories that are mostly about political maneuvering, or if you’re not a fan of discussions surrounding the spectacle and intricacies of nation-building, then it’s pretty safe to say this book won’t be for you.
That said, I found the overall premise of The Soul of Power engrossing, and I enjoyed following Sophy’s growth over the course of the story. And of course, it helped that there was as much personal conflict as there is political conflict. As a character, Sophy was fascinating and I found her journey more compelling than Elanna or Jahan’s, given the complexities of her back story and the romantic drama in her life. Fighting for her crown was more than just a plot mechanism to drive suspense and uncertainty; it was also for Sophy to learn more about herself and figure out her priorities, like how much does being queen mean to her and what is she willing to sacrifice for power. As well, her impending motherhood was a strong thread that featured strongly throughout the entirety of the novel, and a constant reminder that as much as she had to gain, she also had the most to lose.
All in all, The Soul of Power was a solid, well-written novel—maybe not as magical or imposing as The Waking Land, but definitely a step up from The Memory of Fire for me. It was also inspiring in its own way, starring a genuinely sympathetic heroine who is introspective and kind-hearted. It was a satisfying, uplifting conclusion to Callie Bates’ debut trilogy, and I look forward to what she does next after this!
I think it’s always a challenge whenever the books in a series follow a new POV with each volume, because you never know whether you will enjoy the new character or how you would adjust to their perspective. Case in point, my own personal experience with this series has been complicated, for while I loved The Waking Land which featured Lady Elanna Valtai, I was less pleased with the protagonist of the next book, Jahan Korakides in The Memory of Fire. In fact, one of the biggest motivators for me to read this third novel, The Soul of Power, was knowing that once again we will be shifting the focus to a new character who I was curious to know more about.
The illegitimate daughter of an exiled king, Sophy Dunbarron now has the opportunity to claim the throne that had eluded her father, ruling over both the lands of Eren and Caeris. Unfortunately, it would be very difficult for her to hold on to power. For one thing, she has no support from the Eren nobles, who vehemently oppose her rule. For another, she is secretly with child, and the father is a man she loves but can never marry, due to his lack of status and political connection.
Despite all these obstacles, however, Sophy is determined to make it work. She has worked her whole life to fulfill this role, not to mention how much her mother had sacrificed for her. But as the world is thrown in turmoil in the wake of Elanna Valtai’s revolution, the political landscape has become unstable and treacherous to navigate. As anti-magic sentiment grows, those with talent in sorcery are also pouring into Sophy’s territory, hoping to find refuge within her nation’s borders, though with resources already stretched to the limit due to the war, her own citizens are growing disgruntled with the influx of more mouths to feed—and of course, the nobles in Sophy’s court who want to see her deposed are quick to use that negative sentiment to their advantage. It seems that everywhere she turns is another conflict, another fire to put out. And as if that weren’t enough, more and more people are inexplicably manifesting magical powers by the day.
Then comes the devastating news that Elanna has been captured by Paladis and their witchhunters. Sophy is left on her own to find the way, trying to figure out the political climate and predict the next moves of her enemies while keeping the secret of her pregnancy from those who will attempt to use it to ruin her.
I have to admit, I couldn’t really recall much about Sophy’s character from the first book, both because Elanna was such a larger-than-life personality and also because the supporting cast received so little attention. As a result, it was easy to overlook everything that wasn’t about Elanna, which I suppose is why the author decided to focus on different characters in the sequels, expanding her world with their unique perspectives. To my relief, I enjoyed reading about Sophy much more than I enjoyed reading about Jahan in the previous volume, which helped immensely to get me into the story—and a good thing too, because the plot turned out to be rather heavy on the political conflict and intrigue. Relative to the previous books, it is also lighter on the magical aspects. So if you don’t enjoy reading fantasy stories that are mostly about political maneuvering, or if you’re not a fan of discussions surrounding the spectacle and intricacies of nation-building, then it’s pretty safe to say this book won’t be for you.
That said, I found the overall premise of The Soul of Power engrossing, and I enjoyed following Sophy’s growth over the course of the story. And of course, it helped that there was as much personal conflict as there is political conflict. As a character, Sophy was fascinating and I found her journey more compelling than Elanna or Jahan’s, given the complexities of her back story and the romantic drama in her life. Fighting for her crown was more than just a plot mechanism to drive suspense and uncertainty; it was also for Sophy to learn more about herself and figure out her priorities, like how much does being queen mean to her and what is she willing to sacrifice for power. As well, her impending motherhood was a strong thread that featured strongly throughout the entirety of the novel, and a constant reminder that as much as she had to gain, she also had the most to lose.
All in all, The Soul of Power was a solid, well-written novel—maybe not as magical or imposing as The Waking Land, but definitely a step up from The Memory of Fire for me. It was also inspiring in its own way, starring a genuinely sympathetic heroine who is introspective and kind-hearted. It was a satisfying, uplifting conclusion to Callie Bates’ debut trilogy, and I look forward to what she does next after this!
May 18, 2019
The conclusion to the The Waking Land trilogy lived up to every expectation I had for it. This book changes to Sophy's POV. As the first followed Elanna (El) & the second Jahan, this gives a satisfying conclusion to the series. Right away I want to say the only shortcoming I found was that the time line in this book somewhat overlaps with that of The Memory of Fire. While that in itself is not anything bad, I wasn't expecting it considering it didn't happen with the first two books. I would say you definitely need to read the first two books before this one, otherwise much of the beginning will not make sense
I'm normally not a fan of the fantasy genre, but this series completely sucked me in! I loved reading Sophy's story. Bates' writing really takes you into the world she has very solidly built. Her storytelling has improved with each book. It only seems right that the final book is about Sophy and her new reign. Sophy's story may be more political than the previous books, but that is only to be expected since she is the Queen of Eren and Caeris. The driving factor of the book isn't politics, its Sophy & how she feels. It follows Sophy as she struggles to cement her reign & bring together the people she now governs at the same time she is juggling her love for Alistair, who she knows the nobles will not accept.
While magic has been a focal point in the other two books, specifically the forbidden aspect of it, this one takes it to a different level. I loved learning about how it affects even the minor characters now that magic and sorcery are semi-accepted. Bates makes you understand the minor characters as well as the major ones. While the major characters in the other books take a backseat to Sophy, & in some ways Alistair, for the first part of the book, you don't notice, especially since The Memory of Fire covers much of it. I found I wasn't wondering about El and Jahan, I just needed to know what happened to Sophy next!
