I would like to thank the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the ARC of this book. I read an advanced copy of this book, so the final edition of the book might be slightly different. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always. This review also contains some spoilers for the first book.

A Marvellous Light was one of my favorite reads of 2021, and I loved it just as much when I went back to reread it before finally continuing the series. A Restless Truth is the second book in The Last Binding trilogy and follows Maud (Robin’s sister) and Violet instead. Sometimes it can be difficult to lose narrators, especially when I loved them as much as I loved Robin and Edwin, but I do think the switching helped the series! I generally enjoyed getting to see a new romantic and character focus for each installment, but with a strong central plot connecting all three books together.

Maud and Violet were unfortunately not my favorites though. I found them interesting as characters individually, and I enjoyed seeing their backgrounds and relationships with their femininity and how it shaped them in this society. However, I wasn’t super convinced by their romance and didn’t care for that subplot as much, even though Robin and Edwin’s romance was what carried the first book for me. It’s hard to explain or pin down, but I just didn’t like them together. It made some parts of the book more frustrating for me, especially when it started getting in the way of plot progression.

In terms of plot, I found it intriguing, but I felt like the reliance on Robin’s visions made everything seem too pre-planned. It felt like Maud was just following a blueprint and trying to make certain things happen, and I felt like the characters lost a lot of their agency in this one. I have since read book 3, A Power Unbound, and didn’t have this issue in that book though, so it was just an issue unique to this book, luckily. It might just have been the way Maud used and interacted with the visions that made it not work for me.

Overall, I still enjoyed this book and really liked the audiobook narrator’s performance for this one. I think I would’ve felt this book's weaknesses even more had I not had the narrator helping me connect with the characters more. I do still love this series, but this is unfortunately the weakest installment for me!

Dive back into the world of enchanting mystery and forbidden desire in Freya Marske’s "A Restless Truth", narrated by the talented Aysha Kala. As the second part of ”The Last Binding”, the story continues and build on the event of “A Marvellous Light”, which i highly recommend you read before starting this novel. The second part offers fresh perspectives told this time through Maud, the sister of the initial book's main character.

Maud Blyth, a spirited adventurer, eagerly embarks on a journey to unravel a magical conspiracy alongside her beloved older brother. To her delight, she volunteers as a companion to an elderly lady on an ocean liner, anticipating a grand adventure. However, her excitement turns to shock as the old lady's lifeless body is discovered on the very first day of the voyage. Maud now faces the daunting task of dealing with a mysterious death, an insolent parrot, and the magnetic and scandalous Violet Debenham. Violet is everything Maud has been taught to distrust, yet her allure is impossible to resist: she's a magician, an actress, and a lightning rod for scandal. Amidst the vast expanse of the open sea and a ship brimming with potential suspects, Maud and Violet must cast off the facades they've worn and work together. Only then can they hope to locate a coveted magical object worth killing for, all while unmasking a cunning murderer. Failure is not an option as they navigate treacherous waters without becoming victims themselves.

"A Restless Truth" is a thought-provoking and engaging audiobook that showcases Freya Marske's storytelling prowess. The narrative boasts intriguing characters and a tantalizing plot that will keep listeners on the edge of their seats. Marske masterfully explores complex themes such as ethics, identity, and the consequences of unearthing uncomfortable truths. The author's writing is both eloquent and accessible, making it effortless for listeners to become fully immersed in the tale.

The true standout feature of this audiobook is Aysha Kala's impeccable narration. Her performance is extraordinary, as she skillfully embodies each character's personality and emotions. Kala's expressive voice captures the characters' inner struggles and dilemmas, infusing an authentic depth into the narrative. Her pacing and tone perfectly complement the story, ensuring a riveting listening experience from beginning to end. As the story unfolds, listeners will uncover more about the mysterious contract split, enhancing the intrigue and depth of the plot.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan UK Audio, Tor, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.

If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads! #ARestlessTruth #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning

"A Restless Truth" by Freya Marske, narrated by Aysha Kala, is an engaging and thought-provoking audiobook that skillfully blends elements of mystery, romance, and social commentary.

Freya Marske's storytelling shines in this novel, offering listeners a compelling narrative filled with intriguing characters and a plot that keeps you guessing. Set against a backdrop of academic research and a quest for truth, the story delves into complex themes such as ethics, identity, and the consequences of unearthing uncomfortable truths. Marske's writing is both eloquent and accessible, making it easy for listeners to become fully engrossed in the tale.

