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loveyoulike's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
4.25
my favorite book in the series and definitely the best conclusion to this whole mystery as we could've ever gotten. marske's has truly outdone herself in terms of writing characters, relationships, mystery, tension, politics, and world-building. you can visibly see the improvements from the previous books, especially since most of the necessary world-building has been laid down so the focus on the story and developments take center stage. i very much love the character ross and how marske handled his class dilemma as it is often a very tricky road to balance.
however, my biggest problem from the whole series remains unsolved. marske tends to favor wordy writing that includes lots of dialogue and streams of thoughts, which works for introspective scenes and highlights of setting and character dynamics. which is fine on its own honestly, but the issue occurs when the action starts to happen and instead of an immersive flow, we still get stilted and convoluted descriptions that freeze scenes away from the overall picture. they take me out of the most important plot beats and complicate the pacing, especially when urgency is called for by the story.
nevertheless, it was still an enjoyable read (mostly thanks to ross and jack). if i had to reread this series, i would 100% do it just to get to this book.
however, my biggest problem from the whole series remains unsolved. marske tends to favor wordy writing that includes lots of dialogue and streams of thoughts, which works for introspective scenes and highlights of setting and character dynamics. which is fine on its own honestly, but the issue occurs when the action starts to happen and instead of an immersive flow, we still get stilted and convoluted descriptions that freeze scenes away from the overall picture. they take me out of the most important plot beats and complicate the pacing, especially when urgency is called for by the story.
nevertheless, it was still an enjoyable read (mostly thanks to ross and jack). if i had to reread this series, i would 100% do it just to get to this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate: Classism and Chronic illness
Minor: Infidelity and Rape
robin_reads'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
5.0
This is the third book in one of my favorite trilogies ever. Even if I didn’t like the second book as much a a I liked the other two.
This was wonderful. At one point I was so anxious and scared about what was going to happen that I couldn’t continue reading 😭
I loved the conclusion to the mystery, the found family elements and the reluctant love store.
This was wonderful. At one point I was so anxious and scared about what was going to happen that I couldn’t continue reading 😭
I loved the conclusion to the mystery, the found family elements and the reluctant love store.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Murder, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Gun violence, Bullying, Gaslighting, and Sexual content
questingnotcoasting'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? No
4.0
I really enjoyed this series. It took me about 100 pages to get into this final book because I couldn't remember all the details from the second one but it all came back to me eventually. I think this one might be my least favourite because I didn't feel as attached to the two main characters but I was pleased to see the characters from the other books all come together. I really like the magic system and thought this was a satisfying end to the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Suicide and Mental illness
Minor: Death of parent
thecolouryes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
Icing on the top of a romp of a period fantasy romance. I feel like this series was invented for me. I don't really know what to say other than if you enjoy the period, and you like a nice fantasy plot in your romance, you absolutely need to try this series out. I couldn't help reading this book all in one day, and now my only problem is that there's no more of it to read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Classism, Death, Suicide, and Gore
Minor: Sexism, Self harm, Gun violence, and Mental illness
micheala's review against another edition
4.0
I was quite nervous going into this one. I really enjoyed the first book, and had some significant issues with the second book, so I was afraid this was going to be a similar issue, especially when I saw it was hate to love.
Thankfully, I did end up enjoying it. I think book 1 focused 60/40 on the romance vs plot, book 2 was 30/70, and book 3 is 50/50. Book 1 is a Sunshine/Grump (a trope I love), book 2 is a murder mystery with a side of holiday romance, and book 3 is hate to love (a trope I don't usually enjoy)
Both as an individual book, as well as the conclusion to the trilogy, I think this did a really good job. I liked the character growth we got between Alan and Jake as we/they found out more about each other. I also appreciated that they, like Edward and Robin, got on the same page with a good amount of the book left (~50-60% as opposed to Violet and Maude who didn't manage that until the very end, and ended their book with me unsure if they would keep seeing each other let alone have a HFN never mind a HEA)
From a fantasy perspective, I loved how much worldbuilding we got in this book. Seeing the exploration of the magic was fascinating and definitely increased my enjoyment.
I'm very happy where this trilogy left off, and I'll be interested to see what Marske puts out next - these have all pulled a little more angsty then my personal preference, but the quality is amazing so depending on tropes I'll give the next thing a shot.
Not quite a content warning, but the sexual encounters are all rape fantasies. The two characters have explicite concent and boundaries discussed prior, however if power imbalances and "not" being able to say no is a trigger, I would suggest skipping this.
Thankfully, I did end up enjoying it. I think book 1 focused 60/40 on the romance vs plot, book 2 was 30/70, and book 3 is 50/50. Book 1 is a Sunshine/Grump (a trope I love), book 2 is a murder mystery with a side of holiday romance, and book 3 is hate to love (a trope I don't usually enjoy)
Both as an individual book, as well as the conclusion to the trilogy, I think this did a really good job. I liked the character growth we got between Alan and Jake as we/they found out more about each other. I also appreciated that they, like Edward and Robin, got on the same page with a good amount of the book left (~50-60% as opposed to Violet and Maude who didn't manage that until the very end, and ended their book with me unsure if they would keep seeing each other let alone have a HFN never mind a HEA)
From a fantasy perspective, I loved how much worldbuilding we got in this book. Seeing the exploration of the magic was fascinating and definitely increased my enjoyment.