The book wraps up El, Jahan, and Sophy's storylines nicely. When I finished I found I was sad that this was the last I will be reading about them. While the ending was satisfying & I certainly don't hope for more turmoil for the characters, I would love to read more in the world of Ida, Eren and Caeris.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House-Ballantine/Del Ray and Callie Bates for the electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was the book that I was most excited to receive an ARC of out of all I have received from NetGalley. I'm glad to say that the excitement was well worth it & I will most definitely read more of Bates future work.
I'm normally not a fan of the fantasy genre, but this series completely sucked me in! I loved reading Sophy's story. Bates' writing really takes you into the world she has very solidly built. Her storytelling has improved with each book. It only seems right that the final book is about Sophy and her new reign. Sophy's story may be more political than the previous books, but that is only to be expected since she is the Queen of Eren and Caeris. The driving factor of the book isn't politics, its Sophy & how she feels. It follows Sophy as she struggles to cement her reign & bring together the people she now governs at the same time she is juggling her love for Alistair, who she knows the nobles will not accept.
While magic has been a focal point in the other two books, specifically the forbidden aspect of it, this one takes it to a different level. I loved learning about how it affects even the minor characters now that magic and sorcery are semi-accepted. Bates makes you understand the minor characters as well as the major ones. While the major characters in the other books take a backseat to Sophy, & in some ways Alistair, for the first part of the book, you don't notice, especially since The Memory of Fire covers much of it. I found I wasn't wondering about El and Jahan, I just needed to know what happened to Sophy next!
The book wraps up El, Jahan, and Sophy's storylines nicely. When I finished I found I was sad that this was the last I will be reading about them. While the ending was satisfying & I certainly don't hope for more turmoil for the characters, I would love to read more in the world of Ida, Eren and Caeris.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House-Ballantine/Del Ray and Callie Bates for the electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was the book that I was most excited to receive an ARC of out of all I have received from NetGalley. I'm glad to say that the excitement was well worth it & I will most definitely read more of Bates future work.
June 6, 2019
Callie Bates' Waking Land trilogy has been an unusual one in that each volume has explored a different POV character in the triumvirate that promises peace and security for the future of Eren and Caeris. In the first book, The Waking Land, we meet Elana Valtai, the Caveadear (Steward of the Land) who will wake the land in the strained nations of Eren and Caeris. Elanna comes to terms with her power, a theme that is central to this trilogy. In the second novel, The Memory of Firec we see Elanna's lover Jahan facing the trauma of his childhood and teen years at the hands of a brutal witch who seeks to make him resistant to the anti-magical methods of the powerful kingdom of Paladis. Jahan, too, must embrace his power and forge a path for what he believes in and the woman he loves. The third person in this trilogy is Sophy Dunbarron, a young woman raised by Elanna's family, who ascends to the throne though she is not legitimately born, is young, unmarried, pregnant, and not too sure that she can do what she's been raised to do. The challenges facing Sophy are real and are only worsened when Elanna (in events covered in The Memory of Fire) is kidnapped by witch hunters and taken to Paladis. How is she to make peace in Eren and Caeris and how can she lead when so many of her subjects doubt her right or her ability to do so?
The Soul of Power is mostly devoted to Sophy finding a way to make peace and progress in her two countries, and how to help her people as magic seems to be sprouting up everywhere now that Elanna has awakened the land (before she was snatched). Once again, as with Elanna and Jahan, Sophy struggles until she fully embraces her role and her right to a partner of her choosing.
Bates' writing has grown in depth and complexity over the course of the three books. This third novel is the most polished of the three novels. Also, I enjoyed Sophy's story, in part because of how relatable she is. She's not bestowed with amazing magical abilities like Elanna and Jahan, but she recognizes her power and her responsibility to her people.
Emily Woo Zeller, an excellent voice talent, narrates the audiobook.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book, along with a Digital Review Copy, from DelRey in exchange for an honest review.
The Soul of Power is mostly devoted to Sophy finding a way to make peace and progress in her two countries, and how to help her people as magic seems to be sprouting up everywhere now that Elanna has awakened the land (before she was snatched). Once again, as with Elanna and Jahan, Sophy struggles until she fully embraces her role and her right to a partner of her choosing.
Bates' writing has grown in depth and complexity over the course of the three books. This third novel is the most polished of the three novels. Also, I enjoyed Sophy's story, in part because of how relatable she is. She's not bestowed with amazing magical abilities like Elanna and Jahan, but she recognizes her power and her responsibility to her people.
Emily Woo Zeller, an excellent voice talent, narrates the audiobook.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book, along with a Digital Review Copy, from DelRey in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2019
I loved Bates' first two books in the trilogy so was very excited to have an early read on this one from NetGalley and Del Rey. I was a bit sad at first to see that the book didn't shift POV back to Elanna, who I loved so much from the first book, but I was quickly converted to the power that Sophy wields, or learns to wield as she comes into her own as a ruler. Bates is a wonderful world-builder and a master at diving deep into the political intrigue of her creation. The Soul of Power is a fantastic finish to a riveting fantasy trilogy. I can't wait to see what Bates will do next!
August 1, 2019
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This third and last book of Callie Bates’ Waking Land Trilogy comes to a full circle as Sohpy Dunbarron takes the stage. This book is in her POV as she takes responsibility for the kingdom, she never wanted to start with. To make matters worse, she is on her own. Elena and Johan, who freed and united the kingdoms are nowhere to be found. Not to mention her enemies and subjects have turned against her. This time, Sophy will have to deal with all the political issues, as well as her personal hardships all on her own.
I love that Bates gave Sophy a chance to prove herself without the full support of Elena and Johan and their magic. She gave Sophy a voice and the chance to prove she deserves to rule and making her own choices. And she did that in her own terms despite the pressures of being a woman in the throne, as well as being pregnant and unwed. I feel this last book was more about the politics of the kingdom then the magic that revolved around it. Rightly so since the story leads us to Sophy as the ruler, but I missed the magic that came with the story which we saw a lot of in The Waking Land and The Memory of Fire. Out of the three books, this is my least favorite. It had a slow start and it lacked the magic that the series in the beginning. I'm rating this book a 2.5-3 stars. Overall, the series as a whole is an okay read.
