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prosenheim's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Torture
Moderate: Child abuse, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Outing
Minor: Homophobia, Self harm, Vomit, and Death of parent
unsuccessfulbookclub's review
adventurous
emotional
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
The world Marske built here is really fascinating and I loved the yearning and slooooowwww emotional build up between Edwin and Robin. The magic is cool and the mystery is even cooler. I am excited to read the rest of the series!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia
meredithnudo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Torture, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Outing, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
maggies's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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
I loved falling into this world in spare moments (okay, hours). The writing was decadent, and the characters were flawed and perfect. I'll definitely keep reading the trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Murder
aseel_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-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
So for parts of this, I was just giggling, so many cute moments. Other parts wanted me to throw hands, especially when Edwin was at his family's house kill his siblings and their friends, so yucky they were
I hope we get a little gang ofthe sisters and the boys, people of colour and the gays!!
I hope we get a little gang of
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Cursing
eilidhcan's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual content
oxfordcommas91's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this magical queer romantasy where both of our male main characters are a bit posh and a bit snarky, and totally falling for each other even when they don’t want to admit it. It’s a little bit Bridgerton meets what I feel like grown up Harry Potter might be like if JK Rowling wasn’t a TERF.
You can really lose yourself in this book and the author’s winding beautiful prose that Marske creates for her readers. It wasn’t a “fast” read for me but that was okay. It was a book I was more than content to take my time with - to really sit and dig my teeth into this one. The payoff was well worth it.
Thoughtful plot and magic system - the author takes good care to make sure that this book doesn’t fall into silly trope territory.
The romance element of this book doesn’t show up for a while, but when it does, you just want to sigh and clutch your heart (and then maybe your pearls because the spice is the sort of detailed and intricate that makes even a grown woman blush just a bit…). But really, I was head over heels for these two British boys who never really found a place to call home until they found each other. Like all other aspects of her book, the romance was beautifully woven and believable.
I am looking forward to reading more by Marske.
You can really lose yourself in this book and the author’s winding beautiful prose that Marske creates for her readers. It wasn’t a “fast” read for me but that was okay. It was a book I was more than content to take my time with - to really sit and dig my teeth into this one. The payoff was well worth it.
Thoughtful plot and magic system - the author takes good care to make sure that this book doesn’t fall into silly trope territory.
The romance element of this book doesn’t show up for a while, but when it does, you just want to sigh and clutch your heart (and then maybe your pearls because the spice is the sort of detailed and intricate that makes even a grown woman blush just a bit…). But really, I was head over heels for these two British boys who never really found a place to call home until they found each other. Like all other aspects of her book, the romance was beautifully woven and believable.
I am looking forward to reading more by Marske.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Stalking
bekacrook's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
An intriguing and magical story with comforting characters and a familiar but historical setting.
I liked how easy it was to fall into this story and how there was an interesting plot occuring while the reader got to know Robin and Edwin better and their dynamic and relationship developed in line with the events happening. And boy, did I love both of them in their own way and the way their energy melded. They felt like they got each other and had each others back even when they were unsure of each other.
Each character felt distinctive and unique and there was a naturalness to the interactions between them all even with the different dynamics. Imbuing magic into such a traditional setting of historic London and the surrounding countryside added a new element and really brought the story to life because the author didn't drown us with unnecessary details. It felt well written and articulate.
I'm genuinely curious to see where the story goes with the Last Contract as it wasn't all tied up neatly in this book, it lends itself to a sequel.
I liked how easy it was to fall into this story and how there was an interesting plot occuring while the reader got to know Robin and Edwin better and their dynamic and relationship developed in line with the events happening. And boy, did I love both of them in their own way and the way their energy melded. They felt like they got each other and had each others back even when they were unsure of each other.
Each character felt distinctive and unique and there was a naturalness to the interactions between them all even with the different dynamics. Imbuing magic into such a traditional setting of historic London and the surrounding countryside added a new element and really brought the story to life because the author didn't drown us with unnecessary details. It felt well written and articulate.
I'm genuinely curious to see where the story goes with the Last Contract as it wasn't all tied up neatly in this book, it lends itself to a sequel.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia and Violence
eslynnkay's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
The audiobook narrated by David Thorpe is absolutely delightful
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Outing
Minor: Torture
katielouise210's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.25
oh this was such a lovely, cosy read! i'm so glad i got back into it after getting into a general reading slump last year- it was definitely worth returning to.
i'm not usually a reader of magically themed books (barring juno dawson's work!) but this was wonderfully done and a real mix of fantasy, mystery and romance all parcelled together in edwardian london/cambridgeshire.
i have so much love for the main characters - edwin and robin; edwin in particular has my heart and i'm so glad he finds the love and joy he deserves. they were both so loveable (who knew i'd adore an early 20th century himbo so much), and edwin especially really grew on me and had such a satisfying arc. adelaide and maud were lovely side characters - i wish we'd seen more of the former particualrly.
i loved the world building and thought the system of magic marske has created was fascinating and subtly done! the world really came to life - if anything, i would've liked more detail on spells and descriptions of the magical system. i also want to learn more about how magicians exist beyond the nobility and about magicians in other countries!!
i adored the slow burn but there were points when i thought the relationship between the main characters could've been developed more. i wanted more yearning!!! let my guys yearn for each other. otherwise though i have no complaints and was over the moon that robin and edwin get the soft ending(ish) they deserved.
nevertheless, i enjoyed this so much and was absolutely invested in the plot and mystery.
and to find out it's a trilogy??? heading straight to buying the next one!!
i'm not usually a reader of magically themed books (barring juno dawson's work!) but this was wonderfully done and a real mix of fantasy, mystery and romance all parcelled together in edwardian london/cambridgeshire.
i have so much love for the main characters - edwin and robin; edwin in particular has my heart and i'm so glad he finds the love and joy he deserves. they were both so loveable (who knew i'd adore an early 20th century himbo so much), and edwin especially really grew on me and had such a satisfying arc. adelaide and maud were lovely side characters - i wish we'd seen more of the former particualrly.
i loved the world building and thought the system of magic marske has created was fascinating and subtly done! the world really came to life - if anything, i would've liked more detail on spells and descriptions of the magical system. i also want to learn more about how magicians exist beyond the nobility and about magicians in other countries!!
i adored the slow burn but there were points when i thought the relationship between the main characters could've been developed more. i wanted more yearning!!! let my guys yearn for each other. otherwise though i have no complaints and was over the moon that robin and edwin get the soft ending(ish) they deserved.
nevertheless, i enjoyed this so much and was absolutely invested in the plot and mystery.
and to find out it's a trilogy??? heading straight to buying the next one!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Homophobia