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oxfordcommas91's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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
I had a great time reading "A Marvellous Light," and unfortunately the second novel in the Last Binding series wasn't as compelling for me. Though this has all the makings of a story I'd love - locked door (murder on a ship) mystery, period drama, sapphic romance, intriguing world - it missed the mark for me in a big way, unfortunately. It certainly suffered from some middle book syndrome and the pacing felt off - the moments of action were good but they were punctuated by all these slower "planning" phases that really made the story drag at time.
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 wasa group of female magicians . The parts of the book focusing on the Last Contract and how it was being navigated were some of my favorites. Additionally, I love that we got so much more depth of character for Hawthorne and learned more about his family and relationship with magic.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
A fun and campy mystery with some very steamy interludes throughout
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence and Abandonment
Minor: Gun violence and Classism
findleydunn's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
This is a very fun follow-up to A Marvellous Light. It expands both the story and the series' universe in really enjoyable ways. It also incorporates fun new bits of period history (music halls! luxury ocean liners!). Marske's characters are, as always, complex and deeply likeable.
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Blood, and Classism
terranstorm's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
The way this series weaves together different pairings and character threads is really, truly brilliant. The lead pairing in this one is a raucous, roaring hoot of a good time (I love Maud so much, god damn it all), clever and fun and HOT all on its own, while also reminding me how much I loved book 1’s protagonists AND getting me very much invested in the chemistry of the pair that’s coming next in book 3. Like a tantalizing little tease. I’m rushing right on to read the last of the series now so I’ll try to come back and update this review with more detail later—but suffice it to say, I’m hooked.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Blood, and Murder
theyellowhobbit's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Classism
Minor: Emotional abuse, Blood, and Abandonment
reclusivebookslug's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
I have mixed feelings about liminal-space boundaries in stories (i.e. taking place in brief transitory periods of time or place). In this case, the narrative takes place entirely during a week-long cruise where the characters are travellings from America to Britain. We know much of Maud's backstory, some of Violet's, and little of anyone else. While this is an interesting transitory period to explore (opportunities for reflecting on the past, reinventing yourself in the present with the help of new people and surroundings, and considering the future with a fresh perspective), I miss the slice-of-life moments that make me feel connected to a character and their life.
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.The most important part of Violet's past is never revealed to Maud and we never get to see the reunion between Maud and Robin.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
theo_iwan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Minor: Torture