What do you think?
Rate this book
The Last Binding #3
A Power Unbound
A Power Unbound is the final entry in Freya Marske’s beloved, award-winning Last Binding trilogy, the queer historical fantasy series that began with A Marvellous Light.
Secrets! Magic! Enemies to. . .something more?
Jack Alston, Lord Hawthorn, would love a nice, safe, comfortable life. After the death of his twin sister, he thought he was done with magic for good. But with the threat of a dangerous ritual hanging over every magician in Britain, he’s drawn reluctantly back into that world.
Now Jack is living in a bizarre puzzle-box of a magical London townhouse, helping an unlikely group of friends track down the final piece of the Last Contract before their enemies can do the same. And to make matters worse, they need the help of writer and thief Alan Ross.
Cagey and argumentative, Alan is only in this for the money. The aristocratic Lord Hawthorn, with all his unearned power, is everything that Alan hates. And unfortunately, Alan happens to be everything that Jack wants in one gorgeous, infuriating package.
When a plot to seize unimaginable power comes to a head at Cheetham Hall―Jack’s ancestral family estate, a land so old and bound in oaths that it’s grown a personality as prickly as its owner―Jack, Alan and their allies will become entangled in a night of champagne, secrets, and bloody sacrifice . . . and the foundations of magic in Britain will be torn up by the roots before the end.
Secrets! Magic! Enemies to. . .something more?
Jack Alston, Lord Hawthorn, would love a nice, safe, comfortable life. After the death of his twin sister, he thought he was done with magic for good. But with the threat of a dangerous ritual hanging over every magician in Britain, he’s drawn reluctantly back into that world.
Now Jack is living in a bizarre puzzle-box of a magical London townhouse, helping an unlikely group of friends track down the final piece of the Last Contract before their enemies can do the same. And to make matters worse, they need the help of writer and thief Alan Ross.
Cagey and argumentative, Alan is only in this for the money. The aristocratic Lord Hawthorn, with all his unearned power, is everything that Alan hates. And unfortunately, Alan happens to be everything that Jack wants in one gorgeous, infuriating package.
When a plot to seize unimaginable power comes to a head at Cheetham Hall―Jack’s ancestral family estate, a land so old and bound in oaths that it’s grown a personality as prickly as its owner―Jack, Alan and their allies will become entangled in a night of champagne, secrets, and bloody sacrifice . . . and the foundations of magic in Britain will be torn up by the roots before the end.
422 pages, Hardcover
First published November 7, 2023
About the author
Freya Marske
18 books2,628 followersFreya Marske lives in Australia, where she is yet to be killed by any form of wildlife. She writes stories full of magic, blood, and as much kissing as she can get away with, and she co-hosted the Hugo Award nominated podcast Be the Serpent. Her hobbies include figure skating and discovering new art galleries, and she is on a quest to try all the gin in the world.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,727 reviews
November 6, 2023
4.5 stars
A Power Unbound saves the Last Binding trilogy by providing a strong and satisfying conclusion. I was very hesitant going into this final installment as I found A Restless Truth incredibly underwhelming. The Last Binding trilogy adopts the romance book trend of having new main couples for each book while attempting to maintain a shared fantasy plot across the series. A Restless Truth failed to successfully balance the new elements with the existing story leading to a disconnected middle book. However, the return to England and frequent appearance of familiar characters made A Power Unbound much more enjoyable. Though A Marvellous Light remains my favorite book in the series, I devoured A Power Unbound.
If I am being honest, I was not excited to learn that this finale would follow Hawthorn and Ross. It was the obvious next step with the many unanswered questions about Hawthorn’s past, however, their dynamic in A Restless Truth did not interest me. But this book completely won me over and I was grinning and blushing through this entire book. The addition of both Hawthorn and Ross’ POVs adds depth and complexity to their characters. Hawthorn has a very unique position in relation to the rest of this dysfunctional found family and I particularly enjoyed getting his perspective on the mystery and the other characters. His reluctant big brother/paternal instincts were so endearing. I was really moved by his story of healing and grief and I honestly think he is one of my favorite characters in the series now. Ross, despite my hesitations, fit in perfectly with the rest of the crew and watching him learn to accept kindness and affection brought tears to my eyes.
As for my hesitations for the romance, I was *cough* I was very wrong to be worried. None of the books in this series are fade to black but A Power Unbound takes the spice to the next level in a way that I did not expect but very much enjoyed. The tension and banter between Hawthorn and Ross was absolutely delectable and I couldn't stop reading.
Freya Marske’s particular blend of “romantasy” really works for me. She weaves together sexual tension, humor, and emotional stories of healing to create books that I cannot put down. It was incredible to see all of the POV characters together in A Power Unbound. Maud and Violet are much less irritating from an outsider’s POV and I probably highlighted every interaction between Robin and Edwin in this book.
Every book in this trilogy seems to have the same odd pacing issue where there is a significant lag around the 60% mark. It was less of a problem for me in A Marvellous Light and A Power Unbound because I was fully invested in the romance. However, it is still noticeable and makes the books seem a bit longer than they need to be. The mystery element with the last contract is a bit messy and I am not a huge fan of the type of ending that this series had. But, let’s be honest, I read these books for the romance.
If you were disappointed in A Restless Truth, I highly recommend still giving this one a try. A Power Unbound was a pleasant surprise with incredible moments from old favorites and an addicting new romance.
Thank you NetGalley and TorDotCom for the ebook ARC!
Links to my TikTok | Instagram
A Power Unbound saves the Last Binding trilogy by providing a strong and satisfying conclusion. I was very hesitant going into this final installment as I found A Restless Truth incredibly underwhelming. The Last Binding trilogy adopts the romance book trend of having new main couples for each book while attempting to maintain a shared fantasy plot across the series. A Restless Truth failed to successfully balance the new elements with the existing story leading to a disconnected middle book. However, the return to England and frequent appearance of familiar characters made A Power Unbound much more enjoyable. Though A Marvellous Light remains my favorite book in the series, I devoured A Power Unbound.
If I am being honest, I was not excited to learn that this finale would follow Hawthorn and Ross. It was the obvious next step with the many unanswered questions about Hawthorn’s past, however, their dynamic in A Restless Truth did not interest me. But this book completely won me over and I was grinning and blushing through this entire book. The addition of both Hawthorn and Ross’ POVs adds depth and complexity to their characters. Hawthorn has a very unique position in relation to the rest of this dysfunctional found family and I particularly enjoyed getting his perspective on the mystery and the other characters. His reluctant big brother/paternal instincts were so endearing. I was really moved by his story of healing and grief and I honestly think he is one of my favorite characters in the series now. Ross, despite my hesitations, fit in perfectly with the rest of the crew and watching him learn to accept kindness and affection brought tears to my eyes.
As for my hesitations for the romance, I was *cough* I was very wrong to be worried. None of the books in this series are fade to black but A Power Unbound takes the spice to the next level in a way that I did not expect but very much enjoyed. The tension and banter between Hawthorn and Ross was absolutely delectable and I couldn't stop reading.
Freya Marske’s particular blend of “romantasy” really works for me. She weaves together sexual tension, humor, and emotional stories of healing to create books that I cannot put down. It was incredible to see all of the POV characters together in A Power Unbound. Maud and Violet are much less irritating from an outsider’s POV and I probably highlighted every interaction between Robin and Edwin in this book.
Every book in this trilogy seems to have the same odd pacing issue where there is a significant lag around the 60% mark. It was less of a problem for me in A Marvellous Light and A Power Unbound because I was fully invested in the romance. However, it is still noticeable and makes the books seem a bit longer than they need to be. The mystery element with the last contract is a bit messy and I am not a huge fan of the type of ending that this series had. But, let’s be honest, I read these books for the romance.
If you were disappointed in A Restless Truth, I highly recommend still giving this one a try. A Power Unbound was a pleasant surprise with incredible moments from old favorites and an addicting new romance.
Thank you NetGalley and TorDotCom for the ebook ARC!
Links to my TikTok | Instagram
November 14, 2023
FREYA MARSKE YOU BEAUTIFUL BASTARD I’M SENDING YOU A GODDAMN FRUIT BASKET
lets go to the beginning of the end—
following the death of his sister, hawthorn is having a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Time. to uncover the final piece of the last contract and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, he’s reluctantly drawn back into the world of magic, living in and trying to solve a bizarre puzzle-box of a home. the key? alan ross—writer, thief, hater of hawthorn, and absolute short king.
series closers are an odd little thing. we yearn for it, mark its release date on our calendars, make a big event out of it, counting down the days and speculating over how the story ends. then the day arrives. the very last instalment in your hands. and suddenly a part of you doesn’t want to read it. you don’t want to say goodbye. because, well, then what?
it’s no secret that a power unbound is my most anticipated read of the year. it’s a finale, a grand hurrah. it closes off the story that began in one of my favorite books—a marvellous light. the hand kink book, if you will.
but within its pages is also a story of new beginnings. of learning to let go and stop running, to allow yourself to grieve and feel pain. to forgive yourself and make amends. to learn to move through the world again, allow yourself to feel, to let the blood rush back into numb flesh. to live again.
there's something about freya’s writing that makes me feel so insane. whimsical but not overly flowery. the way she strings the most innocuous words together in a way that makes me want to claw my eyes out. gnaw on my fists. tattoo them on the inside of my eyelids. eat her words whole.
and of course, hawthorn and ross. the feral wet cat and short king. filthy and delectable with so many levels in between. a consensual and fun play with power dynamics that doubles a vehicle for exploring class inequality. i’m fully obsessed with freya’s mind.
it’s always so interesting reading about historical queers. to see how they have to navigate their sexualities in that time period, how they keep themselves safe, how that love flickers like a bright light anyway, restless and powerful.
and now: the end. time to say see you later. but i'll always look at these books the same way robin looks at edwin: with a besotted gaze that says they could be doing anything and i would be just as content basking in their light.
