This is the third book in The Last Binging Series and it brings all of our protagonists together for one more magical crescendo. The Last Contract is still up for grabs and it is anyone's game. Will these unlikely allies work together or will the magic be lost forever?

All three of the books in this trilogy are fast paced and exciting, but at times a bit confusing with the vast number of characters to keep track of and all of their connections. Still, despite my inability to juggle so much it was an exciting and highly enjoyable book. The ending was wrapped up nice and I will forever love the LGBTQAI2+ characters and their wide variety of experiences.

If you love romance, fantasy, and mysteries, this book and book series are for you!

4.5 Stars

“A Power Unbound” is my favorite book in the "Last Binding" trilogy by a landslide. It is not even close. This book blows the other two out of the water.

I think there’s a lot of reasons for why that is. Primarily, this the big finale. This is what everything’s been leading up to. It’s an incredibly exciting conclusion. Furthermore, there’s an extremely strong element of found family in this last book because *all* of the characters and all the couples from the books before are coming together to complete this quest and to save the magical world, and it’s just a joy to see so much a love and friendship being shared between all of them.

I also just appreciate what this book is doing thematically—and again, to the series’ credit, that’s something that’s been building up over all three books. The story is exploring who deserves power, how do we decide who gets to have power and how much, should we get to choose in the first place, and is there a way to use power responsibly when we do have that access?

Something interesting about all three books is that they also always center at least one POV character who doesn't have magic, who knows nothing about this society or this world, but is still irrevocably effected by it. And I like how the series gives those characters prominence, importance, and value, and shows how even though they don’t have magic, they can still discover their own power within their own right.

Also, side note, this book is like way kinkier than the first two, and I deeply respect it for that.

There are just so many things in this third book that are absolutely up my alley. There’s a weird puzzle-box house where the rooms move around and contain magical secrets. There’s a heist plot line. There’s found family, like I said. There’s a great romance. I just really enjoyed this, and reading it made me think that if I were to re-read the first two books physically (as opposed to audio), I would enjoy them even more after having read this.

I don’t think this is a perfect trilogy by any means. Some parts of the magic system are definitely questionable. But regardless, I have to say: I'm so glad that I read this series if only to get to this tremendous finale. Would absolutely read more from Marske in the future!

A brilliant conclusion to one of the best historical fantasy trilogies I have read. I want many more stories about the Magicians of England.

I think this is my new favorite of the series. While I was reading the second book, I was already getting excited for Jack and Alan to have their own time to shine. A Power Unbound definitely has a more mature and darker feel to it than the last book. I was definitely hiding my screen a lot more from passerby's. It was nice getting a deeper look into the magic system that has been in place and the history behind it as well. Hawthorn will be going down as one of my favorite characters in fiction, the way he is so perfectly balanced and his motivations thought out. This book also made me tear up multiple times from the family interactions and the sharp grief they were experiencing. Overall, this book was the perfect ending to the series and I will miss this world dearly. For me, this was a 4.75/5, with only minor points off because at times I wanted more focus on Jack and Alan rather than the overarching plot lines to complete the story, but that was entirely my personal preference.

I must start by thanking both NetGalley as well as the publisher Tor for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Who holds the magic? Those in power? Those in love? The land? This is a wonderful conclusion to the truly magical The Last Binding trilogy, and it does not disappoint. 4.5 Stars

A spellbinding final installment of a wonderful series.

As always upon finishing a series, the feeling is bittersweet. Marske has written some truly incredible characters in this series and in this book, we follow Jack and Alan, as well as a group of familiar faces and some new ones, too.

After the death of Jack’s twin sister, he thought magic was gone from him and gone from his life entirely, but when something sinister is over all Britain’s magicians, he is regretfully pulled back in.

Faced with the possible loss of his family’s estate, Jack and a charismatic cast of characters, Alan, writer of some of Jack’s favorite guilty pleasures, he must figure out how to remedy this dark magical overtaking.

Alan and Jack do NOT like one another. The two actively despise each other, until Jack learns that Alan can give him something he secretly desires. The chemistry between these two men is simply chef’s kiss perfection.

This final book is fast paced when it really gets going and full of wtf moments, hardships and triumphs. I am sad this series is over, but this book was wonderful.

Absolutely spectacular - and spicy - ending to the trilogy. Cannot wait to see what Freya cooks up next.

I really enjoyed this final installment in Freya Marske’s fantasy romance series. I thought some parts of the main plot were slightly rushed, but overall I think it wrapped up nicely. I liked Hawthorne’s character development and the explanation of what happened to his sister, which has been hinted at for the whole series. (The first book is still my favorite because Edwin is my favorite.)

I liked it. It was a very nice ending to the series. But I didn't remember the second book well enough to really connect with the story until quite a ways in. I'd recommend reading them a little closer together than I had to, if that's an option. We learned all sorts of fun backstory, which was probably my favorite bit. And it continued a lovely world that I'd be perfectly happy to see more stories set in.

