Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

23 reviews

pkc's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I’m no fantasy fan, but this was exquisite. Pitch perfect writing, steamy as hell, and overall wonderful. Definite contender for book of the year already!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Death, Grief, Medical trauma, and Physical abuse

caseofspades's review

adventurous dark emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

rorikae's review

adventurous challenging emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

'A Marvellous Light' by Freya Marske is a charming and heartfelt fantasy romance set in a magically bent Edwardian England. 
In need of a job after his parents' death, Robin Blyth is swept into a civil service position knowing little about the job. His predecessor mysteriously disappeared but that is only the beginning of strange occurrences on his horizon. When Edwin Courcey appears in his office, he introduces Robin to the world of magic that has been living just under Robin's nose. When Robin is accosted by a group of men with fog obscuring their faces who place a curse upon him, Robin will have to work together with Edwin to discover what his predecessor was digging into that interested these men. As the two men learn more about the history of magic in England, they also come to learn more about each other and attraction begins to blossom. 
Marske has created a story that is a perfect blend of magic, romance, and mystery. In shifting perspectives, we come to learn about the magic in this world through Robin's eyes and the complications of it on a family basis from Edwin's perspective. The story was extremely well paced, steadily moving forward the mystery while also allowing the reader to delve into the growing friendship and attraction between Robin and Edwin. Both are dealing with their own family and personal struggles that get woven into the larger story. 
Marske utilizes Robin's perspective to introduce the reader to the magic system in an understandable fashion that leaves open more for the following books in this series. I can't wait to read the next novel, especially since it is sapphic and follows Robin's sister, Maud. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a magical world, engaging characters, and a dash of romance. In particular, if you liked 'Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell' but were looking for something a bit shorter or if you enjoyed 'Sorcerer to the Crown,' I think you will thoroughly enjoy this novel. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship and Sexual content

Moderate: Bullying and Violence

Minor: Suicide and Death

monaluffy's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

I liked this books very much, I like the magic system it is not very original, but I like it. But the best part are the characters <3

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny

therainbowshelf's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this book so much that I don’t think I can adequately convey how much I liked reading it. I was in absolutely no hurry to finish because I didn’t want it to end. Beautiful prose, charming and emotive characters, great world building, and an excellent story. I enjoyed this on the same level as my all-time favorite Nightrunner series, which is the only novel series I’ve read multiple times.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Bullying, Death, Murder, Grief, Homophobia, Chronic illness, Child abuse, Confinement, and Death of parent

valpuri's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Outing, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Classism, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Minor: Alcohol, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Grief, Racism, and Vomit

wanderonwards's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Sexual content

Moderate: Chronic illness and Murder

ofbooksandechos's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

I expected the mystery to be a bit more central instead of the romance, however it still was an enjoyable read. I did not expect the explicit sex scenes though. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, and Bullying

Moderate: Murder and Death

Minor: Sexism and Toxic relationship

nyx_stewart's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This book is bookish queer magic wrapped up in William Morris wallpaper.

It's everything I could ever want in a feel good book. It vibes like a truly comfortable HP fanfiction but it has all the robust beauty of a wholly new magical system. I love it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Outing, and Classism

nicamooch's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Gosh, the prose in this book is so beautiful I wish I had been reading a physical copy so I could have a representation of how much I annotated as I read. 

Both Robin and Edwin’s perspectives were such joys to read—I loved the character development and adored every social interaction between them and other characters.

The romance was so so sweet 😭 reading these two fall in love 😫 the way they understand each other and care for each other 😭😭😭😭 

I love the world building and magic system (cradling is such a cool concept!) I feel that it really shines in the little details of it throughout the book. The mystery twists were also satisfying! 

(My singular gripe was that some mishaps in the middle of the book felt a little too easily overcome/solved but that’s it. Honestly, just reading Marske’s prose makes me ascend so I didn’t even care that much lmao)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Violence, Bullying, and Murder

Moderate: Toxic relationship

Minor: Self harm, Homophobia, Sexism, Ableism, Cursing, and Blood