“i would put your heart between my ribs and guard it like my own. is there any way i could make you believe it?”
lets go to the beginning of the end—
following the death of his sister, hawthorn is having a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Time. to uncover the final piece of the last contract and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, he’s reluctantly drawn back into the world of magic, living in and trying to solve a bizarre puzzle-box of a home. the key? alan ross—writer, thief, hater of hawthorn, and absolute short king.
series closers are an odd little thing. we yearn for it, mark its release date on our calendars, make a big event out of it, counting down the days and speculating over how the story ends. then the day arrives. the very last instalment in your hands. and suddenly a part of you doesn’t want to read it. you don’t want to say goodbye. because, well, then what?
it’s no secret that a power unbound is my most anticipated read of the year. it’s a finale, a grand hurrah. it closes off the story that began in one of my favorite books—a marvellous light. the hand kink book, if you will.
but within its pages is also a story of new beginnings. of learning to let go and stop running, to allow yourself to grieve and feel pain. to forgive yourself and make amends. to learn to move through the world again, allow yourself to feel, to let the blood rush back into numb flesh. to live again.
there's something about freya’s writing that makes me feel so insane. whimsical but not overly flowery. the way she strings the most innocuous words together in a way that makes me want to claw my eyes out. gnaw on my fists. tattoo them on the inside of my eyelids. eat her words whole.
and of course, hawthorn and ross. the feral wet cat and short king. filthy and delectable with so many levels in between. a consensual and fun play with power dynamics that doubles a vehicle for exploring class inequality. i’m fully obsessed with freya’s mind.
it’s always so interesting reading about historical queers. to see how they have to navigate their sexualities in that time period, how they keep themselves safe, how that love flickers like a bright light anyway, restless and powerful.
and now: the end. time to say see you later. but i'll always look at these books the same way robin looks at edwin: with a besotted gaze that says they could be doing anything and i would be just as content basking in their light.
November 13, 2023
4.5 stars. Enchantingly written and combining the exact right blend of romance to plot, A Power Unbound is both an excellent finale to a criminally underrated series and a premier example of the kind of romantasy story I love.
September 17, 2024
I have thoroughly enjoyed this entire trilogy but this third book takes the cake! What a gorgeous, emotional love story between two men with their own wounds and barriers to vulnerability. From the copious beautiful descriptions of Alan’s deep brown eyes, to the group dynamic between all three couples, to the moment of closure for Jack’s sister’s death, this book had me hooked from page one and didn’t let go. Love this world, love this magic system, and love these characters so much. I can’t wait to read whatever Marske writes next!
Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual assault, murder, ritualistic murder, suicide, blood, racism, grief, poverty, explicit sex scenes (with consensual non consent)
Rep: MLM romance between a gay man and a bi man, secondary characters are in MLM and WLM relationships, Adelaide is implied to be asexual and/or aromantic (and is South Asian)
You can find me on...
Youtube | Instagram | TikTok
You can join our book club over on Patreon...
PBB Book Club
Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual assault, murder, ritualistic murder, suicide, blood, racism, grief, poverty, explicit sex scenes (with consensual non consent)
Rep: MLM romance between a gay man and a bi man, secondary characters are in MLM and WLM relationships, Adelaide is implied to be asexual and/or aromantic (and is South Asian)
You can find me on...
Youtube | Instagram | TikTok
You can join our book club over on Patreon...
PBB Book Club
February 2, 2024
I love this trilogy so much and A Power Unbound was an amazing finale. I can't say much because I don't want to spoil the previous books, but I highly recommend picking up this series. It's so worth it imo.
Jack and Alan have to be my favourite couple in this series. Their banter and arguments were perfect. Also, they have the best spice scenes. Freya Marske outdid herself with those!!
Sad that the series is over, but immensely excited for this author's next work.
Jack and Alan have to be my favourite couple in this series. Their banter and arguments were perfect. Also, they have the best spice scenes. Freya Marske outdid herself with those!!
Sad that the series is over, but immensely excited for this author's next work.
November 19, 2023
I'm betting this one will be about Hawethorn and Ross, since Hawthorn's past has been built up as an open mystery plot thread that got deeper in the second volume, and there are intriguing unanswered questions about Ross, not to mention they've both got an excellent dynamic going. Can't wait for the blurb to find out more! It'll be so hard to wait an entire year.
November 18, 2023
I was going to rate this 2, 2.5 stars, but it got me!
There was an amazingly observed moment during one of the sex scenes that got to the emotional heart of me and I will probably never forget it. It's highly subjective for me, too, when I connected to the Alan's feelings so deeply because of my own experience, and it's one of the most intense moments of my reading year. It worked! And in general, as a plus, I want to say that as opposed to many other books that I often bitch about that try to use sexual play and kink as a way to be shocking or to show that the characters are damaged, it's clear to me that Freya Marske understands sexual play and power dynamics and constructed well the relationship between Alan and Hawthorn (on this level at least).
But then we come to the *other things*. I started off my journey with this series saying that I'll keep a close eye on how the author handles the very clear parallels drawn between owning land, magic and power. And in the end the project feels like a failure on that front.
For me, that's the peril of cozy books. Because they're focused on fuzzy feelings they can lose sight of ideas and concepts that are very much enforcing the status quo and are under much less scrutiny than high-stakes books. Legends&Lattes, The House in the Cerulean Sea and The Spare Man are just a few examples. And this series, even though it features a lot of queerness, doesn't feel any different. The vast majority of queer characters in this are either aristocrats or landowners or both.
And then there's Alan Ross, the only one who didn't grow up privileged. And who, I guess at least asks himself at some point if he's a class traitor for fucking a toff. This is the big problem of this particular book in the series. The problem Marske did indeed try to solve: how do we reconcile Alan's (legitimate) anger about the upper classes with the idea that he falls in love with someone from the upper class. I was excited when the first solution was dealing with the issue within a specific sexual dynamic. And the truth is that all relationships in life are plagued with varied power dynamics (there is no straight relationship that is not affected by that, just as an example) and I think that a lot of Octavia Butler's work is trying to say that, yes, all relationships are imbalanced, but the key to that is communication, observing, acknowledging them continuously. But what does Freya Marske do?
So we end up having a book where's there's bad rich people and good rich people, don't worry about it, it's fine. We don't have to reckon at all with the fact that Jack's father is a Tory, because he seems nice. And his mother is lovely, see? Meanwhile, Alan's mother's Catholicism lead to Alan being a perturbator of magic (because poor people are ignorant, see?).
Maybe I've been unnecessarily mean to something that is at least trying. But I do have more expectations from progressive texts than conservative ones. And only by critiquing them instead of patting them on the back will we get even more nuanced and deep and actually cozy books that you can sink into in safety. This was just not it for me.
There was an amazingly observed moment during one of the sex scenes that got to the emotional heart of me and I will probably never forget it. It's highly subjective for me, too, when I connected to the Alan's feelings so deeply because of my own experience, and it's one of the most intense moments of my reading year. It worked! And in general, as a plus, I want to say that as opposed to many other books that I often bitch about that try to use sexual play and kink as a way to be shocking or to show that the characters are damaged, it's clear to me that Freya Marske understands sexual play and power dynamics and constructed well the relationship between Alan and Hawthorn (on this level at least).
But then we come to the *other things*. I started off my journey with this series saying that I'll keep a close eye on how the author handles the very clear parallels drawn between owning land, magic and power. And in the end the project feels like a failure on that front.
For me, that's the peril of cozy books. Because they're focused on fuzzy feelings they can lose sight of ideas and concepts that are very much enforcing the status quo and are under much less scrutiny than high-stakes books. Legends&Lattes, The House in the Cerulean Sea and The Spare Man are just a few examples. And this series, even though it features a lot of queerness, doesn't feel any different. The vast majority of queer characters in this are either aristocrats or landowners or both.
And then there's Alan Ross, the only one who didn't grow up privileged. And who, I guess at least asks himself at some point if he's a class traitor for fucking a toff. This is the big problem of this particular book in the series. The problem Marske did indeed try to solve: how do we reconcile Alan's (legitimate) anger about the upper classes with the idea that he falls in love with someone from the upper class. I was excited when the first solution was dealing with the issue within a specific sexual dynamic. And the truth is that all relationships in life are plagued with varied power dynamics (there is no straight relationship that is not affected by that, just as an example) and I think that a lot of Octavia Butler's work is trying to say that, yes, all relationships are imbalanced, but the key to that is communication, observing, acknowledging them continuously. But what does Freya Marske do?
So we end up having a book where's there's bad rich people and good rich people, don't worry about it, it's fine. We don't have to reckon at all with the fact that Jack's father is a Tory, because he seems nice. And his mother is lovely, see? Meanwhile, Alan's mother's Catholicism lead to Alan being a perturbator of magic (because poor people are ignorant, see?).
Maybe I've been unnecessarily mean to something that is at least trying. But I do have more expectations from progressive texts than conservative ones. And only by critiquing them instead of patting them on the back will we get even more nuanced and deep and actually cozy books that you can sink into in safety. This was just not it for me.
January 14, 2024
We first met Jack in A Marvellous Light where he played the role of Edwin’s bitchy ex and then he reappeared in A Restless Truth as a Boat Bro who had to help everyone because he didn’t really have a choice and now in A Power Unbound you find out that his past is tragic and he’s so tender with Alan but also wow Jesus not tender at all but it’s all consensual tender non-tenderness like way consensual there is so much consent and the land is magic and Edwin’s brother sucks and there’s just so much going on AND THE BEES there are BEES like holy moly guys I can’t even tell you I CRIED THREE TIMES I love this entire found family the end.
Want to read
September 26, 2024EDIT 2/13: THAT COVER. SOMEBODY SEDATE ME.
The fact that this is about Hawthorn and Ross makes me want to combust!! I NEED IT
The fact that this is about Hawthorn and Ross makes me want to combust!! I NEED IT
November 20, 2023
First things first: I *enjoyed* this book. I raced through it engrossedly in the span of a few days, despite having, to put it mildly, a lot of other things going on in my life. Add to that, my expectations for this book were almost impossibly high: A Power Unbound had to live up to two previous five-star reads, check in on multiple beloved couples, tie up a complicated magic/fantasy plot in a satisfying way, and also provide a compelling romance arc for Lord Hawthorn, who holds the distinction of being the "secondary" character (in books 1 and 2) who made me the most desperate to read his story, in all the time I've been reading romance.
And, honestly, Freya Marske delivered. Which is not to say I don't have quibbles: I do. There were a number of things in here that just didn't work for me, or that could have worked better, or (most often) left me with the feeling of unanswered questions or undeveloped plot paths that I wanted more time to wander down. But none of that diminishes how much I liked this book, and thinking about the issues I did have has been almost as fun as enjoying the best parts of the book.
(On that note, this review probably merits a citation of the literal hours of conversation I had about this book with Vicky, whose sharp insights have definitely shaped my thinking).