Aysha Kala's narration is a true highlight of this audiobook. Her performance is nothing short of exceptional, as she flawlessly captures the nuances of each character's personality and emotions. Kala's voice is expressive, and her ability to convey the depth of the characters' struggles and dilemmas adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative. Her pacing and tone are well-suited to the story, ensuring that the audiobook maintains a captivating rhythm from start to finish.

One of the strengths of this audiobook is the way Aysha Kala's narration seamlessly integrates with the complex subject matter. Whether it's discussing ethical dilemmas or exploring the dynamics of the characters' relationships, Kala's narration elevates the material and enhances the listener's understanding of the story's intricate layers.

Preliminary 5-star review. Will post a full review and adjust the rating accordingly after I finish the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.

I would not recommend listening to this book in a public space. It has some explicit content that I forwarded in parts even when I was at home. I had to begin with this disclaimer because it is probably one of the more elaborate books I have listened to. While reading, I can skim a little better. That is not to say it does not fit with the rest of the story since it is Maud Blythe's awakening to aspects of herself.
Going back to the story itself, it is the second in a series, something I did not have a problem with. The book's magic and the laws that govern it are quite elaborately discussed, ensuring that the reader is up to date with all the occurrences in the magical world and the hurdles Maud's brother has had to overcome before sending her on this perilous journey.
Maud is on a ship and is to somehow ensure the safe passage of an old lady and the secret she is carrying back to her brother. The old lady dies almost immediately, and there are several secrets that start to appear once Maud digs her heels in. She is a highly entertaining main character, and although Violet brings a change in her life, Maud, by herself, is quite stubborn and industrious. The combination of factors, along with some semi-disinterested parties who are roped into helping save magic, made it an adventurous outing.
The romance is a central and crucial piece of the whole puzzle, and it cements the rest of the plot together. All of the events happen on a ship, and the author does a good job of keeping it feeling slightly different each time. Although, given the length of the journey, it felt a little long. The narrator did a great job in bringing the events to life.
I was invested enough in the last contract by the time the end, and I would actually want to know what transpires next.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own listening experience.

A Restless Truth has made me decide that a boat trip without a sprinkling of magic and murder is not a boat trip worth stepping on to.

The sequel to A Marvellous Light carries on from where its predecessor left off. This time round we’ve left Robin and Edwin and their hunt for the elusive Last Contract (the secret to stealing the magic of every magician in England) behind, to travel with Robin’s sister Maud. She’s in charge of chaperoning an the elderly Navenby, who holds a piece of the Last Contract puzzle, safely back to England - then Mrs Navenby’s murdered. Along with charming actress Violet Debenham and Edwin’s old enemy Lord Hawthorne, Maud has to find the magical murderer before the boat docks, keeping the Last Contract safe from bad hands in the process…

It kept so many of the elements I loved from A Marvellous Light; funny, well-rounded characters, a romance I believed in despite the narrow time frame, and an interesting magical world. It plugs a few backstory gaps at the same time as proving to be an entertaining story all on its own, and Maud was a delightful character to follow.

The contrast between the more innocent and brave-hearted Maud and the delightfully outrageous Violet made for a balanced, fun read, well worth feeling like I had a massive sign above my head saying ‘THIS WOMAN IS LISTENING TO SMUT’ as I listened on the train. (Thanks for my audio copy NetGalley!). If anything I could’ve done with a touch less spice, but it’s not the book’s fault I’m a literary prude.

It didn’t quite hit the spot as much as A Marvellous Light because
1. I always find myself getting a bit restless when a book sticks to one setting from start to finish. Is literary cabin fever a thing?
2. I didn’t buy that the protagonists were ever really in any danger - both because the villains were a touch lacklustre and being surrounded by non-magical folk meant they were always pretty free from danger

That being sad, I did still enjoy this very much, and I’m very excited to read book 3!

The Restless Truth is the sequel to A Marvellous Light, which I thoroughly enjoyed. At a stretch, this book could be read as a standalone as you could pick up a lot of hints of what happened in the previous book. But depriving yourself the joy of reading A Marvellous Light is gently unadvisable.

It follows Maud Blythe, Robin’s sister onto a cruise ship from New York to England. She’s on a mission to safely accompany an old woman back to England but as soon as they boarded the ship, the woman was murdered in her room by a magician. It was Maud’s goal to find the murderer and also find the hidden third part of the Final Contract. She worked with Violet Debenham - heiress, magician, music hall actress & a scandal - and Lord Hawthorn - the former magician, rogue and all-round asshole.

I enjoyed the same blend of murder mystery with historical romance in this as much as I enjoyed it in the first book. The Edwardian setting, the process of finding suspects on a ship where anyone could have been the murderer had an Agatha Christie sense of fun.

