A review by just_one_more_paige
A Restless Truth by Freya Marske

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

 
I started this series (with A Marvellous Light), very recently. And it was SO good. Five stars. So I picked this second book up right away. 
 
We're still in the same Edwardian England period/vibes, but our scope expands a bit, as the story follows Maud Blythe (Robin's younger sister) on a journey to find a piece of The Last Contract that was introduced in the first book. Maud has traveled to America to accompany an elderly lady, one of the secret society of lady magicians hiding the contract in parts, back to England. But, when the woman is killed and the piece of the contract goes missing, Maud is thrown into a much more dangerous, and scandalous, ocean liner adventure than originally expected. She teams up with Violet Debenham, a disgraced daughter of a noble family, traveling back to England to collect an inheritance after years spent performing in NYC. And they together recruit Lord Hawthorne (yes, the very same surly, rude, magic-less noble magician from the first novel), and a working class journalist/thief named Ross, to the cause. Facing down talking parrots (a whole menagerie, really), tons of magic, mediums and ghosts, deep conspiracies, and limited contacts/resources (they're on a boat!), these unlikely compatriots end up fighting for both their lives and the future of British magic. Oh, and of course, Violet introduces Muad to a whole new world of connection and pleasure that will change everything for them both. 
 
Alright, this is a trope that is hit or miss for me, but the self-contained mystery/thriller aspect of this, everyone stuck on a boat together, worked really well here. There was, seriously, nonstop action. From ridiculous animal stampedes to breaking & entering to scandalous (and by that I mean, fantastic) steamy scenes to so many plans (that both work and, dramatically, hilariously, do not). On the whole, this story is a bit more fun/funny than the first. Not that there weren't lighter parts in the first, but this book just felt lighter. Even though the stakes were equally high, and the romance equally steamy/tender, the seriousness felt less immediate. I was entertained, on the edge of my seat, start to finish.  
 
Same as the first, I loved the characters. Maud is maybe one of my favorite female MCs ever. She is plucky AF, so creative and (sneakily naively) persistent, and I was so into her “buoyant energy.” It reminded me, a bit, (in vibes, if considerably more planted in reality), of the friend character in Mortal Follies (whom I also loved). I always enjoy the trope of characters who cannot/won’t lie; the creativity in writing their evasion/word-smithing is one of my favorite things and having that central to Maud's character, and thus the book, was a highlight for me. Plus, the depth she had, that developed throughout, as far as her choosing to be good, even if that's not her first impulse, is such a beautiful lesson for us all. That it's within all our own power to do the same for ourselves is really touching. Violet was a great foil for Maud. I am always here for a lady who leans into a scandal. And her prickly self-protection is definitely relatable. They were super fun to read, and watch grow, together. Maud’s particular style of bravery (honestly and persistence, even when it could be embarrassing) and Violet’s own strength (self-assuredness, especially when flying in the face of social norms) are a heady combination for this female reader. And similar to the end of the first book, when they use those unique, not-expected-from-women skills, and the suppositions and assumptions of their "weaker" constitutions to get what they want, it was fantastic and hilarious. Let me just also say that I thought the couple new (or at least newly given dimension) characters, Hawthorne and Ross, really stood up well to such strong female leads. I was hoping (and have since looked ahead to confirm) that they are the final book pairing (romantically), because they're perfect, I can feel it. So excited for that!  
 
The additional world-building that we got here, particularly related to the use of magic, was wonderful. Cradlespeak (using non-magically-imbued hand movements) to secretly converse/send messages is high class magical creativity. There was again some creative magic involvement in some of the steamy scenes. And altogether the expansion of the magical options (in sewing, in rings, anchored in objects, etc.), in parallel with the expansion of who is doing the magic and where (like what country) it’s being done, was great. 
 
Finally, the ending. YES to all of it. The HEA and promise to grow is there, but so believable under the one week circumstances and with the mature agreement that more time is needed and trust has begun but cannot come all at once/right away, but that’s ok and doesn’t mean it’s not meant to be (nor does it mean they cannot pursue and compete separate dreams and tasks first)...OH it’s so good. I just, I don't even know how to describe how nuanced it was, and I was so impressed.   
 
What a phenomenal second installment! It's a wonderful continuation, but with a uniqueness all its own. I am, quite simply, smitten with this series! 
 
“...he'd never understand. He wasn't born a girl, let alone one of five. He’d never grown out of childhood feeling himself get taller and taller as the life expected of him grew smaller and smaller, until he could barely breathe for the confines of it.” 
 
“…you look at the world and decide you can live with it or decide you can't. And if you can't, you decide what you're prepared to do about it.” 
 
“The attention of one's audience was a ray of light. Performance was both protection and reward.” 
 
“This stirring of a drowsy thing in her chest made of soft wax and the smell of honey.” (I love this description of heart flutters and falling in love.) 
 
“But if I have to create myself every day, with every choice I make, then I want to make the choices I won't regret when I look back on my life at its end.” 
 
“Liminal space was where the magic was done, but you couldn't hide in it forever. Sooner or later you set foot on dry land.” 
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