Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

74 reviews

robotcorsair's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-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

4.25

This was a fun book! It is part of a series but stands well enough by itself: the main characters' story makes a complete arc, and even though there is an overarching plot that is not entirely resolved in this book, it still provides a satisfying ending.
The book is set in Edwardian England, where there is a hidden society where magic is power, and those with little magical power (and women) are overlooked and treated as second-class citizens. Robin is forcefully brought into this world and his point of view as someone who is as unfamiliar with it as the reader makes for a smooth introduction to the setting. Edwin is one of those characters who possess little magic and are, therefore, rejected by his fellow magicians.
The main characters were complex, especially Edwin, and both were lovable and fun to read about. Other characters were also interesting enough, although none were particularly well-developed, in my opinion.
I enjoyed the portrayal of magic, it's understated and convincing, but at points the rules felt a bit unclear to me. For a relatively short and light book, the world-building was okay. 
The most enjoyable part was the developing relationship between the two characters. It made sense and was very sweet. The sex scenes weren't strictly necessary, but were well-written, didn't detract from the story, and did reveal new facets of the characters' personalities.
Overall a fun, interesting book that, while not life-changing, is still very much worth reading.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexism, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia

valpuri's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

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

thesawyerbean'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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Outing, Sexism, Sexual content, Death, Kidnapping, and Physical abuse

Minor: Homophobia

1quillb's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny mysterious tense

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, and Violence

tostita's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted 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

5.0

I love everything about this book and can’t wait for the sequel. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexism, and Homophobia

Minor: Bullying and Mental illness

kingcrookback's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, and Bullying

Moderate: Sexism, Death, Emotional abuse, and Murder

Minor: Death of parent, Alcohol, and Homophobia

offbrandclubsoda's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful 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? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Bullying

Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Homophobia, Murder, Death of parent, and Death

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

casreads'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? Yes

4.5

This book had all my favorite things - magic, mystery, and m/m romance, all in Edwardian England. The world building was intricate, the characters vivid, and the romance steamy. Marske's dry humor and piercing turns of phrase were delightful, and the mysterious magical history at the heart of the novel intriguing. I can't wait to learn more about this fascinating world, and see more of Robin and Edwin. Calling it 4.5 because the only thing missing is that x factor that takes it from great to an obsession.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Blood, Bullying, Murder, and Sexual content

Minor: Chronic illness and Homophobia

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