Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
mysterious
slow-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
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first book because I didn’t really like one of the main dual pov leads (Violet)
4.5 stars
A Restless Truth (ART) showcases a lot of the same elements that I loved from A Marvelous Light (AML) - mystery, clever underdog MCs against seemingly impossible odds, humans with secret special abilities, twists & turns, etc. ART brings a little more comedy and I felt had a slightly lighter tone than AML (although there is still plenty of danger).
The romance I think was a bit weaker in ART. The two MCs build a strong friendship, and it was nice to see how they worked together to solve the mystery, and just had fun together, but it didn't have the tension, build-up, and (not quite but almost) enemies-to-lovers vibe we got in AML. Instead of the grumpy-sunshine trope, Violet and Maude are the experienced-teacher-eager-virgin trope, which is maybe just not my cup of tea? Also, the ending is a HFN, not a HEA.
Writing and plot were just as strong as in AML and if anything this made me more excited to read the last book, as we see more of Lord Hawthorne's character AND we meet Alan Ross in this one and I already really like both characters!
A Restless Truth (ART) showcases a lot of the same elements that I loved from A Marvelous Light (AML) - mystery, clever underdog MCs against seemingly impossible odds, humans with secret special abilities, twists & turns, etc. ART brings a little more comedy and I felt had a slightly lighter tone than AML (although there is still plenty of danger).
The romance I think was a bit weaker in ART. The two MCs build a strong friendship, and it was nice to see how they worked together to solve the mystery, and just had fun together, but it didn't have the tension, build-up, and (not quite but almost) enemies-to-lovers vibe we got in AML. Instead of the grumpy-sunshine trope, Violet and Maude are the experienced-teacher-eager-virgin trope, which is maybe just not my cup of tea? Also, the ending is a HFN, not a HEA.
Writing and plot were just as strong as in AML and if anything this made me more excited to read the last book, as we see more of Lord Hawthorne's character AND we meet Alan Ross in this one and I already really like both characters!
A Restless Truth is the second in The Last Binding series, and I loved it as much as I loved the first, A Marvelous Light.
Maud Blyth (sister of Robin Blyth, from A Marvelous Light) is aboard a transatlantic voyage. She went to the United States to collect Mrs. Navenby, who owns one piece of the Last Contract, three magical items that hold vast, mysterious magic. Mrs. Navenby is coming back to England with Maud to mourn (and avenge) the death of her good friend Flora Sutton, who owned another piece of the Last Contract. When Mrs. Navenby is killed on the first day of their journey back to England, and everything silver she owned is stolen (thus losing her Last Contract piece), Maud must figure out who killed her and how to get the pieces back.
Maud elicits the help of Violet Debenham,whose face she already knew from Robin's notebook of premonitions, and Lord Hawthorn, an acquaintance of her brother Robin's partner, Edwin. Violet is daring, beautiful and rich, having just inherited a fortune from a distant relative. She also has a fair amount of magical talent. Hawthorn's magical talent was lost several years ago, but he still has the training to assist Violet in performing magical spells. They also recruit Alan Ross, a reporter, who has been given free rein by White Star Liners to interview passengers about their journeys. Ross can go places the others cannot, and can ask questions without raising as much suspicion.
Maud learns much about herself and her abilities, both as a medium (a skill she didn't know she had before this voyage) and as a strong, independent woman. Rich women in the early 1900's weren't expected to do much, even in magical families, and both Maud and Violet are determined to make their mark on the world and "do their part" to keep magic safe.
Marske knows how to write a compelling mystery as well as a captivating romance. Maud and Violet's relationship begins as just a physical one, but you watch them fall in love. The sex scenes are plenty spicy, so if that is a concern of yours, this is not the book for you! But if you love mystery, magic and queer love, you'll really enjoy this series. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book!
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.
Maud Blyth (sister of Robin Blyth, from A Marvelous Light) is aboard a transatlantic voyage. She went to the United States to collect Mrs. Navenby, who owns one piece of the Last Contract, three magical items that hold vast, mysterious magic. Mrs. Navenby is coming back to England with Maud to mourn (and avenge) the death of her good friend Flora Sutton, who owned another piece of the Last Contract. When Mrs. Navenby is killed on the first day of their journey back to England, and everything silver she owned is stolen (thus losing her Last Contract piece), Maud must figure out who killed her and how to get the pieces back.
