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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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexism
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Outing, Physical abuse, and Racism
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
THIS is what fantasy romance ought to be. After engaging in more than my fair share of ranting on the subject, I had a longer list of examples that displeased me than those I would champion. This one melds the two genres into something wonderful with an Edwardian-inspired backdrop and queer characters to pave the way.
In terms of fantasy, we have Robin, a civil servant uninitiated in magic, who is accidentally assigned as magical liaison and then promptly attacked and cursed on the street. We also have Edwin, the other half of the liaison pair, a magician with only a kernel of power to his name who prefers books and magical theory to any sort of company or risky behavior. The world-building comes through as things are explained to Robin, and I found it an effective tool for informing the reader without burying them. Edwardian manners and social structures are woven through expertly in all their pompous glory (see:vomit-inducing sexism, colonialism, rigid class structure, and laws that kept queer people in hiding). It has me primed with excitement to see how this series is going to let loose the hints of subversion that started to grow in this first outing.
Now, let's talk romance. You can look forward to these tropes: sunshine and grump, the brains and the brawn, and magician and normal potato human (I made that last one up, so sue me). All of those terms fail to fully sum up these characters, who are gifted with too many dimensions to be listed, classified, and discarded. It would be a disservice not to recognize Robin's areas of non-bookish intelligence on top of his general sportiness or not to see the seeds of Edwin's unhappiness and the way he cautiously inches towards the light once offered. Ultimately, it's a love story with "us against the world" vibes that were very endearing.
Both the good and bad feels hit hard and take no prisoners. All the big emotional pivots you expect in a romance plot somehow feel new and singular because of their emotional crafting, not just the latest iteration of a favored genre. Robin and Edwin left an imprint on me, and some minor characters hold a lot of promise that I hope will lead to full-fledged obsession on my part down the line.
Highly highly recommend it. Treat yourself to this decadent queer series opener ASAP. Thanks to Tordotcom for the opportunity to read and review this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Blood, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Misogyny, and Chronic illness
Minor: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Outing, and Racism
caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.0
Thanks to Tordotcom for the free advance copy of this book.
- A MARVELLOUS LIGHT is one half magical murder mystery, one half slow burn queer romance.
- Robin and Edwin are a wonderfully mismatched pair, and the world they inhabit is unlike anything I've read in a long time, with an inventive magic system woven into the structure of Edwardian high society we know.
- I did feel like it dragged quite a bit, unfortunately: there necessarily needed to be a lot of speculating and planning happening. One of those books where a thing happens and then we discuss and re-discuss it, you know?
- A MARVELLOUS LIGHT is one half magical murder mystery, one half slow burn queer romance.
- Robin and Edwin are a wonderfully mismatched pair, and the world they inhabit is unlike anything I've read in a long time, with an inventive magic system woven into the structure of Edwardian high society we know.
- I did feel like it dragged quite a bit, unfortunately: there necessarily needed to be a lot of speculating and planning happening. One of those books where a thing happens and then we discuss and re-discuss it, you know?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexism, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol and Chronic illness
jennikreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Bullying
Moderate: Violence, Sexism, Homophobia, and Chronic illness
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for an advanced copy of this to review! I don’t dabble in adult fantasy too much, but LGBTQ fantasy is right up my alley. Pitched as Red, White, & Royal Blue meets Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, which sounds like something we all need in our lives!
For me, the beginning had a bit of a rough start, as it took a couple of chapters to really get into the world and the characters. I would say with Robin's curse, the story really picks up and is difficult to put down! Marske has paced the book just right to pull you in, filling in any lulls in the plot with excellent moments between Robin and Edwin.
This isn’t quite an enemies to lovers romance; I would more classify it as acquaintances/co-workers to lovers. Edwin and Robin have a lot of chemistry, which is clear from the beginning. Being set in the early 1900s means they have to be a bit more discreet, but I think that makes the romance even more exciting. Be warned, there are definitely some steamy scenes in here, firmly planting this into adult fantasy.
Of course, we get a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, but I don’t care because I want to read more about Edwin and Robin. They are just such great characters. Plus, I’m happy to say some of the side characters are fleshed out as well. All of the elements work well together here to create an engaging fantasy that you won’t want to put down.
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This was quite fun! The tone reminded me a bit of TJ Klune's books, honestly. Loved the characters, too! Stay tuned for a full review to come soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Gore, Homophobia, and Sexism
dryadsreadingnook'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Sexism and Homophobia
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