Included as a top pick in weekly November New Releases post, which highlights and promotes upcoming releases of the month (link attached)

A great end to a phenomenal trilogy. I'm always a little nervous when there is a main character shift, but Marske always manages to hook me. Because of the shift, it does feel a little slow to start, but ultimately I pick right back up. Don't let this series pass you by!

There were multiple times I thought my heart would break in A Power Unbound. I was also able to listen to some parts on audiobook which broke my heart. Talk about not knowing if all my favorite characters would live and having to listen to them in your ear not knowing. Excruciating. I full blame Josh Dylan the amazing narrator for my pain. Okay and Freya Marske too. But anyway, A Power Unbound is one of those series enders which you need to schedule time off for.

What a great end to this trilogy! I was a bit worried after not liking book two as much as book one, but this one was my favorite yet! Josh Dylan is also an excellent narrator. I came for historical fantasy and stayed for the lovely writing and spicy romance.

I have absolutely loved this trilogy! A Power Unbound was the perfect conclusion as well. These stories are full of swoon-worthy characters, clever banter, and MAGIC!.

Readers who enjoy fantasy + romance will love the world that Marske has built with these books!

Marske’s final, thrilling entry in the Last Binding trilogy reunites beloved characters as they use their wit and guile to thwart the power-hungry men plotting to steal magic from all of Britain. After a childhood trauma killed his twin sister and took his magic, Jack, the Earl of Hawthorn, knows the agony of having one’s magic taken unwillingly. He’s tried to avoid all magical society, but when the power grab comes to a head at the annual Equinox Gala hosted at his ancestral home, he finds himself inextricably at the center. Jack also finds himself reluctantly drawn to Alan, the scrappy, pickpocketing, porn-peddling journalist who helped the gang in A Restless Truth (2022). Jack and Alan’s relationship teeters between lust and disgust and draws lightly from dominant-submissive role-playing. True to the enemies-to-lovers trope, the two men’s standoffish exteriors melt away as their escapades become more tender and vulnerable. On the night of the gala, the group crafts an intricate, heist-like plan to steal the three pieces of the Last Contract from their enemies in a wild confrontation involving ancient fae, dashed illusions, and blood sacrifice. A charming, heart-thumping close to a world and characters fans won’t be ready to let go of. (Review for Booklist)

This was a spectacular conclusion to the Last Binding trilogy, starring all three couples in the series as they come together to prevent a magical tragedy. The romance in this one is fun (and very steamy), but what I loved most was the huge focus on the found family that this group becomes. And there were so many witty, sparkling lines along the way that made me laugh or stop to add a highlight in my e-reader!

A nearly flawless series that persuaded me - who does not read historical or fantasy - to fall in love. Unfortunately, this book - book three - made it very clear I was only in this for the sex and romance. I loved those parts of this book but the majority of it, filled with explanations of how and why the magic works, I found tedious. However, it was beautifully written and tolerance for such things is subjective.

Talk about a finale! A Power Unbound was everything I wanted and more!

Marske is a master of ~add a little… actually a good amount of spice~

I’m all seriousness this trilogy is one of THE best fantasy series I’ve read and while I’m devastated it’s over this is one I’ll definitely be returning to again and again to reread.

<i>Thank you to Netgalley and Tordotcom Publishing for providing an ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I am so thankful that Tordotcom granted me an ARC of A Power Unbound -- the last book in The Last Binding trilogy, a series that has absolutely captured my heart. I adore the first book in the series -- A Marvellous Light, and liked but didn't love the second, A Restless Truth...I was a little worried that A Power Unbound would leave me wanting by the end. THANKFULLY, it did not.

It <i>really</i> did not.

A Power Unbound took everything I liked from the previous books and expanded on it. All the characters you fall in love with in the prior novels make appearances again, and to my ultimate joy, become something of a found family. A found family where they actually CARE about one another, and it isn't just that they're working together. This was glorious, and I'm so happy that Marske went this way with the series.

The main characters in this book are Lord Hawthorne (to my delight) and Alan Ross (aka Alonzo Rossi), the journalist from the second book. Hawthorne starts off the book by being his rather stoic, grumpy self, but then we rather quickly see him realize that all he's doing is pushing people away. He opens up (slowly) and allows himself to actually join the aforementioned found family. Alan Ross is quite the character. He does <i>everything</i> that he does simply to protect and provide for his rather large family. He's not quite trustworthy, but he's fascinatingly interesting, and you find yourself really trying to figure out what he wants.

