Freya Marske

A Power Unbound by Freya Marske, the third and final book in The Last Binding series, delves into the life of the mysterious and oh-so-prickly Lord Hawthorn, and it does not disappoint. Honestly, I believe it to be Ms. Marske's best novel to date. Jack Alston is not an easy character, but Ms. Marske makes him likable, sympathetic, and just a wee bit heroic. I never thought I would use these traits to describe Lord Jack, but here we are.

Two areas Ms. Marske handles with delicacy are Jack's peerage and his sexual preferences. Alan Ross may be his form of heroin, but the dynamics between the two are fraught with political tension as well as sexual. Alan is so angry towards the titled and entitled that he practically spits fire at his new friends. To Alan, Jack is everything he hates, which makes their physical relationship tricky.

Jack already exudes a natural dominance in everything he does and says. Because of who he is, Jack already has all the power in any relationship. Yet, Ms. Marske handles the dom/sub aspect of their mutual attraction with sensitivity. Sex scenes have come a long way over the decades, and Ms. Marske is one of the best at showing how consent and safe words are sexy.

While I admire how well Ms. Marske builds Jack's and Alan's relationship, I did struggle with the ending of The Last Binding series. I feel it is too anticlimactic, but now that I think about it, maybe that is the point. The theme of A Power Unbound is a few select people should not hold a majority of anything. Alan constantly preaches this idea to Jack and anyone else who will listen. Given this, I probably should have expected the resolution to the magical crisis.

In fact, I'm now beginning to think that A Power Unbound and the rest of the series are somewhat of a modern-day anti-capitalist/anti-monarchy manifesto. I don't know how I didn't see this before, but I like it. And if Ms. Marske meant for her series to have this message, I applaud her. She created a series that is fun, sexy, and engaging while also sneaking in a fantastic lesson about the importance of sharing with the less fortunate.… (més)

Originally posted on Just Geeking by.

Content warnings:
Listed on the author’s website:

moderate violence
reference to a past suicide
period-typical homophobia
character death (not of main characters)
explicit sexual content
consensual roleplay of non-consensual sexual encounters

Additionally, I would add; blood-letting for rituals, and classism.

It is always bittersweet to read the final book in a series, especially one that I’ve loved every minute of and despite saying goodbye to beloved characters I relished the chance to enter the world Freya Markse has created one more time. Like Marske’s previous two novels, A Power Unbound focuses on a couple and this time it’s notorious Lord Hawthorn, Jack Alston and journalist Alan Ross who we met in the previous book, A Restless Truth. I was thrilled as their growing interest in each other in that book was so much fun to read.

A Power Unbound is a terrific sequel, linking every thread that Marske has woven throughout her books together to offer an incredibly satisfying conclusion. While Jack and Alan’s relationship is the romantic focus of the book, Edwin, Robin and Adelaide Morrissey from book one, A Marvellous Light, and Maude and Violet from book two, A Restless Truth, play a large role in this book. Marske has written a masterpiece of a sequel filled with danger at every turn, magical battles and a puzzle filled house that is hiding the final piece of the Last Contract.

I particularly liked the direction that Marske went with the plot of the Last Contract and how it tied elements together that I hadn’t realised were linked to it. I’m not going to say any more about the plot in this review for two reasons; a lot happens, and it’s one of those books where you’re best reading it for yourself! All I’ll say is that if you enjoyed the previous two offerings by Marske then you’re going to love everything about this one, save for it being the end of a brilliant trilogy.

While we say goodbye to The Last Binding universe with A Power Unbound we thankfully we won’t have to wait long for more books by the wonderful Freya Marske as she’s just signed a new book deal!

BLOG | REVIEWS | REVIEW SCHEDULE | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST |
… (més)