Reviews

A Power Unbound by Freya Marske

frida12345's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Death

Moderate: Classism

Minor: Misogyny and Toxic friendship

jacktardis's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

gabliotecaria's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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

confusedpierog's review against another edition

adventurous tense 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? No

5.0

thalassa_reading's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I really enjoyed the plot and resolution of the series, it was very satisfying and brought our gaggle of characters, who've become a found family by now, plus some new characters (Hawthorn's mother!!) together in such delightful ways. I can't say often enough how amazing the magic system is, I love the concept of magic of the land so much, and this book had it in spades. Introducing the heirs to the house by showing the newborns to mirror! Bowing to the bee hives! So awesome!

Unfortunately I disliked the dynamic of the new couple so intensely I had to skip many pages. Alan and Hawthorn are forever hissing, spitting venom, using derogatory language, it was extremely exhausting. Class is a huge wedge between them and an important issue the book discusses, but the way it was done imo undermined those efforts, not least because the power difference is such a defining feature of their sex role plays. About those I can only say, dom/sub all the way, degrading language, consensual non-consent etc, no romance until the very end and then it was suddenly too sentimental. Alan's pov additionally undermines the camaraderie because for him everyone is rich and privileged first and a human being second. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Blood and Death

kwfriss's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

3.5

iamizi's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious 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

3.75

adearen's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

tiefling48's review against another edition

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

mo_ber's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad tense 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? No

3.75