In terms of what worked, the first item on the list has to be the writing. I am on the record in various venues at this point with what a gorgeous crafter of prose I think Freya Markse is, one of the best in the business at the moment, and A Power Unbound hits that high mark. It felt a little less... image-rich, I guess, than the two previous books, but in a way that fit both the action-oriented practicality of the characters, and the high plot demands of the storyline.
I also adored literally every moment that was devoted to the emotional dynamics between the MCs of the two previous pairings, and across them as well. I loved watching Maud , Edwin and Violet's cagey interactions, Robin's grappling with the risk Edwin is under, everyone else finding Edwin insufferably nerdy and immensely valuable, Jack coming to an understanding of why his relationship with Edwin failed... it may be a bit obvious here that I'm mentioning Edwin a lot, but I absolutely LOVED him in this book. The pale, awkward, emotionally guarded, intensely loyal pedantic nerd full of fear that all he has to contribute to group dynamics is his brain that we all needed (ok, that I needed, in a very personal way). Edwin stole the show every time he was on page, despite not being a natural-born show-stealer.
I also loved every scene that we got of Jack and Alan together on page, although there were times where I was grasping for more of those moments. I have read plenty of books in which class differences and other power imbalances were in some way transferred into the bedroom, whether to reverse them, explore them, fuck with them, or otherwise destablize them (readers of KJ Charles will mentally be pairing this book with both A Seditious Affair and A Gentleman's Position in that regard). I'm not sure I've ever read a book that so thoroughly determines to see what can be said about class differences by having both characters consent to their dramatic replication within sexual dynamics. There is no sense that Alan and Jack's difference in social power can be undone or repaired in the bedroom- it can simply be explored, understood, and cathartically expressed through the value of consent. I suspect this is a choice not everyone will love: I admire Marske's commitment to making it with such thorough conviction that, at least for me, it convinced me that the characters believed in it, too.
Some things, however, worked less well for me. I still don't understand the brevity of the detour that was taken to have . It missed the mark in multiple directions foreshadowing-wise: I both didn't see how it fit with Alan's character and inner monologue of the previous 14 chapters, and then saw the twist coming just a few moments *too* early for it to be truly shocking. And there was a great deal of emotional heft to be gotten out of that that the author left on the table. I understand that seeing Jack probably did a lot of work in getting them to a place of emotional, and not just physical, connection. But it needed a few more chapters, and more thorough seeding into the plot, to truly work for me.
I also was left with a LOT of questions about the resolution of the magic plot. "Left with questions" is not necessarily a place I dislike finding myself: if nothing else, it gave me plenty to think and talk about after finishing the book. I won't go through and enumerate here the in-world elements that felt unfinished to me, though there were a number of them. But I will say that from a thematic standpoint, the full complexity of a magic system based on human relationships to the land they live on just didn't quite get unpacked here. I think there's so much of value to that theme - exploring how humans develop a sense of place, the need for environmental stewardship and human care for the physical world that is so important today. But I have to feel that these things can't be fully explored, especially in the context of Edwardian England, without working through how both class and colonialism inflect the very concept of "land ownership," even if it's mostly being eschewed, as it is here. It's not that it was handled badly, per se: I think I just needed more.
Still, none of these quibbles stopped my enjoyment of this book for a moment. Even in its more overblown moments (that denouement had about 15 different -ments to denouer) I could not put it down, and never lost the feeling of emotional investment in each one of these characters that I've come to love so much over the course of this series being released. I'd say I'm going to miss them, but I know I'll be going back and reading them over and over again.
---- Original Review ----
R*TC
*Relentlessly long disquisition on how Edwin is the star of this book, actually.
And, honestly, Freya Marske delivered. Which is not to say I don't have quibbles: I do. There were a number of things in here that just didn't work for me, or that could have worked better, or (most often) left me with the feeling of unanswered questions or undeveloped plot paths that I wanted more time to wander down. But none of that diminishes how much I liked this book, and thinking about the issues I did have has been almost as fun as enjoying the best parts of the book.
(On that note, this review probably merits a citation of the literal hours of conversation I had about this book with Vicky, whose sharp insights have definitely shaped my thinking).
In terms of what worked, the first item on the list has to be the writing. I am on the record in various venues at this point with what a gorgeous crafter of prose I think Freya Markse is, one of the best in the business at the moment, and A Power Unbound hits that high mark. It felt a little less... image-rich, I guess, than the two previous books, but in a way that fit both the action-oriented practicality of the characters, and the high plot demands of the storyline.
I also adored literally every moment that was devoted to the emotional dynamics between the MCs of the two previous pairings, and across them as well. I loved watching Maud , Edwin and Violet's cagey interactions, Robin's grappling with the risk Edwin is under, everyone else finding Edwin insufferably nerdy and immensely valuable, Jack coming to an understanding of why his relationship with Edwin failed... it may be a bit obvious here that I'm mentioning Edwin a lot, but I absolutely LOVED him in this book. The pale, awkward, emotionally guarded, intensely loyal pedantic nerd full of fear that all he has to contribute to group dynamics is his brain that we all needed (ok, that I needed, in a very personal way). Edwin stole the show every time he was on page, despite not being a natural-born show-stealer.
I also loved every scene that we got of Jack and Alan together on page, although there were times where I was grasping for more of those moments. I have read plenty of books in which class differences and other power imbalances were in some way transferred into the bedroom, whether to reverse them, explore them, fuck with them, or otherwise destablize them (readers of KJ Charles will mentally be pairing this book with both A Seditious Affair and A Gentleman's Position in that regard). I'm not sure I've ever read a book that so thoroughly determines to see what can be said about class differences by having both characters consent to their dramatic replication within sexual dynamics. There is no sense that Alan and Jack's difference in social power can be undone or repaired in the bedroom- it can simply be explored, understood, and cathartically expressed through the value of consent. I suspect this is a choice not everyone will love: I admire Marske's commitment to making it with such thorough conviction that, at least for me, it convinced me that the characters believed in it, too.
Some things, however, worked less well for me. I still don't understand the brevity of the detour that was taken to have . It missed the mark in multiple directions foreshadowing-wise: I both didn't see how it fit with Alan's character and inner monologue of the previous 14 chapters, and then saw the twist coming just a few moments *too* early for it to be truly shocking. And there was a great deal of emotional heft to be gotten out of that that the author left on the table. I understand that seeing Jack probably did a lot of work in getting them to a place of emotional, and not just physical, connection. But it needed a few more chapters, and more thorough seeding into the plot, to truly work for me.
I also was left with a LOT of questions about the resolution of the magic plot. "Left with questions" is not necessarily a place I dislike finding myself: if nothing else, it gave me plenty to think and talk about after finishing the book. I won't go through and enumerate here the in-world elements that felt unfinished to me, though there were a number of them. But I will say that from a thematic standpoint, the full complexity of a magic system based on human relationships to the land they live on just didn't quite get unpacked here. I think there's so much of value to that theme - exploring how humans develop a sense of place, the need for environmental stewardship and human care for the physical world that is so important today. But I have to feel that these things can't be fully explored, especially in the context of Edwardian England, without working through how both class and colonialism inflect the very concept of "land ownership," even if it's mostly being eschewed, as it is here. It's not that it was handled badly, per se: I think I just needed more.
Still, none of these quibbles stopped my enjoyment of this book for a moment. Even in its more overblown moments (that denouement had about 15 different -ments to denouer) I could not put it down, and never lost the feeling of emotional investment in each one of these characters that I've come to love so much over the course of this series being released. I'd say I'm going to miss them, but I know I'll be going back and reading them over and over again.
---- Original Review ----
R*TC
*Relentlessly long disquisition on how Edwin is the star of this book, actually.
November 10, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up
I think this concluding volume of the series delivers a solid queer romance across class lines that is thoughtful and steamy. And it does wrap up the overarching plot of the series. That said, I really feel like the first book in the series is by far the strongest. I wasn't really invested in the story here until we were already more than 30% of the way in and I think it's because, for a romance, it's relying too heavily on momentum from previous books of the series. Once it hit its stride, the romance element was excellent with a very different dynamic than what we've seen before that's certainly on the kinkier side, but also is incredibly good about clear consent. The rest of the plot was more hit and miss for me. Overall I liked this and do recommend it if you like the series, but nothing has quite lived up to A Marvelous Light for me. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
I think this concluding volume of the series delivers a solid queer romance across class lines that is thoughtful and steamy. And it does wrap up the overarching plot of the series. That said, I really feel like the first book in the series is by far the strongest. I wasn't really invested in the story here until we were already more than 30% of the way in and I think it's because, for a romance, it's relying too heavily on momentum from previous books of the series. Once it hit its stride, the romance element was excellent with a very different dynamic than what we've seen before that's certainly on the kinkier side, but also is incredibly good about clear consent. The rest of the plot was more hit and miss for me. Overall I liked this and do recommend it if you like the series, but nothing has quite lived up to A Marvelous Light for me. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
October 27, 2023
A Power Unbound is a brilliant conclusion to The Last Binding trilogy, creating a perfect mix of mystery, magic, snark, and mayhem, alongside enemies-to-tentative-allies-to-lovers, found family, tragic backstories, and gasp-worthy moments! ✨
"I would write you into immortality. I would trap you in ink and wear the pages next to my skin until they fell apart. Kiss me until I know you. Kiss me until you know me, and unmake me, and love me anyway."
The chemistry between the MCs Hawthorn and Ross aka Jack and Alan is sizzling 🔥 They're both hot for each other and mad about it. They snark, and argue, and pretend they don't care about one another even as things between them start to shift. It's a bit like watching two feral cats circling each other at times, and it's so much fun 😆
It's also by far the steamiest book in the series, kinky in the best way, and I was definitely fanning myself a few times!
Diving into Jack and Alan's backstories helped me get to know and fall in love with them while also tying into the overall plot really well. I love when historical romances, fantasy or not, don't shy away from addressing class differences, power imbalances, and inequalities, and A Power Unbound is great with this.
I loved A Marvellous Light and A Restless Truth both, but the third book has to be my favourite!
I was so excited to see characters from the previous two books again, and to have so many scenes of them all working together. The found family aspect was definitely one of my favourite parts of A Power Unbound ❤️
I found myself a bit confused a few times while reading but I think the overall plot was wrapped up really well, and I literally gasped out loud several times! 😂
Honestly, this book was beautifully written and pretty much had me going through all the emotions, including lots of crying and laughing. Finishing it felt like saying goodbye to good friends, and I already miss them.
