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.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.