Reviews with content warning for Death - A Restless Truth

I had an excellent time with this book, it was great fun! But also touching and reflective as the characters grapple with their flaws and the challenges of letting somebody in and allowing yourself to have feelings for another person.

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yourbookishbff's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.5

Middle books so often feel meandering in a trilogy, and Marske's decision to make this a confined, liminal story, existing entirely on a ship crossing the Atlantic, really worked for me. I loved the attention to detail on the ocean liner, which made this setting feel so vivid and unique. I loved the concept - murder mystery on an ocean liner with a cobbled together crew of vigilantes - and enjoyed the moments of true eccentricity (The actual menagerie?! The jewelry thief and circulating erotica?!).

The romance is very realist cally built and ends in a way that feels authentic for these characters, who each need more time to determine their own futures and identity individually as well. I loved Violet's high-walled heart and Maude's steadiness and vulnerability. I think some readers will want a romance arc that feels more conplete and more familiar, as we had in book one, but I didn't mind this personally.

The expanded magic system!! I loved exploring illusions, as well as American approaches to magic, and I LOVED cradle speak. Learning more about the Forsythia Club adds even more to the world-building and our understanding of the magic system, and I loved how much of the origin story we get in this installment.

Marske's writing is, as always, stunning, and I loved the audio production and narration for this book. There were lines that stayed with me, even as I listened - a feeling of cold water poured between bones, a voice searching for a bruise to press, music that sounds as though someone had passed their hand across velvet, the wrong way and then the right way. I just love Marske's writing.

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frenchpants's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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

4.0

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gondorgirl's review against another edition

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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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carbs666's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense 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

5.0

Sensational book!!!! Literally un-put-downable!!! Magical lesbians solving a shipboard murder and conspiring with hilarious and engaging allies to protect an artifact from nefarious forces. Really well plotted twists and interwoven character motivations! Sparkling descriptions and hot sex! Can't wait to read the next book in the series!! I hate to be like "this isn't Just a romance" bc I hate to talk down on romance but it really is in a class of its own.

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cyberhavok's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

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kers_tin's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful mysterious 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

4.0

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