A Power Unbound by Freya Marske // ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 of 5
Thanks to Tordotcom, MacMillan, and Edelweiss for the ARC. A Power Unbound is out November 7
"I would write you into immortality. I would trap you in ink and wear the pages next to my skin until they fell apart. Kiss me until I know you. Kiss me until you know me, and unmake me, and love me anyway."
The chemistry between the MCs Hawthorn and Ross aka Jack and Alan is sizzling 🔥 They're both hot for each other and mad about it. They snark, and argue, and pretend they don't care about one another even as things between them start to shift. It's a bit like watching two feral cats circling each other at times, and it's so much fun 😆
It's also by far the steamiest book in the series, kinky in the best way, and I was definitely fanning myself a few times!
Diving into Jack and Alan's backstories helped me get to know and fall in love with them while also tying into the overall plot really well. I love when historical romances, fantasy or not, don't shy away from addressing class differences, power imbalances, and inequalities, and A Power Unbound is great with this.
I loved A Marvellous Light and A Restless Truth both, but the third book has to be my favourite!
I was so excited to see characters from the previous two books again, and to have so many scenes of them all working together. The found family aspect was definitely one of my favourite parts of A Power Unbound ❤️
I found myself a bit confused a few times while reading but I think the overall plot was wrapped up really well, and I literally gasped out loud several times! 😂
Honestly, this book was beautifully written and pretty much had me going through all the emotions, including lots of crying and laughing. Finishing it felt like saying goodbye to good friends, and I already miss them.
A Power Unbound by Freya Marske // ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 of 5
Thanks to Tordotcom, MacMillan, and Edelweiss for the ARC. A Power Unbound is out November 7
November 18, 2023
4.25-ish?
a satisfying end to the series - I let out a happy little sigh at that last page, tying it all together in found family bliss. as usual Marske's writing is assured and beautiful - if you've stuck around til book three the overuse of similes clearly isn't a deterrent to your enjoyment, and all I have to say to that is "good for her!" (her being both Marske and you, review reader of indeterminate gender).
the third book has a LOT to wrap up plotwise, we get to see all our old faves from the previous books, *and* Marske has to develop a new romance -- and a highly anticipated one at that, bcs like, cmon. as if the sexy scowly nobleman trope wasn't enough, a friend who went to a pre-publication promo event told me Marske described A Power Unbound as "Fifty Shades of Fuck the Aristocracy". now if that doesn't spark joy I don't know what does.
so yes, my expectations were high, especially following the absolute romp that was book two, and A Power Unbound mostly met them. as i pointed out, Marske had a lot on her plate with this one, and I do think there are points at which the plotting and the exploration of the themes ultimately fall a bit short (I recommend Helen's review, which gives a good summation of some of the more pressing structural and thematic niggles I too had with the novel, as well as Ruxandra's wonderful and incisive critique). at least for me, the experience of reading this kind of felt like I was witnessing first-hand as Marske expertly course-corrected and explained away potential problems about the setup of the novel and the worldbuilding. and the thing is, I don't want to be able to see that? like, I'm not saying she doesn't mostly pull it all off at the end, it's just that while I was reading a part of me kept being pulled out of the story trying to work out the mechanics.
take the magicians' obligation to the land/ancestral homes and how the fae tie in. out of context - sexiest fucking thing i ever heard. I love sentient houses, I love What We Owe To The Magic In Our Blood and Soil stories, I love the seductive force of fae folk's power. but I think that kind of story only works if you're willing to be a bit amoral about it (see Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell for bargains with the fae or Astolat's House Proud for ancestral magical houses). Because as soon as you start thinking about the inequality inherent in some people having magical houses in the first place, of a select few secretly making a deal with the fae, it doesn't really spark joy anymore, does it? and to give her credit, Marske is aware of that - hell, the whole idea of having a cross-class romance in the final book is maybe a way of reckoning with it - but I don't think she pulls it off quite as seamlessly as she may have wished to.
so yeah, some critiques, but overall a really pleasurable reading experience! I read this while I was sick as a dog and it actually helped make me feel better, so kudos to Marske!
before I bombard you with some choice quotes, another niggle. the romance? very good!! made me sigh and highlight romantic passages multiple times!! but as folks who've read the book know, what we have on our hands here is a cross-class romance with elements of downright class enmity in which the characters engage in a D/s dynamic, including play with elements of consensual non-consent. longtime readers probably know where i'm going with this (*sounds of long-suffering groans from the comment section*) - yes my gentle readers, the premise of A Power Unbound reminded me of Romance Novel of All Time, A Seditious Affair, and my niggle is that this book is not A Seditious Affair. reasonable? no. expected? to anyone who knows me, surely.
now, on with the quotes!
"The Blyth siblings had the stubborness of two people who had each adopted a stray cat with a terrible personality and were determined to make them cohabit." - that's the funniest fucking way of describing messy in-laws that i've ever read
""We're not magic," said Alan. "We're Catholic."" - hooting and hollering. good to know i'm disqualified from being a magical girlie by virtue of consuming the body of christ in the form of a tasteless wafer once in a while
"Alan did tell him he'd turn up strangled in the Thames if he kept fucking men with names like Bloody Joe, but Berto was useful." - we get three lines about cousin Berto but already he is a fave. i love a messy bitch.
""You already know I'll steal for them. I stole opportunity. If the world were different, I wouldn't have had to, but it's the way it is, and so I've been scared my whole life and angry for even longer. It's exhausting. You have no bloody idea how exhausting it is. Some people get exhausted out of the anger early, because they need all their energy simply to stay alive. As I said, I was lucky." His smile was a thin line, a rope thrown disdainfully across a dark crevice, serving only to highlight just how wide and fundamental that distance between them was. "I had enough fuel to keep the anger alive as well."" - breathtaking display of pure Silas Mason energy, I was physically trembling while reading it
"Jack, jawning in the doorway with Violet, had an unnerving flash as if seeing sideways into a life he might have had: marrying Violet, making her Baroness Hawthorn, and farewelling their guests together after an evening party." - hot take but I totally think we could have done with another lavender marriage! Hawthorn with either Maud or Violet, and then the other moves in too as her ""bosom friend"" (you get it? cos they touch each other's b- *gets booed off the stage*)
"Physical attraction to someone - that, Jack could handle, even at the extremes that Alan brought out in him. But he seemed to want impossible things that belonged nowhere in the bedroom, or even reality. He wanted to crack open his rib cage and place Alan Ross inside it, the better to warm him with Jack's own blood." - incredible display of rabbid Hozierism out in the wild
"Alan had never needed to lean on anyone. It was intolerable that he now kept turning out the pockets of his soul and finding caught in their seams the desire to let someone else take his weight." - ANOTHER SILAS MASON MOMENT AAAAAA!! but also the writing, sheesh!!!
"You can't go anywhere. You can't run away. You can't go and work, or steal, or even think. You have to stop for a while."
The race of Alan's heart wasn't entirely desire now. Those molasses words dripped onto him, made him hear them. A fragile shape rose in his chest, hot saltwater and thin air and a quiet, irrational fluttering that was almost panic.
"No-"
Jack bent his head and growled, a few inches from Alan's mouth-"I'm not giving you a choice."" - Area Man Dommed Into Finally Taking A Fucking Break, More At 11
"Jack's gladness mingled with that of the Hall. Alan had bowed to the bees, and Alan had saved the heir to this land, and the blood in Alan's veins had their fingertips, their magic, all over it now, Good. Good." - HE BOWED TO THE BEES!!! HIS BLOOD HAS THE HALL'S (AND JACK'S) MAGIC ALL OVER IT NOW!! god i love this kind of bullshit!!
"Nothing owing." - the way Jack and Alan exchange this in the final climactic scenes of the book was giving "No law but love between us" from Flowers in the Storm?? Another Romance Novel of All Time to be sure
"Kiss me until I know you. Kiss me until you know me, and unmake me, and love me anyway." - I've been listening to Sufjan Stevens' Javelin a lot lately and this bit reminded me of My Red Little Fox and it just killed me dead. Honestly I don't think I love this book enough for it to deserve My Red Little Fox but apparently the heart wants what it wants.
a satisfying end to the series - I let out a happy little sigh at that last page, tying it all together in found family bliss. as usual Marske's writing is assured and beautiful - if you've stuck around til book three the overuse of similes clearly isn't a deterrent to your enjoyment, and all I have to say to that is "good for her!" (her being both Marske and you, review reader of indeterminate gender).
the third book has a LOT to wrap up plotwise, we get to see all our old faves from the previous books, *and* Marske has to develop a new romance -- and a highly anticipated one at that, bcs like, cmon. as if the sexy scowly nobleman trope wasn't enough, a friend who went to a pre-publication promo event told me Marske described A Power Unbound as "Fifty Shades of Fuck the Aristocracy". now if that doesn't spark joy I don't know what does.
so yes, my expectations were high, especially following the absolute romp that was book two, and A Power Unbound mostly met them. as i pointed out, Marske had a lot on her plate with this one, and I do think there are points at which the plotting and the exploration of the themes ultimately fall a bit short (I recommend Helen's review, which gives a good summation of some of the more pressing structural and thematic niggles I too had with the novel, as well as Ruxandra's wonderful and incisive critique). at least for me, the experience of reading this kind of felt like I was witnessing first-hand as Marske expertly course-corrected and explained away potential problems about the setup of the novel and the worldbuilding. and the thing is, I don't want to be able to see that? like, I'm not saying she doesn't mostly pull it all off at the end, it's just that while I was reading a part of me kept being pulled out of the story trying to work out the mechanics.
take the magicians' obligation to the land/ancestral homes and how the fae tie in. out of context - sexiest fucking thing i ever heard. I love sentient houses, I love What We Owe To The Magic In Our Blood and Soil stories, I love the seductive force of fae folk's power. but I think that kind of story only works if you're willing to be a bit amoral about it (see Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell for bargains with the fae or Astolat's House Proud for ancestral magical houses). Because as soon as you start thinking about the inequality inherent in some people having magical houses in the first place, of a select few secretly making a deal with the fae, it doesn't really spark joy anymore, does it? and to give her credit, Marske is aware of that - hell, the whole idea of having a cross-class romance in the final book is maybe a way of reckoning with it - but I don't think she pulls it off quite as seamlessly as she may have wished to.
so yeah, some critiques, but overall a really pleasurable reading experience! I read this while I was sick as a dog and it actually helped make me feel better, so kudos to Marske!
before I bombard you with some choice quotes, another niggle. the romance? very good!! made me sigh and highlight romantic passages multiple times!! but as folks who've read the book know, what we have on our hands here is a cross-class romance with elements of downright class enmity in which the characters engage in a D/s dynamic, including play with elements of consensual non-consent. longtime readers probably know where i'm going with this (*sounds of long-suffering groans from the comment section*) - yes my gentle readers, the premise of A Power Unbound reminded me of Romance Novel of All Time, A Seditious Affair, and my niggle is that this book is not A Seditious Affair. reasonable? no. expected? to anyone who knows me, surely.
now, on with the quotes!
