Reviews tagging 'Murder'

A Restless Truth by Freya Marske

94 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

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Violence and Abandonment

Minor: Gun violence and Classism

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

plantacj's review

adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Emotional abuse and Classism

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

bekacrook's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

Another great book in this series, the continuation of the story around the Last Contract and the details that slowly fill in some of the gaps were lovely as well as more interesting characters. I really enjoyed the setting of the boat and how this made it feel contained but also slightly trapping for them in their search. The descriptions of characters, clothing and setting were compelling without being overwhelming. 

I genuinely liked the dynamic between Maud and Violet both when they were together just the two of them and when in their group with Hawthorn and Ross. They were strong women with different life experiences but still felt suited to one another. All the characters in these books feel like there are layers to them which I enjoy. It was good to see more of Hawthorn and learn more about him and his reactions in this book. 

There were some twists and turns in this book, some more expected than others which kept it intriguing throughout. Honestly, just a good book with magic and intrigue and a smidge of romance thrown in. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death and Murder

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

havenraven23's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Murder