Freya Marske brings the Last Binding trilogy to a close in A Power Unbound. This time, the action centers on Jack, Lord Hawthorn. Hawthorn has played important, smaller roles in the other two books in the series, but the narrative swings around for him to take center stage and, maybe, give him a chance at lasting love. This book is a worthy conclusion to the series.

Jack has been on the outskirts of the magical world since a childhood act of betrayal left him without magic of his own and, worse, without his beloved twin. Since then, he’s used his money, status, and insouciance to try and carve out space for himself in the mundane world. The fight to recapture the Last Contract has dragged him back, kicking and screaming (with style). There’s also the reappearance of Alan Ross, whose class consciousness sparks against Jack’s aristocratic arrogance, to contend with.

What I love about this concluding volume is that nothing goes the way you’d expect. Our heroes have to keep planning and re-planning as they seem to be thwarted at every turn by a group of really obnoxious villains (the kind who firmly insist that they know what’s best and that you needn’t worry your pretty head about the consequences). I’m not sure how I feel about the blossoming relationship between Jack and Alan, but that’s only because they share a kink that really doesn’t appeal to me.

After taking this ride with the wonderful characters and amazing, magical settings, I am really looking forward to whatever Freya Markse comes up with next.

"A Power Unbound" by Freya Marske offers much the same charm of the two previous titles in the series, complete with a romance that's a touch kinkier than those she had offered before. It follows Lord Hawthorn and Alan Ross, jerks both for different reasons, as they attempt to stop a group of magicians from stealing the magic of Britain. This includes a heist, some action sequences, and of course some steamy scenes for which Marske has become known.

I'm inclined to enjoy enemies to lovers, and while Ross and Hawthorn were never THAT at odds, they certainly don't like each other much at the start of the book. As a result their romance is well-developed and interesting - though it does take a backseat to the plot that's been unfurling over the course of the last two books. This one is more plot-heavy than the previous two, which isn't a complaint - although I will state that while the climax of the book is quite exciting, the lead up takes a while to get there. Still, anyone who (like myself) has enjoyed this series so far will enjoy this one as well.

I enjoyed this trilogy so much! A complicated plot has a properly complicated conclusion, and another steamy romance as well.

The concluding chapter in a fantasy trilogy has to do a lot of things: tie up all of the plot threads in the first two entries; somehow manage to defeat that final enemy who's dogged our heroes; and provide a satisfying conclusion following that final confrontation. Add in an element of romance, and the "last" book also has to provide a complete romantic arc for two characters we know only peripherally. So, while I was SUPER excited about this book, I was also a little worried it wouldn't live up to the (extremely high) expectations I had for it. I'm here to tell you that the book lived up to every single one of them. That fantasy plot? Such a perfect execution! That romance? So swoony! And the steam? Hooooomigod who knew I would be so into the illicit relationship between the heir to a noble title and the upstart journalist republican (and purveyor of smutty stories) who take their explicit power differential dynamic into the bedroom? (I knew it, who am I kidding, this is exactly what I want to read.)

For three books, our intrepid group of magicians and their non-magical allies have been attempting to prevent the forcible joining and exploitation of all magicians' magic. There are plenty of ways this quest could be accomplished, but the specific way Marske goes about it here marries the romantic tension with the magical tension: who deserves to hold power? What about the consent of the community?

Unlike a straightforward romance series, which usually doesn't include overarching plot elements and so provides "happy couple" cameos for previous books' MCs, all of the previous characters have important roles to play here. We get plenty of Maude, Violet, Robin, and Edwin (plus Maude+Violet and Robin+Edwin) along with our focal couple, Alan and Jack. Marske's character work is impeccable: seeing the previous couples from Jack's point of view is particularly appealing. I also especially liked the different solutions Marske finds for Edwardian same-sex couples. Edwin and Robin's solution doesn't look like Alan and Jack's, just as their relationships are different.

Anyway, this is a supremely satisfying conclusion to the Last Binding Trilogy, and it makes me want to reread it all again from the beginning!

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

I had high expectations for this book as Freya Marske is one of my all time favourite authors and A Power Unbound did not disappoint. It's filled to the brim with beautiful writing, witty banter, gorgeous characters, lush world building and magical system that is so unique.

Of the three books I think this has the fastest paced plot and the most happening. Because of this at times it felt like it had maybe been edited down a bit too much as I wanted longer scenes, more background of characters etc before we rushed onto the next plot point. But even saying that, I adored the plot and the conclusion to the trilogy and everything felt nicely wrapped up.

I loved getting to see the whole gang together and how much certain characters had grown into themselves throughout the series. Alan and Jack's relationship was fantastic and in classic Freya Marske style, the spice was phenomenally written. No one writes intimacy like Freya - it's just gorgeous.

Overall, best book I've read all year, would highly recommend.