*ARC provided by publisher
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September 3, 2019
In The Waking Land, an aristocratic hostage discovers truths about her country's history and politics and magical powers formerly assumed to be a myth. She's kidnapped by an empire in The Memory of Fire and has to fight her way back to her war-torn country. Now in The Soul of Power we see what was happening in Eren and Caeris while Elenna was off freeing sorcerers in the empire.
Sophy Dunbarron has seized power in Eren and Caeris, but the very revolutionary tactics she used to overthrow the former government are now being used against her. Not only is Elenna's absence from the country destabilizing, but the aristocrats and wealthy merchants in Eren are displeased with their newly diminished power, and the neighboring kingdoms are slavering at the idea of striking while Eren/Caeris is weak from internal power struggles. I liked a lot of this
Basically, an exciting and readable tale and a fair conclusion to a good trilogy.
Sophy Dunbarron has seized power in Eren and Caeris, but the very revolutionary tactics she used to overthrow the former government are now being used against her. Not only is Elenna's absence from the country destabilizing, but the aristocrats and wealthy merchants in Eren are displeased with their newly diminished power, and the neighboring kingdoms are slavering at the idea of striking while Eren/Caeris is weak from internal power struggles. I liked a lot of this
Basically, an exciting and readable tale and a fair conclusion to a good trilogy.
March 22, 2019
“The Soul of Power” is a strong conclusion in The Waking Land trilogy. While the first book focused on Elanna (El) and the second on Jahan, this third book is all about Sophy Dunbarron, now the queen of Eren and Caeris. This book requires the context of the first two to really get into and thus does not work as a stand-alone. Eren and Caeris were countries once together but have separated becoming enemies and having one conquer the other. They were both under the power of Paladis, and sorcery has been outlawed/thought to be evil.
El, the Caveadear or steward of the land, has awakened the land and participated in the rebellion of the people against the then rulers. Now, installing Sophy and fighting against neighboring kingdoms, she is captured by Paladis and their Witch Hunters. Sophy has already sent Jahan to Paladis as ambassador, and her hold on the people is tenuous with hatred between Ereni and Caerisians still lying under the surface. As Sophy tries to navigate the political landscape, she must worry about other rebellions and dissatisfactions- and the secret she carries.
As tensions continue to rise, Sophy is increasingly aware of the difficulties of ruling. She must decide not only what is best for the people but also for herself as she fills the role she was raised to fill. While the characters from previous books are present here, there are many new characters and/or old characters who are now given larger roles, that are completely enchanting. This whole series is filled with extraordinarily well-crafted people who leap off the page in their descriptions and mannerisms. Each book has completely brought me into this realm.
This book has less romance than in the past, as Sophy is already with Alistair. Her main objectives are career-related (if we can call ruling the country as such), and this is always refreshing in the YA literature. The world is so well-crafted that it is easy to imagine and completely enthralling, much in the way of high fantasy books like Lord of the Rings. This whole series has been such a fascinating and engaging ride that I highly recommend for people who like YA or adult fantasy, and especially for fans of The Girl of Fire and Thorns series.
Overall, this is a great finale in a fantastic series, and I highly recommend you read it from start to finish. With beautifully crafted characters and amazing world-building, The Waking Land trilogy is a wonderfully enthralling journey. I would add warnings for rape (past/not in detail), sexism, torture (not described in detail), and gruesome deaths.
Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.
El, the Caveadear or steward of the land, has awakened the land and participated in the rebellion of the people against the then rulers. Now, installing Sophy and fighting against neighboring kingdoms, she is captured by Paladis and their Witch Hunters. Sophy has already sent Jahan to Paladis as ambassador, and her hold on the people is tenuous with hatred between Ereni and Caerisians still lying under the surface. As Sophy tries to navigate the political landscape, she must worry about other rebellions and dissatisfactions- and the secret she carries.
As tensions continue to rise, Sophy is increasingly aware of the difficulties of ruling. She must decide not only what is best for the people but also for herself as she fills the role she was raised to fill. While the characters from previous books are present here, there are many new characters and/or old characters who are now given larger roles, that are completely enchanting. This whole series is filled with extraordinarily well-crafted people who leap off the page in their descriptions and mannerisms. Each book has completely brought me into this realm.
This book has less romance than in the past, as Sophy is already with Alistair. Her main objectives are career-related (if we can call ruling the country as such), and this is always refreshing in the YA literature. The world is so well-crafted that it is easy to imagine and completely enthralling, much in the way of high fantasy books like Lord of the Rings. This whole series has been such a fascinating and engaging ride that I highly recommend for people who like YA or adult fantasy, and especially for fans of The Girl of Fire and Thorns series.
Overall, this is a great finale in a fantastic series, and I highly recommend you read it from start to finish. With beautifully crafted characters and amazing world-building, The Waking Land trilogy is a wonderfully enthralling journey. I would add warnings for rape (past/not in detail), sexism, torture (not described in detail), and gruesome deaths.
Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.
February 23, 2021
Well, wasn't that trilogy all wrapped up in a nice, neat bow?
When I began reading The Waking Land, I was unaware that the sequel and finale books were told from alternative points of view. I had hoped that we would follow Elanna throughout her entire journey as the Caveader, but the author had other plans. I tried to "be okay" with that when The Memory of Fire was narrated by Johann, but I never really liked Sophy all that much, so when this book began, I was already in a bit of a negative mindset.
I found that this story was lacking while simultaneously having way too much detail. It was a long book (the audiobook was over 11 hours and that was on 2.2x speed) and like The Memory of Fire, it just seemed like there was so much information about the politics of the world and I even had a tough time keeping the characters straight.
One of the things I noticed throughout the entire series was that the author really enjoyed the rollercoaster that is: "that character just died so everyone is going to be really sad but it's okay because the dead character isn't really dead and they're going to come back again" trope. I counted at least 3 uses of that in this book alone, but even more throughout the trilogy and I felt like it was majorly overused. I stopped even feeling emotional about someone dying because I knew they weren't actually going to stay dead - and sometimes... sometimes it's good to not have a perfectly happy ending?
