Reviews tagging 'Torture'

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

77 reviews

therainbowshelf's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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

5.0

I loved this book so much that I don’t think I can adequately convey how much I liked reading it. I was in absolutely no hurry to finish because I didn’t want it to end. Beautiful prose, charming and emotive characters, great world building, and an excellent story. I enjoyed this on the same level as my all-time favorite Nightrunner series, which is the only novel series I’ve read multiple times.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Bullying, Death, Murder, Grief, Homophobia, Chronic illness, Child abuse, Confinement, and Death of parent

limebean's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense 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? Yes

5.0

I loved this book so much! I did not expect to be so swept away by it. The magic and how it works made me so curious and I want to know more! I read a library copy of the book but now I definitely want to have a copy of my own on the shelf.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Torture

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Racism

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

crystalisreading's review against another edition

The book opens with an entire first chapter that is a magical torture scene culminating in murder. If this is how it starts, I hate to think how it continues.  I'm sure it's well-written, but I don't have the stomach for it.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Torture

Minor: Murder

pagelikebooks's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Torture and Emotional abuse

Minor: Physical abuse

A few spicy scenes

shaipanda'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? Yes

3.5

I was really enjoying this book when it got returned to the library cause I was reading it online lol - anyways I finally finished the last 75 or so pages when I went home for a weekend a month or so later and that huge break obviously brought my enjoyment down a ton - still a solid book tho and I wish I’d gotten to have an actual better experience reading it :) and still definitely planning to read the sequel 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Torture, Murder, Sexual content, and Violence

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

levesc17's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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? No

4.25

This book was PERFECTLY paced, but it’s still a slow burn. There’s a few bits of excitement and action. But, the characters shine as the observe the world around them. I definitely would describe this as an opposites attract romance, with a backdrop of mystery and magic. The main couple, Robin and Edwin, must keep their attraction secret because queer men could be arrested and charged. But even after they can’t resist one another anymore, they both wrestle with what the future could possibly be. Oh and MAGIC!! That’s what brings them together and it’s a unique system I am sure will be explained even more in the next book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Bullying, Torture, Homophobia, and Misogyny

Apparently book 2 is about Maud, anyone else think book 3 will be about the rude Lord Hawthorn?

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