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tinysealoot's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars! Exactly what I wanted. Narrator was perfectly British. The writing was chef's kiss! Definitely some spicy scenes I wasn't expecting in graphic detail! Can't wait for the next book this November!
farinaling's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
lightning_pirate's review against another edition
5.0
Was I lured into reading a historical romance with the promise of magical realism? Yes - am I mad about it? No
A really nice light book with magic and adventure and intrigue - I can't wait for the next installment in the trilogy
A really nice light book with magic and adventure and intrigue - I can't wait for the next installment in the trilogy
lazareen'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? No
4.0
anna_hepworth's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
What I thought I was getting was fantasy adventure (magic in England in the ~1910s) with a romance subplot. What I got was the type of romance plot that doesn't appeal, with a varnish of fantasy adventure sub-subplot, and quite a lot of sex scenes. Maybe if I'd had the right expectations, I'd have appreciated this story more.
As it was, there are lots of interesting details, and there were some fabulous paragraphs. But I finished it somewhat out of spite, and because I have book two out of the library, waiting for me to read it. I did want to know what happened, but I didn't really want to have to deal with the romantic couple and their emotional miscommunications.
I can see that there are some interesting overarching plot threads, with three items to be found, and three books to find them in, so I have hopes that book two won't slump.
Overall summary: world building fantastic, plot a bit rough, characterisation a little off and occasionally veering towards farce, writing shows promise, particularly as this is a debut novel.
As it was, there are lots of interesting details, and there were some fabulous paragraphs. But I finished it somewhat out of spite, and because I have book two out of the library, waiting for me to read it. I did want to know what happened, but I didn't really want to have to deal with the romantic couple and their emotional miscommunications.
I can see that there are some interesting overarching plot threads, with three items to be found, and three books to find them in, so I have hopes that book two won't slump.
Overall summary: world building fantastic, plot a bit rough, characterisation a little off and occasionally veering towards farce, writing shows promise, particularly as this is a debut novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Classism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Bullying, and Chronic illness
Minor: Homophobia and Alcohol
honnari_hannya's review against another edition
4.0
CW: Period-specific homophobia (not incredibly intense or graphic)
We follow a man named Robin Blyth who finds himself in a unique position when a supposed normal, boring government post lands him in the middle of a magical conspiracy. He meets a delightfully grumpy partner in the process. Think Harry Potter but sent in Edwardian England with a little bit of steaminess, and you got this book.
A fun, charming romp, although the mystery did not particularly pull me in. It focused more on the relationship between the two men and how they dealt with learning to trust one another. It ended up reading like a fanfic of the best kind.
We follow a man named Robin Blyth who finds himself in a unique position when a supposed normal, boring government post lands him in the middle of a magical conspiracy. He meets a delightfully grumpy partner in the process. Think Harry Potter but sent in Edwardian England with a little bit of steaminess, and you got this book.
A fun, charming romp, although the mystery did not particularly pull me in. It focused more on the relationship between the two men and how they dealt with learning to trust one another. It ended up reading like a fanfic of the best kind.
shmeshica's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
alli_gator's review against another edition
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Homophobia
liavi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
binky_fiasco's review
4.0
I feel like my review needs a caveat of the order I read this series in:
- I first read A Power Unbound, book #3 (to be fair I didn’t realise it was the final book of the series until I was halfway through)
- then I got 80% of the way through book #2, A Restless Truth - BUT! I stopped there and
- read all of this book (#1 of the series)
I’m yet to finish A Restless Truth only because I literally just finished A Power Unbound, but I will finish that last 20% of the second book to round out the series
Given all of that ^, I can’t really give a review of the book as the first of the series, which is my own fault. Regardless, A Marvellous Light is a lovely and compelling book. Out of respect to the author I would suggest reading the series in its intended order - but if you do find yourself halfway through the third book without having read the first two, I’m happy to report the first book still felt unexpected, with an engaging plot that still had stakes. If anything, the fact I genuinely wanted to go back and read this book after hearing about the plot and characters in the succeeding books is a pretty good sign!
- I first read A Power Unbound, book #3 (to be fair I didn’t realise it was the final book of the series until I was halfway through)
- then I got 80% of the way through book #2, A Restless Truth - BUT! I stopped there and
- read all of this book (#1 of the series)
I’m yet to finish A Restless Truth only because I literally just finished A Power Unbound, but I will finish that last 20% of the second book to round out the series
Given all of that ^, I can’t really give a review of the book as the first of the series, which is my own fault. Regardless, A Marvellous Light is a lovely and compelling book. Out of respect to the author I would suggest reading the series in its intended order - but if you do find yourself halfway through the third book without having read the first two, I’m happy to report the first book still felt unexpected, with an engaging plot that still had stakes. If anything, the fact I genuinely wanted to go back and read this book after hearing about the plot and characters in the succeeding books is a pretty good sign!