Together, Hawthorne and Rossi and like a bonfire. They build off each other, pick at each other, and provoke one another into fights. It shouldn't work. It shouldn't at all -- there's too big of a power difference between the two of them, but dang. They make it work. (And DAMN, Freya Marske, you weren't joking when you said this one was the kinkiest/dirtiest book of the bunch. WOAH.) I love, love loved watching Hawthorne and Rossi open up to one another and realize that yes, they do actually like each other. Surprise!

When it comes to the plot itself, I don't want to give too much away. SO I will simply say this -- every single character had a part to play here, and no one was given 'too much' to do at the end. The resolution of the entire series required EVERYONE in a way that I am so satisfied with. The found family had a purpose besides love!

Thank you, Freya Marske for writing such a fantastic LGBTQ+ series. I cannot wait to pick up your next work. Five stars.

INCREDIBLE conclusion to an incredible series. This one is my absolute favorite. Hawthorn was always my favorite and his book was EVERYTHING. All our characters gather in a found family grouping to finish out the nerve wracking plot.

The romance dynamic in this is one of my favorites. The grumpy lord and his lower class thief. I ADORE Alan so much and his take-no-shit attitude towards Hawthorn had me in tears. Every single thing about this book was incredible. The slow burn which had already started in A Restless Truth. The spice. The plot. The character dynamics for everyone. Freya has delivered, each and every book holding up deliciously to the prior installment. Her humor in these books has me in tears and the transitions into vulnerability and just simply relating to the characters. Incredible writing.

A Power Unbound is the third and final book in Freya Marske’s imaginative fantasy trilogy, The Last Binding, set in an alternative Edwardian England in which the existence of magic is carefully concealed from those who do not have it. Each book has followed a different couple to their HEA/HFN, but the plot is overarching, so I would suggest reading at least one of the other books before jumping into this one. (I confess I haven’t read book two, but I was able to follow this one without too much trouble.) There’s a lot riding on this final instalment; the author has to tie up all the plotlines, make sure the Bad Guys are defeated and write a believable romance for a new couple, and I’m pleased to be able to say that Freya Marske does all that with aplomb.

Note: There are spoilers for the earlier books in this review.

The trilogy’s plot revolves around the search for three magical items – a coin, a cup and a knife – that, together, are the physical symbol of the Last Contract, the bargain forged between humans and the fae which left magic in the hands of humans before the fae left the human world for good. The three items have been hidden separately, and in A Marvellous Light, Robin Blyth and Edwin Courcey discovered that someone was intent on finding them and using them to construct a spell that could draw every last drop of magical power from every magician in the land, and relocate it into the hands of a select few. Robin and Edwin were able to locate the coin, only to have it stolen from them by Edwin’s brother, Walter, who not only works for the organisation that governs magical society, but is also part of the plot to invoke the Last Contract. The plotline in book two concerned the search for the cup, which is now in the possession of Maud Blyth (Robin’s sister) and Violet Debenham, and this story kicks off with our heroes trying to work out where the knife may be hidden so they can get to it before their enemies do.

Since their shipboard adventures in A Restless Truth, Maud and Violet have set up home in Spinet House, the enchanted dwelling Violet has inherited, and have roped in Jack Alston, Lord Hawthorn, (who was also on their voyage) to live there, too, as a kind of bodyguard. We met Jack in A Marvellous Light, when he came across as a bit of an arsehole; grumpy, broody and enigmatic, he wasn’t pleased at being asked for help after Robin was cursed and insisted he couldn’t help before showing Robin and Edwin the door. But he was telling the truth – after the death of his twin sister as the result of a magical experiment gone badly wrong (and which stole much of his own magic from him) Jack turned his back on the magical community and has, for the past sixteen years, lived the life of a ‘normal’ aristocrat. He wants nothing to do with magic, but has found himself reluctantly dragged back into its orbit courtesy of, first of all, Robin’s curse, and then becoming involved with Maud and Violet’s murder mystery aboard ship. And now, he’s in the thick of trying to keep the pieces of the Last Contract from being found by his cousin George – whom he holds responsible for his sister’s death – and Edwin’s brother, who want to use them to ‘siphon’ and redistribute magical power according to their own wishes.

