Freya Marske
Books
The Last Binding: A Marvellous Light (2021), A Restless Truth (2022)
The Last Binding
A Marvellous Light (2021)
Set in England prior to The Great War. Maybe 1906 or 1907.
After his parents were killed ina car wreck, Robin Blyth has to pick up the pieces of the life they left him and his sister.
“You don’t talk about your parents much.”
“I am— trying very hard not to speak ill of the dead.”
So he is grateful for the Civil Service job he has been given–until he arrives at his new office.
He was to comb through complaints, letters, and hysterical newspaper stories, working out which of them might represent real magic.
Edwin Courcey is a bit of a magical dud. His siblings might be powerful but he still needs cradle strong to cast any magic. So to escape his family he works for Civil Service, checking out reports of magic that might be seen by the general populace.
But the man who held the job before Robin is dead–and those who killed him think that Robin knows the answers the dead man couldn’t tell them.
Although Robin’s parents were objectively terrible, he had his sister to help him become a decent person. Edwin just had to struggle and try to escape as best he could, which made Robin the less damaged of the two, with his sister’s love and faith to keep him going when he’d rather give up.
Edwin has been told he is weak and useless, so even if he is precise and knowledgeable, that gets him nothing from magical society–or his family.
One of the things I appreciate about MM historical romance is that the reluctance of the two characters who actually talk about their feelings is not only understandable–it makes logical sense, given that homosexuality was a serious crime at the time. But even though Robin knows this, he still wants to find a way to reach out to Edwin.
Robin didn’t want to press against what seemed a deliberate drawing-back. Should he assume that Edwin would say something, if he wished the topic to be broached at all, or was Edwin waiting for him?
The romance is very good. I loved the world building, and the mystery was very good–and although there will obviously be further adventures, we aren’t left wanting at the end, unknowing of the safety of the characters.
Really lovely.
Publisher: Tordotcom
Rating: 9/10
A Restless Truth (2022)
Set in England prior to The Great War, around 1907 or 1908.
Maud Blyth went to America to find Elizabeth Navenby and warn her she is in danger.
Unfortunately, barely before the have left port, Mrs Navenby is killed, and Maud feels partially to blame. Luckily, her brother is a farseer, and was able to give her some hints as to what the future might hold for her.
Including a young blonde woman her brother took to calling Harriet, as she appeared in so many visions of Maud’s trip.
“A distant relative of ours recently passed away and named me as her heir. A rich relative. So my dear, concerned aunt and cousin took it upon themselves to come to New York and deliver me from treading the boards in that pit of dissolution known as the Bowery, and restore me to the bosom of my loving family. I am eternally in their debt. Or so”— with a rich laugh—“ they hope.”
Violet Debenham got herself ruined and then fled to American where she trod the boards for several years. Now she is unexpectedly returning to England.
“A distant relative of ours recently passed away and named me as her heir. A rich relative. So my dear, concerned aunt and cousin took it upon themselves to come to New York and deliver me from treading the boards in that pit of dissolution known as the Bowery, and restore me to the bosom of my loving family. I am eternally in their debt. Or so”— with a rich laugh—“ they hope.”
I had been a little worried because I didn’t remember many details from the previous book. I realize it’s only been a year, but I have read quite a few books in the interim, so I was a bit worried.
Luckily, didn’t matter, because although Maud appeared in the first book, and her brother and Edwin are mentioned repeatedly, you don’t need to know the precise events of the previous book in order to enjoy this one (although I did recall more than I thought I had).
And there were some marvelous secondary characters.
“I had thought of becoming a naturalist, but I suppose you need to study at a university to be taken seriously by the Royal Society. Do you suppose there are any unmarried dukes or viscounts in England who might be interested in also becoming intrepid explorers?” she asked hopefully.
“Companionship,” said Mrs. Bernard. “Surely.”
“I prefer my peace and quiet,” said Hawthorn.
“Someone to manage your household for you.”
“I am self-managing, ma’am.” An ironic bow of his head. “And I employ an excellent housekeeper.”
“What about children, my lord?” Violet asked sweetly. “The continuation of your ancient line? Don’t you want a young future earl of your own, to dandle on your knee?”
“I have cousins,” said Hawthorn, exactly as one flattened a fly with a newspaper.
I even came to quite like Hawthorn.
“I am not a magician,” said Hawthorn.
Violet laughed. “Of course you are. Even if you—”
“I am not. A magician.” Each word was quietly and deliberately placed. “Or do you suppose I’ve been lying about the absence of my own power for the past fourteen years?”
“I don’t know.” Violet leaned back to rest her elbows on the railing. The breeze played with the feathers of her hat. “Have you?”
Hawthorn smiled at her. It was a smile searching for bruises with the intent of pressing down.
I think what I liked best about this story is although Violet is brash and says outlandish things, it is Maud who is truly brave–and that includes doing and saying what she believes is right.
He stalked across the room— narrowly avoiding Chapman and the furniture— and turned Maud’s face in his hands, somewhere between clinical and avuncular, frowning down at the split lip. “Maud Blyth. You are a terror and you should not be allowed to run loose in the world.”
I very much enjoyed this, and am betting the third book will have Ross and Hawthorn. And I can’t wait to read it. (I have to wait. At least a year.)
Publisher: Tordotcom
Rating: 8.5/10
