Freya Marske

Magic! Murder! Shipboard romance! The second entry in Freya Marske's beloved The Last Binding trilogy, the queer historical fantasy series that began with A Marvellous Light The most interesting things in Maud Blyth's life have happened to her brother Robin, but she's ready to join any cause, especially if it involves magical secrets that may threaten the whole of the British Isles. Bound for New York on the R.M.S. Lyric, she's ready for an adventure. What she actually finds is a dead body, a disrespectful parrot, and a beautiful stranger in Violet Debenham, who is everything—a magician, an actress, a scandal—Maud has been trained to fear and has learned to desire. Surrounded by the open sea and a ship full of loathsome, aristocratic suspects, they must solve a murder and untangle a conspiracy that began generations before them.

A Restless Truth

betty

It was easier to let go with an ocean between us. Easier to wear my sunflowers, and to think of her surrounded by her wonderful gardens, and be content that she existed at all.

But everyone Maud had loved, she'd loved at once, on instinct. Greedily. Violet Debenham was selfish and secretive and difficult to know, and vibrant and artistic and bold, and Maud was allowed to tumble into unwise love as long as she stared clear-eyed at the finish line. 

she was an entire weather system in the shape of a girl 

Hawthorn waved that aside. “My sister..." He grimaced. "She was a little like you. "Really?" "I would have followed her anywhere," he said. “Into any battle." And he opened the cabin door with an air that discouraged further questions.

Clarence’s face fell into one of abject wistfulness. Violet felt almost friendly towards her cousin, who if nothing else seemed to share exactly Violet’s taste in women

Maud had asked herself this question. Who wouldn't? She'd asked herself a few others too. If Robin saw disasterif he saw his own death, or Maud's-would he tell her? She didn't think so. He would withhold, which wasa different beast of a verb to lie, and he’d do it out of love

Maud seized a desperate burst of courage and moved her hands to rest on either side of Violet’s waist. Maud's back was on solid wood. They were in shadow. The deck was empty and the stars were kind, and glittering, and very far away. Maud?" said Violet softly. "What are you doing?"

“Looking,” said Maud, above the din of her heart “for a more practical education.”

Maud had never quite picked up the knack of conversation with Edwin Courcey. She loved him for how happy he made her brother, but he had a way of looking at you as though he saw all your worst qualities and was waiting to have them turned onto himself like knives.

He played a beautiful game of chess, though.

Maud felt like she'd been handed a jigsaw puzzle: one made for children, with large, obvious pieces. One of the pieces was the way her body had turned to a slow bonfire of curiosity beneath Violet Debenham's hand, and her inability to stop thinking of Violet's lips. The other was the last time she'd felt anything even close to that, when she and Liza lay giggling on Liza's bed with their arms linked, breathlessly reliving the jokes of the pantomime performance they’d just seen. Maud buoyant with unquestioned joy at her friends attention; Maud feeling as though she’d been punctured with a knife when Liza drew away and promised her laughter to someone else 

That was usually the point in the proceedings at which Edwin would slam his research book shut and then immediately lay his palm on the cover in silent apology. After which Robin would go to haul his beloved forcibly out of his seat and insist on a brisk walk in the fresh air.

"Well," Violet said lightly, "in some ways it's easier for Women inclined to their own sex than it is for men, because women can be companions. Or dear friends, who never marry and choose to share a house. Affection is expected of girls. Nobody will blink if I take your arm, like this” she did so. “Or slide an arm around your waist like this. And kiss your cheek.” 

Griefs jaws were not blunt of tooth. They snapped shut like a poacher's trap. Elizabeth stood with her hand clenched around her silver locket and kept painfully behind her teeth the urge to curse the dead for dying. She wanted to hurl magic at those green lamps for the pleasure of watching something shatter.

bri 🍂

A person is an act, Maud. A person is a theatre. You change the set dressing depending on the season. The real parts are the parts that aren't meant to be seen.

She was the opposite to Edwin; his walls were all up front, the warmth there beneath them if you had the patience to wait to be granted entry. 

Violet's warmth was on the outside. Sweets spread temptingly out on a blanket. Pause and let yourself accept the entertainment, the offering, and you might not notice the wall at all. 

Sometimes truth was the most devastating when you delivered it unadorned.

