A review by thalassa_reading
A Power Unbound by Freya Marske

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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