The Soul of Power

Starred review from March 11, 2019
Bates brilliantly concludes an impressive high fantasy trilogy (after The Waking Land and The Memory of Fire) with this tale of scheming and magic. The first book showed heroine Elanna liberating the potential for magic in Caeris and Eren, two antagonistic countries that share an island. The second concentrated on action and intrigue in the nearby empire of Paladis, where Elanna’s lover, Jahan, struggled to accept and master his own supernatural talents. This volume is narrated by their friend Sophy Dunbarron, the insecure young queen of an uneasily united Caeria and Eren. Powerful enemies are plotting against Sophy, especially when she—still unmarried—reveals that she is pregnant. Meanwhile, though ignorant prejudice against magic persists, people all over the realm are beginning to dream odd dreams and develop strange talents, including Sophy herself. New alliances are made and excruciating physical tests met, and Sophy must grow up fast. Bates handles the characters’ personal conflicts convincingly and skillfully works the strands of magic into their experience. This is a fresh, confident, powerful accomplishment. Agent: Hannah Bowman, Liza Dawson Assoc.

June 7, 2019

Sophy Dunbarron, the bastard child of the supposed rightful king of Caeris, never expected to be queen. After the successful decades-in-the-making rebellion (The Waking Land), all expected either him or his son to act as the new ruler. But things turned out differently. Sophy, now leading the still spiritually divided country, faces many challenges. When not trying to unite the people or stop the bickering government ministers, Sophy contends with a refugee crisis. When Elanna woke the land, magic was released. Suddenly ordinary people are finding themselves with supernatural abilities and fleeing from their countries to Sophy's. Unfortunately, not all the citizens of Sophy's country welcome them. If these difficulties were not enough, Sophy is pregnant and unmarried. As the threats increase, Sophy and her allies' lives are increasingly in danger and their country at war. VERDICT An excellent and exciting conclusion to an outstanding romantic fantasy trilogy. Sophy is as intriguing and complex a hero as Elanna and Jahan (The Memory of Fire), while the secondary characters remain just as well drawn. Highly recommended. [See Prepub Alert, 12/6/18.]--Lynnanne Pearson, Skokie P.L., IL

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.