The truth was a flexible reed of a thing. One could weave it into all sorts of shapes, depending on what one needed it to be.

I liked both the mystery plot and the ensemble hijinks and Violet and Maud had great chemistry. But I think this is about all I can say about this. Some of the erotic scenes were hot which is more of an achievement for the genre than one might expect.

Yuri- I mean love wins!

I liked both the mystery plot and the ensemble hijinks and Violet and Maud had great chemistry. But I think this is about all I can say about this. Some of the erotic scenes were hot which is more of an achievement for the genre than one might expect.

I’m a lesbian and I like women what can I say.

Erzse Reed

Anja Hansen

In theory, this book should be just the thing for me. It has magic, murder and mystery. It's even set at sea! Sadly, I didn't connect with it in any way. I really enjoyed A Marvellous Light, and following up the series with a companion novel can easily be a hit or miss. All the charm from the characters of Edvin and Robin that created the essence of the first book is lacking in the sequel. Thus making it difficult to compete with. 

The entire book takes place on a ship. And while I usually seek out these kinds of books, this one lacked the adventurous aspect of it. Had the characters at the very least explored more of the vessel, instead of staying put in the same couple of places, then I may have gotten on board with it. No pun intended. 

I probably won't finish the series with the third installment. Instead, I'll go back to the original and treat it as a standalone if the urge to return to the world ari

Eh. Can’t bring myself to care to much about the Big Story but the characters you want to spend time with 

Bryce Gilfillian

Amanda

Loved it! Got off to a slower start than the first book in the series, but once things were moving it was great. I adore Maude and Violet and all the side characters. Freya Marske has created a wonderful world and I can't wait to visit it again.

The narrator of the audio did a fantastic job, especially given how many different accents there were. Each character sounded and felt unique. Lovely

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC

As the liner cruises away from America and makes its way towards England. Maud Blyth thinks she's nearly there.

Just one the home straight to England, and to her brother

Robin. Little did she know, murder was in the air.

This story has true murder mystery style. An isolated group, unlikely allies and unknown enemies. Can Maud figure out who the murderer is and where the last piece of the contract is before it's too late? Determined to succeed, Maud takes on the role of lady detective and will turn the whole ship inside out to find what she is looking for. But with no magic against a magical enemy Maud needs as much help as she can get. Enlisting the help of vibrant fallen lady Violet, Maud learns as much about herself as about the mystery.

As always the spiciness of this book gives me whiplash it's just too damn like a Enid Blyton mystery in all the

other scenes. I'm just never expecting it. I definitely enjoyed this one more than A Marvellous Light. I felt much more connected to the characters and immersed in the plot. The twist was cool but I guessed it from the from the third chapter (* I really need to stop doing that!

Big thanks to @blackcrow_pr for sending a me a copy to review 

Alice Hyman

As the liner cruises away from America and makes its way towards England. Maud Blyth thinks she's nearly there.

Just one the home straight to England, and to her brother

Robin. Little did she know, murder was in the air.

This story has true murder mystery style. An isolated group, unlikely allies and unknown enemies. Can Maud figure out who the murderer is and where the last piece of the contract is before it's too late? Determined to succeed, Maud takes on the role of lady detective and will turn the whole ship inside out to find what she is looking for. But with no magic against a magical enemy Maud needs as much help as she can get. Enlisting the help of vibrant fallen lady Violet, Maud learns as much about herself as about the mystery.

As always the spiciness of this book gives me whiplash it's just too damn like a Enid Blyton mystery in all the

other scenes. I'm just never expecting it. I definitely enjoyed this one more than A Marvellous Light. I felt much more connected to the characters and immersed in the plot. The twist was cool but I guessed it from the from the third chapter (* I really need to stop doing that!

Big thanks to @blackcrow_pr for sending a me a copy to review 

Magic! Murder! Shipboard romance! The second entry in Freya Marske's beloved The Last Binding trilogy, the queer historical fantasy series that began with A Marvellous Light The most interesting things in Maud Blyth's life have happened to her brother Robin, but she's ready to join any cause, especially if it involves magical secrets that may threaten the whole of the British Isles. Bound for New York on the R.M.S. Lyric, she's ready for an adventure. What she actually finds is a dead body, a disrespectful parrot, and a beautiful stranger in Violet Debenham, who is everything—a magician, an actress, a scandal—Maud has been trained to fear and has learned to desire. Surrounded by the open sea and a ship full of loathsome, aristocratic suspects, they must solve a murder and untangle a conspiracy that began generations before them. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

I’m not being dramatic when I say this is one of the best books I’ve read this year.

