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mandkips's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual content, Bullying, and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Emotional abuse, and Death
Minor: Death of parent and Homophobia
friends2lovers's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Torture, Violence, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Grief, Mental illness, Suicide, and Death of parent
rorikae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
In need of a job after his parents' death, Robin Blyth is swept into a civil service position knowing little about the job. His predecessor mysteriously disappeared but that is only the beginning of strange occurrences on his horizon. When Edwin Courcey appears in his office, he introduces Robin to the world of magic that has been living just under Robin's nose. When Robin is accosted by a group of men with fog obscuring their faces who place a curse upon him, Robin will have to work together with Edwin to discover what his predecessor was digging into that interested these men. As the two men learn more about the history of magic in England, they also come to learn more about each other and attraction begins to blossom.
Marske has created a story that is a perfect blend of magic, romance, and mystery. In shifting perspectives, we come to learn about the magic in this world through Robin's eyes and the complications of it on a family basis from Edwin's perspective. The story was extremely well paced, steadily moving forward the mystery while also allowing the reader to delve into the growing friendship and attraction between Robin and Edwin. Both are dealing with their own family and personal struggles that get woven into the larger story.
Marske utilizes Robin's perspective to introduce the reader to the magic system in an understandable fashion that leaves open more for the following books in this series. I can't wait to read the next novel, especially since it is sapphic and follows Robin's sister, Maud. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a magical world, engaging characters, and a dash of romance. In particular, if you liked 'Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell' but were looking for something a bit shorter or if you enjoyed 'Sorcerer to the Crown,' I think you will thoroughly enjoy this novel.
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying and Violence
Minor: Suicide and Death
ellenwilberg's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexism, Sexual content, Vomit, and Violence
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Bullying, Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Stalking and Death of parent
espiargrant's review against another edition
- 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
This book also touches on some darker topics regarding family, relationships, sex, and sexuality, and handles them tactfully, which I appreciated. In short, this book is a fun, magical adventure with heartwarming characters and a lovely queer romance. I'd recommend this to fans of Edwardian fantasy and mlm romance.
Positional Dynamic:
Graphic: Death, Bullying, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny and Chronic illness
Minor: Torture and Medical content
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Torture, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Bullying, Death, Murder, Grief, Homophobia, Chronic illness, Child abuse, Confinement, and Death of parent
caicaicai's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Bullying, and Murder
Minor: Racism
childhood trauma, family trauma, ptsd, bullying ptsd, torture, threat of torture,valpuri's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Outing, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Classism, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Grief, Racism, and Vomit
briely's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death