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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Just finished, love it! Longer review to come soon.
3.5⭐️
Thank you so much to Tordotcom and Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this! All thoughts and opinions are still my own.
This one didn't quite live up to book 1 for me, but I still absolutely adore this world and series.
This is one of the most unique mixes of historical, romance, and fantasy I've ever read. And I love it. The magic itself is so unique and well developed. The characters are great, there's mystery elements, and plenty of humor sprinkled throughout.
I was so excited for this addition to the series because a murder mystery set on a ship with a sapphic romance element sounded right up my alley. In execution, it wasn't my favorite but there was still plenty to love.
Let's start with what I loved first.
We got learn so much more about the world and magic in this one. Which I really appreciated. This story could easily become overwhelming with its magic and history. But the way Freya Marske spreads out her world building makes it so much easier to follow and grasp (which I appreciate as a non fantasy reader).
The mystery was a fun and the isolated setting allowed for a lot of fun antics. There were so many laugh out loud moments with these characters (dramatic porn readings anyone?)
But where this book lacked for me was in the main characters and romance. Which is shocking considering that was the shining element for me in book 1. But Maud and Violet just didn't hit the same way as Robin and Edwin.
I never felt like I got to know these characters well. In fact, part of Violet's character is that she is always acting and doesn't let anyone get to know her. Which unfortunately meant that the reader didn't get to know her either.
And I have a hard time connecting to romances when I can't understand a character or their motivations.
I liked the moments between Violet and Maud. I thought their dialogue and discussions and encounters were well done. And I love a good sex ed moment.
But since we didn't get a ton of their personalities, I couldn't quite grasp why these 2 actually liked each other.
However -- where this one leaves off has me insanely excited for book 3. I have no idea how many books are in this series, but I need the next one asap. And I'm currently holding out hope that Hawthorne is one of the MCs (even though my heart forever lies with Robin and Edwin)
Thank you so much to Tordotcom and Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this! All thoughts and opinions are still my own.
This one didn't quite live up to book 1 for me, but I still absolutely adore this world and series.
This is one of the most unique mixes of historical, romance, and fantasy I've ever read. And I love it. The magic itself is so unique and well developed. The characters are great, there's mystery elements, and plenty of humor sprinkled throughout.
I was so excited for this addition to the series because a murder mystery set on a ship with a sapphic romance element sounded right up my alley. In execution, it wasn't my favorite but there was still plenty to love.
Let's start with what I loved first.
We got learn so much more about the world and magic in this one. Which I really appreciated. This story could easily become overwhelming with its magic and history. But the way Freya Marske spreads out her world building makes it so much easier to follow and grasp (which I appreciate as a non fantasy reader).
The mystery was a fun and the isolated setting allowed for a lot of fun antics. There were so many laugh out loud moments with these characters (dramatic porn readings anyone?)
But where this book lacked for me was in the main characters and romance. Which is shocking considering that was the shining element for me in book 1. But Maud and Violet just didn't hit the same way as Robin and Edwin.
I never felt like I got to know these characters well. In fact, part of Violet's character is that she is always acting and doesn't let anyone get to know her. Which unfortunately meant that the reader didn't get to know her either.
And I have a hard time connecting to romances when I can't understand a character or their motivations.
I liked the moments between Violet and Maud. I thought their dialogue and discussions and encounters were well done. And I love a good sex ed moment.
But since we didn't get a ton of their personalities, I couldn't quite grasp why these 2 actually liked each other.
However -- where this one leaves off has me insanely excited for book 3. I have no idea how many books are in this series, but I need the next one asap. And I'm currently holding out hope that Hawthorne is one of the MCs (even though my heart forever lies with Robin and Edwin)
I adored this book, the dynamics between the main cast of characters were so interesting to read and they all felt fleshed out with distinct personalities. When I started it I was worried that the whole thing taking place on a ship would make it feel claustrophobic, but that ended up being a non-issue.
I do still think that A Marvellous Light is my favorite of the 2 in this series I've read so far, but this was absolutely an enjoyable romp, and I can't wait to read A Power Unbound.
I do still think that A Marvellous Light is my favorite of the 2 in this series I've read so far, but this was absolutely an enjoyable romp, and I can't wait to read A Power Unbound.
The wlw romp I needed. I loved book 1 and I’m so invested in both the new characters and their connections to the old ones
I was a bit worried about this book beforehand because we did not follow the characters from the first book. Still, I found that the novel tied in very well with the overall story, and I enjoyed meeting these characters.
I guess sort of 3.5? The opening was great — quickly set a scene, established stakes, and brought you into it. For me it sort of softened for much of the rest of the novel. Not so much that I didn’t keep reading or being curious about it, but just soft. I can’t recall if the first in the series had the same isssue.
3.5 stars
Sequels are hard. You have to keep the series’ plot moving without giving away too much, and no matter what you do, people will always compare it to the first book (favourably or otherwise).
There were aspects of this book I really enjoyed. I love that we’re getting more of an ensemble cast as the series progresses, and I appreciated the way the lore was built and clarified. We also got some glimpses/possible foreshadowing for book three, which kept me excited to continue reading.
Marske’s prose is also absolutely lovely. She employs some wonderful turns of phrase here—the kind that make me pause reading so I can turn them over in my head a few times to see what makes them work so well. It’s always a joy to read her writing, and I look forward to more of that as the series continues.
