Reviews tagging 'Racism'

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

41 reviews

kathleencoughlin's review against another edition

adventurous 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? No

4.75

A compelling story that mixes fantasy, romance, and historical fiction. I do love a classic gay longing dynamic and when the stiff, reserved character learns to shed their pricky exterior by having to spend time with a charming yet earnest new acquaintance. The book is on the longer side, but it didn't feel like it was dragging at all, plus intrepid readers are rewarded by a couple of spicy scenes. The magic system was interesting but not groundbreaking. Also, isn't the cover is absolutely gorgeous?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Sexual content

Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Torture, Murder, Kidnapping, Outing, and Sexism

Minor: Racism, Blood, Ableism, Cursing, Death of parent, and Drug abuse

erynlasbelin's review against another edition

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

giuliagoolia2k's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious tense 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

5.0

Absolutely amazing. The writing was fantastic, I thoroughly enjoyed the authors prose. the characters were extremely enjoyable and relatable, and the romance was fantastic. There was a perfect amount of angst, smut, and genuine love and care for each other. A fun mystery and an interesting magic system. Would recommend if you’re looking for a refreshing high quality queer book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Violence, and Outing

Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Homophobia, Murder, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Misogyny and Racism

annailles's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Bullying, and Violence

Minor: Death of parent and Racism

readingatthemuseum's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Violence

Minor: Racism

lbryant's review against another edition

slow-paced

The book is sexist, albeit casually but the women of this book are not treated well, by side characters or by main characters. This book is third person but clearly from a dual perspective of Edwin and Robin. So when it says "as if to not tax her small woman brain," that's coming from a character's thoughts. 
It's not good and some parts felt like they were also racist. The first Indian woman that Robin speaks to is "surprisingly well-spoken". As opposed to what? Speaking with a heavy accent? It doesn't feel right. 
No woman in this book is treated with respect, at most they get causal indifference. Robin doesn't encourage his sister and suffragist friends, he acts like it's some fad his sister's in.

Even when the women help save their lives it feels very lame as if they were an afterthought. 

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content

Moderate: Racism

dzvenyslava's review against another edition

emotional hopeful fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Sexism and Bullying

Minor: Child abuse and Racism

readwithanne's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Blood and Emotional abuse

Minor: Child abuse, Racism, and Misogyny

sophiesmallhands's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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

The interplay between Robin (jock/sunshine) and Edwin (grumpy/intellectual) is magnificent in this book. You see them from their initial dislike of each other, to tentative trust, genuine friendship, and eventual romance. Edwin is shown to be a complex character early on – he is considered a relatively weak magician and scorned by his family, yet he has a strong sense of justice and academia. Robin could have easily been the stereotypical aristocratic jock who’s never encountered any hardship but throw in a complex relationship with his deceased parents and Freya really opened up his character. 

 

I LOVED the magic system; developing spells around the game of Cat’s Cradle - and the way Freya used it to demonstrate Edwin’s handicap (needing physical string for spells) with summoning his power – it was so different from anything I’ve read before yet was oddly reminiscent of the academia associated the magic system in The Laws of Magic series by Michael Pryor (same era, also Aussie author = get around them!). 

 

The plot was full of murder, mayhem, unresolved sexual tension (and then very resolved sexual tension; the spice in these books is definitely NOT PG rated kiddies) and lots of character bonding/comfort over the traumas from their respective families. Be aware that A LOT happens in the first few chapters in terms of major plot points and character introduction, so I’d recommend taking it slow to let it sink in. 

The story is wrapped up nicely by the end but is also set up very well for the next book. I eagerly await the next instalment as well as re-reading this book over and over (hello new comfort read!) 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Child abuse, Violence, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

Minor: Death of parent, Death, and Homophobia

maddyj42'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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Sexual content

Moderate: Death of parent and Sexism

Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Outing, Physical abuse, and Racism