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Protostar
"This is what you’ve been training for all your lives; to protect your nation when it needs you most.”
Ever since coming back from that mission, Skye hasn’t been herself. Frequent nightmares and the impossible challenge of controlling her new power have overrun her with doubt and anxiety. And it isn’t just her. All of Squad 999 is struggling, even if they’re doing their best not to show it.
When a drastic string of events throws Isarn into panic, Skye and her Squad are thrust back into the fight. With lies and betrayal around every corner, Skye doesn’t know who to trust anymore. Skye is left to take matters into her own hands, and she's forced to choose between what she wants and what she knows is right.
In this thrilling sequel to The Lights of Isarn, follow your favorite Squad as they search for answers to some of Isarn’s deepest secrets.
Ever since coming back from that mission, Skye hasn’t been herself. Frequent nightmares and the impossible challenge of controlling her new power have overrun her with doubt and anxiety. And it isn’t just her. All of Squad 999 is struggling, even if they’re doing their best not to show it.
When a drastic string of events throws Isarn into panic, Skye and her Squad are thrust back into the fight. With lies and betrayal around every corner, Skye doesn’t know who to trust anymore. Skye is left to take matters into her own hands, and she's forced to choose between what she wants and what she knows is right.
In this thrilling sequel to The Lights of Isarn, follow your favorite Squad as they search for answers to some of Isarn’s deepest secrets.
416 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2022
1 person is currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Naomi Grace King
4 books30 followersNaomi King is a young author who has been writing and publishing novels since the age of fourteen. Since the publication of her first novel, 'Raven Rose', she has written and released the first three installments in her YA fantasy/sci-fi series 'The Lights of Isarn'. Naomi currently lives in New Jersey with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 13, 2022
4.5/5 ⭐
This book was a rollercoaster of a ride!! Book one was such a comforting read, and that same sentiment carries over to book two.
Though, I wouldn't say the plot twists were super twisty, since I kind of guessed what was going to happen. BUT it was enjoyable nonetheless. The relationship Skye has with Kade reminds me a little *too* much of Sophie's relationship with Sylvie in the KOTLC series. (However, it is heartwarming.)
The characters are SO alive... I can picture literally everyone so vividly in my mind. The author, as I stated in my book one review, can craft a character.
Here's to the rest of this charming series!
Now go buy both books 😐
This book was a rollercoaster of a ride!! Book one was such a comforting read, and that same sentiment carries over to book two.
Though, I wouldn't say the plot twists were super twisty, since I kind of guessed what was going to happen. BUT it was enjoyable nonetheless. The relationship Skye has with Kade reminds me a little *too* much of Sophie's relationship with Sylvie in the KOTLC series. (However, it is heartwarming.)
The characters are SO alive... I can picture literally everyone so vividly in my mind. The author, as I stated in my book one review, can craft a character.
Here's to the rest of this charming series!
Now go buy both books 😐
June 16, 2023
A sequel that lives up to its potential.
There's a lot to love with Protostar, and a few things that just knock it down from the five star plinth I'd hoped for it. Though I think I'll start with the positives as they far outweigh my gripes.
The worldbuilding in this book is spot on. It's important to note that the gap between me reading book one and two is IMMENSE so I'd forgotten a large chunk of the worldbuilding and King straddles a fine and delicate balance between reminding us of integral pieces of the world whilst keeping it fresh, exciting, and most importantly--new.
I think it's safe to say my favourite piece of worldbuilding comes down to channelling. I mean, how could it not be your favourite. Though, I did really enjoy the politicking of the Flames and such, I wish this was fleshed out a little more. The channelling itself is really cool, it takes a tried and tested piece of magic and puts its own little spin on things.
One of the things I really love is that Skye isn't a master at it. King thankfully avoids my pet peeve trope of 'the new kid becomes a magic genius overnight' by actually challenging Skye and forcing her to grow as a character. The Chasm, I think, was also really well handled for the most part, particularly during the training scenes.
Speaking of training scenes, I thoroughly enjoyed the gunplay in the tail end of the book during the draining with Daria's mother. I don't know, something about it scratched all the right itches in my brain.
RIGHT, ONTO THE CHARACTERS.