"The Blyth siblings had the stubborness of two people who had each adopted a stray cat with a terrible personality and were determined to make them cohabit." - that's the funniest fucking way of describing messy in-laws that i've ever read
""We're not magic," said Alan. "We're Catholic."" - hooting and hollering. good to know i'm disqualified from being a magical girlie by virtue of consuming the body of christ in the form of a tasteless wafer once in a while
"Alan did tell him he'd turn up strangled in the Thames if he kept fucking men with names like Bloody Joe, but Berto was useful." - we get three lines about cousin Berto but already he is a fave. i love a messy bitch.
""You already know I'll steal for them. I stole opportunity. If the world were different, I wouldn't have had to, but it's the way it is, and so I've been scared my whole life and angry for even longer. It's exhausting. You have no bloody idea how exhausting it is. Some people get exhausted out of the anger early, because they need all their energy simply to stay alive. As I said, I was lucky." His smile was a thin line, a rope thrown disdainfully across a dark crevice, serving only to highlight just how wide and fundamental that distance between them was. "I had enough fuel to keep the anger alive as well."" - breathtaking display of pure Silas Mason energy, I was physically trembling while reading it
"Jack, jawning in the doorway with Violet, had an unnerving flash as if seeing sideways into a life he might have had: marrying Violet, making her Baroness Hawthorn, and farewelling their guests together after an evening party." - hot take but I totally think we could have done with another lavender marriage! Hawthorn with either Maud or Violet, and then the other moves in too as her ""bosom friend"" (you get it? cos they touch each other's b- *gets booed off the stage*)
"Physical attraction to someone - that, Jack could handle, even at the extremes that Alan brought out in him. But he seemed to want impossible things that belonged nowhere in the bedroom, or even reality. He wanted to crack open his rib cage and place Alan Ross inside it, the better to warm him with Jack's own blood." - incredible display of rabbid Hozierism out in the wild
"Alan had never needed to lean on anyone. It was intolerable that he now kept turning out the pockets of his soul and finding caught in their seams the desire to let someone else take his weight." - ANOTHER SILAS MASON MOMENT AAAAAA!! but also the writing, sheesh!!!
"You can't go anywhere. You can't run away. You can't go and work, or steal, or even think. You have to stop for a while."
The race of Alan's heart wasn't entirely desire now. Those molasses words dripped onto him, made him hear them. A fragile shape rose in his chest, hot saltwater and thin air and a quiet, irrational fluttering that was almost panic.
"No-"
Jack bent his head and growled, a few inches from Alan's mouth-"I'm not giving you a choice."" - Area Man Dommed Into Finally Taking A Fucking Break, More At 11
"Jack's gladness mingled with that of the Hall. Alan had bowed to the bees, and Alan had saved the heir to this land, and the blood in Alan's veins had their fingertips, their magic, all over it now, Good. Good." - HE BOWED TO THE BEES!!! HIS BLOOD HAS THE HALL'S (AND JACK'S) MAGIC ALL OVER IT NOW!! god i love this kind of bullshit!!
"Nothing owing." - the way Jack and Alan exchange this in the final climactic scenes of the book was giving "No law but love between us" from Flowers in the Storm?? Another Romance Novel of All Time to be sure
"Kiss me until I know you. Kiss me until you know me, and unmake me, and love me anyway." - I've been listening to Sufjan Stevens' Javelin a lot lately and this bit reminded me of My Red Little Fox and it just killed me dead. Honestly I don't think I love this book enough for it to deserve My Red Little Fox but apparently the heart wants what it wants.
October 28, 2023
After absolutely shipping Ross and horny Lord Hawthorn in the last book, I couldn’t wait to read it! I mean dislike to lovers is simply the best, we can all agree.
I think the last book in a series, where every book has another MC, is the hardest to do because you want to have enough attention for the main couple, but also have to bring in all the other characters again. It was done so well here and I absolutely loved meeting the others again. I adore every single of these characters so much.
The story was gripping, the magic was magical and I think the ending was so well done and left me satisfied with how the events turned out (even though I tho k at one point our MCs just acted damn stupid).
I have to say even though I loved the romance between poor Mr. Ross and fancy rich boy Hawthorn I didn’t really feel the love a lot, which might be a me thing because I didn’t really enjoy the steamy scenes between these two. I’m just so over the no kissing trope, to me it feels so impersonal and emotionless, leaving me not really feeling the vibes turning from horny to romance.
All in all I think this was a perfect ending to a wonderful, magical story that will forever be one of my favourites!
Audiobook info:
I thought the narrators for the last two book were incredible, especially the first book I listened to three times by now.
I honestly have to say even though the narrator for this one has a nice voice, I sadly didn’t like him at all for this book. He didn’t fit Lord Hawthorn nor Mr. Rosses personalities at all and sounded kind of bored, monotonous, when both of the MCs are very feisty, cocky men.
I think the last book in a series, where every book has another MC, is the hardest to do because you want to have enough attention for the main couple, but also have to bring in all the other characters again. It was done so well here and I absolutely loved meeting the others again. I adore every single of these characters so much.
The story was gripping, the magic was magical and I think the ending was so well done and left me satisfied with how the events turned out (even though I tho k at one point our MCs just acted damn stupid).
I have to say even though I loved the romance between poor Mr. Ross and fancy rich boy Hawthorn I didn’t really feel the love a lot, which might be a me thing because I didn’t really enjoy the steamy scenes between these two. I’m just so over the no kissing trope, to me it feels so impersonal and emotionless, leaving me not really feeling the vibes turning from horny to romance.
All in all I think this was a perfect ending to a wonderful, magical story that will forever be one of my favourites!
Audiobook info:
I thought the narrators for the last two book were incredible, especially the first book I listened to three times by now.
I honestly have to say even though the narrator for this one has a nice voice, I sadly didn’t like him at all for this book. He didn’t fit Lord Hawthorn nor Mr. Rosses personalities at all and sounded kind of bored, monotonous, when both of the MCs are very feisty, cocky men.
May 13, 2023
Ohhh what a great book! This was a spectacular conclusion to the Last Binding trilogy, starring all three couples in the series as they come together to prevent a magical tragedy. The romance in this one is fun (and very steamy), but what I loved most was the huge focus on the found family that this group becomes. And there were so many witty, sparkling lines along the way that made me laugh or stop to add a highlight in my e-reader!
In the beginning of the book, as Robin Blyth's partner Edwin and Maud Blyth's partner Violet interact at the breakfast:
"The Blyth siblings had the stubbornness of two people who had each adopted a stray cat with a terrible personality and were determined to have them cohabit. They'd made progress. But nobody could yet describe the reserved Edwin and the deliberately extravagant Violet as *friendly*."
And of course one of the stars of this book is Jack, Lord Hawthorn, who seemed pretty loathsome in Book 1 but became far more sympathetic in Book 2 - and we see his inner growth close up in this one as he steps back into the world of magic that traumatized him when he was younger and stands for his new found family...oh, and falls in love, too. :)
I don't think this book could act as a standalone. You'd need to read at LEAST Book 2 first, A Restless Truth, and it would be even better for the overarching plotline to start with A Marvellous Light. But they're all really good, and I've loved this first trilogy from Freya Marske. I can't wait to find out what will come next!
In the beginning of the book, as Robin Blyth's partner Edwin and Maud Blyth's partner Violet interact at the breakfast:
"The Blyth siblings had the stubbornness of two people who had each adopted a stray cat with a terrible personality and were determined to have them cohabit. They'd made progress. But nobody could yet describe the reserved Edwin and the deliberately extravagant Violet as *friendly*."
And of course one of the stars of this book is Jack, Lord Hawthorn, who seemed pretty loathsome in Book 1 but became far more sympathetic in Book 2 - and we see his inner growth close up in this one as he steps back into the world of magic that traumatized him when he was younger and stands for his new found family...oh, and falls in love, too. :)
I don't think this book could act as a standalone. You'd need to read at LEAST Book 2 first, A Restless Truth, and it would be even better for the overarching plotline to start with A Marvellous Light. But they're all really good, and I've loved this first trilogy from Freya Marske. I can't wait to find out what will come next!
March 20, 2024
3 stars
It pains me to write this but this book was a disappointment to me, both on the romance and the fantasy plot. I'm trying not to be too harsh because my expectations were immense, and how can a book live up to that?
I think this should have been a 4 book series. Book 3 for Hawthorne & Ross so they had time to develop their romance, and book 4 from all 6 perspectives to wrap up the plot. As it was, both parts felt rushed.
There were too many elements in this where Hawthorne & Ross were just bystanders while the other characters got on with the plot, and for me it made a number of plotlines fall completely flat. Robin has been foreseeing . Neither Hawthorne nor Ross have any fae magic so . Edwin performs great feats of magic as Jack watches from the sidelines, likewise for almost all the discoveries at Spinet House which happen off-page. Ross watches Maud be possessed by ghosts in the cemetery...and to what end? None.
Of course they do play important parts in the story, so I'm not saying they were unnecessary to the plot, just that I felt all of those scenes were told from the wrong perspective.
I feel after the secrecy around the villains in books 1 and 2, having everything out in the open removed a lot of the suspense. And then the climax...was a bit drawn out? At the end I was just wondering: right-o, who's next in line?
I thought Ross & Hawthorne had a lot of potential as a couple and I was excited to read their story after wishing book 2 had been from their perspective, but they never quite clicked for me. They did have some really nice scenes together, and they have great chemistry, but I didn't feel the romance. I do like, as always, the use of names to show growing affection; the cold, hard character who thaws; the way their sexual desires fit together, and their political opinions unexpectedly align.
I know this is not marketed explicitly as a romance, but book 1 set my expectations higher in terms of the romance/fantasy balance. I just have to accept that no other pairing in this series has what Robin and Edwin do.
