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kaitlinnoodles's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Abandonment, and Classism
booksthatburn's review against another edition
- 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
The rapport between Edwin and Robin slowly builds, lagging behind the intensity of each man’s buried attraction to the other. Robin adjusts pretty quickly to the existence of magic (a situation made much harder to ignore by the harsh nature of his introduction). Edwin’s focus is on trying to remove Robin’s curse, initially thinking of their acquaintance as very temporary and somewhat reversible. Much of the book is spent on Edwin’s family’s estate, with his siblings whose pranks range from frustrating to cruel.
The worldbuilding is pretty subtle about placing the era, the setting is one where magic exists within the otherwise real history of the British Isles. Since I wasn't trying very hard to place it I was content to know it's a while ago, but after the invention of cars. I'm sure there are clues to place it more precisely if I looked hard, but the story wasn't trying to trouble me with those. It did more with the ways that magic could be secret, and the key seems to be that (in England, specifically), it's tied up in old money and old families since magic is passed through bloodlines.
I enjoyed this immensely and will definitely read the rest of the series. The ending sets up a clear idea for the arc of the series, and I'll happily read more in this setting even if Edwin and Robin don't stay as the protagonists.
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Chronic illness, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Child death, Self harm, Suicide, Vomit, and Death of parent
breadbees's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Outing, and Abandonment
kingrosereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
The story takes place in Edwardian London, and we have Robin, who’s a non-magical baronet, and we have Edwin, who is a low level magician (like a wizard, not a conman you hire for kids’ parties). Due to a clerical error, Robin is assigned to work with Edwin at a magical liaison office for Parliament. Now, magic is a secret that only a few non-magical people know about outside of the non-magical people born to magical families. Edwin’s family actually treats him like shit because he barely has magic and this is just common practice within the magical community. The magical system is based on the game cat’s cradle which is interesting and reminds me a little of The Magicians.
In the liaison office, there’s meant to be a magician representing the magical governing body in Britain and a non-magical person representing the British government. Robin is assigned this position because the previous employee, Reggie, has gone missing. Robin has just been told that magic exists and he’s still digesting that when he’s attacked and cursed by a group of magicians dead set on finding something of importance in Reggie’s belongings. This launches Robin and Edwin into investigation mode trying to solve what happened to Reggie, how to lift Robin’s curse, and what is so important it’s worth killing over, all while the attraction between the two men develops, dealing with awful family members, and nearly dying every other scene.
I do want to say that I like Edwin and Robin as individuals. Edwin is the grumpy academic type who’s expertise is more magical theory and experimentation. Robin is this very sporty, heart of gold, and not very academically inclined gentlemen. But I wish these characters were more fleshed out. They were very two dimensional, but bordering that three dimensional area we want characters to be in. Even Adelaide and other side characters, were given basically the same treatment as the two main characters. Even though this is a third person dual POV, it doesn’t feel like it. It was hard at times to really distinguish who’s POV I was reading from unless the two men weren’t in the same room together.
I also think their attraction was rushed. The timeline of the book’s events takes place over 8 days, I think. And they went from not particularly caring for one another, to having this intense attraction for one another once they find out they’re both gay. Which is a bit problematic seeing as gay people aren’t attracted to every gay person they meet. I could see an attraction and relationship developing over a longer period of time, but I couldn’t see it as it was written.
Another thing I had a little issue with is this assumption that POC have no place in Western history. That POC didn’t hold prominent positions or accumulate wealth in the West. And in this case, this is a historical FANTASY, so I don’t see why the only POC of color in this book is Adelaide, who is a side character that’s in like a couple of scenes and is a secretary that serves two white men. Which is incredibly unfortunate because she was giving me a mix of Jenny from Doctor Who and Kate from Bridgerton. She was very interesting but again, her character wasn’t fully developed and it was a missed opportunity.
Side note: I immediately mentally casted Chance Perdomo as Edwin, Jonathan Bailey as Robin, and Charithra Chandran as Adelaide. Which definitely helped me like the characters more so do that with what you will.
I don’t necessarily think more pages were necessary to really do this story justice, I just think Marske spent more time on less important things. Like the climax and resolution felt very meh. For instance, I wasn’t all shocked who the villain was because I honestly forgot about that character’s existence. I felt for Edwin and Robin and their family troubles, but it was hard to connect with both of them. Robin’s innocence and eagerness and awe really reeled me in, but there wasn’t anything keeping me engaged with his character. I did laugh a few times and I enjoyed the spice, but I didn’t feel that tug at my heartstrings or feel that anything was at stake to feel suspense or worry. There were all these interesting things that were teased or rushed that would’ve been this book exceptional instead of just average with a sprinkle of disappointment. Depending on the reviews for the next book, I may or may not continue this series if serious changes aren’t made.
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, and Death of parent
kaitlinlovesbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
mandkips's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Minor: Homophobia and Death of parent
friends2lovers's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Mental illness, Suicide, Grief, and Death of parent
raen99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying and Sexual content
Moderate: Chronic illness and Gaslighting
Minor: Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
tahsintries's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent
amandabcook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, and Murder