I have a few other things I didn't care for about this book, but those are just the primary things. I really, really wanted to love the series as a whole, because I enjoyed the first book so thoroughly the first time I read it (and even the second) and worked so hard to remember it again so I could continue through this story. It just fell a bit flat after the first novel, which is a huge bummer.
Overall series rating: 3 stars.
When I began reading The Waking Land, I was unaware that the sequel and finale books were told from alternative points of view. I had hoped that we would follow Elanna throughout her entire journey as the Caveader, but the author had other plans. I tried to "be okay" with that when The Memory of Fire was narrated by Johann, but I never really liked Sophy all that much, so when this book began, I was already in a bit of a negative mindset.
I found that this story was lacking while simultaneously having way too much detail. It was a long book (the audiobook was over 11 hours and that was on 2.2x speed) and like The Memory of Fire, it just seemed like there was so much information about the politics of the world and I even had a tough time keeping the characters straight.
One of the things I noticed throughout the entire series was that the author really enjoyed the rollercoaster that is: "that character just died so everyone is going to be really sad but it's okay because the dead character isn't really dead and they're going to come back again" trope. I counted at least 3 uses of that in this book alone, but even more throughout the trilogy and I felt like it was majorly overused. I stopped even feeling emotional about someone dying because I knew they weren't actually going to stay dead - and sometimes... sometimes it's good to not have a perfectly happy ending?
I have a few other things I didn't care for about this book, but those are just the primary things. I really, really wanted to love the series as a whole, because I enjoyed the first book so thoroughly the first time I read it (and even the second) and worked so hard to remember it again so I could continue through this story. It just fell a bit flat after the first novel, which is a huge bummer.
Overall series rating: 3 stars.
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March 18, 2019The Soul of Power brings us back to the rich world of political intrigue and magic created in The Waking Land and strengthened in the The Memory of Fire. The third book in the Waking Land series shifts the point of view yet again to a different narrator, this time to Sophy Dunbarron, the newly crowned monarch over the previously divided lands of Eren and Caeris. This shift takes a fresh new look at the world from the perspective of a ruler who is struggling to deal with the politics of conflicting national identities and the plight of refugees who are feared and misunderstood. It also explores what happens when an all-powerful character disappears and the world that was brought together by her power starts to fall apart. This engaging series also explores complex familial and personal issues as it concludes. —Susan (excerpted from Bookish's Staff Reads)
May 5, 2021
This third and last book of Callie Bates’ Waking Land Trilogy comes to a full circle as Sohpy Dunbarron takes the stage. This book is in her POV as she takes responsibility for the kingdom, she never wanted to start with. To make matters worse, she is on her own. Elena and Johan, who freed and united the kingdoms are nowhere to be found. Not to mention her enemies and subjects have turned against her. This time, Sophy will have to deal with all the political issues, as well as her personal hardships all on her own.
I love that Bates gave Sophy a chance to prove herself without the full support of Elena and Johan and their magic. She gave Sophy a voice and the chance to prove she deserves to rule and making her own choices. And she did that in her own terms despite the pressures of being a woman in the throne, as well as being pregnant and unwed. I feel this last book was more about the politics of the kingdom then the magic that revolved around it. Rightly so since the story leads us to Sophy as the ruler, but I missed the magic that came with the story which we saw a lot of in The Waking Land and The Memory of Fire. Out of the three books, this is my least favorite. It had a slow start and it lacked the magic that the series in the beginning. I’m rating this book a 2.5-3 stars. Overall, the series as a whole is an okay read.
I love that Bates gave Sophy a chance to prove herself without the full support of Elena and Johan and their magic. She gave Sophy a voice and the chance to prove she deserves to rule and making her own choices. And she did that in her own terms despite the pressures of being a woman in the throne, as well as being pregnant and unwed. I feel this last book was more about the politics of the kingdom then the magic that revolved around it. Rightly so since the story leads us to Sophy as the ruler, but I missed the magic that came with the story which we saw a lot of in The Waking Land and The Memory of Fire. Out of the three books, this is my least favorite. It had a slow start and it lacked the magic that the series in the beginning. I’m rating this book a 2.5-3 stars. Overall, the series as a whole is an okay read.
January 23, 2022
This book just seemed to drag on and on and onnnnn. It was literally painful to get through the last 150 pages. I blame my reading slump for the last few months entirely on choosing to read the third book in this series. My brain would not let me move on until I finished this and I’m so glad I can finally put this one back on the shelf. I found Sophy’s story to be boring and repetitive. First she’s running, then oh no! They get caught. More running. More getting caught. Another battle. More running. And constant repetitive inner monologue about her music/power and baby. The author has decent world building but this book just didn’t do it for me like the previous two did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2020
Perfect conclusion to an awesome Trilogy. My only note is the back and forth with characters switching allegiances got a bit confusing but it smooths out in the end.
November 23, 2020
Loved it
March 10, 2019
**I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
I received an ARC of the first book in this series otherwise I probably would have never read it. I thought book one was so-so and wasn't sure I would be reading any more in the series. Then I saw the second book at the library and thought maybe I should give it a second chance. I enjoyed the second so much more than the first (although there were still aspects of the writing of which I was not a fan). I came into this third and final entry with mixed expectations. In the end, I would give this book somewhere between 2.5 and 3 stars - it's not terrible, but I just feel like it could have been better.
For the first half of the book I was bored with the political intrigue. For someone who was raised to be a leader Sophy doesn't seem to understand how to play the power game. She's meek and doesn't seem to understand how to unite the different groups of people in the countries she now "rules" over. It was worth muddling through all that to see Sophy finally grow a backbone and stand up for herself. However, that ended up being short lived as Sophy continued to be underprepared for the task of being a leader. She's constantly outmanuevered by her enemies and if she had gotten kidnapped/found herself in mortal peril one more time I was going to scream. I understand what the author is trying to say about showing mercy to your enemies, but instead she just gives the message that no one is ever really held responsible for their bad actions.
I wasn't a big fan of El in the first book, but she won me over in book 2. I thought when she returned in book 3 things would turn around, but she just seemed to be there to point out how much better Sophy was at just about everything. It didn't really make sense that El would come back and try to take over rather than being part of the team, especially since she knew her powers were reduced.
I was a little disappointed that Sophy had to use her magic to win over the people rather than coming to them as a uniting force. It was manipulative and again reminded you that she is not the great leader she thinks herself to be. Also, it was fine to bring one character back to life, but two was pushing it. If a writer has no intention of killing any of the main characters they shouldn't manipulate their readers by pretending they do.