I also am not convinced the ending of this was conclusive enough. I appreciate the intentions behind but personally that's not where I wanted the book to conclude, nor the whole series.
It pains me to write this but this book was a disappointment to me, both on the romance and the fantasy plot. I'm trying not to be too harsh because my expectations were immense, and how can a book live up to that?
I think this should have been a 4 book series. Book 3 for Hawthorne & Ross so they had time to develop their romance, and book 4 from all 6 perspectives to wrap up the plot. As it was, both parts felt rushed.
There were too many elements in this where Hawthorne & Ross were just bystanders while the other characters got on with the plot, and for me it made a number of plotlines fall completely flat. Robin has been foreseeing . Neither Hawthorne nor Ross have any fae magic so . Edwin performs great feats of magic as Jack watches from the sidelines, likewise for almost all the discoveries at Spinet House which happen off-page. Ross watches Maud be possessed by ghosts in the cemetery...and to what end? None.
Of course they do play important parts in the story, so I'm not saying they were unnecessary to the plot, just that I felt all of those scenes were told from the wrong perspective.
I feel after the secrecy around the villains in books 1 and 2, having everything out in the open removed a lot of the suspense. And then the climax...was a bit drawn out? At the end I was just wondering: right-o, who's next in line?
I thought Ross & Hawthorne had a lot of potential as a couple and I was excited to read their story after wishing book 2 had been from their perspective, but they never quite clicked for me. They did have some really nice scenes together, and they have great chemistry, but I didn't feel the romance. I do like, as always, the use of names to show growing affection; the cold, hard character who thaws; the way their sexual desires fit together, and their political opinions unexpectedly align.
I know this is not marketed explicitly as a romance, but book 1 set my expectations higher in terms of the romance/fantasy balance. I just have to accept that no other pairing in this series has what Robin and Edwin do.
I also am not convinced the ending of this was conclusive enough. I appreciate the intentions behind but personally that's not where I wanted the book to conclude, nor the whole series.
March 22, 2024
4.25*
This final instalment was such a treat and played out in a much sweeter way than I thought it would. I stg the found fam in this has wormed it's way into my cold 🖤
I am so sad this series is over - the characters, the time period, the magic...it ticked all the boxes for me! Even the class divide & diff magical "factions" (🤔) weave together to feed the story in such an enjoyable way. Honourable mentions as ever to cradlespeak (Jack & Violet's friendship is fab), Addy (totes book MVP), the Houses & special shout out to Lady C + the pile of rags that was such a fun twist but 🙊
When we first met Jack in book1 we are indisposed to like him based off other characters interactions and perceptions of him as we dive head first in to this magical Edwardian setting.
Plus, imma be real - he was a 🍆 🤭
I warmed to him better when he found himself on the same transatlantic crossing as our intrepid heroines in book2, his put upon Lord shtick as he reluctantly came to the rescue time & time again really shone a new light on him 😇
Then when Alan entered the fray and I realised book3 would continue the adventure with these two knuckleheads moving center stage - I kicked my heels & squealed with delight as they did not disappoint 🥰
Admittedly, as mentioned above it all played out rather sweeter than I thought it would...now don't get me wrong these two were all kinds of 🔥🌶 but I won't say any more than that lest I ruin some of the reveals 🤐
The storyline spills over from previous books so can't say much about what they're all up to without spoilers but suffice to say it builds and is such a fun ride if a little frustrating in some places!
I loved being back in the UK for this one, rather than being at sea (last book), as the magical setting could really shine. I don't wanna sell this short/tar it by comparisons but this whole series gave me such HP-Ministry of Magic vibes, even in book1, but y'know ADULT....this series is not for kids y'all 😉
Please do yourselves a favour and don't sleep on these books + I need more peeps to fangirl with 🤗
And lastly we all know I cannot stfu without drooling some more over these adorabubble covers I just 🤩
This final instalment was such a treat and played out in a much sweeter way than I thought it would. I stg the found fam in this has wormed it's way into my cold 🖤
I am so sad this series is over - the characters, the time period, the magic...it ticked all the boxes for me! Even the class divide & diff magical "factions" (🤔) weave together to feed the story in such an enjoyable way. Honourable mentions as ever to cradlespeak (Jack & Violet's friendship is fab), Addy (totes book MVP), the Houses & special shout out to Lady C + the pile of rags that was such a fun twist but 🙊
When we first met Jack in book1 we are indisposed to like him based off other characters interactions and perceptions of him as we dive head first in to this magical Edwardian setting.
Plus, imma be real - he was a 🍆 🤭
I warmed to him better when he found himself on the same transatlantic crossing as our intrepid heroines in book2, his put upon Lord shtick as he reluctantly came to the rescue time & time again really shone a new light on him 😇
Then when Alan entered the fray and I realised book3 would continue the adventure with these two knuckleheads moving center stage - I kicked my heels & squealed with delight as they did not disappoint 🥰
Admittedly, as mentioned above it all played out rather sweeter than I thought it would...now don't get me wrong these two were all kinds of 🔥🌶 but I won't say any more than that lest I ruin some of the reveals 🤐
The storyline spills over from previous books so can't say much about what they're all up to without spoilers but suffice to say it builds and is such a fun ride if a little frustrating in some places!
I loved being back in the UK for this one, rather than being at sea (last book), as the magical setting could really shine. I don't wanna sell this short/tar it by comparisons but this whole series gave me such HP-Ministry of Magic vibes, even in book1, but y'know ADULT....this series is not for kids y'all 😉
Please do yourselves a favour and don't sleep on these books + I need more peeps to fangirl with 🤗
And lastly we all know I cannot stfu without drooling some more over these adorabubble covers I just 🤩
January 2, 2024
freya marske does kink exploration (probably the sexiest installment in the trilogy!) and...attempts something to do with.....land stewardship
November 10, 2023
Brilliant finale.
Best couple, plus the whole gang
join to save the land.
Best couple, plus the whole gang
join to save the land.
November 30, 2023
If you listen closely, you’ll hear the ball that dropped in the second book and was never picked back up.
This trilogy started off so strong with Robin and Edwin, I don’t really know why it was decided that we’d have to follow three different couples throughout the series, but c’est la vie.
Robin and Edwin can’t carry this series all on their own, and that was painfully apparent after the disaster of the second book (I should have dropped it there but I regretfully had hope). Alan and Jack NEVER get a chance to shine in this book. They are a tool to wrap up the heavily diluted and overrun plot. The plot never gets more interesting than it was at the beginning.
Having too many characters and perspectives really killed the narrative the story could have had in general. The story becomes fragmented, and fails to come together in a satisfactory way (for me).
Alan and Jack’s relationship is mid at best, honestly, it’s barely even that. They had a lot of potential, but ended up telling the other characters stories for them. For why? I don’t know.
The antagonists are flimsy and have no substance. We know they are the bad guys from book 1, there is actually a CLEAR distinction between good and bad in this series. But for some reason there is supposed to be a political subplot that is redundant because the antagonists are bland as all else anyway.
Our characters all have ridiculous plot armour considering how useless they all (well, basically all) are. No wonder Edwin and Robin couldn’t carry. The rest of the squad is way too heavy.
The magic system still never gets a proper show or explanation, it’s just there, but now we know how to counter it. So pop off sis.
Overall, this series isn’t worth it IMO. Read the first one, and go forth and read better series. It only goes downhill after the first one. And I LOVED the first one, but there was really no need to have each book follow different characters to tell the same story.
This trilogy started off so strong with Robin and Edwin, I don’t really know why it was decided that we’d have to follow three different couples throughout the series, but c’est la vie.
Robin and Edwin can’t carry this series all on their own, and that was painfully apparent after the disaster of the second book (I should have dropped it there but I regretfully had hope). Alan and Jack NEVER get a chance to shine in this book. They are a tool to wrap up the heavily diluted and overrun plot. The plot never gets more interesting than it was at the beginning.
Having too many characters and perspectives really killed the narrative the story could have had in general. The story becomes fragmented, and fails to come together in a satisfactory way (for me).
Alan and Jack’s relationship is mid at best, honestly, it’s barely even that. They had a lot of potential, but ended up telling the other characters stories for them. For why? I don’t know.
The antagonists are flimsy and have no substance. We know they are the bad guys from book 1, there is actually a CLEAR distinction between good and bad in this series. But for some reason there is supposed to be a political subplot that is redundant because the antagonists are bland as all else anyway.
Our characters all have ridiculous plot armour considering how useless they all (well, basically all) are. No wonder Edwin and Robin couldn’t carry. The rest of the squad is way too heavy.
The magic system still never gets a proper show or explanation, it’s just there, but now we know how to counter it. So pop off sis.
Overall, this series isn’t worth it IMO. Read the first one, and go forth and read better series. It only goes downhill after the first one. And I LOVED the first one, but there was really no need to have each book follow different characters to tell the same story.
November 13, 2023
3.5 stars
I definitely enjoyed this more than A Restless Truth, but A Marvelous Light is still, in my opinion, the strongest (and my favourite) of the trilogy.
Credit where credit is due: Freya Marske can write a damn good romance. I loved the interclass relationship in A Power Unbound; I appreciated that the novel didn't gloss over the class differences between Hawthorn and Ross, instead giving them the narrative space to discuss those differences meaningfully and openly. These two characters are different in some very notable ways, but they are also so similar, and I enjoyed seeing them not just navigate their differences, but also find a lot of common ground to draw them together. Another thing I appreciate about Marske's writing is the way she approaches sex scenes: they are sex scenes, to be sure, but they are also critical moments of character development, of intimacy, of trust--and she does both at the same time, and does them both with such a deft hand. (This is something that stood out to me not just in this novel, but in A Marvelous Light and A Restless Truth as well.)
That being said, there was just something missing in this novel for me. The plot feels slapdash, like we're rushing to the finish. And as much as I enjoyed the characters and their dynamic, I also feel like the arc of the romance as a whole was not quite as satisfying as I would've liked it to be. Even with all this in mind, though, I would happily read whatever else Freya Marske decided to release in the future. I love her writing, and I love her romances, and I can't wait to see what she writes next.
I definitely enjoyed this more than A Restless Truth, but A Marvelous Light is still, in my opinion, the strongest (and my favourite) of the trilogy.
