Reviews tagging 'Violence'

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

158 reviews

bootrat's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny 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

5.0

This book was a little slow to start, but once it got going I absolutely loved it. Really interesting magic system that I haven't ever seen before, which made for some really interesting moments as the magic was used.
I really loved Edwin and Robin, and the development of their relationship too. They're really cute together and I was definitely rooting for them! 
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mabechel's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Cool magic system. Pretty decent romance subplot. Overall very enjoyable. 
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nutmegandselkie's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-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

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cutie314's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny 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

If you're looking for a book full of magical secrets, no buried gays, and attempted shrub murder, this one's for you.
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pvbobrien's review against another edition

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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

4.75

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caelfind's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

5.0

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nic3's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

3.75

A good example of the "secret magical parallel society" genre. I appreciate a magic system which has internal logic and was, imo, an original concept with the cradling. The characters were mostly likeable and believable. 
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lollymac's review against another edition

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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

4.25

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oatmeal_oatmeal's review against another edition

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2.5

Mixed feelings here. I love the premise of historical, fantasy, mystery, drama, and romance mingling together and having a nice party, but I feel like none of them are balanced in a satisfying way. (Fantasy without expansive world building so lore payoffs don’t feel earned, mystery without enough defined clues so the big reveals don’t hit how they should, etc etc.)

It was also difficult for me to finish due to the beginning having a fairly slow pace. There’s a lot of exposition to dig through before things pick up about a third of the way through. I mostly continued because I enjoyed the prose— I personally enjoyed the descriptions of interior design and opulence in Edwin’s family home.

Also there are a few graphic sex scenes in this book and that threw me off, though it’s mostly on me for not checking the content warnings (which will come in clutch in the future).

For better or for worse, there are only around 4 likeable characters, and that’s by design. While I enjoyed the two lead characters, I’m not sure I’m invested enough to continue this series.
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grace_b_3's review against another edition

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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? It's complicated

5.0

To be perfectly honest, I didn’t expect this book to be as good as it was. An excellent achillean fantasy romance perfect for fans of Jane Austen and Harry Potter, this book focuses on Robin and Edwin as they try to solve the mystery of Robin’s predecesor in his role as government liaison to a secret magical world. 

The romance was well done, as was the mystery, and both of the central tensions made this a page turner. The strong world building supported the plot and characters. 

Really liked this book and can’t wait to read the rest of the series. 
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