And disagreeable as all that is, even more disagreeable is the involvement of journalist Alanzo Rossi – aka Alan Ross – whom Jack finds both maddeningly annoying and maddeningly attractive. Alan is Jack’s complete opposite, a working man from an Italian immigrant family who works hard for every scrap he gets and will do whatever needs to be done to keep his family safe, housed, and fed. As far as Alan is concerned, Lord Hawthorn is just another arrogant, overprivileged prick in a society full of them and he makes no bones about making Jack aware of exactly what he thinks of him. But right from the start, it’s clear that Alan is Jack’s match in wit and intelligence; their chemistry leaps off the page, their back-and-forth barbs and banter zing, and I loved their snarky dynamic. Thrown together to help prevent the destruction of the magical world while they strike sparks off each other and are not at all happy about it, it’s just a matter of time before all that lovely sexual tension boils over into some of the steamiest scenes of the series. Jack and Alan take their established power differential into the bedroom in a fully consensual way that absolutely works for them both, and I loved that they don’t stop sniping at each other even as it’s becoming clear to them that maybe there’s something more going on between them than just the slaking of mutual lust. I liked that the author addresses the class-differences between them head-on, and it was a delight to see these two strong, stubborn men learning to let each other in. Ms. Marske does a great job of using the sex scenes to illuminate moments of growing intimacy, trust and character development.

While Jack and Alan are the romantic focus of the story, the continuation of the plot is more of an ensemble affair, as they’re joined by the couples from the previous books – Edwin and Robin, Maud and Violet – and the redoubtable Miss Morrissey, all of whom have important parts to play in the story, and all of whom feel like fully fleshed-out individuals with their own weaknesses and strengths that are important to the story, rather than just a series of for-the-sake-of-it cameos. I really liked the found family aspect of the story, and watching Jack slowly allowing himself to make room for new relationships in his life as he comes to terms with the changes in his magical identity. The author builds the tension steadily throughout as the stakes become higher and the story takes a dark, dramatic turn before heading into a thrilling showdown which could change the magical world forever.

I really enjoyed the book, although there are a couple of things that pulled my final grade down just a little. The pacing, while generally swift, drags occasionally, and the climactic scene near the end has so much going on that I found it hard to keep track of it all, and it feels rushed. And there are some parts of the magic system that could have done with a bit more explanation and/or exploration.

Even so, A Power Unbound is a compelling combination of high-stakes, complex plot and snarky, sexy romance that provides a thrilling conclusion to The Last Binding series. I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for whatever Freya Marske comes up with next.

Grade: B+/4.5 stars.

I would recommend Frey Marske's The Last Binding series, and this is the last installment of the trilogy. We are reunited with familiar characters, however this time the romance focus is on Lord Jack Hawthorn and journalist Alan Ross (Alanzo Rossi) who we met in A Restless Truth. Be warned this book contains detailed sexual encounters, and there is an erotic frisson throughout.
Our intrepid team, Robin, Edwin, Violet, Maud, Jack and Alan, are brought together to search out the missing last item that forms part of the Last Contract with the fae, which has allowed humanity access to fae magic. The clues have led them to Spinet House inherited by Violet Debenham, but as a magical house it has a mind of it's own. Making the most of Alan's immunity to magic and ability to negate it the group follow clues, which lead to an unexpected location in the heart of the Magical Assembly. Betrayal. intrigue and decisions on the fate of magic swiftly follow.
The development of the relationship between Jack and Alan is interwoven with the main narrative. Alan or Alanzo comes from a close knit Italian family, and to support them financially Alan turned his hand to writing. His books, written under the pen name the Roman, were for a certain clientele with a penchant for queer erotica and proved to be exceedingly popular. Jack in fact had the whole collection, with scenarios around power, master, subordinate and desire.
The book was a page turner and I spent a very late night finishing it! The story concludes in an unexpected way but one which is true to the concept of how freely consenting to something can change your world.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for access to this ARC, all views are my own.

After finishing book two in The Last Binding series, I couldn’t wait for Robin and Edwin to return triumphantly in the final book. While both men are present in A Power Unbound, they once again step to the side and let other characters lead the charge. Our two new but familiar leading men, Lord Jack Hawthorn and Alan Ross, did remarkably well and stirred up the same magical energy that I loved in book one but with a much sharper bite.

Lord Hawthorn wants to be left alone, but he doesn’t have much choice in the matter. And to his dismay, Jack is dragged back into British magical society. It appears he is weak to his friend’s demands as they are determined to prevent an evil magic-stealing scheme, and it doesn’t help that Jack’s own family member is public enemy number one. Jack is being forced to confront a past he very much wants to forget. He’s surly and rude, and his pointed jabs land nowhere satisfying. That is, until Alan Ross re-enters the picture. The handsome young reporter (and thief) has come to offer the group his services in hopes that their influence will land him a better job. The two men are drawn into an intoxicating and vicious dance as they try to heal their wounds, save the world, and maybe find love along the way.

