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A review by whatsheread
A Power Unbound by Freya Marske
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
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.
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.