I received an ARC of the first book in this series otherwise I probably would have never read it. I thought book one was so-so and wasn't sure I would be reading any more in the series. Then I saw the second book at the library and thought maybe I should give it a second chance. I enjoyed the second so much more than the first (although there were still aspects of the writing of which I was not a fan). I came into this third and final entry with mixed expectations. In the end, I would give this book somewhere between 2.5 and 3 stars - it's not terrible, but I just feel like it could have been better.
For the first half of the book I was bored with the political intrigue. For someone who was raised to be a leader Sophy doesn't seem to understand how to play the power game. She's meek and doesn't seem to understand how to unite the different groups of people in the countries she now "rules" over. It was worth muddling through all that to see Sophy finally grow a backbone and stand up for herself. However, that ended up being short lived as Sophy continued to be underprepared for the task of being a leader. She's constantly outmanuevered by her enemies and if she had gotten kidnapped/found herself in mortal peril one more time I was going to scream. I understand what the author is trying to say about showing mercy to your enemies, but instead she just gives the message that no one is ever really held responsible for their bad actions.
I wasn't a big fan of El in the first book, but she won me over in book 2. I thought when she returned in book 3 things would turn around, but she just seemed to be there to point out how much better Sophy was at just about everything. It didn't really make sense that El would come back and try to take over rather than being part of the team, especially since she knew her powers were reduced.
I was a little disappointed that Sophy had to use her magic to win over the people rather than coming to them as a uniting force. It was manipulative and again reminded you that she is not the great leader she thinks herself to be. Also, it was fine to bring one character back to life, but two was pushing it. If a writer has no intention of killing any of the main characters they shouldn't manipulate their readers by pretending they do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2019
The Soul of Power brings us back to the rich world of political intrigue and magic created in The Waking Land and strengthened in the The Memory of Fire. The third book in the Waking Land series shifts the point of view yet again to a different narrator, this time to Sophy Dunbarron, the newly crowned monarch over the previously divided lands of Eren and Caeris. This shift takes a fresh new look at the world from the perspective of a ruler who is struggling to deal with the politics of conflicting national identities and the plight of refugees who are feared and misunderstood. It also explores what happens when an all-powerful character disappears and the world that was brought together by her power starts to fall apart. This engaging series also explores complex familial and personal issues as it concludes.
May 30, 2019
The Soul of Power is the third in Callie Bates’ “The Waking Land” series and brings the saga to an end with Sophy Dunbarron, the daughter of the exiled king who has never held the throne of Eren or Caeris. She is the chosen Queen of the united countries, but the crown feels like a bad fit as there is much resistance to her rule among the nobles in Eren. She is also pregnant and not married to Alistar, the man she loves, and someone she believes the nobles of Eren will oppose.
Meanwhile, there is the imminent threat of invasion, the need to find allies, the awakening of magic in the people, the fear that awakening magic causes, the shortages caused trade routs being shut down, and gathering rebellion. Add to that a huge portion of self-doubt and we’ve got trouble in the waking land.
In The Soul of Power Bates reprises the theme that unites all three books in her series, the need to conquer your own fears and find your own power. Sophy’s weakness is deferring to others and not trusting her own judgment. When she comes into her own, when she is decisive and recognizes her own power, she is so much more successful.
This final book in the series is a satisfying end. Sophy struggles with how to show her love for the people, how to unite two countries equitably, and how to encourage self-rule and a form of democracy in a kingdom. These aren’t easy problems in real life, add magic to the mix and it’s even trickier.
I enjoyed this book and the others in the series. They are thoughtful books that struggle with real questions in a fantasy world. They are fast-paced and full of action, adventure, romance, and intrigue. What more could you ask for?
The Soul of Power will be released June 4th. I received an e-galley from the publisher through NetGalley.
The Soul of Power at Del Rey | Penguin Random House
Callie Bates author site
The Waking Land review
The Memory of Fire review
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
Meanwhile, there is the imminent threat of invasion, the need to find allies, the awakening of magic in the people, the fear that awakening magic causes, the shortages caused trade routs being shut down, and gathering rebellion. Add to that a huge portion of self-doubt and we’ve got trouble in the waking land.
In The Soul of Power Bates reprises the theme that unites all three books in her series, the need to conquer your own fears and find your own power. Sophy’s weakness is deferring to others and not trusting her own judgment. When she comes into her own, when she is decisive and recognizes her own power, she is so much more successful.
This final book in the series is a satisfying end. Sophy struggles with how to show her love for the people, how to unite two countries equitably, and how to encourage self-rule and a form of democracy in a kingdom. These aren’t easy problems in real life, add magic to the mix and it’s even trickier.
I enjoyed this book and the others in the series. They are thoughtful books that struggle with real questions in a fantasy world. They are fast-paced and full of action, adventure, romance, and intrigue. What more could you ask for?
The Soul of Power will be released June 4th. I received an e-galley from the publisher through NetGalley.
The Soul of Power at Del Rey | Penguin Random House
Callie Bates author site
The Waking Land review
The Memory of Fire review
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
April 30, 2019
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This was a satisfying conclusion to the Waking Land trilogy. Each of the three books is told from a different character's perspective, and this one is Sophy's story. This is a technique that really works well, especially from the first book (Elanna's perspective) and this one. Their lives intertwined in a number of ways, and it's fascinating to get the different viewpoints of each.
The theme that runs through the entire trilogy, of relationships with one's father, is especially strong in this book. While relationships with mothers are important, they tend to be more straightforward and loving, while the relationships with fathers are more conflicted. Each of the main characters, Elanna, Jahan and Sophy have complicated relationships with their fathers - foster and birth.
The world building is continued in this, with the continued development of the land itself and the growth of magic through the people of the land. It's a satisfying and complete world, and the third book of the trilogy solidifies it.
Regardless of themes and such, though, it's just a good story. Mostly likable characters, satisfyingly awful villains, characters who do grow and develop throughout. It's well worth reading!
This was a satisfying conclusion to the Waking Land trilogy. Each of the three books is told from a different character's perspective, and this one is Sophy's story. This is a technique that really works well, especially from the first book (Elanna's perspective) and this one. Their lives intertwined in a number of ways, and it's fascinating to get the different viewpoints of each.
