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oxfordcommas91 's review for:
A Restless Truth
by Freya Marske
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had a great time reading "A Marvellous Light," and unfortunately the second novel in the Last Binding series wasn't as compelling for me. Though this has all the makings of a story I'd love - locked door (murder on a ship) mystery, period drama, sapphic romance, intriguing world - it missed the mark for me in a big way, unfortunately. It certainly suffered from some middle book syndrome and the pacing felt off - the moments of action were good but they were punctuated by all these slower "planning" phases that really made the story drag at time.
But the biggest issue for me was that there was far less care taken in establishing the interest and intrigue between the two romantic "leads" of this book as there was in book one for Robin and Edwin. The tension and chemistry between Robin and Edwin is believable and builds into a very satisfying crescendo in Marvellous Light. Unfortunately the romance here isn't established in a thoughtful way and falls into too many of the bisexual/queer female stereotypes, resulting in a far less fulfilling story for the reader. You have an adventurous and experienced bisexual/pansexual queer woman who must "teach" the naive, doe-eyed bambi type who seemingly trips and falls into her lust for the main character. Unfortunately, I didn't love Violet as a character either - her motivations feel shallow and incomplete until much later in the book.
I did really enjoy learning more about the backstory and motivations of the Forsythia Club. For a period drama, it's intriguing that the keepers of this ancient magic wasa group of female magicians . The parts of the book focusing on the Last Contract and how it was being navigated were some of my favorites. Additionally, I love that we got so much more depth of character for Hawthorne and learned more about his family and relationship with magic.
Overall, I continue to be intrigued and interested in the world that Freya Marske has created and I look forward to reading the final installment of the Last Binding series, but I hope that it takes us back to London for a satisfying conclusion.
But the biggest issue for me was that there was far less care taken in establishing the interest and intrigue between the two romantic "leads" of this book as there was in book one for Robin and Edwin. The tension and chemistry between Robin and Edwin is believable and builds into a very satisfying crescendo in Marvellous Light. Unfortunately the romance here isn't established in a thoughtful way and falls into too many of the bisexual/queer female stereotypes, resulting in a far less fulfilling story for the reader. You have an adventurous and experienced bisexual/pansexual queer woman who must "teach" the naive, doe-eyed bambi type who seemingly trips and falls into her lust for the main character. Unfortunately, I didn't love Violet as a character either - her motivations feel shallow and incomplete until much later in the book.
I did really enjoy learning more about the backstory and motivations of the Forsythia Club. For a period drama, it's intriguing that the keepers of this ancient magic was
Overall, I continue to be intrigued and interested in the world that Freya Marske has created and I look forward to reading the final installment of the Last Binding series, but I hope that it takes us back to London for a satisfying conclusion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Torture, Death of parent, Lesbophobia
Minor: Stalking, Alcohol