It really leant in to the rake and virgin trope, with Violet being an unabashed and modern woman and I thoroughly like her. But Maud came across as naive and she sometimes irritated me. Lord Hawthorn appeared again in this book, the other consistent character from A Marvellous Light, but one would expect more character development and perhaps that will come in due time.

Despite my near-overwhelming excitement for its release, this book took me about six months to read. The promising bones of this story managed to elevate my overall rating, my qualms being related entirely to the structure of the book.

The romance was steamy in the most visceral sense of the word. It was frustrating how overshadowed the (incredible) sex scenes were by the inconsistent tone and pace of the book. These slow, sensual moments between Maud and Violet felt so at odds with the slapstick MacGuffin hunt and it was tiring having to switch between the two.

Despite my low rating, there were a few saving graces that improved my reading experience. The audiobook was really well performed and compelling throughout - I don’t think I would have finished the book if I was reading with my eyes. I enjoyed Marske’s further exploration of Hawthorne’s character, his grumpy dialogue and quick wit were really well done. I won’t be continuing on with this series, so I’m glad I got to learn more about the unique magical lore in this book.

I’m tired and upset that I didn’t love this more, but I’m so pleased to see so many reviews of other readers who loved this.

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for this advance audiobook.

Okay, 3 stars is not a bad rating but this book was basically all of my favorite things in one book, so it probably should have been higher.
I can’t really say what it was that made me not love this book because as I said - lots of things I love to read about: secluded setting, queer romance, murder mystery. It sounds amazing.

Unfortunately I just didn’t click with the story. I partly blame the audiobook because I liked the narrator but the recording was also weird sometimes, as if it was recorded in a different environment? Like, the narrator talked the same but sounded very different suddenly for a few seconds. It really through me off whenever that happened.

I also think the book was a bit long. I wasn’t necessarily bored but there also wasn’t that much going on that it needed to be ~ 400 pages/14h. I needed *******forever******* to finish this.

I still really liked the characters and will definitely be picking up the next book because I do wan’t to read more about the world itself and I really liked Hawthorn and Ross in this book, very excited that they get their own story!

If you enjoyed book one, you will more than likely enjoy this one too. The change of main character can be a little jarring, but I felt this transition was quite smooth. All Maud wants to do is make her brother proud, and that she does. Representation with this author is always on point and this did not disappoint in this one. Along with the beautiful element of the era of the story, it is amazing how well this rep is dealt with. I really enjoyed the narrator and I am so excited for book 3!

I really liked the narrator for this audiobook, she did some brilliant voices for the different characters and I enjoyed being able to imagine the back-and-forth conversations. The descriptions made each scene quite easy to create mentally. It's defiantly a book id recommend.

After loving A Marvellous Light to bits and pieces, so much so that I've read it thrice now, I sure had high expectations from this one too!
And it did meet them!! This book was everything I expected it to be and I enjoyed it a lot!
Highly recommended if you're looking for sapphic sea adventures and magical artifact hunts and more!!

Freya Marske's second volume in the Last Binding series, A Restless Truth is such a fun follow-up to A Marvellous Light.

I loved a Marvellous Light so there was no way I wasn't going to give the next book a read and I'm so glad I did. I haven't read many F/F romance books but I enjoyed this one a lot.

The story follows Maud Blythe on her journey back from New York aboard a trans-atlantic passanger ship. On it she encounters murder, magic, and the very exciting and alluring Violet Debenham. She also gets caught up in the mystery of the Last Binding and must try to uncover the murderer and a magical object.

I enjoyed how many interesting characters there were in this book and how they worked together. I didn't want to like Hawthorn but some how he has become my favourite, and along with Ross, the third book in this series will be fantastic!

I thoroughly enjoy reading Marske's writing, which is lyrical and sumptious. And the audio narration by Aysha Kala was absolutely wonderful and she did such an amazing job!

All in all, this has become a favourite series and I can't wait to get a hardcover copy of this to go along with my Marvellous Light one too!

This book fell completely flat for me and I honestly don't know why. I really liked A Marvellous Light, I adore sapphic romances, I love a good mystery, but this didn't hit the spot and there's nothing in there that explains it. I didn't dislike the characters, in fact I really liked Violet a lot. I was interested in the magic society and exploring the way it intersects with regular society in a way that we didn't get to see in A Marvellous Light.

I suppose the main thing was that I didn't get very into the relationship, which is a big part of the book. There were three really long sex scenes, which I just found left me bored, though that's not unusual, I'm not really one for spicy books. And there was just no heat in the relationship. I didn't feel the passion and the love that I love to feel. It felt too easy and not very romantic.

I'm very disappointed because I was ready to really love this book. I was looking forward to it so much.

I enjoyed the first book in this series (A Marvellous Light) so I know that this author’s books are often slow to start but are worth it. The connection between the two FMCs is great and I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop further as the book went on.
They main story is that they are trying to solve a mystery whilst on a cruise ship between the USA and UK. The mystery element was fine but it’s the characters and their development and relationships that stand out for me.
I did a combination of reading the ebook and listening to the audiobook and they were both great. The narration of the audiobook was great and I really enjoyed it.

I pretty much have to copy/paste my review for the e-ARC, but know that this was simply SO GOOD. Whoever on social media said the second installment had a Knives Out on a boat vibes were right! This is honestly pretty spot on. Aysha Kala did a great job narrating the story and I'm looking forward to listening to more of her reading. If you like historical fiction, unlikely friendships, Titanic-ish boats and spicy sapphic books, you're in for a treat! Book 3 is going to be lit!

Audio review: Great Narrator who brought plenty of nuance to all the characters.



Main review: Cards on the table, I thought to start with I wasn't going to like this. This was due to the fact that a) I have not read A Marvellous Light (although I really want to now!), b) I was expecting something along the lines of a sweet, queer regency romance except set in Edwardian times - which it really wasn't! and c) getting shoved out of the story initially due to language choices. On the last point, I am not offended by profanity. I don't care about Fs and Cs as long as there is a reason for them to be used in the text (the reason I'm not typing the words out in full is so I can cross post this review to Amazon). But considering where my expectations started and the arrival of the first F and then the very graphic and again unexpected sexual content, it did jolt me out of the story momentarily. I was then worried that it would do an S J Maas and just have fantasy as window dressing for smut. I'm fine with smut, I'm fine with romantasy. What I dislike is being tricked into reading something that is smutty romantasy without much fantasy or other plot than 'romance' when I thought I was getting something else.



Happily, this was not the case. There was enough magical murder mystery to keep the plates spinning. The historical detail and world building worked. And instead of ill thought out smut dressed up as period romance, instead I was treated to a thoughtful, intelligent and compelling look at a couple negotiating how and if to be together, with all the perils and pitfalls of being unconventional, wanting something society says you're not supposed to want, and just generally being full, messy human beings. I believed the romance and the sexual attraction which is no mean feat considering many authors fail to sell me on either.



Overall I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to going back and reading the installment starring this MC's brother.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Macmillan UK Audio and the author, for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Restless Truth follows the story of Maud Blythe, the sister of our protagonist Robin Blythe from book 1, A Marvelous Light. Maud is on a cruise coming back from America to England doing her part helping her brother uncover the plot of the lost contract and she has only one goal, do something significant enough for her brother and make him proud. Little did she know the kind trouble that followed her on to the cruise, other that the beautiful Violet Debenham.

I did come into this book with a lot of expectations and I think its safe to say a good bit of them were met. We got a murder mystery, some reluctant friendships, angst, some major revelations in terms of the overall plot of the trilogy, amazing character development for Maud and Hawthorn of whom we saw very little in book 1 and hot sexy sapphic romance. The representation was absolutely brilliant (lesbian MC, Bi MC and Bi side characters - with sprinkles of different ethnicities and conversations about experiences of trans people in theatre) with adequate detail into the era in which the story takes place.

The narrator was absolutely brilliant and I am glad I listened to this book. Overall though it was a notch less brilliant than its predecessor, but it was highly enjoyable and I cannot wait to pick up the 3rd installment in this trilogy.

TW: Explicit sexual content, Blood/Gore, Death, Guns/weapons, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Murder, Poisoning, PTSD, Sexism, Violence

Unfortunately I feel like this is a pretty weak follow up to A Marvellous Light (a book I LOVED). I didn't really dislike it, but I didn't love it and felt like it could have been quite a bit shorter than it is.

A fun and exciting murder mystery, laced with magical realism.

What an adventure! Maud sets sail on the R.M.S. Lyric travelling from New York to Southampton. Soon she finds her travelling companion dead in their cabin, Maud suspects murder. From then on, it is her quest to find out what happened to cause the death of Mrs Navenby and why. She encounters many characters and even ropes some of them into assisting her with her detective work.

It was a lot more raunchy than anticipated, beautiful sapphic romance, covering relationships of all types, juxtaposed with good humour to cut through the seriousness of the main plot. This was a really excellent well rounded book, the characters were nuanced and the plot was exciting, really great!

I had not read the prequel, but this didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the tale. In fact I enjoyed it so much I will be going back to read it.

The narrator was excellent, she brought a perfect tone to the reading and the voices were totally believable.