I'm not even sure what to say. I'm sitting here with this warm, happy feeling inside of me, a feeling that's been glowing since I found out this novel would be focused around Jack. You never quite know how the ending to a beloved book series is going to go; there's always a risk that the storyline will fizzle, or all the hours you put into reading will have little payoff. Thankfully Marske knew just what to do to surprise and delight while also giving the audience what they needed, and I'm so thrilled at the note the series ended on. Now....some novellas detailing further adventures of certain characters? Pretty please?

FREYA MARSKE STUCK THE LANDING!

I'm always worried when I'm loving a series and get to the final book if they're going to be able to tie the story up in a way that both keeps the drama and is satisfying, and with the exception of a couple of small quibbles, she nailed it. The third romantic pairing in the series was just as satisfying as the first two (and SIGNIFICANTLY spicier comparatively????) Jack's chapters especially tied the entire series together in terms of the motivations of the opposing side, and understanding the stakes of everything and how far they were truly willing to go. Alan's chapters were great to expand the world a little, take us out of the aristocracy and see a little bit more of the world. I kind of wish we'd gotten to spend a little more time out and about, maybe see some poor magicians and what the intersection of poverty and magic looks like. That said, I loved getting to spend significant time with the gang, after Robin and Edwin essentially weren't in book 2, I was worried how much of a role the prior couples were still going to have, if this would be another relatively isolated story. But it was not, and seeing Robin/Edwin and Maud/Violet happy and in their elements, along with Adelaide who is a REVELATION, warmed my heart even as I was terrified for them. I was talking about reading this book with a friend who plans on reading it, about how much I was worried that without the plot armor of being the active romance pairing and it being the end of the series, how many characters I was absolutely in love with that were suddenly in a ton of potential danger. And I'm offering no spoilers or comfort on that front, just mentioning it because it showed me how attached I'd gotten to these idiots over these three books.

The book is officially published in November, at which point I'm all but positive I'll be doing a reread of the series.

The conclusion was so so good. Thank you so much tordotcom for an early copy of this one! I very much enjoyed this story and these characters! Also the return of our other four protagonists! 5/5

"A Power Unbound" by Freya Marske is a riveting conclusion to the Last Binding trilogy, delivering a captivating blend of historical fantasy, magic, romance, and suspense that will leave readers thoroughly satisfied.

The story continues to follow Lord Hawthorn, also known as Jack Alston, as he reluctantly re-enters the world of magic to confront a dangerous threat. With a looming ritual that could bring disastrous consequences, Jack is joined by an eclectic group of friends in their pursuit of the final piece of the Last Contract. Amid their quest, they find themselves needing the assistance of Alan Ross, a writer and thief whose cagey demeanor and differences clash with Jack's aristocratic background.

The intricate world-building and well-crafted magic system enhance the story's depth, making the magical elements feel integral to the plot rather than mere embellishments. Marske masterfully weaves together historical details with a touch of the supernatural, creating a vibrant and immersive setting.

The characters in "A Power Unbound" are both complex and endearing. Jack's growth and internal conflicts are particularly well-explored, while Alan's personality adds a layer of tension and chemistry to the story. The character dynamics, including friendships and romances, contribute to the book's emotional resonance.

The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged from start to finish. The suspenseful build-up toward the final confrontation at Cheetham Hall is both thrilling and satisfying, delivering a climax that ties up the series' overarching plotlines while allowing for individual character growth and resolution.

Freya Marske's writing style is elegant, evocative, and immersive, making it easy for readers to become fully absorbed in the world and the characters' experiences. The balance between action, emotion, and introspection is skillfully maintained, creating a story that is both exciting and heartfelt.

"A Power Unbound" successfully concludes the Last Binding trilogy by maintaining the strengths of its predecessors while providing a satisfying and fulfilling ending. Fans of historical fantasy, LGBTQ+ romance, and intricate magical worlds will find this book to be a delightful and rewarding read.

What an excellent way to wrap the series. I love that Marske waited until the last book to give us the prickliest romance between the most deliciously recalcitrant characters. Alan and Jack’s story was the perfect slow dance to bring the overarching plot of the series to a close. I have thoroughly enjoyed the ride this series took me on, and I look forward to anything Marske may write in the future.

A Power Unbound by Freya Marske is the conclusion to The Last Binding trilogy and a spectacular conclusion it is. Marske's writing sweeps you into her world – Victorian England, but with magic!

Marske touches more on the class divisions in Victorian England than she did with the gender divisions, giving A Power Unbound greater depth. She also touches on some of the consequences of being openly gay in that time period, which I feel was a positive choice.

You could read and enjoy it without having read the first two books in the trilogy, Marske deftly inserts little catch-ups without making it seem clunky, but you will enjoy it more if you've read the first two. The stakes are high for our protagonists, both in their personal lives and the heist-adjacent storyline.

Everything comes to a staggeringly satisfactory conclusion and I can't wait for what Marske writes next. Off to reread the whole trilogy again!

I received a free copy from NetGalley for my unbiased opinion.
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