Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

48 reviews

nic3's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

3.75

A good example of the "secret magical parallel society" genre. I appreciate a magic system which has internal logic and was, imo, an original concept with the cradling. The characters were mostly likeable and believable. 

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lollymac's review against another edition

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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

4.25


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tiffany_sostar's review against another edition

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2.75

I really wanted to enjoy this book so much more than I did. The characters are great! The mystery is engaging! The spice is hot!

But I’m constantly irritated by authors who write magical alternative histories and include the worst parts of our own history. In this case, so much homophobia. Just trust that your characters can still have conflict and struggle even without oppression! Also patriarchy. Why. It’s a magical alternative world, why is this necessary?! And also so much whiteness and some racism that I can’t tell if the author recognizes or not. The homophobia and patriarchy she’s obviously aware of and having her characters frustrated with it, but the racism just seems to be there unquestioned. It’s not necessary.

The parts outside of the oppressive systemic issues were great and without the inclusion of totally unnecessary homophobia, patriarchy and racism, I would have given this a 4.5. But it did have those parts and they really wrecked it for me. 

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simonlorden's review against another edition

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

5.0

i think i might die if i have to read another smut scene in my native language

this was a cool book though. nothing beats two guys realizing the other is gay bc they recognized the same gay porn

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scrubsandbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

4.5

I can't believe this book slipped under my radar as long as it did especially when I got the copy of the book itself in a monthly book box. This was an amazing read, a great and unique magic system, and the world-building was easy to follow without being too convoluted or simple. I loved reading Edwin and Robin's relationship developing, as well as their own character developments.

And, of course, the mark of a good reader, IMO, is how well a villain is written, and how they can piss you off with their existence in a book, and Marske was able to do that very easily. One of the reasons I kept reading this trilogy was to read the Big Bad have his ass handed to him, though how he went at the end of this book was also somewhat satisfying.

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bergha1998's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

3.5

I think it’s a lovely story, I just found the pacing a bit off. It took me awhile to really get into it. But as soon as the characters get fleshed out more and the mystery grows it is quite enjoyable. I also didn’t expect so many spicy scenes. 

Fantasy Mystery, MLM Romance, 2 1/2 🔥

“You look like a Turner painting and I want to learn your textures with my fingertips. You are the most fascinating thing in this beautiful house. I’d like to introduce my fists to whoever taught you to stop talking about the things that interest you.”

“I am nothing like you, and yet I feel more myself with you.”

“And I’m sick to death of being afraid, and I want you. Enough to risk it. More than enough. You make me feel like something—extraordinary.”

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gondorgirl's review

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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? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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ramakn22's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective 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

4.5


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kathyq10's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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

4.25

Absolutely loved this! Really beautiful prose and MUCH better written than a lot of romance I’ve read which is huge for me. The world building is a little weak (still not sure what their magic system is or how it works really; it’s all very vague) but the characters are wonderful and the plot is pretty engaging so I didn’t mind. Great ratio of smut to romance to actual plot development. Spice level is maybe 3.5/5 and the relationship that develops is really lovely. Highly recommend and can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series!!

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jamielikestoread's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious 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

4.75


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