Reviews tagging 'Lesbophobia'

A Restless Truth by Freya Marske

9 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

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Grief, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Homophobia and Racism

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

schnaucl's review

adventurous lighthearted mysterious 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? No

4.75

I really enjoyed this book.  I loved Maude, Violent, Hawthorne and Ross, but Maude especially.   I really hope we see more of all four characters in the last book in the trilogy.

I love the relationship between Maude and Violet and how it grew over the course of the book.  I also loved the explanation for where Maude gets her inspiration to explore her sexuality and the way Violet uses her illusion magic.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Violence, and Classism

Minor: Gun violence, Homophobia, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia

nevermoregothic's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious slow-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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Death, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia

kshertz's review

mysterious tense 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? No

3.5

It was an interesting twist on the magical world and finding love. I found it intriguing but was not really super invested in what was happening to the characters so I just kind of picked it up here and there!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia

beepbeep101's review

adventurous 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, and Abandonment

Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Misogyny, and Classism

Minor: Gun violence and Lesbophobia

emilo's review

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective relaxing fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Murder, and Classism

Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual assault, and Lesbophobia

imds's review

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Homophobia, Sexism, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, and Classism

Minor: Death of parent