A Power Unbound by Freya Marske Review

Title: A Power Unbound

Author: Freya Marske

Genre: Historical Romantic Fantasy

Publisher: Tor UK

Pages: 432

Release Date: 9 November 2023

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Yellow fellow booklovers! Today I'm sharing my review for A Power Unbound. Freya Marske’s spellbindingly lush, plot twisty (and satisfyingly steamy) conclusion to The Last Binding trilogy which was an action packed, emotional rollercoaster of a read that I never wanted to end! 

Synopsis

 Secrets! Magic! Enemies to. . .something more?

Jack Alston, Lord Hawthorn, would love a nice, safe, comfortable life. After the death of his twin sister, he thought he was done with magic for good. But with the threat of a dangerous ritual hanging over every magician in Britain, he’s drawn reluctantly back into that world.

Now Jack is living in a bizarre puzzle-box of a magical London townhouse, helping an unlikely group of friends track down the final piece of the Last Contract before their enemies can do the same. And to make matters worse, they need the help of writer and thief Alan Ross.

Cagey and argumentative, Alan is only in this for the money. The aristocratic Lord Hawthorn, with all his unearned power, is everything that Alan hates. And unfortunately, Alan happens to be everything that Jack wants in one gorgeous, infuriating package.

When a plot to seize unimaginable power comes to a head at Cheetham Hall―Jack’s ancestral family estate, a land so old and bound in oaths that it’s grown a personality as prickly as its owner―Jack, Alan and their allies will become entangled in a night of champagne, secrets, and bloody sacrifice . . . and the foundations of magic in Britain will be torn up by the roots before the end.

Review

I’d been eagerly anticipating this, ever since devouring the Agatha Christie meets Downton Abbey deliciousness of the previous instalment, A Restless Truth last year. And I’m so very happy to report that it surpassed ALL of my expectations!  

Blending lush, lyrical prose and beautifully descriptive world building, with magically plot twisty (high stakes) action and a spicy, enemies to lovers romance (that’s bound to set pulses racing)—Marske proves herself a master of her craft.

The seamlessness with which she weaves themes of privilege, power and class inequality without losing any of the sexy, cosy found family vibes had me thoroughly impressed. I do however think the pacing could’ve been a little slower at times—if only so I could properly process the many shocking revelations and action packed scenes we encounter (and there are quite a few.)

I really loved the character development (it’s one of my favourite aspects of Marske’s writing) and was especially happy with the depth and complexity we explore in Lord Hawthorn. Arrogant and selfish when first introduced in A Marvellous Light, I’d been fully prepared to hate him when he returned in A Restless Truth. Instead, I found myself endeared to his reluctant nature and eager for answers surrounding the mystery of his past (and refusal to use magic.) Thankfully we do get those answers, which I felt made Hawthorn a far more relatable and emotionally complex character. 

Alan, our other protagonist (and rival/love interest of Hawthorn’s) was incredibly well written too. His home life and family dynamics, however brief really helped to understand his opposition to the upper classes and those born into privilege like Hawthorn, but who choose not to use it to enact change or help those less fortunate. 

Overall, a thrilling and utterly compelling conclusion that murder mystery loving, Historical Fantasy Romance fans are bound to find satisfying. 

Also, thanks to Blackcrow PR and Tor UK for the finished copy and my spot on the upcoming tour. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

About The Author 

Freya Marske lives in Australia, where she is yet to be killed by any form of wildlife. She writes stories full of magic, blood, and as much kissing as she can get away with. Her hobbies include figure skating and discovering new art galleries, and she is on a quest to try all the gin in the world.

Her debut novel, the queer historical fantasy A Marvellous Light, was an international bestseller and won the Romantic Novel Award for Fantasy.

Her newest novel, A Power Unbound (the third and final instalment in the Last Binding Trilogy) is out now.

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