The theme that runs through the entire trilogy, of relationships with one's father, is especially strong in this book. While relationships with mothers are important, they tend to be more straightforward and loving, while the relationships with fathers are more conflicted. Each of the main characters, Elanna, Jahan and Sophy have complicated relationships with their fathers - foster and birth.
The world building is continued in this, with the continued development of the land itself and the growth of magic through the people of the land. It's a satisfying and complete world, and the third book of the trilogy solidifies it.
Regardless of themes and such, though, it's just a good story. Mostly likable characters, satisfyingly awful villains, characters who do grow and develop throughout. It's well worth reading!
October 4, 2019
4 stars
I received an e-ARC copy of The Soul of Power from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Soul of Power runs almost parallel to The Memory of Fire. This is Sophy's book and picks up right after Jahan has left for Paladis. This book has lots of politics in it as Sophy struggles to unite her kingdom, protect the refugees and keep the empire from invading. On top of that tall order Sophy becomes aware of a faction that wants her off the throne in whatever way necessary, even if it results in her death.
This book started off slow for me. Having already read Memory of Fire I know what is going on with El and Jahan. So the pick up while necessary, was a bit slow. I liked Sophy in The Waking Land and it was nice to get to see her in her element, struggling to be who she thought she ought to be instead of who she wanted to be. I also liked that she isn't a warrior but will fight for what she thinks is right and not at the expense of lives. I was happy to see a growth of the relationship between El and Sophy because they would be awesome together.
This was a good ending to the trilogy and I appreciated the epilogue because I wasn't left hanging.
I received an e-ARC copy of The Soul of Power from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Soul of Power runs almost parallel to The Memory of Fire. This is Sophy's book and picks up right after Jahan has left for Paladis. This book has lots of politics in it as Sophy struggles to unite her kingdom, protect the refugees and keep the empire from invading. On top of that tall order Sophy becomes aware of a faction that wants her off the throne in whatever way necessary, even if it results in her death.
This book started off slow for me. Having already read Memory of Fire I know what is going on with El and Jahan. So the pick up while necessary, was a bit slow. I liked Sophy in The Waking Land and it was nice to get to see her in her element, struggling to be who she thought she ought to be instead of who she wanted to be. I also liked that she isn't a warrior but will fight for what she thinks is right and not at the expense of lives. I was happy to see a growth of the relationship between El and Sophy because they would be awesome together.
This was a good ending to the trilogy and I appreciated the epilogue because I wasn't left hanging.
June 5, 2019
*4.5 stars* The Soul of Power is the final installment of the enjoyable Waking Lands series, and switches perspective yet again. Having experienced events through first Elanna's eyes and then Jahan's, we next have Sophy Dunbarron's viewpoint. Sophy is the bastard daughter of the exiled king of Caeris, and has been raised since the age of eight by Elanna's parents to potentially rule one day. Now that her half-brother Finn is dead and her father remains in exile, Sophy has assumed the throne of Eren and Caeris in the wake of Elanna's revolution. However, uniting a once-divided country proves more difficult than she anticipated. She must battle her detractors and those who work to depose her along with her own self-doubts in order to bring peace to a fractured land.
I have enjoyed this trilogy, which improved as it progressed. This last book is action-packed and keeps you turning the pages. It wraps everything up nicely and brings the series to a satisfying conclusion. The underlying foundation of female empowerment throughout is refreshing in the current times. I recommend this trilogy for fantasy fans who enjoy fierce female characters!
I have enjoyed this trilogy, which improved as it progressed. This last book is action-packed and keeps you turning the pages. It wraps everything up nicely and brings the series to a satisfying conclusion. The underlying foundation of female empowerment throughout is refreshing in the current times. I recommend this trilogy for fantasy fans who enjoy fierce female characters!
May 13, 2019
Please Note: I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.
I have really loved The Waking Land series, by Callie Bates. It has been so imaginative and fun. Plus, this series had the most unusual narrative structure! Each of the three books focuses on one particular character in the story. I have never seen a series organized in this way. The Soul of Power, the final book, is a fine ending to this series.
Please read my full review on my blog www.ponderingtheprose.blogspot.com on May 31st, 2019.
Reading Note: This isn't a criticism of the series, but you really need to read the other two books, The Waking Land, and The Memory of Fire, fairly soon before you read the final book. The stories are so closely tied together, that it would be difficult to follow the action if you haven't recently read those books first.
I have really loved The Waking Land series, by Callie Bates. It has been so imaginative and fun. Plus, this series had the most unusual narrative structure! Each of the three books focuses on one particular character in the story. I have never seen a series organized in this way. The Soul of Power, the final book, is a fine ending to this series.
Please read my full review on my blog www.ponderingtheprose.blogspot.com on May 31st, 2019.
Reading Note: This isn't a criticism of the series, but you really need to read the other two books, The Waking Land, and The Memory of Fire, fairly soon before you read the final book. The stories are so closely tied together, that it would be difficult to follow the action if you haven't recently read those books first.
September 16, 2019
They just keep getting worse. The one consistency is the angst, whininess and ignorance of the three main leads.
This one is told from Sophy's point of view, somewhat contemporaneously as the previous novel. As simplistic as it is, the author still finds plenty with which to annoy. For instance, the constant kidnappings only show us that the author portrays the main characters as idiots and want the series to be a soap opera rather than an adventure. Rhia's land walking only serves to support the minimal plot, working when Bates wants people to move quickly and not working when she wants them in danger.
This one is told from Sophy's point of view, somewhat contemporaneously as the previous novel. As simplistic as it is, the author still finds plenty with which to annoy. For instance, the constant kidnappings only show us that the author portrays the main characters as idiots and want the series to be a soap opera rather than an adventure. Rhia's land walking only serves to support the minimal plot, working when Bates wants people to move quickly and not working when she wants them in danger.
June 5, 2025
If i had a dollar for every time a rebellion happens in Eren, I’d have three dollars, which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened three times already. I loved the series, and i think the series ended well with this book. I enjoyed the world building and the lore.