Credit where credit is due: Freya Marske can write a damn good romance. I loved the interclass relationship in A Power Unbound; I appreciated that the novel didn't gloss over the class differences between Hawthorn and Ross, instead giving them the narrative space to discuss those differences meaningfully and openly. These two characters are different in some very notable ways, but they are also so similar, and I enjoyed seeing them not just navigate their differences, but also find a lot of common ground to draw them together. Another thing I appreciate about Marske's writing is the way she approaches sex scenes: they are sex scenes, to be sure, but they are also critical moments of character development, of intimacy, of trust--and she does both at the same time, and does them both with such a deft hand. (This is something that stood out to me not just in this novel, but in A Marvelous Light and A Restless Truth as well.)
That being said, there was just something missing in this novel for me. The plot feels slapdash, like we're rushing to the finish. And as much as I enjoyed the characters and their dynamic, I also feel like the arc of the romance as a whole was not quite as satisfying as I would've liked it to be. Even with all this in mind, though, I would happily read whatever else Freya Marske decided to release in the future. I love her writing, and I love her romances, and I can't wait to see what she writes next.
November 28, 2023
This was a fine conclusion for the series, but doesn’t recapture the magic of the first book.
Jack and Alan LOATHE each other. If you’re okay with enemies hate f-ing each other and not flipping to true lovers until 90%, you’ll enjoy this. Their intimate scenes are dark. I, personally, wanted just a shred of tenderness and kindness earlier. I found myself looking forward to scenes with Edwin and Robin.
The big storyline is over, but I honestly was not satisfied by it. A slew of secondary characters made it hard to keep action straight at times (switching between using first and last names got frustrating). There is one climatic scene at the 50% mark that manipulates the reader. The final climatic scene goes on for so long it loses its dramatic effectiveness. I’ve never been bored during a fight/action scene.
I don’t understand why this ends with a wedding. Perhaps it will be better upon rereading.
Jack and Alan LOATHE each other. If you’re okay with enemies hate f-ing each other and not flipping to true lovers until 90%, you’ll enjoy this. Their intimate scenes are dark. I, personally, wanted just a shred of tenderness and kindness earlier. I found myself looking forward to scenes with Edwin and Robin.
The big storyline is over, but I honestly was not satisfied by it. A slew of secondary characters made it hard to keep action straight at times (switching between using first and last names got frustrating). There is one climatic scene at the 50% mark that manipulates the reader. The final climatic scene goes on for so long it loses its dramatic effectiveness. I’ve never been bored during a fight/action scene.
I don’t understand why this ends with a wedding. Perhaps it will be better upon rereading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2023
Better than the second, not as good as the first, but still a fantastic end to this historical fantasy trilogy!
Seeing a different type of affection and relationship depicted by Jack and Alan was at first, quite different than I’d have expected, but then felt refreshing at the same time. Among the heated scenes, which had some strong pillow talk, there were also hints of tenderness that surprised me.
As for the main arc, it was lovely to see all characters from both Books 1 & 2 unite for this adventure together. And I really welcomed getting to learn more about Jack and Alan’s backstories and personalities.
My heart is full, and I already know I’m going to miss this found family very much.
Seeing a different type of affection and relationship depicted by Jack and Alan was at first, quite different than I’d have expected, but then felt refreshing at the same time. Among the heated scenes, which had some strong pillow talk, there were also hints of tenderness that surprised me.
As for the main arc, it was lovely to see all characters from both Books 1 & 2 unite for this adventure together. And I really welcomed getting to learn more about Jack and Alan’s backstories and personalities.
My heart is full, and I already know I’m going to miss this found family very much.
Read
June 18, 2023What an excellent finish.
January 2, 2024
Okay, I am getting to the reviews I missed from last year.
A Power Unbound" is the perfect ending for Freya Marske’s last binding series. After I finished the second book, I thought Jack Alston, Lord Hawthorn, and Alan Ross weren't just side characters – they needed their own story. And here it is! This book is about all of them, especially Jack and Alan. We still have all our favorite heroes, especially my top pick, Edwin. It was just right.
Alan is everything Jack isn't – a thief, poor, and not big on ethics. Maybe he has a bit of them, but he hates aristocrats, and Jack is one – the symbol of everything he dislikes. But they have to team up with the rest to make sure the last contract stays away from corrupt hands.
This book isn't as action-packed as the two before, but I didn't get bored. I liked the slow-paced plot. The only thing that bothered me was the . But overall, it was a very satisfying ending.
A Power Unbound" is the perfect ending for Freya Marske’s last binding series. After I finished the second book, I thought Jack Alston, Lord Hawthorn, and Alan Ross weren't just side characters – they needed their own story. And here it is! This book is about all of them, especially Jack and Alan. We still have all our favorite heroes, especially my top pick, Edwin. It was just right.
Alan is everything Jack isn't – a thief, poor, and not big on ethics. Maybe he has a bit of them, but he hates aristocrats, and Jack is one – the symbol of everything he dislikes. But they have to team up with the rest to make sure the last contract stays away from corrupt hands.
This book isn't as action-packed as the two before, but I didn't get bored. I liked the slow-paced plot. The only thing that bothered me was the . But overall, it was a very satisfying ending.
October 27, 2023
I would like to thank Edelweiss and Tor for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
A Power Unbound was beautifully written, complete with clever banter, an interesting magic system and a whole lot of wild, magical calamities going at full speed! Equal parts irritating and gorgeous, this work was truly “fascinating chaos" and was a most dazzling final book in the Last Binding trilogy.
I think the highest compliment I can pay an author is to admit how angry the characters made me. I most definitely took all of this shit personally and luckily the whole of it skirted the line sensibly enough to not warrant my docking full stars for my frustrations.
This is definitely one of the more challenging pieces of fiction I've read in a while. It's quite dense at times, and the world itself is marvellous and teeming like no other. It does take a while to get a handle on all the moving pieces, but probably because I’ve read these installments at time of release and not in a row.
Rich and complex and beyond unique, Freya Marske has created one of the most delectable and extraordinary fantasy novels I have read to date and I look forward to every single wonderful thing she puts out in the future, because she absolutely smashed this final book in the trilogy and this series as a whole is very much a complicated brilliance!
A Power Unbound was beautifully written, complete with clever banter, an interesting magic system and a whole lot of wild, magical calamities going at full speed! Equal parts irritating and gorgeous, this work was truly “fascinating chaos" and was a most dazzling final book in the Last Binding trilogy.
I think the highest compliment I can pay an author is to admit how angry the characters made me. I most definitely took all of this shit personally and luckily the whole of it skirted the line sensibly enough to not warrant my docking full stars for my frustrations.
This is definitely one of the more challenging pieces of fiction I've read in a while. It's quite dense at times, and the world itself is marvellous and teeming like no other. It does take a while to get a handle on all the moving pieces, but probably because I’ve read these installments at time of release and not in a row.
Rich and complex and beyond unique, Freya Marske has created one of the most delectable and extraordinary fantasy novels I have read to date and I look forward to every single wonderful thing she puts out in the future, because she absolutely smashed this final book in the trilogy and this series as a whole is very much a complicated brilliance!
November 21, 2023
unfortunately did not enjoy this as much as i wanted to :( i think it would have been much better for the series if there had been a 3rd book with just alan and jack on a fun little adventure of their own and then a 4th instalment that was multi-pov or something to wrap up the plot. as it is it almost feels like you’re reading two books forced into one as marske tries to juggle both developing the romance and wrapping up the story. the tension becomes especially apparent in the second half where jack and alan spend long stretches of time serving as essentially vessels of narration and observation for the reader as the plot happens to other people. honestly i think the main couple should be the lynchpin of their own book! instead i was just hoping for an edwin pov cos my man really carried this group to the finish line.
a bit of a shame because i could appreciate jack and alan’s dynamics and i think it would have been really fun if they had more narrative space to develop! but i guess tetralogy is less sexy to say than trilogy lol
a bit of a shame because i could appreciate jack and alan’s dynamics and i think it would have been really fun if they had more narrative space to develop! but i guess tetralogy is less sexy to say than trilogy lol
April 24, 2024
[2.5]
No one is more disappointed than me with this rating. I absolutely adore The Marvellous Light, A Restless Truth was also a ton of fun with amazing character moments and humour but this instalment is probably going to be my biggest bookish disappointment of the year (I hope. I don’t want any more).
My favourite part about the book is seeing the old characters back! I adore Edwin and Violet so much — Edwin/Robin were also such a joy to see again. The cast interactions and the found family was very heart-warming, especially seeing Jack appreciate those around him. The plot was satisfying enough for the most part, except that it all ended in a very convenient way but I could forgive it if the romance was as good as before.
As you can probably guess, it was not. It felt very physical and lacking of the emotional bond and understanding between the characters. Only at the end do we see a more vulnerable side to the two characters but it was a little too late. The focus is very much on the physical aspect of their relationship and the sexual tension they have which, sadly, isn’t all that well done in this book (I’m saying this actually being so hyped for this romance after A Restless Truth). I felt like the author really could’ve done so much better with this couple given their difference in social status and different life experiences. It was such a good contrast and I’m left disappointed.
The smut scenes were very kinky and the author was really leaning into the dominant/submissive tropes that sadly I despise (so it’s defo a me thing). Also roleplay during smut scenes is just so off putting to me personally — i just really didn’t think it was as well written as in book 1.
Soft DNFd it once and I wanted to DNF it again but pulled thru for my love of the series.
I will miss this cast of characters so much, it was fun a fun ride but next time I read the books, I might just skip this one.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the eARC
No one is more disappointed than me with this rating. I absolutely adore The Marvellous Light, A Restless Truth was also a ton of fun with amazing character moments and humour but this instalment is probably going to be my biggest bookish disappointment of the year (I hope. I don’t want any more).
My favourite part about the book is seeing the old characters back! I adore Edwin and Violet so much — Edwin/Robin were also such a joy to see again. The cast interactions and the found family was very heart-warming, especially seeing Jack appreciate those around him. The plot was satisfying enough for the most part, except that it all ended in a very convenient way but I could forgive it if the romance was as good as before.
As you can probably guess, it was not. It felt very physical and lacking of the emotional bond and understanding between the characters. Only at the end do we see a more vulnerable side to the two characters but it was a little too late. The focus is very much on the physical aspect of their relationship and the sexual tension they have which, sadly, isn’t all that well done in this book (I’m saying this actually being so hyped for this romance after A Restless Truth). I felt like the author really could’ve done so much better with this couple given their difference in social status and different life experiences. It was such a good contrast and I’m left disappointed.
