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onthesamepage'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
5.0
Tropes: hate to love, D/s, roleplay
Steam level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
I hoped I would have a good time with this book, but it was even better than I expected.
I want to talk a bit about the overarching plot first, because it's easy to ignore that part in favor of looking at this series as predominately romance. The plot and the magic system throughout the trilogy is fascinating. I really enjoyed following the story to its conclusion, and being reunited with the couples from the previous books as well made this one feel somehow cozy, even though the stakes are really high. I was also surprised by how it wrapped up (in a good way).
The inclusion of Robin, Edwin, Maud, and Violet, with small, romantic moments here and there, really made me happy. Robin and Edwin are still my favourite couple, and I loved the things they went through in this book. But Jack and Alan are a close second. Their dynamic just really works for me. They constantly get under each other's skin, have no qualms about being hard and brutally honest, and come together in what feels like a violent explosion. That naked honesty between them is what makes some of the events so interesting to follow. From the three couples, they are the ones who have the most work to do before they can find even footing, and a lot of that has to do with the discrepancy in their places in life.
Steam level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
I hoped I would have a good time with this book, but it was even better than I expected.
I want to talk a bit about the overarching plot first, because it's easy to ignore that part in favor of looking at this series as predominately romance. The plot and the magic system throughout the trilogy is fascinating. I really enjoyed following the story to its conclusion, and being reunited with the couples from the previous books as well made this one feel somehow cozy, even though the stakes are really high. I was also surprised by how it wrapped up (in a good way).
The inclusion of Robin, Edwin, Maud, and Violet, with small, romantic moments here and there, really made me happy. Robin and Edwin are still my favourite couple, and I loved the things they went through in this book. But Jack and Alan are a close second. Their dynamic just really works for me. They constantly get under each other's skin, have no qualms about being hard and brutally honest, and come together in what feels like a violent explosion. That naked honesty between them is what makes some of the events so interesting to follow. From the three couples, they are the ones who have the most work to do before they can find even footing, and a lot of that has to do with the discrepancy in their places in life.
I would write you into immortality. I would trap you in ink and wear the pages next to my skin until they fell apart. Kiss me until I know you. Kiss me until you know me, and unmake me, and love me anyway.
They're really compelling as their own characters, too. It's been obvious from the first book that Jack is carrying around some kind of baggage, and that he has done his best to withdraw from everyone around him. Now that he's back amongst magicians, and dealing with the people who caused the loss of his magic, he is forced to confront a lot of things he refused to deal with before.
Alan, on the other hand, has spent most of his life working (or hustling, really) to take care of his family, no matter what that took from him. He has also spent most of his life hiding. Whether it's his actual politics, the fact that he writes queer pornography on the side, his previous criminal activity, or that he is Italian—there are very few people who know, see, and accept all of him. And even though Jack does fully see him, it's hard for Alan to trust someone who, based on his status and on Alan's own experience, can fully ruin him without thinking twice about it. The moments where Jack finally earns bits of that trust are really sweet.
I also have to mention how much the author's writing just works for my brain. I found myself sinking effortlessly into the prose, and it made the reading experience such a delight.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Grief
Moderate: Suicide and Chronic illness
Minor: Rape and Infidelity
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
hailstorm3812's review against another edition
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: Classism and Grief
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Racism, Death of parent, Police brutality, Ableism, Murder, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, and Child death
ladythana's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Police brutality, Classism, Suicide, Murder, Blood, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Rape, Pregnancy, and Emotional abuse
pitsikakku's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Sexual content
Moderate: Classism, Violence, Grief, and Misogyny
purrson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
5.0
This was a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. I really enjoyed Jack & Alan’s perspectives (although Robin is my favorite protagonist). The opening chapter is a punch in the gut, and helps explain so much of Jack’s character, his past cruelty, and his unexpected to Maud. Jack & Alan’s chemistry & romance was interesting and fun, and I appreciated how we got a sense of Jack’s chemistry with the other characters. The villains are truly villainous in this—especially once you're filled in on what happened to Elsie, who’s been mentioned throughout the trilogy. I really hated them. I wasn’t sure how this would end, magic-wise, but the way Marske does it is really fun. I’m going to miss these characters and I wish we could get more stories about them—I kind of want to know what Edwin is like more happy and confident and how things work with where the book leaves them. I’d read a spinoff about Maude & Violet’s adventures too, and one about Oliver. The world building is really well done, and I hope Marske revisits it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Grief
Moderate: Blood, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Suicide
booksthatburn's review against another edition
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: Classism, Blood, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, and Cursing
Moderate: Sexism, Suicide, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
Minor: Rape, Gore, Vomit, Gun violence, Grief, Sexism, Racism, Infidelity, and War
aileron's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Classism, Death, Gun violence, Grief, Murder, and Suicide
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, and Bullying
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, War, and Fire/Fire injury
sapphic_in_the_stacks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
A thrilling, beautiful, hopeful conclusion to the series. Marske manages to deliver an exciting yet elegant resolution to the enormous setup of the last two books. Not only that, but this book brings back all our favorite people from the last two installments, and has them working together alongside our new characters in a formidable team. While we don't get anything from the perspectives of our old favorites, this book allows us a peak back into those romantic and personal dynamics, as well as presents new dynamics between characters we know but haven't seen together.
This book manages to ride the line between historical fiction, fantasy, and romance, incorporating elements of each genre without feeling like it belongs more to one than the others. The historical context is interesting but not overpowering. The magic system is well developed and fascinating to learn, though the rules governing it continue to be discovered by the characters (and the audience) in a way that feels organic and makes sense in the context of the world. The romance plot in this book might be my favorite in the series. It manages to tackle the tricky but alluring subject of power imbalance in a way that keeps the dynamic both fun and unquestionably consensual. The intimacy is driven by character choices and alongside character development.
I really couldn't say enough good things about this book. It made me feel all the emotions, it caught my attention in the beginning and didn't let go until the end. I was genuinely loathe to stop reading and leave the world of this book. I can only say that I hope Marske continues to write more in this world, so I can come back again soon!
This book manages to ride the line between historical fiction, fantasy, and romance, incorporating elements of each genre without feeling like it belongs more to one than the others. The historical context is interesting but not overpowering. The magic system is well developed and fascinating to learn, though the rules governing it continue to be discovered by the characters (and the audience) in a way that feels organic and makes sense in the context of the world. The romance plot in this book might be my favorite in the series. It manages to tackle the tricky but alluring subject of power imbalance in a way that keeps the dynamic both fun and unquestionably consensual. The intimacy is driven by character choices and alongside character development.
I really couldn't say enough good things about this book. It made me feel all the emotions, it caught my attention in the beginning and didn't let go until the end. I was genuinely loathe to stop reading and leave the world of this book. I can only say that I hope Marske continues to write more in this world, so I can come back again soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Grief, and Child death
Minor: Pregnancy and Gun violence
madscientistcat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, and Death
Moderate: Suicide and Grief
Minor: Rape