A Power Unbound

No one is more disappointed than me with this rating. I absolutely adore The Marvellous Light, A Restless Truth was also a ton of fun with amazing character moments and humour but this instalment is probably going to be my biggest bookish disappointment of the year (I hope. I don't want any more).

My favourite part about the book is seeing the old characters back! I adore Edwin and Violet so much — Edwin/Robin were also such a joy to see again. The cast interactions and the found family was very heart-warming, especially seeing Jack appreciate those around him. The plot was satisfying enough for the most part, except that it all ended in a very convenient way but I could forgive it if the romance was as good as before.

As you can probably guess, it was not. It felt very physical and lacking of the emotional bond and understanding between the characters. Only at the end do we see a more vulnerable side to the two characters but it was a little too late. The focus is very much on the physical aspect of their relationship and the sexual tension they have which, sadly, isn't all that well done in this book (I'm saying this actually being so hyped for this romance after A Restless Truth). I felt like the author really could've done so much better with this couple given their difference in social status and different life experiences. It was such a good contrast and I'm left disappointed.

The smut scenes were very kinky and the author was really leaning into the dominant/submissive tropes that sadly I despise (so it's defo a me thing). Also roleplay during smut scenes is just so off putting to me personally — i just really didn't think it was as well written as in book 1. 

Soft DNFd it once and I wanted to DNF it again but pulled thru for my love of the series.

I will miss this cast of characters so much, it was fun a fun ride but next time I read the books, I might just skip this one.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the eARC

Better than [b:A Restless Truth 59807966 A Restless Truth (The Last Binding, #2) Freya Marske https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1642534531l/59807966.SY75.jpg 94199553], not as astonishing as [b:A Marvellous Light 53217284 A Marvellous Light (The Last Binding, #1) Freya Marske https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1634067514l/53217284.SY75.jpg 80535939]. A Power Unbound focuses on Jack Alston aka Lord Hawthorn, and Alan Ross, whose antagonistic relationship that began in Truth evolves into a somewhat kinky enemies-to-lovers romance. But for my money, the reason to finish out this trilogy is the strong presence of Edwin and Robin from Light. Edwin, especially, has a crucial role to play in the Big Six's* quest to stop the bad guys from amassing unlimited magic and power. It's rewarding to see Edwin come into his own as a skilled magician, but Marske really puts him through hell, and his beloved non-magical Robin can only be of limited assistance. Jack and Alan's insults and fights seem petty in comparison. Marske triumphantly burst onto the scene with The Last Binding trilogy, so her follow-up will be eagerly anticipated. I wonder where she goes from here. *Maud and Violet are back too. Violet is fine but Maud IMHO is more annoying than endearing.