Cici Pearson

I honestly don’t even know where to begin with this review. I loved this book. It was humorous and full of life and suspenseful and lovely. I am absolutely bursting at the seams with excitement for the third book. 

Floofyflower

thank you to macmillan-tor/forge, tordotcom, and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

earlier this year, i’d read what i can quite confidently say is my favorite book of the year, a marvellous light. a book that sunk its way deep into my heart and has never let go, not that i’d want that. so to say that i’m absolutely grateful to have received an early copy of its’ sequel is an understatement. and it’s truly held up to the love i have for this series.

originally, i fell in love with this world, not just for the characters, but for the magic system. the most unique and beautiful magic system that i’ve ever had the chance to experience. while others might say this book suffers from middle-book syndrome i’d argue the complete opposite. this book gave me 

more to learn about. i’m obsessively fascinated by the magic; how magicians have manipulated what means they can use as long as there’s intention.

and intention there was. this book felt thoughtful, a slow build of maud’s character. a young and frightened, but boldly defiant woman who just wants to do right by those she loves. someone who can out-smart and argue her way in order to convince others to do what’s right. someone who needs physical proof of the world around her. not to mention that i love how she’s taken so fondly to edwin and his quirks. she looks up to him, as she does with robin, in a way i adore. deep-seated love and well being for them and their relationship. despite initially wishing i could follow the boys more, she became a protagonist i’ll forever appreciate. she has a true fighter spirit in her.

as for her counterpart, violet. the stage-performer with walls of steel. she truly is the perfect complement for maud. her passion for her craft. her ultimate care for maud. her fears deep below it all. she helped maud become a grander person, while herself stripping down to a more bare person. i truly, truly think the two of them helped each other in ways that were perfect for them and their growing partnership. and while no, they’re not 100% perfect for each other, they’re willing to work through it despite their faults. violet, just as maud, grew so much in the span of the book. it was wonderful to experience.

this series has quickly blown me more out of the water, each and every time i think about it. and i cannot wait to see how it all ends. although, i’ll be forever sad when it’s over. (but also, i have 

on who we’re going to follow in the final novel.)

ash (smokedshelves)

thank you to macmillan-tor/forge, tordotcom, and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

earlier this year, i’d read what i can quite confidently say is my favorite book of the year, a marvellous light. a book that sunk its way deep into my heart and has never let go, not that i’d want that. so to say that i’m absolutely grateful to have received an early copy of its’ sequel is an understatement. and it’s truly held up to the love i have for this series.

originally, i fell in love with this world, not just for the characters, but for the magic system. the most unique and beautiful magic system that i’ve ever had the chance to experience. while others might say this book suffers from middle-book syndrome i’d argue the complete opposite. this book gave me so much more to learn about. i’m obsessively fascinated by the magic; how magicians have manipulated what means they can use as long as there’s intention.

and intention there was. this book felt thoughtful, a slow build of maud’s character. a young and frightened, but boldly defiant woman who just wants to do right by those she loves. someone who can out-smart and argue her way in order to convince others to do what’s right. someone who needs physical proof of the world around her. not to mention that i love how she’s taken so fondly to edwin and his quirks. she looks up to him, as she does with robin, in a way i adore. deep-seated love and well being for them and their relationship. despite initially wishing i could follow the boys more, she became a protagonist i’ll forever appreciate. she has a true fighter spirit in her.

as for her counterpart, violet. the stage-performer with walls of steel. she truly is the perfect complement for maud. her passion for her craft. her ultimate care for maud. her fears deep below it all. she helped maud become a grander person, while herself stripping down to a more bare person. i truly, truly think the two of them helped each other in ways that were perfect for them and their growing partnership. and while no, they’re not 100% perfect for each other, they’re willing to work through it despite their faults. violet, just as maud, grew so much in the span of the book. it was wonderful to experience.

this series has quickly blown me more out of the water, each and every time i think about it. and i cannot wait to see how it all ends. although, i’ll be forever sad when it’s over. (but also, i have ideas on who we’re going to follow in the final novel.)

A Restless Truth

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