Reviews tagging 'Colonisation'

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

7 reviews

bergha1998's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Blood, Bullying, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, Colonisation, Alcohol, Cursing, Violence, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Misogyny

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

bookcasey's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious slow-paced

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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Colonisation

lily_west's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted 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

5.0

I adored this book. Secret magical society in 19th century England + gay? Sign me up. The characters are funny, complex, flawed, and incredibly lovable. I thought the darker parts of the book (see content warnings) were handled incredibly well. I’m excited to see how the sequel goes- I can’t wait!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Outing, and Colonisation

erynlasbelin's review

adventurous 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? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Physical abuse, Murder, Sexism, Suicide, Torture, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Violence, and Death of parent

Moderate: Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, Kidnapping, Self harm, Cursing, and Ableism

Minor: Vomit, Colonisation, Outing, Classism, and Racism

rebeccaxpaige's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Self harm, Homophobia, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Cursing, Colonisation, and Classism

thewordsdevourer'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

a marvellous light is, all in all, an enjoyable debut novel and start of an interesting trilogy. the book's delightfully written--the prose is indeed sublime and there were times i couldnt help but pause and sigh, admiring and reveling in it; the magic is, well, magical and creative, and i like how it's also used to good effect in certain situations. the scenes with bookshops, libraries, and books are also a balm to my soul. and while some of the characters can be frustrating, privileged assholes, robin and edwin are wonderful both individually and tgt (the latter is, in fact, painfully relatable in his fears for [redacted] and love for books): they are simultaneously tropey yet subversive; their sex scenes are sexy, sensual, and lovely; and i love how their relationship is imbued w/ respect, consent, and understanding.

still, i find sth just a lil lacking, hence the not-4-stars. the book could be tightened up more, i think, as rn some chapters kinda drag a bit. the mystery, while interesting, lacks a certain oomph and isnt as thrilling as it could be. what i mean is the reveals could be worth more, considering all the painstaking trouble the main characters go thru for them. in sum, i think this book works as a well-written romance above anything else, and i'll be keeping an eye out for the sequel. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content

Moderate: Gaslighting, Death, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Outing

Minor: Colonisation and Death of parent