Reviews with content warning for Death - A Marvellous Light

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A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

136 reviews

just_one_more_paige's review

adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

I've been waiting to read this one for awhile, because I *knew* I would love it. (Spoiler alert: I was right.) And I was so afraid that any cliffhangers (it's the first in a planned trilogy) would be the death of me. (I was less right on this front, thank goodness, though it's not really an issue anymore since the full series is now published. In other news, I feel bound to transparently admit that the marketing campaign for these books, the "be gay, do magic" and "be gay, do heists" vibes, worked hardcore on me.

After the recent death of his parents, Robin Blyth finds himself solely responsible for his title, family holdings, and younger sister. Having been left very little, financially, to support them, Robin takes an obscure posting within the government...only to find out that it's not just a position of the paper-pushing variety, but rather as a liaison between parliament and a secret magical society. And thus he is introduced to an entire world of magic that has always existed, quietly, within the Edwardian England world that he thought he knew so well. After being attacked and cursed after his first day on the job, he is forced to work very closely with his magical-society counterpart, Edwin Courcey (a outwardly cold and studious/bookish type of person), to both break the curse and figure out why he was attacked in the first place. As the two spend time together, they realize that not only is the mystery they're investigating a threat to the entire magical community, they also might be developing deeper feelings for each other.

Well, I already gave a spoiler earlier, so let me just start by saying, full-throatedly, how much I loved this book. The magic, the mystery, the world-building, the drama, the dry British humor, the delicious romance - it was all just wonderful. I'm going to give lots more details on all of it, as per usual, but I just really needed to set that tone to start.

Now, let's jump in... Marske throws the reader right into the story from the very first lines. It takes some real reader effort on the front end to catch hold of the thread of it, and to hang on as more details are given, so if that's a struggle for you, be aware. However, it nicely avoids the potential info-dump pitfall, and, as one of our MCs (Robin) is also dunked head first into this new world, it fits with the narrative to be discovering and learning alongside him. And it didn't take me too long to sink enough into the character and plot development that the effort of paying that much attention didn't seem like effort at all. Because let me tell you, I sunk all the way in. And as everything unfolded, Marske did a phenomenal job balancing classic, well-loved for a reason, romance and fantasy tropes that made the story feel familiar and comfortable, with creativity and originality that kept the entertainment levels and compellingness high. I loved the hints that Edwin's magic and abilities are somehow more than he thought, and Robin's accustomization into magical reality would be somehow bigger than he thought, and was so excited to watch them each grow into that potential. And grow they did, as the plot thickened, as it were, and they dove deeper and deeper into the mystery and (life-threatening) research into the theoretical possibilities of magic based on the legends and lore of its origins (and the, of course, nefarious secret group trying to bend that knowledge to its own power/benefit). As this all developed, I particularly enjoyed seeing the coming together/connections of all these little vision snippets Robin started getting - what was concluded here in this novel and what we have to look forward to getting clarity on moving forwards. And as everything came to its denouement, I have to give a slow clap to Markse for the way she pulled it all off. There was a lovely little "be careful what bargians you make" situation, a sort of sentient house (I do always love magical devices like that), some very smart weaving together of the language/contracts/consent that had been a theme throughout. Just, what an ending! A perfect closing but also the perfect setup for more: this is a masterclass in non-cliffhanger, but still open-ended in preparation for the next installment, finale.

I was also completely charmed by the slow dawning of shared romantic interests between Robin and Edwin. They're such a well-written opposites-attract couple, with some bonus grumpy-sunshine vibes. The dual-longing slowish burn was so subtle and just, good. And the steam, when it hit, was spectacular. It was similarly soft, parallel to the growing of it, but still quite hot. And as we got more and more of those steamy scenes, they got hotter and hotter. And oh! What a creative and fun use of experimental sexual magic: nerves! How has no one thought of that before (at least not in anything I've read)? So original. Anyways, basically, Edwin and his sharp edges of self protection and Robin with his earnest and willing softness and love have my whole-ass heart.

A few final unique bits I'd like to highlight. First, the magic really was cool. The idea of cradling - using hands to create spells is always a thing I'm into, as a dramatic-gesture-while-talking type person - was super cool. And the way it was used a few times was unlike anything I've read before. I already mentioned the nerve-based magic in the one sexy scene, but also the games played by Edwin's family and their set were so imaginative. I mean, they sucked as people but, the magic was fun! I thought the exploration of Robin’s parents, well known philanthropists, but with the cunning decision making and motivations that made it clear to their children that their priority was being known for their philanthropy as opposed to the actual effect/help of it, was a fascinating and unique character study. Not a perspective seen overly much, and executed with great depth here. Finally, the tone was spot on throughout. This isn't necessarily unique in its own right, as it had a very dry British vibe, but it is one that I love and, so, must needs point out. On this note, I very literally snort-laughed out loud at the sarcastic “we are but feeble women, woe” that Miss Morrissey and her sister used as excuses at the end (taking advantage of the ridiculous assumptions men tend to make about women's abilities and constitutions). I loved all of that and, really, loved Miss Morrissey and her sister period. I'm really hoping for more of them in book two.

So, to recap, this novel delivered, absolutely, on all promises. I highly recommend it.

“Books are at least somewhat less likely to hurl insults at one […] It is one of their major appeals.”

“For the most part, people didn’t see the unfamiliar unless it threw itself in their face.”

“How many frights made a pattern? How many coincidences made a plot?”

“Those were not things ones blurted out to a friend. Those were their own cradles of magic, an expression of the desire to transform one thing into another. And what if the magic went awry?” (this moment in the awakening of their relationship – oh my heart)

“It didn’t take long to become so accustomed to something that you could describe the exact shape of its absence.”

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frenchpants's review

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adventurous dark emotional 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? It's complicated

3.5

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marcipanek7's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-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

3.75

I've never read such explicit book before. :D This was something new.

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cowardlyteaman's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

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gwenynenbrenin's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

Edwardian era? Fantasy? Gays? I was immediately hooked even before I picked up this book, this is the quickest way to my heart!

I love that we can learn about the magical system and underworld, for want of a better word, from the perspective of Robin Blyth. I'm glad it differs from other books where the one MC learns about magic and feels lost and out of place; instead, Robin is obviously shocked by the magic he sees but does just take everything in his stride.

I'm glad that the homophobia is next to non-existent, there is perhaps the briefest mention (naturally there would be, given the time period), but it is just incredibly brief. None of the other characters seem to bat an eyelid aside from the few who mock Edwin, but even then, it's nothing outrightly terrible, it is such a nice breath of fresh air.

I love the author's writing style and found it very difficult to put down - genuinely cannot wait to read the other books in the series!

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theoceanrose's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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asipofcozy's review

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adventurous challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

I was quickly enraptured into A Marvelous Light. The story-telling, the magic system, even the characters and their complex backgrounds astounded me.

I loved how intricate and unique the magic system was. Basing the magic around cradles (a Childs game with string) and intricate hand moments and just the fact that the magic itself was quite complex. Not being able to use magic outside of a "contract", how humans are affected by magics and their contracts, and how there is a limit to the use.

I will say that at times, we needed more explanation on the magic system. It took me awhile to put together that the magic was using cradles to facilitate an action. Also, we were given information about the magic system quite late into the book, which would have helped explain a lot of moments and discussions that were had between the characters.

To quickly mention the writing style. The setting of this book is 1908 English and the author does a great job at portraying proper English of that particular time. That being said it felt jarring at times. Sometimes the sentences were quite strange and there were phrases that stuck out that I had no clue to the meaning. It's not necessarily a bad thing. It just took a moment to get into the writing style and the "proper" English of the time period. However, the first 50 pages were headache inducing.

The plot also had a lot of twists and turns. Moments that you thought were giving away parts of the plot only to find out you were quite wrong. There were a few moments that I was right in my assumptions but the whole mystery aspect - most of my guesses were wrong in that respect.

And then there was our beloved characters Robin and Edwin. Out of the two, I feel like Edwin had the most growth and that Robin was there to help him with that growth. When reading Edwin's backstory, the abuse that he faced and continues to face, and his fear of getting hurt - all I wanted to do was give him a big ole hug. He hides behind books and reason - while useful can leave you sheltered from the world and emotions...which he reflects on quite a lot. Robin had some development and had moments of privilege that he also acknowledges as fault.

The chemistry those two had, had me at the seat of my chair for a majority of the book (just saying).

I am definitely looking forward to picking up the rest of the series!

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