The smut scenes were very kinky and the author was really leaning into the dominant/submissive tropes that sadly I despise (so it’s defo a me thing). Also roleplay during smut scenes is just so off putting to me personally — i just really didn’t think it was as well written as in book 1.
Soft DNFd it once and I wanted to DNF it again but pulled thru for my love of the series.
I will miss this cast of characters so much, it was fun a fun ride but next time I read the books, I might just skip this one.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the eARC
November 10, 2023
Thank you so much to Tordocom and Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this! All thoughts and opinions are still my own.
I have absolutely adored this series and was both nervous and ridiculously excited for this conclusion. And this was absolutely everything I didn't know I wanted as an ending.
Our heroes were introduced in book 2, and the exact couple I hoped for after finishing that book. It's a perfect mix of some of my favorite tropes - different worlds, opposites attract, and CNC.
These two bicker to no end, push each other's buttons, and test each other's resolve. I loved their dynamic and intense chemistry from the get go.
But I also loved getting to see the characters we already know and love from the previous books. One of my complaints about book 2 was that we didn't get any time with the previous characters. And we definitely got plenty of it in this one!
I also think the culmination was a perfect for this series. It was a little dark, a little intense, but ultimately hopefully.
And the ending nearly had me in tears. The way the MCs fall for each other was all consuming and I couldn't help but be swept away.
I'm so excited to see what Freya Markse writes next! And I will 100% be picking it up, whatever it is!
"I would write you into immortality. I would trap you in ink and wear the pages next to my skin until they fell apart. Kiss me until I know you. Kiss me until you know me, and unmake me, and love me anyway."
I have absolutely adored this series and was both nervous and ridiculously excited for this conclusion. And this was absolutely everything I didn't know I wanted as an ending.
Our heroes were introduced in book 2, and the exact couple I hoped for after finishing that book. It's a perfect mix of some of my favorite tropes - different worlds, opposites attract, and CNC.
These two bicker to no end, push each other's buttons, and test each other's resolve. I loved their dynamic and intense chemistry from the get go.
But I also loved getting to see the characters we already know and love from the previous books. One of my complaints about book 2 was that we didn't get any time with the previous characters. And we definitely got plenty of it in this one!
I also think the culmination was a perfect for this series. It was a little dark, a little intense, but ultimately hopefully.
And the ending nearly had me in tears. The way the MCs fall for each other was all consuming and I couldn't help but be swept away.
I'm so excited to see what Freya Markse writes next! And I will 100% be picking it up, whatever it is!
August 12, 2023
london, december 2021. on a trip, just before i went home to the states for the holidays i stop into a bookshop. because… of course i did. i picked up a flowery pink and purple book, one i’d not heard much about. a marvellous light by freya marske. and oh cool, it happens to be signed and rec’d by the staff of the store. i buy it.
now, i’d heard of it, given i try to keep up with newer queer releases (but nowhere near to the scale that i do now). i knew there was a magic system based off of cat’s cradle. i knew it was a historical fiction set mostly in london. i knew it was queer. and that’s about it. i brought that book with me across two transatlantic flights and read it about a month or so later.
i fell in love.
fast forward nearly two years later. a power unbound, the final book in my favorite series is releasing in a few months. a series that is forever engrained on my body via tattoo. an homage to a magic system so unique. a cast of characters so brilliant. a storyline so neatly constructed. it forms a present in a box with a bright red bow on top. if i could look back on myself, two years ago, searching that bookshop deciding what to purchase next. i’d give myself the biggest hug for choosing that pink and purple book. out of all the options. it truly opened a whole new world for me…
the last binding trilogy has seeped so deeply into my whole being. these characters have become a part of who i am now. from the moment robin and edwin’s first interactions to their last. this story has brought me so much warmth, so much community, all of us hoping for this cast of magicians and unbusheled to save the day.
a power unbound. we’ve had two books to prepare for jack and alan’s story. and i still don’t think i was truly ready for it after all. normally, when i write a review for a book it’s usually right after i finish it. i don’t have the best memory so i try to get my thoughts onto pages asap. with this, however, i’ve sat and wrote it bit by bit. here and there. slowly piecing together my thoughts.
and i do know this. their story will not leave me any time soon.
jack. a man so utterly shaped by the loss of his twin sister, about sixteen years prior to these events. a man who wants to turn his back on the magical community for all the harm they’ve done. a man who’s a bit burnt at the edges after trusting someone harmful in the past. he’s thrust back in to the magical world by an ex, his nonmagical boyfriend, and said boyfriends’ determined younger sister. we’ve seen him slowly open his heart back out (yes, romantically for alan in this book, but also generally) for new relationships in his life, platonic, familial. slowly uncovered over the course of the past two books. we see why he’s hesitant. we see why deep down he essentially always wants to do good by his sister. we first-handedly discover his motivations for why he “reluctantly” continues to help their schemes. we see him come to terms with changes to his magical identity. ones that he very clearly never allowed himself to process for all those years.
god, do we see it all. it’s perseverance (or sheer stubbornness, you decide) at it’s finest. and i absolutely adore that we were able to receive his story in this manner. not only with his personal growth, but with his relationship towards alan. yes, we had quite a fair few steamy (and kinky, of course) sex scenes. but we got to see them both break down their very high, very enforced walls for each other.
alan. our last addition to the core cast. we met him abroad the lyric in the second book. while we’d only see him in bits and pieces during that book, we see so much more of his character in the finale. we come to learn so much about his willpower, especially if it involves his family. he feels so much duty towards them and will genuinely do whatever needs to be done in order to keep them safe, housed, and fed. we see his mistakes, his secrets, and how he amends for it all. he’s cunning, sly, and so damn witty. he truly is the only one that can keep up with hawthorn’s remarks and i love it so much. it gives the two of them the absolute best banter you will ever read, in my opinion.
with these books, i always hang up on the characters, because i adore them all so much. their realness, their talents, their flaws. whatever. its the strength of these books. but since the story is done now, i have to say how this book wrapped up so many intricate details into 400ish pages. not only do we develop the hottest relationship of the books (you all know i’m right), but we close out all of their stories. they had to successfully solve the problem regarding the last contract. they had three estates between the lot to essentially account for. as well as a ton of other tiny details sprinkled throughout. and i think it was so delicately constructed to be able to accomplish all of that. all that while keeping the reader entertained and without letting the pacing drag. it truly shows the power of marske’s writing ability.
now, do i have hopes that with a few nudges and comments mentioned at the end that i feel like it could be set off for a sequel/companion series? i absolutely hope so. freya, i will be (not so) patiently awaiting the news.
[original review]
i’m going to need 3-5 business days to process my thoughts.
now, i’d heard of it, given i try to keep up with newer queer releases (but nowhere near to the scale that i do now). i knew there was a magic system based off of cat’s cradle. i knew it was a historical fiction set mostly in london. i knew it was queer. and that’s about it. i brought that book with me across two transatlantic flights and read it about a month or so later.
i fell in love.
fast forward nearly two years later. a power unbound, the final book in my favorite series is releasing in a few months. a series that is forever engrained on my body via tattoo. an homage to a magic system so unique. a cast of characters so brilliant. a storyline so neatly constructed. it forms a present in a box with a bright red bow on top. if i could look back on myself, two years ago, searching that bookshop deciding what to purchase next. i’d give myself the biggest hug for choosing that pink and purple book. out of all the options. it truly opened a whole new world for me…
the last binding trilogy has seeped so deeply into my whole being. these characters have become a part of who i am now. from the moment robin and edwin’s first interactions to their last. this story has brought me so much warmth, so much community, all of us hoping for this cast of magicians and unbusheled to save the day.
a power unbound. we’ve had two books to prepare for jack and alan’s story. and i still don’t think i was truly ready for it after all. normally, when i write a review for a book it’s usually right after i finish it. i don’t have the best memory so i try to get my thoughts onto pages asap. with this, however, i’ve sat and wrote it bit by bit. here and there. slowly piecing together my thoughts.
and i do know this. their story will not leave me any time soon.
jack. a man so utterly shaped by the loss of his twin sister, about sixteen years prior to these events. a man who wants to turn his back on the magical community for all the harm they’ve done. a man who’s a bit burnt at the edges after trusting someone harmful in the past. he’s thrust back in to the magical world by an ex, his nonmagical boyfriend, and said boyfriends’ determined younger sister. we’ve seen him slowly open his heart back out (yes, romantically for alan in this book, but also generally) for new relationships in his life, platonic, familial. slowly uncovered over the course of the past two books. we see why he’s hesitant. we see why deep down he essentially always wants to do good by his sister. we first-handedly discover his motivations for why he “reluctantly” continues to help their schemes. we see him come to terms with changes to his magical identity. ones that he very clearly never allowed himself to process for all those years.
god, do we see it all. it’s perseverance (or sheer stubbornness, you decide) at it’s finest. and i absolutely adore that we were able to receive his story in this manner. not only with his personal growth, but with his relationship towards alan. yes, we had quite a fair few steamy (and kinky, of course) sex scenes. but we got to see them both break down their very high, very enforced walls for each other.
alan. our last addition to the core cast. we met him abroad the lyric in the second book. while we’d only see him in bits and pieces during that book, we see so much more of his character in the finale. we come to learn so much about his willpower, especially if it involves his family. he feels so much duty towards them and will genuinely do whatever needs to be done in order to keep them safe, housed, and fed. we see his mistakes, his secrets, and how he amends for it all. he’s cunning, sly, and so damn witty. he truly is the only one that can keep up with hawthorn’s remarks and i love it so much. it gives the two of them the absolute best banter you will ever read, in my opinion.
with these books, i always hang up on the characters, because i adore them all so much. their realness, their talents, their flaws. whatever. its the strength of these books. but since the story is done now, i have to say how this book wrapped up so many intricate details into 400ish pages. not only do we develop the hottest relationship of the books (you all know i’m right), but we close out all of their stories. they had to successfully solve the problem regarding the last contract. they had three estates between the lot to essentially account for. as well as a ton of other tiny details sprinkled throughout. and i think it was so delicately constructed to be able to accomplish all of that. all that while keeping the reader entertained and without letting the pacing drag. it truly shows the power of marske’s writing ability.
now, do i have hopes that with a few nudges and comments mentioned at the end that i feel like it could be set off for a sequel/companion series? i absolutely hope so. freya, i will be (not so) patiently awaiting the news.
[original review]
i’m going to need 3-5 business days to process my thoughts.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,727 reviews