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zefancifulreader's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This series as a whole is magnificent and overflowing with queer joy.
This book specifically had very dense, action packed plot, with deeply fascinating world-building as always, while also making time for FOUR of the spiciest, kinkiest, well-written sex scenes I’ve ever read. Power dynamics are so rarely written, especially in the romantasy genre, with proper boundaries and consent. This book absolutely has all the necessary checks in place and it was the better for it.
Bravo.
This book specifically had very dense, action packed plot, with deeply fascinating world-building as always, while also making time for FOUR of the spiciest, kinkiest, well-written sex scenes I’ve ever read. Power dynamics are so rarely written, especially in the romantasy genre, with proper boundaries and consent. This book absolutely has all the necessary checks in place and it was the better for it.
Bravo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Racism, Suicide, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Police brutality, Pregnancy, and War
klbreyfogle's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was my favorite one of the whole series! Jack and Alan are such compelling characters so I was super excited to find out this volume was about them (and included the rest of our beloved cast of characters!!) Loved the end, loved the characters, had good fun reading! Fair warning: this couple leans into consensual no consent HEAVILY so if that’s not your thing then at least skip those scenes. It’s well negotiated and explicitly consenting but a bit different from the scenes written for previous couples.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Racism
angilram's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and War
therainbowshelf's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
I didn’t think I could love a book more than I did the first two, but it happened! Marske makes excellent use of a trope I usually hate - enemies to lovers - and continues to build on already vivid character and world dynamics. She’s also a master at spicy scenes if those are your jam, constantly one-upping her prior scenes somehow. Given how much I love this series, I was delighted to see a glimmer of more on the horizon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, and Classism
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Sexism
aj_langley's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, and Rape
abnormal_shadow's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I LOVE THIS BOOK SERIS!!!!!
I started this book series like I start all the books i read: Bliond. I didnt know what i was getting into and i am happy to say that I had a wonderful experience with this book. The characters are all distinct and identifiable, all we it different interesting and complementing personalities. The twists that made me gasp the biggest gasps and the the loudest "omg nooooooooooo". Everyone seems to have this mutual queer understanding ang it thinks their entire friend group is astonishing. If I don't get to be the Addie in room with Violet, Maudie, Robion, Edwin, Alan and Jack, will I don't want the fucking group.
I started this book series like I start all the books i read: Bliond. I didnt know what i was getting into and i am happy to say that I had a wonderful experience with this book. The characters are all distinct and identifiable, all we it different interesting and complementing personalities. The twists that made me gasp the biggest gasps and the the loudest "omg nooooooooooo". Everyone seems to have this mutual queer understanding ang it thinks their entire friend group is astonishing. If I don't get to be the Addie in room with Violet, Maudie, Robion, Edwin, Alan and Jack, will I don't want the fucking group.
ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ♡
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Gore, Racism, Torture, Religious bigotry, and War
Minor: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
imds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Rape and Pregnancy
r0secaptain's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The main characters felt like they were there to just watch the story/plot happen, they didn't contribute much which is unfortunate. Really felt like the author didn't know what to do with non-magical characters. But the romance plot between Jack and Alan was amazing even given the relatively little time they had together; it swept me away and I think they've got to be my favorite match up in the series. It's only a shame they didn't get to spend more time together. Overall a good resolution to the trilogy though I think this book had more untapped potential.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Alcohol
hailstorm3812's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-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? Yes
4.0
I think this book got caught up in the amount of plot ground to cover that it tended to lose sight of the romance. The two genres tended to feel very distant in a way that they other books didn't. I liked both the plot and the romance but I think it could have felt more relevant. I do think it did a good job of tying everything up in the end, which so many series struggle with, while also leaving it open to the possibility of another series. Also three times is a pattern and the bonding of every couple over erotica is so funny. I love the way romance authors tell on themselves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Classism
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Ableism, Child death, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
booksthatburn's review
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
Finishing out the trilogy, A POWER UNBOUND finally provides answers as to why Lord Hawthorn (Jack) lost his magic and his sister all those years ago. It wraps up the mysteries around the Last Contract, and while it doesn't contain any wholly new storylines, that's much less crucial for the end of a series. The way it approaches Jack and Alan's relationship it almost sufficient to stand on its own if necessary, though several delightful aspects (such as their first meeting and Alan's selling of pornography) are show in A RESTLESS TRUTH. Most aspects of Alan's life are introduced for the first time, as well as the specifics of Jack's. It's a strange balance that lets many details feel completely new even though the main characters and their current situation were set up in first two books. I've been hoping Jack would be a protagonist since he was first introduced as Lord Hawthorne in A MARVELLOUS LIGHT, so I was absolutely delighted to get my wish at last. They're very different narrators from any of the others, somehow continuing the pattern of one person having magic and the other not, but in a way I wasn't expecting.
