Reviews with content warning for Death - A Marvellous Light

This was so fun! Mysterious, steamy, tense and magical, Freya Marske curates a world full of wonder, politics and treachery. The development of Robin and Edwin’s characters and relationship was exciting to read, in the context of a complex mystery surrounding archaic magical objects being hunted by a group with malicious intent.

While the plot was well-paced and thrilling, I did however find that it lost its way at certain points. Particularly after some of the more intimate scenes, which disrupted the flow of the plot. It was hard to decipher whether the blossoming relationship or the mystery was meant to be the focal point. Overall I think the two ended up entangling in an amazing way, but midway through my read it was a tad confused.

Magic, queer romance and mystery - always a must-read, and this book series is definitely one that should be.

It wasn’t a broken heart. It was more like broken glass: a bottle, smashed, letting everything flow out from where it had been long corked and fermenting.

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dusksolace's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

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becah's review against another edition

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adventurous 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? Yes

5.0

Whenever I wasn't reading this book, I was thinking about reading it. Every time I had to stop reading because my train ride was over, I couldn't wait until next time I got to pick it up. A fun, mysterious and spicy adventure, truly up my alley!

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li_reading's review against another edition

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5.0

I take back anything I said about being mad that this is part of a series (although the waiting will kill me) because I never want this to end. I am in love with this book and these characters and you best believe I will be pre-ordering the sequel at the earliest opportunity.

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kingcrookback'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? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

I adored this. Edwin is the exact kind of prickly, bruised, overabundantly self-restrained character I have a tendency to brand as "mine." I loved that Edwin and Robin got their hopeful endings, respectively and together. I loved the tenderness.

I loved that after a lifetime of physical and emotional torment, Edwin finally has the means to protect himself and his.

Looking forward to A Restless Truth!

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lily_west's review against another edition

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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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questingnotcoasting's review against another edition

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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? No

4.0

This was a lot of fun. I don't read that many books featuring magic but every time I do, I remember how much I enjoy them. The magic system here is based on cat's cradle which I thought was so clever. There were a few parts at the beginning where I felt a little lost and like I wasn't fully understanding how the world worked but it gradually all started to make sense. It led to a really compelling adventure story and I thought there was a good balance between that magical plot and the romance. I enjoyed both the historical setting and the characters so I'll definitely keep an eye out for the next in the series.

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keresian's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

5.0

There's something delicate about the way Marske spins her words - something that follows the beat of an early 1900s Britain, but something that is simply her own. I fell into this quickly - this story of a regular gentleman thrust into a magical England, and the ornery, sharp man who leads him there and falls for him along the way.

This novel is genuinely delightful, and there is only one thing I wanted to happen that didn't - the Bad Guy getting punched by Robin - but I am patient, and I hope it happens in future novels.

Now, I think I need a cup of tea - one unfortunately made by far more mundane methods than I'd truly like. This book will be lingering in my mind for a lot longer than the tea will stay hot.

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