Skye - Our protagonist carries this book, end of story. A fair portion of it is set in her mind and I think that's apt for this book that we'd receive a lot of internal monologue from a character who is still a protostar. I adore her codename for that reason, especially since I also feel like it highlights sergeant Collis as a bit full of herself in a funny way. Also, SKYE AND ZAITH HOLD HANDS????? YES PLS
Zaithrian - The best boi. The homeslice. The tactician supreme. It's really hard not to like him and his struggles. It was really fun watching him fall into his leadership position and I'm excited to see how this develops.
Jayla - I have mixed feelings on Jayla and they're still ruminating. She was a clear favourite from the first book for me and throughout a lot of the second too. She's a nice breath of fresh air in so many of these scenes. But her characterisation in the end of the book felt a little...chaotic??
Luken - I'm honestly impressed with the foreshadowing. I honestly thought Daria would betray them, but nah, you caught me out. Well done. We also love some deaf rep.
Daria - I'm mixed on Daria honestly. It feels like of the main five she sort of gets left behind and in the shadows. I was incredibly glad to see a bit more of a dive into her character in the tail end of the book, especially the strained relationship with her mother. But once again I wish there was more time to flesh this out because it would have added a really interesting dynamic to her character that I think she'd benefit greatly from. She definitely would have benefitted from some more page time, but I can definitely understand its absence due to the plot structure.
Revin - golden boy. Next.
Collis - Honestly, my favourite of the new additions. I love me a grouchy mentor, what can I say.
Daken - Daken is an iffy one for me. On one hand I really want to love him and he has some killer lines, like seriously, sometimes he has the best dialogue in these books, but sometimes his characterisation felt a little all over the place and I wasn't sure how serious I should really be taking him. The scene where this sticks out the most to me is definitely the one before he shoots Skye. Though, he certainly has a return to fine form within the final chapters.
In truth, the final chapters are where most of my issues lie. Not with the events that occur, but rather the pacing. Between the chapter before the mission starting and the mission itself, it felt like there should be another fifty or so pages of book. It felt like the book had such a steady pace going for itself, the stakes were building WONDERFULLY, but then it sort of falls into a breakneck pace. I feel like giving it the fifty extra pages, or even thirty, would have made the ending flow much smoother for me.
But that cliff-hanger?? Oh that we LOVE. And I'm looking forward to the next instalment.
There's a lot to love with Protostar, and a few things that just knock it down from the five star plinth I'd hoped for it. Though I think I'll start with the positives as they far outweigh my gripes.
The worldbuilding in this book is spot on. It's important to note that the gap between me reading book one and two is IMMENSE so I'd forgotten a large chunk of the worldbuilding and King straddles a fine and delicate balance between reminding us of integral pieces of the world whilst keeping it fresh, exciting, and most importantly--new.
I think it's safe to say my favourite piece of worldbuilding comes down to channelling. I mean, how could it not be your favourite. Though, I did really enjoy the politicking of the Flames and such, I wish this was fleshed out a little more. The channelling itself is really cool, it takes a tried and tested piece of magic and puts its own little spin on things.
One of the things I really love is that Skye isn't a master at it. King thankfully avoids my pet peeve trope of 'the new kid becomes a magic genius overnight' by actually challenging Skye and forcing her to grow as a character. The Chasm, I think, was also really well handled for the most part, particularly during the training scenes.
Speaking of training scenes, I thoroughly enjoyed the gunplay in the tail end of the book during the draining with Daria's mother. I don't know, something about it scratched all the right itches in my brain.
RIGHT, ONTO THE CHARACTERS.
Skye - Our protagonist carries this book, end of story. A fair portion of it is set in her mind and I think that's apt for this book that we'd receive a lot of internal monologue from a character who is still a protostar. I adore her codename for that reason, especially since I also feel like it highlights sergeant Collis as a bit full of herself in a funny way. Also, SKYE AND ZAITH HOLD HANDS????? YES PLS
Zaithrian - The best boi. The homeslice. The tactician supreme. It's really hard not to like him and his struggles. It was really fun watching him fall into his leadership position and I'm excited to see how this develops.
Jayla - I have mixed feelings on Jayla and they're still ruminating. She was a clear favourite from the first book for me and throughout a lot of the second too. She's a nice breath of fresh air in so many of these scenes. But her characterisation in the end of the book felt a little...chaotic??
Luken - I'm honestly impressed with the foreshadowing. I honestly thought Daria would betray them, but nah, you caught me out. Well done. We also love some deaf rep.