The first chapter cements George as not only the detestable and power-hungry person shown into the earlier books, but truly vicious and uncaring in pursuit of his aims. There's something extra terrible in the way he destroyed Elsie and Jack's lives and then was so concerned with hiding what he'd done that he laid a secret-bind on both of them and didn't give a shit what became of them afterwards. Now, with a trail of the dead in George's wake, Jack and his strange new group of friends have one last chance to stop him once and for all.
Much of the magical worldbuilding was set up in the first two books, but there's a focus on class dynamics which is made possible by Alan's perspective when juxtaposed with the richer and titled members of the group. For all the Blythe's money troubles, they're on a vastly different scale than whether Alan's family will starve due to accident or injury. That perspective helps make obvious that the Last Contract was meant to accomplish something it's no longer really doing, and enables the group to come up with new solutions as things spin wildly out of control.
A POWER UNBOUND is (somehow) even sexier that A MARVELLOUS LIGHT and A RESTLESS TRUTH, or maybe this is just a sign that my tastes run closer to Alan's than any of the previous protagonists. Good sex scenes provide character development in addition to titillation. Great sex scenes are so seamlessly a part of character development that to skip them would be to miss something crucial, fervent, and deeply personal about the characters involved. Jack and Alan's relationship is one of playing with power dynamics and trusting that the other person won't cross any lines, that fantasies made flesh are a wonderful kind of vulnerability, and that consent can be withdrawn mid-scene. They get the thrill of fighting without being in true danger, though it takes a while for Alan to be sure enough of Lord Hawthorne that he can accept this vulnerability with Jack. For his part, Jack is enjoying the extra level of intimacy which comes from having unknowingly read Alan's work for years, now able to use that knowledge erotically and to devastating effect.
A POWER UNBOUND is a satisfying ending to a great trilogy. The epilogue is a perfect snapshot of everyone, I cackled at Alan's attempt at an interview after the big event. I'm eager for whatever Freya Marske writes next.
The first chapter cements George as not only the detestable and power-hungry person shown into the earlier books, but truly vicious and uncaring in pursuit of his aims. There's something extra terrible in the way he destroyed Elsie and Jack's lives and then was so concerned with hiding what he'd done that he laid a secret-bind on both of them and didn't give a shit what became of them afterwards. Now, with a trail of the dead in George's wake, Jack and his strange new group of friends have one last chance to stop him once and for all.
Much of the magical worldbuilding was set up in the first two books, but there's a focus on class dynamics which is made possible by Alan's perspective when juxtaposed with the richer and titled members of the group. For all the Blythe's money troubles, they're on a vastly different scale than whether Alan's family will starve due to accident or injury. That perspective helps make obvious that the Last Contract was meant to accomplish something it's no longer really doing, and enables the group to come up with new solutions as things spin wildly out of control.
A POWER UNBOUND is (somehow) even sexier that A MARVELLOUS LIGHT and A RESTLESS TRUTH, or maybe this is just a sign that my tastes run closer to Alan's than any of the previous protagonists. Good sex scenes provide character development in addition to titillation. Great sex scenes are so seamlessly a part of character development that to skip them would be to miss something crucial, fervent, and deeply personal about the characters involved. Jack and Alan's relationship is one of playing with power dynamics and trusting that the other person won't cross any lines, that fantasies made flesh are a wonderful kind of vulnerability, and that consent can be withdrawn mid-scene. They get the thrill of fighting without being in true danger, though it takes a while for Alan to be sure enough of Lord Hawthorne that he can accept this vulnerability with Jack. For his part, Jack is enjoying the extra level of intimacy which comes from having unknowingly read Alan's work for years, now able to use that knowledge erotically and to devastating effect.
A POWER UNBOUND is a satisfying ending to a great trilogy. The epilogue is a perfect snapshot of everyone, I cackled at Alan's attempt at an interview after the big event. I'm eager for whatever Freya Marske writes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Sexism, Suicide, Torture, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Vomit, Grief, and War