A review by margindoodles
A Power Unbound by Freya Marske

adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

As always, I find I need a bit of audiobook assistance to immerse myself in a book with slightly denser worldbuilding and/or plot. The one difficulty I've consistently had across installments in this series (which is firmly a me problem) is how expository or complex the plot can be outside of building the main ship, which is always my #1 priority, BUT. But. Once this one goes, it goes.

Satisfyingly fucky and emotional and so much more about allowing oneself to accept love and community than I anticipated?? Went in thinking this would be about concluding the series' magical quest, of course, with some toxic yaoi in the mix — and then it ended up being surprisingly not toxic at all, in addition to finding me right where I live, deep in feelings about found family.

Loved Jack and Alan, separately and together, as well as good ol' team-up shenanigans. Frankly, more romance series could and should incorporate previous couples as prominent secondary characters in successive books; my fondness for everyone only increased and deepened over this final book.

Also a fan of how the big magical plot resolved! Marske really pulled off the hat trick of writing interesting intrigue, properly steamy sex, and heartfelt character work that felt earned. Had a great time, would def read something by her again.
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