Maud elicits the help of Violet Debenham,whose face she already knew from Robin's notebook of premonitions, and Lord Hawthorn, an acquaintance of her brother Robin's partner, Edwin. Violet is daring, beautiful and rich, having just inherited a fortune from a distant relative. She also has a fair amount of magical talent. Hawthorn's magical talent was lost several years ago, but he still has the training to assist Violet in performing magical spells. They also recruit Alan Ross, a reporter, who has been given free rein by White Star Liners to interview passengers about their journeys. Ross can go places the others cannot, and can ask questions without raising as much suspicion.
Maud learns much about herself and her abilities, both as a medium (a skill she didn't know she had before this voyage) and as a strong, independent woman. Rich women in the early 1900's weren't expected to do much, even in magical families, and both Maud and Violet are determined to make their mark on the world and "do their part" to keep magic safe.
Marske knows how to write a compelling mystery as well as a captivating romance. Maud and Violet's relationship begins as just a physical one, but you watch them fall in love. The sex scenes are plenty spicy, so if that is a concern of yours, this is not the book for you! But if you love mystery, magic and queer love, you'll really enjoy this series. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book!
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Welp, here I am once again spilling my guts over this wonderful, delightful, BEAUTIFUL new book by Freya.
Listen, no one is surprised I liked this book. I adored A Marvellous Light and knew perfectly well what was awaiting me in book 2. STILL! I'm here to rave about it anyway.
I should maybe preface this by saying I'm in an awful reading slump these days, what with long and full days at work, and just overall difficulties getting into new worlds and universes. And yet I plunged into this book head first and didn't regret it one bit.
Maud is an absolute delight, as I knew she would be. She's just so good and earnest and such a FIGHTER and gods how I understand Violet for falling for her. Fascinating Violet. Frustrating Violet. I just want to give her a hot cocoa and a blanket.
Who else do I want to give a hot cocoa, a warm blanket, and the biggest hug to? Hawthorn of course. Sure, he'd probably push me away with his cane and icy glare before I could so much as open my mouth and suggest the awful thought. But MAN have I fallen in love with this wreck of a lord. I already knew I'd adore him with the little we caught of him in A Marvellous Light. But if I wasn't sure Ross would wiggle under his skin into book 3, I'd offer to marry him myself.
I loved glimpsing more of the magical universe. The cradles of course. But the new additions with the rings and the embroidery and EVERYTHING. I felt like the Forthysia club must have discovering new magic and their powers and interests. Alight with delight.
ANYWAY. I'm going to stop there because I am objectively very biased and I don't know if me just gushing about this book will make anyone want to read it but just know it was worth every minute and I will be sitting here consumed with want and frustration until book 3 comes out. NEXT YEAR.
Thank you Freya for sharing your work with us. Dang, I do NOT regret following you on Tumblr years ago. Best idea ever <3
Listen, no one is surprised I liked this book. I adored A Marvellous Light and knew perfectly well what was awaiting me in book 2. STILL! I'm here to rave about it anyway.
I should maybe preface this by saying I'm in an awful reading slump these days, what with long and full days at work, and just overall difficulties getting into new worlds and universes. And yet I plunged into this book head first and didn't regret it one bit.
Maud is an absolute delight, as I knew she would be. She's just so good and earnest and such a FIGHTER and gods how I understand Violet for falling for her. Fascinating Violet. Frustrating Violet. I just want to give her a hot cocoa and a blanket.
Who else do I want to give a hot cocoa, a warm blanket, and the biggest hug to? Hawthorn of course. Sure, he'd probably push me away with his cane and icy glare before I could so much as open my mouth and suggest the awful thought. But MAN have I fallen in love with this wreck of a lord. I already knew I'd adore him with the little we caught of him in A Marvellous Light. But if I wasn't sure Ross would wiggle under his skin into book 3, I'd offer to marry him myself.
I loved glimpsing more of the magical universe. The cradles of course. But the new additions with the rings and the embroidery and EVERYTHING. I felt like the Forthysia club must have discovering new magic and their powers and interests. Alight with delight.
ANYWAY. I'm going to stop there because I am objectively very biased and I don't know if me just gushing about this book will make anyone want to read it but just know it was worth every minute and I will be sitting here consumed with want and frustration until book 3 comes out. NEXT YEAR.
Thank you Freya for sharing your work with us. Dang, I do NOT regret following you on Tumblr years ago. Best idea ever <3
adventurous
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:
N/A
adventurous
hopeful
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
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated