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beepbeep101's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Blood, Classism, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Torture, and Violence
carolined314's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Physical abuse, Torture, Grief, Death, Violence, Blood, Child death, and Colonisation
Minor: Suicide and Alcohol
mrshays's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Cursing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Murder, Suicide, Child abuse, Classism, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Body horror, and Physical abuse
Minor: Self harm and Pregnancy
abitbetterbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Take this with a grain of salt due to recency bias as I don’t think anything could actually ever top A Marvellous Light for me BUT I did love how perfect a conclusion this story was, especially with the way it brought together all three story lines. The small call backs and the way this story flowed out perfectly from the paths already carved by the previous two made it a completely masterful novel.
A Restless Truth was a great book, but I missed Robin and Edwin. Having the entire gang together and watching this ragtag queer crew (Adelaide Morrissey is an asexual icon IMO) band together made this story electric in a way I missed in ART.
I really think Jack and Alan were the absolute perfect combo to complete the Last Binding trilogy. The chemistry was off the charts incredible, and I loved how they were such perfect foils for each other, highlighting both of their strengths, weaknesses, and growth. And in that growth, realize how much they truly complement each other and need the other to balance them, and match them.
Alan’s life is defined by what he would sacrifice and give to take care of his family; Jack’s is defined by the sister he couldn’t save. Alan has spent so long caring for others he can’t imagine letting go and being cared for; Jack has been selfish and has had everything he wanted handed to him, yet he wants nothing more than to be able to protect those few he actually does care about. While not the most important element of the story compared to the heart-racing plot, this thematic undercurrent supports the heart of the novel.
There are SO many good twists, turns, reveals, and secrets in this story I feel the need to reread it again immediately. The intense “Oh shit!” moments I thought would happen at the end of the book started happening at 40% in and my mind was blown at where the story could possibly go from there. Despite this, I never felt lost or like I had no idea what was going on since the groundwork has been impeccably laid. I want to spend 15 minutes in Freya Marske’s mind just to bask in all these incredible ideas.
Last but not least, Alan and Jack’a sexual escapades are among the best I’ve ever read. I have adored Marske’s sex scenes since day 1 because I find them so deeply informative to the characters and they tell us so much about the relationship dynamics, and APU exemplifies this in the extreme, while simultaneously being the absolute hottest filth you have ever read. I was listening in the car during the study scene (IYKYK) and I think my mouth was hanging open for the whole thing in delighted shock.
I’m afraid I won’t ever read another book quite like A Power Unbound, a title so chillingly perfect for this story I’m kind of in awe I didn’t see how good it was until after I finished it. But if Marske keeps publishing books, I really hope I do.
Graphic: Blood, Physical abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Violence, Kidnapping, Death, Cursing, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Classism, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Vomit
ramakn22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Suicide, Murder, Misogyny, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Death, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Rape, and Pregnancy
tigerkind's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Murder, Death, Violence, Gun violence, Grief, Classism, Sexual content, Gore, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Sexism