Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

A Restless Truth by Freya Marske

20 reviews

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 was

a 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. 

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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

ct7567_lit's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I read this book as a standalone, without any prior knowledge of the first in the series, and I was pleasantly surprised. The author did a great job providing enough background and context to make the world and characters accessible. I particularly enjoyed the chaotic, whodunnit aspect of the mystery. Maud’s direct, no-nonsense communication style added a layer of realism to both the romance and the overall plot. The ending

especially Violet’s personal revelation

left me hoping for more closure. Now that I know it's part of a trilogy, it makes perfect sense why questions were left unanswered. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Murder, and Classism

Moderate: Drug use, Violence, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Misogyny, Racism, and Torture

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

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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.

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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

alexmegami's review

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Misogyny, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Gun violence, Car accident, and Classism

shadowspinner's review against another edition

adventurous tense 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Murder

Moderate: Violence and Kidnapping

gondorgirl's review

adventurous funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism

abnormal_shadow's review

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I really liked this book. I was actually hoping for a story centered around Maud since she was one of my favorite side characters in the first book. I liked the development of Hawthrone

and the sunflower necklace was such a good addition to the story because of the way it reintroduces an important recently deceased character.

Its good tho and i like that there is still a since of mystery to the magic system. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Violence and Kidnapping

introverted_reads's review

adventurous funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Misogyny and Kidnapping

ladythana's review against another edition

adventurous funny 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, Police brutality, and Murder

Moderate: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Classism

Minor: Torture, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury