Reviews tagging 'Torture'

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

76 reviews

rlinnyc's review

adventurous mysterious fast-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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Classism, Torture, Death, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Racism, Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, and Homophobia

wilybooklover's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

5.0

What an absolutely gorgeous novel. The writing and imagery were really evocative, so rich and lush in a way befitting the lavish vibe of the Edwardian era when this book is set. 

Sir Robin Blyth, a civil servant, discovers a hidden world of magic when he gets transferred to a new job and then unwittingly gets cursed and dragged into a magical conspiracy involving his predecessor. His magical liaison, Edwin Courcey, doesn’t like him much but is determined to lift the curse. 

Robin is basically a golden retriever in human form (with a little dash of himbo) so he takes the existence of magic and even his curse with remarkable equanimity. Edwin is much more prickly and anxious (understandably so, once you meet his family) and likes to retreat into books. Despite their differences, they really understand each other and their growing romance was such a delight to read. Edwin learning to trust someone other than himself and Robin reaching for a future he wanted was so heartwarming to read. And this book was way steamier than I expected it to be. There is a love scene involving magic that is HOT. I don’t normally like the third-act conflict (big understatement) but here it really works with the characters and story — they really needed that short time apart. 

The worldbuilding in this was utterly fascinating. You have rune curses, magical houses, enchanted libraries, murderous hedge mazes, a style of magic based on cat’s cradle... I’ve never read anything quite like it before. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Violence, Bullying, and Torture

Moderate: Misogyny, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Homophobia, Outing, Classism, Murder, Kidnapping, and Blood

Minor: Suicide, Grief, Racism, and Death of parent

capt_avantika's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Murder and Torture

Minor: Homophobia

lindseyhall44's review

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

4.25

It is the absolute best feeling in the world to be reading a book and loose track of time.  A Marvelous Light swept me up in its magic and love story, until I had finished the book in a matter of hours.
A Marvelous Light follows Robin Blythe, a man struggling to balance the conflicts in his life, as he is thrown into a world o magic he never knew existed. With the help of magician (and kind of enemy?) Edwin, the two must undercover the source of danger for Robin, as well as magicians everywhere.
This novel was the historical fantasy I never knew I needed. I adored the Edwardian England setting  with the magical undertones. The writing was also phenomenal, and it flowed well with the pacing of the story.
That being said, I do wish the love story was a bit more developed, but that is just a personal preference:)
Overall, I would highly recommend to anyone interested (though as always, check trigger warnings before reading).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Torture, Trafficking, Death, Bullying, and Suicide

Moderate: Ableism and Racism

imds's review

• 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Death, Murder, Death of parent, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture

Moderate: Racism

allmight'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? N/A

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Sexual content

Moderate: Sexism and Murder

Minor: Homophobia and Torture

eeriewater's review against another edition

adventurous funny inspiring mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Torture and Homophobia

Minor: Sexism

jupiterlee's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

What I love about this book is the layering of magic that Freya does. It is not just people who have magic but estates (thank you Sutton Cottage) and objects, and I loved the idea of everything being a contract and consent between everything and everyone. 
I don't think you can ever go wrong with a secret society and I love when the magic and non-magical worlds cross over but it is a delicate balance due to having to have a few chapter of the non-magical individuals being introduced to it, but I think Freya does and amazing job of having Robin be accepting of the magic quickly but also with it being realistic and not dragging it out. 

What I also admired about this book is that it is set in the past and Freya does an amazing job of introducing true facts and attitudes: homosexual individuals were not accepted and they had to be careful (I wanted to hug Edwin and Robin) and women, especially of colour, were over looked even if they were capable of doing the job (you tell them miss morisey).

The relationship and growth between Edwin and Robin I lived for and I could read more about just them. 
I do think this is what I might struggle with in the rest of the series if it changes people and I don't really get anymore from their POVs but I am interested in the world and will look forward to reading more about this world and finally finding out where the other items of the contract are! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Toxic friendship, Physical abuse, Death, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Self harm, Homophobia, and Xenophobia

marina_michelle's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, Torture, Violence, Bullying, Homophobia, Sexual content, Classism, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Sexism

Minor: Alcohol, Colonisation, Chronic illness, Blood, and Child abuse

jillian_reads's review

adventurous 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? It's complicated

4.25

Such a great read. Had me in fits of laughter and on the edge of my seat. Couldn’t put it down.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Classism, Sexual content, and Torture