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oxfordcommas91's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
But the biggest issue for me was that there was far less care taken in establishing the interest and intrigue between the two romantic "leads" of this book as there was in book one for Robin and Edwin. The tension and chemistry between Robin and Edwin is believable and builds into a very satisfying crescendo in Marvellous Light. Unfortunately the romance here isn't established in a thoughtful way and falls into too many of the bisexual/queer female stereotypes, resulting in a far less fulfilling story for the reader. You have an adventurous and experienced bisexual/pansexual queer woman who must "teach" the naive, doe-eyed bambi type who seemingly trips and falls into her lust for the main character. Unfortunately, I didn't love Violet as a character either - her motivations feel shallow and incomplete until much later in the book.
I did really enjoy learning more about the backstory and motivations of the Forsythia Club. For a period drama, it's intriguing that the keepers of this ancient magic was
Overall, I continue to be intrigued and interested in the world that Freya Marske has created and I look forward to reading the final installment of the Last Binding series, but I hope that it takes us back to London for a satisfying conclusion.
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Torture, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Stalking and Alcohol
howeonearth's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Grief, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Homophobia and Racism
ultravioletrae's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence and Abandonment
Minor: Gun violence and Classism
findleydunn's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Cursing, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
memeraryfiction's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Blood, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Domestic abuse, Racism, Torture, Kidnapping, and Alcohol
horns_and_ember's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Sexism, Blood, and Classism
terranstorm's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Blood, and Murder
theyellowhobbit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death and Classism
Minor: Emotional abuse, Blood, and Abandonment
reclusivebookslug's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Compared to the first book in the trilogy, in terms of both the romance and the overall tone, this book is more fun and less overtly serious. I think this suits the younger ages of the characters and the tropey-ness of the "whodunit on a cruiseship" setup. The big downside to these differences to me was the lack of those moments of reveal where characters' deepest feelings and secrets become known to each other.
Graphic: Blood
theo_iwan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Blood
Minor: Torture