November 13, 2019
Sophy Dunbarron is the focus of this book. The story starts out with the abduction of the Caveadear, Elanna Valtai. We know from the second book in the series, The Memory of Fire, that Elanna will be rescued by Jahan and together they will help to overthrow the government in Paladis and bring about a change in the recognition of sorcerers. But that information is unavailable to Sophy, who has recently been crowned queen of both Eren and Caeris. She's forced to deal with trying to unite the two lands without Elanna around to help scare everyone into agreement. Sophy starts out in a weak position...the Ereni are distrustful of magic and without Elanna, only see foreign immigrant sorcerers. A rebellion starts up, with the promise of support of the powerful empire of Paladis and the removal of these foreign infiltrators. Sophy tries to maintain her hold on the united countries, but rumors of Elanna's execution, killings by refuge sorcerers, and fear and superstition of the Ereni people work against her.
It was an interesting take to place the series, because we are already aware of some of these events that are happening and what their outcome is. And Sophy does start out a weak character. She isn't skilled in politics, she isn't powerful like Elanna, and she's trying (unsuccessfully) to hide a pregnancy. But the land is awakened, and more people find themselves with magic powers including Sophy. A coup throws her into exile with the need to gather up a force and retake her land. And the return of her father forces her into becoming a much stronger person. The book wasn't terribly interesting at the start, but ends on a strong note.
It was an interesting take to place the series, because we are already aware of some of these events that are happening and what their outcome is. And Sophy does start out a weak character. She isn't skilled in politics, she isn't powerful like Elanna, and she's trying (unsuccessfully) to hide a pregnancy. But the land is awakened, and more people find themselves with magic powers including Sophy. A coup throws her into exile with the need to gather up a force and retake her land. And the return of her father forces her into becoming a much stronger person. The book wasn't terribly interesting at the start, but ends on a strong note.
November 30, 2019
"The Soul of Power" eBook was published in 2019 and was written by Callie Bates (https://calliebates.com). This is Ms. Bates' third novel and the third book in her "The Waking Land" series.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is set in another universe and place, one that allows magic.
The primary character of this book is Sophy Dunbarron. Dunbarron is the illegitimate daughter of the king. Now, since she joined the rebellion led by Elanna Valtai’, she has assumed the throne of a once divided country at the age of 21. Her position is far from secure as there are many who oppose her and she must respond to an open rebellion.
She fears she has lost her close friend Valtai forever when Dunbarron learns that Valtai has been captured. She also discovers a secret about herself that could cost her the throne. Will she and her forces be able to qualm the unrest at home and hold off the forces that want to take her country.
I thoroughly enjoyed the 13 hours I spent reading this 464-page fantasy. While the lead in this novel is 21, it still has a Young Adult feel to it.I have read and enjoyed both of the earlier books in this series ("The Waking Land" and "The Memory of Fire"). I think that Ms. Bates has created a very engaging fantasy universe. I liked that this book in the series took a different point of view than the earlier volumes. It is also written in the first-person view of Dunbarron. While this could be read on its own, it would be best to read the prior two books of the series first. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a 5 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is set in another universe and place, one that allows magic.
The primary character of this book is Sophy Dunbarron. Dunbarron is the illegitimate daughter of the king. Now, since she joined the rebellion led by Elanna Valtai’, she has assumed the throne of a once divided country at the age of 21. Her position is far from secure as there are many who oppose her and she must respond to an open rebellion.
She fears she has lost her close friend Valtai forever when Dunbarron learns that Valtai has been captured. She also discovers a secret about herself that could cost her the throne. Will she and her forces be able to qualm the unrest at home and hold off the forces that want to take her country.
I thoroughly enjoyed the 13 hours I spent reading this 464-page fantasy. While the lead in this novel is 21, it still has a Young Adult feel to it.I have read and enjoyed both of the earlier books in this series ("The Waking Land" and "The Memory of Fire"). I think that Ms. Bates has created a very engaging fantasy universe. I liked that this book in the series took a different point of view than the earlier volumes. It is also written in the first-person view of Dunbarron. While this could be read on its own, it would be best to read the prior two books of the series first. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a 5 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
May 28, 2020
*** Possible Spoilers ***
This is the third book in a trilogy and, like the others, it was well written, the scenes were well handled and the pacing was good. I noticed a couple of editing oopsies but from personal experience, there will always be a few of those. So in terms of craftsmanship, the book would rate a 5. Based on the characters, the book gets a 1. An indecisive, self-doubting, and, in general, a wishy-washy protagonist is more annoying than sympathetic. However many readers dote on such characters so I think the book has quite a lot of reader appeal.
I would strongly recommend against reading these books out of order. It might be possible to read the second volume in the series without reading volume 1 but book 3 wouldn't make much sense if you haven't read the second one. In terms of the time frame, book 3 largely overlaps book 2. The characters are different and the settings are in different countries but there is enough crossover to generate confusion.
I've got to give Ms. Bates credit for creating some proper villains. Too often they're not bad enough but she is remarkably good at writing some seriously nasty people. In some respects the villains were more appealing than her main character.
If you enjoy fantasy and like protagonists struggling with self-doubts and inner demons, I think you might like these books. On the other hand, if you ascribe to the motto, 'never leave a live enemy at your back', you probably won't. The author is a firm believer in reforming or exiling enemies and I find her and her books a little smarmy in that regard.
This is the third book in a trilogy and, like the others, it was well written, the scenes were well handled and the pacing was good. I noticed a couple of editing oopsies but from personal experience, there will always be a few of those. So in terms of craftsmanship, the book would rate a 5. Based on the characters, the book gets a 1. An indecisive, self-doubting, and, in general, a wishy-washy protagonist is more annoying than sympathetic. However many readers dote on such characters so I think the book has quite a lot of reader appeal.
I would strongly recommend against reading these books out of order. It might be possible to read the second volume in the series without reading volume 1 but book 3 wouldn't make much sense if you haven't read the second one. In terms of the time frame, book 3 largely overlaps book 2. The characters are different and the settings are in different countries but there is enough crossover to generate confusion.
I've got to give Ms. Bates credit for creating some proper villains. Too often they're not bad enough but she is remarkably good at writing some seriously nasty people. In some respects the villains were more appealing than her main character.
If you enjoy fantasy and like protagonists struggling with self-doubts and inner demons, I think you might like these books. On the other hand, if you ascribe to the motto, 'never leave a live enemy at your back', you probably won't. The author is a firm believer in reforming or exiling enemies and I find her and her books a little smarmy in that regard.