Daria - I'm mixed on Daria honestly. It feels like of the main five she sort of gets left behind and in the shadows. I was incredibly glad to see a bit more of a dive into her character in the tail end of the book, especially the strained relationship with her mother. But once again I wish there was more time to flesh this out because it would have added a really interesting dynamic to her character that I think she'd benefit greatly from. She definitely would have benefitted from some more page time, but I can definitely understand its absence due to the plot structure.
Revin - golden boy. Next.
Collis - Honestly, my favourite of the new additions. I love me a grouchy mentor, what can I say.
Daken - Daken is an iffy one for me. On one hand I really want to love him and he has some killer lines, like seriously, sometimes he has the best dialogue in these books, but sometimes his characterisation felt a little all over the place and I wasn't sure how serious I should really be taking him. The scene where this sticks out the most to me is definitely the one before he shoots Skye. Though, he certainly has a return to fine form within the final chapters.
In truth, the final chapters are where most of my issues lie. Not with the events that occur, but rather the pacing. Between the chapter before the mission starting and the mission itself, it felt like there should be another fifty or so pages of book. It felt like the book had such a steady pace going for itself, the stakes were building WONDERFULLY, but then it sort of falls into a breakneck pace. I feel like giving it the fifty extra pages, or even thirty, would have made the ending flow much smoother for me.
But that cliff-hanger?? Oh that we LOVE. And I'm looking forward to the next instalment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2022
THIS BOOK. GUYS. THIS BOOK IS AMAZING.
The plot is constantly moving. The plot twists are foreshadowed so so well and they’re fantastic.
I love the characters even more now; their development and arcs and bonding are just peak. Shoutout to Revin for being amazing. Also Kade. Collis. I adore Zaith. Skye of course, I was annoyed at her sometimes but she always made sense and I felt her; she’s just so well written. Luken my boyyyyy, that’s all I’ll say bout him. Jayla is as fun as always, we love her. Dariaaaaaa I didn’t know much about her but after this book I love her omw Dar is amazing s Ummm what else…the title. The title fits and I love the explanation for it.
The end had me literally screaming. I need book three as soon as humanly possible.
The plot is constantly moving. The plot twists are foreshadowed so so well and they’re fantastic.
I love the characters even more now; their development and arcs and bonding are just peak. Shoutout to Revin for being amazing. Also Kade. Collis. I adore Zaith. Skye of course, I was annoyed at her sometimes but she always made sense and I felt her; she’s just so well written. Luken my boyyyyy, that’s all I’ll say bout him. Jayla is as fun as always, we love her. Dariaaaaaa I didn’t know much about her but after this book I love her omw Dar is amazing s Ummm what else…the title. The title fits and I love the explanation for it.
The end had me literally screaming. I need book three as soon as humanly possible.
October 15, 2022
Protostar is the second book in The Lights of Isarn series and it continues the fun and smart story of a young squad trained to protect their nation. It is full of action, emotion, hints of a sweet (and clean) romance, with bits of humor sprinkled throughout.
I reread The Lights of Isarn before starting book two and there is an amazing amount of maturity and growth in the author's writing style, and even more depth to her characters (with a few new ones introduced).
The characters are very well written and the friendship of the squadmates continues to grow. The villain possesses the perfect level of creepiness that makes him almost...likable. The mythical creatures, world building, and fantasy powers are incredibly creative and entertaining.
I have read both books in the series to my children and each time they begged for "one more chapter!"
This book is Young Adult and has intense scenes of anxiety and action, but it is a clean read that I truly enjoyed and my teens and tweens loved!
I reread The Lights of Isarn before starting book two and there is an amazing amount of maturity and growth in the author's writing style, and even more depth to her characters (with a few new ones introduced).
The characters are very well written and the friendship of the squadmates continues to grow. The villain possesses the perfect level of creepiness that makes him almost...likable. The mythical creatures, world building, and fantasy powers are incredibly creative and entertaining.
I have read both books in the series to my children and each time they begged for "one more chapter!"
This book is Young Adult and has intense scenes of anxiety and action, but it is a clean read that I truly enjoyed and my teens and tweens loved!
September 11, 2024
Amazing cover? ✔️ Great characters? ✔️ Plot twist? ✔️ Cool storyline? ✔️ GREAT BOOK.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews