My thanks to Macmillan U.K. Audio Tor for a review copy via NetGalley of the unabridged audiobook edition of ‘A Power Unbound’ by Freya Marske. The audiobook is narrated by Josh Dylan.

This is Book 3 in The Last Binding Trilogy of historical fantasy romances set in an alternative Edwardian Britain. As this is a trilogy with a continuous plot and characters it is important to read them in order to fully appreciate what is going on.

The focus in Book 3 is upon Jack Alston, Lord Hawthorn, who was a supporting character in both ‘A Marvellous Light’ and ‘A Restless Truth’. Following the death of his twin sister sixteen years ago Jack had renounced magic. Yet when a threat is uncovered that could endanger every magician in Britain, he is reluctantly drawn back into the magical world.

In order to thwart the plans of their enemies, Jack joins with Robin Blythe, his sister Maud, Edwin Courcey, and Violet Debenham. To complete their plan they need the assistance of journalist and thief, Alan Ross (Alanzo Rossi), who they had encountered on the Lyric ocean liner in Book 2. The prickly Alan is only in it for the money and is very vocal about his hatred of the aristocracy and their unearned power. Naturally he and Jack take an immediate dislike to each other. The plot by the baddies comes to a head during a lavish party on Jack’s family estate.

I felt that Freya Marske had elegantly woven together the various elements of her story to create this final novel. As before, there were the occasional spicy chapters that I thought were well written even if not my thing. I was more interested in how she had continued to develop the binding magical system and linked it with Edwardian social issues of class and politics.

With respect to the audiobook, I was impressed with Josh Dylan’s narration. His voice was very smooth and was a pleasure to listen to. I felt that he brought a great deal of vitality to its characters, setting, and story.

Overall, I felt that ‘A Power Unbound’ was a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. I will be keeping a look out for Freya Marske’s future projects.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

An absolutely stonking conclusion to the trilogy, and my favourite romance of the three. It continues the previous books’ fascinating magic system, banter and gorgeous prose, with the added bonus of kinky enemies-to-lovers romantic arc between Hawthorn and Ross. At times it’s on the denser side, which I personally enjoy, but it might be easier if you’ve read the other books recently.

Much of the story is propelled by the consequences of Hawthorn’s past, which has been much teased in the previous books, and I really enjoyed diving deep into how his grief changed the way he interacts with the world, as well as how it does and doesn’t impact his developing relationship with Ross. Both are very dynamic characters, making their debates, quarrels and roleplay scenes incredibly engaging. (also, the consent play in the later was really well done.)

Everyone else is there and doing their part to combat the downward spiral of magical society, being witty and lovable all the while. I felt bereft when I finished, and will inevitably be rereading very soon just so I can spend more time with this cast of characters - I can’t bear to let them go.

The narrator Josh Dylan did a fantastic job, embodying both Jack’s sharp gravitas and Alan’s exhausted relentlessness. (I sometimes find explicit sex scenes difficult get through in audiobook format… I had no such trouble here).

4.25*

It's very rare that I read a whole series and although I'm *less* excited by this finale, it's a testament to how much I've enjoyed these books that I requested a NetGalley audio arc of the final book so I'd know what happened.

I really enjoyed all three of The Last Binding books and I think they each offer different things. Of the three, this is the most about magic, plot, and intrigue. It is tying up all the threads.

I really enjoyed the listening/reading experience of this book and I cared about what was going to happen. A couple of sections made me really anxious. Others reminded me of some of the action and government scenes in the most famous serious about wizards at school. That said, the writing of A Power Unbound is a 2.5* in execution for me as the joy of re-meeting established characters is dampened by most of the characters (mainly the female ones) being much flatter and trope-y than in the first and, most of, the second books. I will also say that, as a person from "working class" London, the depiction of working class London, is the most stereotypical, 2D, annoying rendering. The writing makes Sherlock Holmes' urchins look incredibly nuanced even if a few class points were made.

I enjoyed the main partnership of this book and I loved the new bit characters who were really interesting. I also love the quiet role of nature in the magic. Definitely enjoyable if slightly messy conclusion. A Marvellous Light has my heart but I'd re-read all three again.

I do love a good conclusion to a trilogy and A Power Unbound certainly hit the mark!

After the fun of Violet and Maud’s ship-based shenanigans in A Restless Truth, it was good to be back on land with the whole gang back together. A Power Unbound provides a new central couple, Hawthorn and Ross, who have they’ve own unique dynamic compared to the other couples while still brining the spice. I particularly enjoyed delving into their backstories and the exploration of their class divide and power dynamic.

There’s also still plenty of magic and mystery, and I appreciated how all the narrative threads seamlessly converged for a gratifying conclusion. The unique magic system in these books has always been a favourite of mine and I loved how this book delved further into magical lore.

I’m only sad this is the last book in the trilogy. There’s so much more to this world that could be explored and I’d definitely read another book based in it!

I really enjoyed the narration for this book, in fact the narration for all the books in this series have been stellar and really helped to flesh out the characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 🌟
A fabulous conclusion to The Last Binding trilogy!
I enjoyed the first book, but as the second one was a bit underwhelming I was tentative going into this one. I was however looking forward to having Lord Hawthornes story- I was intrigued by him in the first book, and loved his reluctant and surly personality in the second one, him and Alan being the main reason I stuck through it, so I was trying by best not to get excited about the third book being theirs!

I think that this book really tidily brought the story together and I really enjoyed getting to know more about the character and the magic! This book had plenty of twists and turns, some tension and some steamy scenes.
I listened to this on audio and honestly have to say the narrator did such a fantastic job of different voices and emotion!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the audio of this in exchange for an honest review.

A great end to a magical trilogy…

Although I’ve enjoyed all three books, they are a little slow for me, so don’t quite get five stars. The characters in this one have a lot more gumption and I loved their interactions. I started reading a physical copy but switched to the audio and the narrator was excellent.

The combination of casual queerness, historical fiction and magic is fantastic and I loved being immersed in this alternate England. Marske doesn’t try to push an agenda with an historical event and this makes the book flow much better and feel like true fantasy. The peril was well handled and believable and although some of the magical elements are a little confusing, overall it’s a really good story and I will be sad to leave this world behind.

Prepare for an epic conclusion in "A Power Unbound", the thrilling last installment of a captivating fantasy trilogy that leaves no thread untied and delivers the fates of all the beloved characters you've come to know over the course of the previous two books, “A Marvellous Light”, and “A Restless Truth”. Make sure to read the first two volumes before diving into the series finale! In this final volume, amidst the end of the story, the author manages to introduce a new romance narrative, a feat that's no small achievement. The dynamic between Hawthorn and Alan is a highlight, offering a fresh layer of complexity and emotion to the narrative. On top of this, the reappearance of the main characters from the previous books gets the reader hooked up on the numerous adventures and story lines that the author elegantly follows through the pages.

One standout feature of this audiobook is the exceptional narration. Josh Dylan brings the story to life with their impeccable delivery, capturing the essence of each character's personality and the nuances of the plot. Their portrayal is so masterful that it immerses you even further into the world of the trilogy, making it an audiobook you won't want to pause.

"A Power Unbound" brings a great series wrap-up to a thrilling trilogy that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end. With expanded magic systems, captivating character relationships, and a pulse-pounding plot, it offers an unforgettable reading experience. While it may have a few minor imperfections, the overall journey is a magnificent one, and fans of the series will find the conclusion both satisfying and bittersweet.

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! #APowerUnbound #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning

What a way to finish the trilogy!

It had everything we’ve come to expect from this series. The magic system, so brilliantly introduced across the previous two books, was expanded further in this final instalment and I loved seeing where it went!

It was so great to see all the characters together. The only downside of this trilogy is that the two main characters that we grew to love in the first book were largely absent in the second, so to have all the characters together felt really special. It had almost a cross-over feel that added to the excitement of the story, and I loved catching up with all the characters and where they are now.

The real selling point of this book, though, is the romance. While the romantic yearning in book one, and the curiosity and journey of book two, were so so compelling, this book blew them out of the water. Tensions were high from the get go, and it’s easily the steamiest book of all three.

There is something so satisfying about a well-formed trilogy, and this final book tied everything together so well! It’s rare that I get invested in and complete a book series, so when I do I’m so glad I could get that pay-off from a brilliant series.

I received a free copy for an honest review.

I can't believe it's over! The last installment of The Last Binding trilogy closes the story up perfectly.

I was very excited to be able to hear this book before it came out. The first books were just amazing, and I loved every moment with all these great and memorable characters.

In this book, all the characters of A Marvellous Light and A Restless Truth come together to face a group of magicians looking to steal all the magic in Britain. The race is on, and there were moments in the book where everything goes sideways for our heroes. It's action nonstop and it builds up to the perfect and explosive ending. I wasn't expecting the resolution, it came as a complete surprise. Even so, it makes perfect sense.

I loved the narrator, he really reads the story very well and his tone and intonation throughout the different paces and moments of the story are fantastic.

Overall, this is the perfect ending for this queer magic trilogy. Loved every page and I will miss reading about the adventures of these characters.

The enthralling conclusion to The Last Binding trilogy.

I have been excited for this book ever since its announcement, and I was thrilled to receive a copy early to review! Both of the first two books have been solid 5 star reads for me, so I had high hopes for book 3 and it did not disappoint!

All our favourite characters from A Marvellous Light and A Restless Truth come together in this final instalment as they race to find a solution to The Last Contract before their enemies can use it to steal magic from all of Britain’s magicians.

The story was absolutely action packed, to the point where I actually thought I must be getting towards the end because events were ramping up so much, only to check and realise I was only about halfway through.

The narrator was fantastic and really added to the story. I listened to the first instalment and really missed it when I read the second, so I was delighted to be able to listen to the third book.

Overall this is an excellent end to a truly magical queer fantasy mystery trilogy. If any or all of those genres appeal to you, I would thoroughly encourage you to read The Last Binding trilogy.

I’ve really enjoyed the audiobooks of each of the books in the Last Binding trilogy, and A Power Unbound was a great conclusion. Each book follows a different romantic couple, with this book focusing on the most unlikely couple yet.

One of my favourite elements of these books is the found family. The unlikely heroes who found each other and overcame the seemingly overwhelming odds by supporting each other is so heart-warming.

The overarching plot of the trilogy came to a thrilling conclusion in this instalment, with some great twists and emotional moments.

One thing the author does particularly well in her books is write very detailed smut without it seeming gratuitous. In A Power Unbound she writes consensual non-consensual role play in a very convincing way and the feelings that the characters have for each other shine through.

A great finish to the trilogy and I definitely recommend the audiobooks which are an excellent way to experiment them with a fantastic narrator.

Thank you very much Macmillan UK Audio, Tor and NetGalley for the Advanced Listeners Copy in exchange for my honest review.
I have really enjoyed the first two books in Freya Marske’s queer historical urban fantasy trilogy called The Last Binding, A Marvellous Light and A Restless Truth, so I was very happy to receive this ALC of the third and final book, A Power Unbound.
This story brings us back to the characters of the first two books, but in the center of it all is Jack Alston – Lord Hawthorn – who has lost his magic after the death of his twin sister, and Alan Ross, a journalist, thief and writer of gay erotica. Their first meeting (in book two) … let’s say, could have gone better. Now, Jack is living in a bizarre puzzle-boy of a magical townhouse in London, helping Violet track down the final piece of the Last Contract before their enemies can do the same. Alan, who needs money, helps them out, but he doesn’t shy away from voicing his opinions about the aristocracy and all their hypocrisy. It’s a shame that he’s looking absolutely gorgeous, and Jack finds himself torn between his attraction and aggravation. But their enemies’ ploy to seize all power for their own sinister purposes endangers all magickind of Britain, and they’re forced to work together.
A Power Unbound brings the plot of books one and two together and raises the stakes until a thrilling conclusion while also delivering a new romance plotline, which is certainly no easy feat. The dynamic between Hawthorn and Alan was great, and I wished there had been a few more scenes between just the two of them. However, I think that the romance fell a little flat – while I felt their sexual attraction and LOVED how surprisingly kinky this was, I missed the more emotional side of the romance. I also had a bit of a hard time keeping track of all the characters at times, because due to the nature of this story, book three brings all the main characters from the previous installments as well as a lot of side characters together, resulting in scenes with many people talking.
Josh Dylan is a great narrator, and I really enjoyed listening to his voice. Overall I really enjoyed this book and I’m rating it 4/5 stars like the first two.

The final book in 'The Last Binding' series by Freya Marske comes with all the good things you expect from a fantasy series including magic, mysteries of ancestral land and dangerous rituals. I do think that the book is best enjoyed if binge-read with its other two counterparts. There are quite a handful of details that require a board mapping to clues and events contributing to future plots.

As I did not get a chance to revise the first 2 books, the gap felt obvious. Storywise the pacing felt fluctuating, but I still enjoyed 2 characters very much which made the book worth reading.

Thank you @netgalley @macmillan.audio @freyamarske for the ARC.

Genre: #fantasy #historicalfiction
Rating: 3/5 ⭐️

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this final book. While Jack wasn't a favourite character of mine, I really warmed to him in this book. Alan was bloody adorable and I loved the storyline overall too. Very happy with the conclusion to this trilogy.