I'm very happy where this trilogy left off, and I'll be interested to see what Marske puts out next - these have all pulled a little more angsty then my personal preference, but the quality is amazing so depending on tropes I'll give the next thing a shot.
Not quite a content warning, but the sexual encounters are all rape fantasies. The two characters have explicite concent and boundaries discussed prior, however if power imbalances and "not" being able to say no is a trigger, I would suggest skipping this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Suicide, Murder, Police brutality, Violence, Death, Gun violence, Blood, Grief, and Sexual content
mallorypen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a fine end to this trilogy! Though this didn’t have the white-hot thrill of the first novel, I thoroughly enjoyed the two main protagonists and their story arc, and the last half of the book was full of wrapped loose ends, fraught emotional moments and nefarious plots.
The elements that brought this down from a 5 star read were mostly to do with the sprawling cast of characters. I did appreciate that Robin and Edwin played such a large role, and having met Maud and Violet in the last novel it did feel like the whole Scooby gang was finally together. That said, Jack was almost a little hard to follow from book to book, and that made his being one of the protagonists a little challenging at the get go. Similarly, Alan going from a C character to the other main protagonist further complicated my comprehension as a (admittedly) distracted reader.
Much like the second novel, I think reading this series back to back would greatly improve my enjoyment. But, even with gaps between novels and a bit of a slow start, I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
The elements that brought this down from a 5 star read were mostly to do with the sprawling cast of characters. I did appreciate that Robin and Edwin played such a large role, and having met Maud and Violet in the last novel it did feel like the whole Scooby gang was finally together. That said, Jack was almost a little hard to follow from book to book, and that made his being one of the protagonists a little challenging at the get go. Similarly, Alan going from a C character to the other main protagonist further complicated my comprehension as a (admittedly) distracted reader.
Much like the second novel, I think reading this series back to back would greatly improve my enjoyment. But, even with gaps between novels and a bit of a slow start, I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death
Minor: Sexual assault
katebird's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Suicide
amyalwaysbooked's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
After reading A Restless Truth I was eager to see both a conclusion to the plot of the Last Contract as well as see how Jack and Alan's relationship would build. I was not disappointed!
This was an excellent conclusion to the mysteries built up in the first two books of the trilogy. It brought the whole cast together, neatly tied up loose ends while also leaving the future up to the imagination of the reader in the most pleasant way possible.
Jack and Alan might be my favorite couple in the series as I do love a good love/hate relationship. The story never shied away from the power imbalance in their relationship. I think that Marske handled the conversations around it well. The fact that the two of them both enjoyed using that particular topic during sex played nicely as well. The line between bedroom fantasy and the reality of their situation was never blurred which I appreciated.
I also liked how Marske explored various queer relationships and how they might exist in a time when they could not be open in society. Without spoiling too much there is a marriage of convenience, not in the tropey "will-they-won't-they" sort of way, but in the way I imagine many queer people settled during the time. Overall there were a lot of frank conversations about the limitations of society at the time, and even in ways that our society still fails today. I appreciated the dose of realism amidst Marske's fantastical world.
This was an excellent conclusion to the mysteries built up in the first two books of the trilogy. It brought the whole cast together, neatly tied up loose ends while also leaving the future up to the imagination of the reader in the most pleasant way possible.
Jack and Alan might be my favorite couple in the series as I do love a good love/hate relationship. The story never shied away from the power imbalance in their relationship. I think that Marske handled the conversations around it well. The fact that the two of them both enjoyed using that particular topic during sex played nicely as well. The line between bedroom fantasy and the reality of their situation was never blurred which I appreciated.
I also liked how Marske explored various queer relationships and how they might exist in a time when they could not be open in society. Without spoiling too much there is a marriage of convenience, not in the tropey "will-they-won't-they" sort of way, but in the way I imagine many queer people settled during the time. Overall there were a lot of frank conversations about the limitations of society at the time, and even in ways that our society still fails today. I appreciated the dose of realism amidst Marske's fantastical world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Infidelity
scrubsandbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.5
This is definitely going on the list of one of my favorite trilogies with a third book that wrapped up a great deal of plot and answered so many questions. I love a character who seems outwardly uncaring but cares deeply actually deep down and I found that in Jack. His and Alan's bickering and fights were eye-opening and an insight into their characters without being gravely hurtful or abusive, clearly a rivals to lovers done correctly.
The climactic conflict was so fun to read, a good mix of "YAY"s and "OH NO"s and I couldn't put it down when I got to the last 80%. The ending brought all trilogies together perfectly.
Except now I want a spinoff novella of some sort of Adelaide because she deserves the very best.
The climactic conflict was so fun to read, a good mix of "YAY"s and "OH NO"s and I couldn't put it down when I got to the last 80%. The ending brought all trilogies together perfectly.
Except now I want a spinoff novella of some sort of Adelaide because she deserves the very best.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence and Death
Minor: Gun violence
readerpants's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Much, much steamier than I expected, with a significant graphic emphasis on kink (all consensual and negotiated but a lot). Darn these deceptive newfangled illustrated covers. FYI when recommending to various readers!!
solid end to the series that wrapped up all the loose ends. I preferred the second book with the whole murder mystery on a magical cruise ship situation, tho.
solid end to the series that wrapped up all the loose ends. I preferred the second book with the whole murder mystery on a magical cruise ship situation, tho.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content