If you’re keeping up with my reviews of this series, you’ll know that I was not a fan of book two. The story was severely limited by its boat setting and it lacked the charm, tension, and romance that unfolded between Robin and Edwin in book one. I didn’t know what to expect in book three, so I had my reservations. But alas, in A Power Unbound, we return to London, and it felt so good to be back on the story’s home turf. The energy of book one is replicated here as we dash about from magical manors, haunted graveyards, Houses of Parliament, and hidden magical society offices. It felt like returning home after a long voyage across the sea. Everything was familiar, but spicier with Jack and Alan at the helm. I am delighted that Unbound brings us back into the thick of things, and it feels much more grounded in the larger story.

Is it possible to both like the role a character has in a book while also questioning their overall relevancy? Alan is an excellent foil to Jack and exposes the reality of the London masses who don’t have the privilege of magic, wealth, or power. It’s also incredibly fun to watch Jack deal with someone who is game to verbally spar in a brash manner. And while I love how Alan and Jack interact, I also question Alan’s role outside of his ability to support Jack’s character development. When it comes down to the cast’s plans to prevent all of Britain’s magical society from collapsing, Alan is like an extra hand that no one needs. He has no meaningful interactions with any of the characters outside of Jack, and while he does possess some helpful skills, it feels largely insignificant. When we read Jack’s POV, the other characters and their involvement in the plot are heavily featured, but Alan is always a quiet, unassuming figure listening in the background. If Marske wanted to emphasize Alan’s “otherness” as a poor, unmagical immigrant in hoity-toity London society, then that was successfully done because he feels removed from the main cast’s circle. But if that’s the case, the commentary surrounding his place in society and the group never reaches a satisfying conclusion…which leads to my next point.

For the first two books, we follow educated, well-off, and mostly magical members of British society. Alan appears in book two as a secondary character, but when he is granted a POV in Unbound, he grounds the story in reality. He is not magical nor rich, in fact, he and his large family are one mishap away from living on the streets. The pressure to provide for his family serves as his motivation throughout the book. It’s also a point of contention between him and Jack, as Alan’s station in life is never more evident than when he’s near the future earl. However, the inclusion of Alan and his struggles feels misplaced because there’s not really a purpose. Yes, it informs his decisions and, ahem, his bedroom fantasies. But Alan often feels like the charity case that got thrown in with a group of wealthy friends while they try to save magic. There’s no resolution or lesson to be found unless the lesson is to be friends with wealthy, powerful people because that’s your ticket to get ahead in life. All of the class struggles that Alan faces just fizzle out as he gallivants around with his new group of friends.

Despite my struggle with book two and Alan’s unfinished business in Unbound, I would still recommend the entirety of The Last Binding series. Robin and Edwin won me over in book one, and their story still shines so brightly in my memory. Sure, things slowed down a bit in the sequel, but a lot of that magic returned in book three, and I enjoyed the prickly energy between Jack and Alan. The series has a great story and a lot of romance without either one overshadowing the other which is altogether very satisfying in my book.

Rating:
A Power Unbound - 7.5/10
The Last Binding - 7.0/10
-Brandee

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The thoughts on this story are my own.

I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. I stayed up far too late finishing this book, because those two beautiful jerks had me enthralled. I'd spent a good chunk of book two looking sideways at Jack and Alan, wondering if they were going to fight or something else, not realizing that the answer would be "yes". There is lots of action and adventure in this book, but it is mainly a story about two hedgehogs slowly figuring out how to let someone else in. It's a great book, and I honestly should have seen some of the twists coming (the clues were there), but the fact that I got too distracted by the author's left hand to notice her right hand setting up a problem is a credit to her. I loved these characters, and the (surprisingly steamy) story was so much fun.

A Power Unbound is the final novel in The Last Binding trilogy. I enjoyed both novels in the series, although I enjoyed the first more than the second, so I was greatly looking forward to this conclusion. This one I wasn’t sure what to expect as there is not only a new couple at the center, but, as the last in the series, there would need to be callbacks to the other novels. While each novel does feature a new couple as the focus, there is a central plot that brings all the stories together. Within each novel, too, there are also plots within the stories where the couple needs to work through something to eventually come together.