May 22, 2022
Again, I’m going to start by saying how surprised I am that this series is not rated higher here on Good Reads. I think it was such a daring creative choice to have each book in the series told from a different perspective. For me, I typically latch onto the main heroine…but Callie Bates made me equally invest in Jahan and Sophy’s worlds. I do wish I’d gotten more El in book three because El is my girl. But I enjoyed the relationships forged between Sophy and Rhia and Victoire and Phillipe. And, am I the only one who was torn between Phillipe and Alistar? I kept wondering how the author was going to address this and, in the end, I was satisfied.
Let’s talk about death. A lot of people died. A lot. But some who did, came back. Jahan. El. Alistar. I knew there was no way the author would kill off Jahan or El. Alistar…eh. I could see him being killed off and then Sophy is a single woman, a queen, raising a kid on her own. I would have been pissed, but I was preparing for that. I find it interesting that only some of these characters were brought back. Why make them face death anyway? Sophy had her little flute when she met King Alfred so why couldn’t she bring Ingram Knoll back? This whole “back from the dead” thing is a cheap plot device imo. It lessens the impact of others who died.
But that’s not a big enough issue for me to not like this series. No. I really enjoyed it. As much as I wished the third book alternated between El/Jahan perspectives, I liked the final installment.
Let’s talk about death. A lot of people died. A lot. But some who did, came back. Jahan. El. Alistar. I knew there was no way the author would kill off Jahan or El. Alistar…eh. I could see him being killed off and then Sophy is a single woman, a queen, raising a kid on her own. I would have been pissed, but I was preparing for that. I find it interesting that only some of these characters were brought back. Why make them face death anyway? Sophy had her little flute when she met King Alfred so why couldn’t she bring Ingram Knoll back? This whole “back from the dead” thing is a cheap plot device imo. It lessens the impact of others who died.
But that’s not a big enough issue for me to not like this series. No. I really enjoyed it. As much as I wished the third book alternated between El/Jahan perspectives, I liked the final installment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2025
"People fear what they are told to fear."
This book is the culmination of all the storylines merging together. Elanna's story, Jahan's story, and now Sophy's story. While I initially wasn't a fan of deviating from Elanna's pov, I grew to love Jahan and getting to know Sophy. At first, Sophy seemed like a spoiled and entitled girl. Jealous of Elanna for having power that almost got her killed and thrown into a war Elanna didn't want. Sophy had everything Elanna had to live without, so Sophy daring to be mean, spiteful, and downright rude to Elanna bothered me.
As the story went on and Sophy's character developed, I grew to understand her. At the end of the day, she was alone. She lost her mother young, used for political gain, and now had a crown she didn't want. She was overwhelmed, to say the least. There was a lot happening in this conclusion. Between Elanna and Jahan in another country and betrayals Sophy was experiencing at every turn, I didn't know which way to look.
In some ways, there was way too much information. I didn't think everything could honestly be resolved. The author proved me wrong. I adore how the end came to be. There were lots of betrayals in Sophys' wake, but there were unexpected victories as well. The truth of her father was one I was so disappointed to see, but it fit the overall story. Everything worked out for the sorcerers, Elanna, Jahan, Sophy, and the kingdom. A hard fought battle, but a war finally won.
This book is the culmination of all the storylines merging together. Elanna's story, Jahan's story, and now Sophy's story. While I initially wasn't a fan of deviating from Elanna's pov, I grew to love Jahan and getting to know Sophy. At first, Sophy seemed like a spoiled and entitled girl. Jealous of Elanna for having power that almost got her killed and thrown into a war Elanna didn't want. Sophy had everything Elanna had to live without, so Sophy daring to be mean, spiteful, and downright rude to Elanna bothered me.
As the story went on and Sophy's character developed, I grew to understand her. At the end of the day, she was alone. She lost her mother young, used for political gain, and now had a crown she didn't want. She was overwhelmed, to say the least. There was a lot happening in this conclusion. Between Elanna and Jahan in another country and betrayals Sophy was experiencing at every turn, I didn't know which way to look.
In some ways, there was way too much information. I didn't think everything could honestly be resolved. The author proved me wrong. I adore how the end came to be. There were lots of betrayals in Sophys' wake, but there were unexpected victories as well. The truth of her father was one I was so disappointed to see, but it fit the overall story. Everything worked out for the sorcerers, Elanna, Jahan, Sophy, and the kingdom. A hard fought battle, but a war finally won.
August 1, 2020
The Soul of Power is a stunning conclusion to the Waking Land series.
After reading The memory of fire, I thought that The Soul of Power would pick up where it finished. But it doesn't, The Soul of Power is Sophy story, for the must of the book the story us running in parallel with Memory of Fire.
There are moments in both Memory of fire and The Soul of Power where Sophy, Jahan and Elanna communicate. I enjoyed seeing their communication from both sides.
The Soul of Power has more political intrigue as Sophy has to deal with other political movement trying to take the throne from her. It makes the plot interesting and fast-paced as Sophy is always having to deal with something either personal or professional.
One of my favourite element is magic and how waking the land impacted the people. I loved the idea of music magic and how it connected to the fabric of the world. There is a couple of different types of magic that we see that I really liked and would happy to have myself.
Callie Bates writing style is super easy to read, I picked the book up and dived right in and lost myself in the story. It helps that she has created a likeable cast of character in a fascinating world.
My Rating for The Soul of Power is 4 out of 5.
After reading The memory of fire, I thought that The Soul of Power would pick up where it finished. But it doesn't, The Soul of Power is Sophy story, for the must of the book the story us running in parallel with Memory of Fire.
There are moments in both Memory of fire and The Soul of Power where Sophy, Jahan and Elanna communicate. I enjoyed seeing their communication from both sides.
The Soul of Power has more political intrigue as Sophy has to deal with other political movement trying to take the throne from her. It makes the plot interesting and fast-paced as Sophy is always having to deal with something either personal or professional.
One of my favourite element is magic and how waking the land impacted the people. I loved the idea of music magic and how it connected to the fabric of the world. There is a couple of different types of magic that we see that I really liked and would happy to have myself.
Callie Bates writing style is super easy to read, I picked the book up and dived right in and lost myself in the story. It helps that she has created a likeable cast of character in a fascinating world.
My Rating for The Soul of Power is 4 out of 5.
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