Some other reviews people have left here have lamented the lack of romance, or the fact that the book takes place in a single setting. To me, neither of these things would have been particularly noticeable in a standalone book; but because we can’t help but compare A Restless Truth to its predecessor, the change in pacing and theme stands out.
The single setting didn’t bother me all that much. They move about the ship a lot, spend time in first class, third class, the cargo hold, etc. There was sufficient change of scenery to keep me interested. The issue for me was more the fact that the entire book takes place across six days. This gives us much less room for character development, and also greatly limits the possibility of a well-developed romantic arc. The attraction between Maude and Violet is mostly physical. Which, sure, I get it. You’re stuck on a boat with a hot stranger and a suitcase full of pornography. When in Rome. But compared to the heart wrenching, pining, slow burn romance of A Marvellous Light, I can see how fwb-on-a-ship is a bit disappointing.
Characterisation was also limited by the shortened timeline. Whereas in A Marvellous Light we got to see Robin develop from a reluctant heir to a committed and integral part of the quest to save magical society, Maude undergoes very little change in the six days we get to know her. Her whole motive for the voyage seems thin. She’s travelled from London to New York and now back to London again all because she wants to do something to pay her brother back for the kindness he’s shown her. He’s the only person who’s ever believed in her, etc. And yet the whole plot hinges on the fact that Maude can convince anyone to do anything. She’s ballsy, she’s clever, and she doesn’t take no for an answer. Even curmudgeonly Hawthorne says that she reminds him of his sister in that she can make people follow her anywhere. I wish this had been explored more in her character, to give her some greater tie to the overall conceit of the fantasy. Why does she care about the last contract? It can’t only be because Robin cares about it.
This review probably sounds harsher than I mean it to be. I did enjoy it! I read it quickly, I loved the writing, and I’m still looking forward to book three. I’m hoping that one will take place over a longer time period and, now that all our characters are back in the same city, we’ll get to see Maude and Violet’s storylines developed a bit more.
Sequels are hard. You have to keep the series’ plot moving without giving away too much, and no matter what you do, people will always compare it to the first book (favourably or otherwise).
There were aspects of this book I really enjoyed. I love that we’re getting more of an ensemble cast as the series progresses, and I appreciated the way the lore was built and clarified. We also got some glimpses/possible foreshadowing for book three, which kept me excited to continue reading.
Marske’s prose is also absolutely lovely. She employs some wonderful turns of phrase here—the kind that make me pause reading so I can turn them over in my head a few times to see what makes them work so well. It’s always a joy to read her writing, and I look forward to more of that as the series continues.
Some other reviews people have left here have lamented the lack of romance, or the fact that the book takes place in a single setting. To me, neither of these things would have been particularly noticeable in a standalone book; but because we can’t help but compare A Restless Truth to its predecessor, the change in pacing and theme stands out.
The single setting didn’t bother me all that much. They move about the ship a lot, spend time in first class, third class, the cargo hold, etc. There was sufficient change of scenery to keep me interested. The issue for me was more the fact that the entire book takes place across six days. This gives us much less room for character development, and also greatly limits the possibility of a well-developed romantic arc. The attraction between Maude and Violet is mostly physical. Which, sure, I get it. You’re stuck on a boat with a hot stranger and a suitcase full of pornography. When in Rome. But compared to the heart wrenching, pining, slow burn romance of A Marvellous Light, I can see how fwb-on-a-ship is a bit disappointing.
Characterisation was also limited by the shortened timeline. Whereas in A Marvellous Light we got to see Robin develop from a reluctant heir to a committed and integral part of the quest to save magical society, Maude undergoes very little change in the six days we get to know her. Her whole motive for the voyage seems thin. She’s travelled from London to New York and now back to London again all because she wants to do something to pay her brother back for the kindness he’s shown her. He’s the only person who’s ever believed in her, etc. And yet the whole plot hinges on the fact that Maude can convince anyone to do anything. She’s ballsy, she’s clever, and she doesn’t take no for an answer. Even curmudgeonly Hawthorne says that she reminds him of his sister in that she can make people follow her anywhere. I wish this had been explored more in her character, to give her some greater tie to the overall conceit of the fantasy. Why does she care about the last contract? It can’t only be because Robin cares about it.
This review probably sounds harsher than I mean it to be. I did enjoy it! I read it quickly, I loved the writing, and I’m still looking forward to book three. I’m hoping that one will take place over a longer time period and, now that all our characters are back in the same city, we’ll get to see Maude and Violet’s storylines developed a bit more.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
Complicated
If I was rating this solely for the romance aspect this would have been a 1 star review… especially compared to the masterpiece the first novel was. As someone who LOVES a good romance this attempt was meh at best… crap at worst.
But the rest of the story was actually pretty decent. To be honest I would have been perfectly happy just to follow along in the whodunit without having to pretend to be interested in whatever that was happening with Maude and Violet. Once I reached around the halfway mark I stopped reading anything to do with Maude and Violet and their “relationship” and just stuck to the rest of the story and it became immensely more enjoyable.
But the rest of the story was actually pretty decent. To be honest I would have been perfectly happy just to follow along in the whodunit without having to pretend to be interested in whatever that was happening with Maude and Violet. Once I reached around the halfway mark I stopped reading anything to do with Maude and Violet and their “relationship” and just stuck to the rest of the story and it became immensely more enjoyable.