Really good narrator on the audiobook. I haven't read part 2 of this trilogy, but enjoyed this last installment non the less. Gripping storyline, very magical

After absolutely shipping Ross and horny Lord Hawthorn in the last book, I couldn’t wait to read it! I mean dislike to lovers is simply the best, we can all agree.
I think the last book in a series, where every book has another MC, is the hardest to do because you want to have enough attention for the main couple, but also have to bring in all the other characters again. It was done so well here and I absolutely loved meeting the others again. I adore every single of these characters so much.
The story was gripping, the magic was magical and I think the ending was so well done and left me satisfied with how the events turned out (even though I think at one point our MCs just acted damn stupid).

I have to say even though I loved the romance between poor Mr. Ross and fancy rich boy Hawthorn I didn’t really feel the love a lot, which might be a me thing because I didn’t really enjoy the steamy scenes between these two. I’m just so over the no kissing trope, to me it feels so impersonal and emotionless, leaving me not really feeling the vibes turning from horny to romance.

All in all I think this was a perfect ending to a wonderful, magical story that will forever be one of my favourites!

I honestly have to say even though the narrator has a nice voice, I sadly didn’t like him at all for this book. He didn’t fit Lord Hawthorn nor Mr. Rosses personalities at all and sounded kind of bored, monotonous, when both of the MCs are very feisty, cocky men.
I thought the narrators for the last two book were incredible, especially the first book I listened to three times by now, so I’m a bit sad this one didn’t to it for me.

I've copied my review from the ebook version as that still stands below - but as an audiobook I also truly enjoyed this. The narrator has a wonderful voice, with great pacing and solid narration.

Having the opportunity to read A Power Unbound in advance of release was truly special to me. I absolutely adored the first two books in this trilogy with both of them being some of my favourite books I’ve read this year. I’ve been waiting on tenterhooks for this book and sent it to kindle as soon as I could.

I was not disappointed. This book is wonderful. The warmth of found family runs through it, and all our favourites from the prior books are back for the adventure. A Power Unbound really gives us an opportunity to get to know Jack more, to see past the sharp and difficult man we met in the first book, and to understand his story.

The plot is gripping, and I loved that things weren’t neatly and tidily resolved! The end wasn’t what I expected at all, but was truly satisfying.

The biggest disappointment is that this book marks the end of the trilogy. I would love to see more of the new state of things.

An incredible read, and one I will definitely return to.

4.5 stars

A POWER UNBOUND completes this trilogy with great aplomb.

Unlike A RESTLESS TRUTH, where previous characters were side mentions but not present, A POWER UNBOUND involves the casts of the previous books prominently. It is still mostly the story of Jack and Alan but it is a large cast book, with Edwin, Robin, Maude, and Violet taking major parts and very much being present in the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed that set up. It made it feel more like a continuation of the series than a companion, bringing continuity. It also was really fun to spend more time with characters I'd loved from previous books as welling to get to know new ones. They all have different strengths and weaknesses and being together meant they could deal with the threat far more efficiently.

As for Alan and Jack, I really liked that we already knew them a bit before this entry, so it was like getting to delve deeper into familiar ground. Jack in particular has lurked in the previous two book so getting inside his head was really nice, to explore someone who has been around but a bit of an enigma before.

I listened to this entry (I think I've now read every entry in a different format!) and the narrator, Josh Dylan does so well with the accents. I knew, going in, that I was going to be a bit picky about the accents as some characters should have some similar to ones I am very familiar with, and I was very pleased with how it ended up.

On the fantasy side of things, I enjoyed and loved this book so, so much!! It was the perfect conclusion to the trilogy and wrapped up things very nicely. I liked the new additions and a little more detail to the world as well as the new characters.
Only the romance was a bit of a letdown in this one, I just wasn't rooting for the MCs in any way and it didn't really feel like they were actually in love. In lust? For sure. But I'm not really sold on the love part as of yet. I'm planning to reread it after it releases through a physical copy so maybe it'll change, let's see.
Highly recommend this book and the trilogy!

Back in Edwardian England with the gang of the Last Contract!

Aaaah Lord Hawthorn, how I love him so I am very glad this book was his because he deserves a hea! His guardianship/brotherly actions warmed my heart.

'Three months ago an unmagical girl had accosted him on a ship, inserted herself inconveniently into his life, and forced him back into magical society and magical conspiracy.'

Enter Alan Ross, writer and thief who we met in A Restless Truth. Oh I loved him too! He was real and he was just what Jacky boy aka Lord Hawthorn needed! Alan's had a hard life and seeing him fit in with the gang was heartwarming.

So in short, there was action, found family, magic, basically enemies to lovers and a lot of spice! An honourable mention to the Elsie part, waaaaaaah!

A great conclusion to the series!