This story follows Jack Alston, Lord Hawthorn, is suffering from the loss of his twin sister. A year ago, Robin and Edwin (from the first novel) showed up on Jack’s doorstep with a curse, followed by Violet and Maude (from the second novel) involving him in a murder mystery were great ways to tie him to the other stories. Since he was a character in the other novels, it was nice to finally see him have his own story. His potential love interest in this story is reporter, Alanzo (Alan) Rossi, who was featured in the first novel. The two of them begin as enemies and slowly their banter and chemistry turns into more. Their relationship is unique to their characters, which is something that I love about this series. Each set of characters has their own dynamic that fits their personalities. I enjoyed how their story fit in with the series. Overall, this was a great way to not only bring Jack and Alan together, but it was also a great way to wrap up the series.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Tordotcom, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Y'all, this book demolished me the way Alan wants to see the aristocracy demolished. 😩 Literally everything about this book was perfection, from the found family to the heist to the 🔥 (just @ me next time before you decide to ruin me like this). I devoured this book with a break only for sleep, and honestly, what an ENDING to this incredible series. I've been sleeping on this review in the hope that more coherent words were gonna come to me, but they never did so here we go:

I've been following this series since it was announced and from book one, it's become one of my all time favorites. The second A Marvellous Light was announced, one of my friends DMed me with "I feel like you're gonna go feral over this book" AND WAS SHE RIGHT. Every single character is just so wonderfully nuanced, the ways they interact with each other just *chef's kiss* I have no words. How is every character so good?? The romance in each book will pull at your heartstrings and make you want to cry with how good everything is, and trust me, I've shed many tears over these books.

Where do I start? First off, I've been desperate for Hawthorn's story since he was introduced in book one as a hot asshole, and then the tension?? Between him and Alan in book two?? I did a reread of the first two books in preparation for book three but HOO BOY was I NOT prepared for how these boys would make me scream. From the very first interaction, they are at each other's throats, and they hate how into each other they are which makes it even better. Listen, sometimes your soulmate is an absolute dick and that's okay. Then it all comes bubbling over in book 3 and was like "Pei can have a little office sex scene, as a treat" before proceeding to then pummel me into an incoherent mess by the end of it all.

Also speaking of characters, I am so glad Adelaide came back in book 3 more! She's so wonderful and I loved seeing more of her (and all the other faves from before). I would commit so many crimes for Robin and Edwin too, the way their relationship has grown in the background since the first book to little moments of shared affection in book 3. No words, just crying. 😩

I also feel like it's also a very special book when there are not one but multiple scenes where you just have to put it down and BREATHE a little (for the hope of it all). These books are wonderful, magical, marvellous light and beauty, and while I am so sad to say goodbye, I also can't wait for every single next book.

This has been a charming fantasy romance series. Try not to think too hard about the actual treatment of homosexuality in that time period…. Just roll with it and decide this version of the world sucked a little less and isn’t ours anyway because magic…. I had fun reading this whole series. If you’re looking for a light read this is a good choice.

In “A Power Unbound” by Freya Marske, the author leads the series to a stunning conclusion. Even better, I get the story that I’ve been waiting for, the story of Jack. We meet Jack in the first novel, “A Marvelous Light.” While I loved Edwin and Robin, I was intrigued by Jack Hawthorn and even more intrigued when he returns in the second book, so I love that he gets his story told. 

In this conclusion to the series, Jack and Alan are the main couple and a more antagonistic and passionate pair I have yet to meet. I love their dynamic and both the contrasts in their personalities but also the similarities. Here we have a pair of men who both lack trust, both with difficult pasts. While that means it takes time for them to bond, when they do it is explosive. 

I also love that in this novel the author explores the dynamics of power and money, wealth and poverty. She also explores the theme of healing from deep loss and that dynamic is the one that made me literally cry at particular moments in this book. I love how she expounds on found family and love. And I find how she explores magic especially intriguing. The ending is compelling and powerful. 

If you love stories that are powerful and emotional, I highly recommend the entire series, “The Last Binding”. If you liked the previous two books, you will adore this one as it brings the series to a stunning conclusion that will make you weep and rejoice all at the same time. It is lovely and magical.

The finale book in the Last Binding trilogy featuring secrets, magic, and enemies to possibly lovers...? Jack Alston, Lord Hawthorn is reeling from the death of his sister and thought he was finished with magic yet he finds himself right back in the world of magic. Jack has to recapture the Last Contract (and he's joined by the previous two couples from the other two books) and Alan Ross, a writer of smut and a thief. Jack has been a huge fan of Alan's work and neither wants to admit that they are exactly perfect for each other. While dealing with their own feelings for one another they also have to find a way to deal with the mess that is magic in Britain and find a way to work it all out. Unfortunately this one was just an okay ending for me, it kind of felt all over the place and slow at the same time. This is the concluding book in the series and I was hoping for a bit more. It's not as romantic as the other two books and the magic/plot of this one just wasn't working as well as the previous books. Overall, I just didn't feel that interested in the ending. While this isn't for me, I think it would make a good read for anyone interested in historical fantasy queer romances with a bit of mystery.

*Thanks Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group, Tordotcom for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*