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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
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.
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
nyx_stewart's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
5.0
This book is bookish queer magic wrapped up in William Morris wallpaper.
It's everything I could ever want in a feel good book. It vibes like a truly comfortable HP fanfiction but it has all the robust beauty of a wholly new magical system. I love it.
It's everything I could ever want in a feel good book. It vibes like a truly comfortable HP fanfiction but it has all the robust beauty of a wholly new magical system. I love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Outing, and Classism
cassielaj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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 is, in a word, marvellous. The characters are delightful and their development really drew me in. The development of the magical world was perfect — well-crafted and intricate without being confusing. I would read more tomorrow.
4.5 (2024)— I don’t think I would call this 5 stars on my second read, but it came damn close. It’s a very immersive story, and I agree with my previous assessments about the characters and the magic system. There’s also a delightful dry wit about this book that I loved.
4.5 (2024)— I don’t think I would call this 5 stars on my second read, but it came damn close. It’s a very immersive story, and I agree with my previous assessments about the characters and the magic system. There’s also a delightful dry wit about this book that I loved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Homophobia and Outing
stardustandrockets's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
5.0
All the stars! Please read this book! It reminds me so much of Deep Magic by Diana Wynne Jones. The magic system is super cool based on Cat's Cradle and once you've spent your magic for the day, that's it; you have to rest it like a muscle.
Robin and Edwin are so loveable and the jock/bookworm vibe they have going sends me!
I literally can't say enough nice things about this book.
Robin and Edwin are so loveable and the jock/bookworm vibe they have going sends me!
I literally can't say enough nice things about this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Outing, and Self harm
Minor: Alcohol and Blood
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? No
3.5
a marvellous light is, all in all, an enjoyable debut novel and start of an interesting trilogy. the book's delightfully written--the prose is indeed sublime and there were times i couldnt help but pause and sigh, admiring and reveling in it; the magic is, well, magical and creative, and i like how it's also used to good effect in certain situations. the scenes with bookshops, libraries, and books are also a balm to my soul. and while some of the characters can be frustrating, privileged assholes, robin and edwin are wonderful both individually and tgt (the latter is, in fact, painfully relatable in his fears for [redacted] and love for books): they are simultaneously tropey yet subversive; their sex scenes are sexy, sensual, and lovely; and i love how their relationship is imbued w/ respect, consent, and understanding.
still, i find sth just a lil lacking, hence the not-4-stars. the book could be tightened up more, i think, as rn some chapters kinda drag a bit. the mystery, while interesting, lacks a certain oomph and isnt as thrilling as it could be. what i mean is the reveals could be worth more, considering all the painstaking trouble the main characters go thru for them. in sum, i think this book works as a well-written romance above anything else, and i'll be keeping an eye out for the sequel.
still, i find sth just a lil lacking, hence the not-4-stars. the book could be tightened up more, i think, as rn some chapters kinda drag a bit. the mystery, while interesting, lacks a certain oomph and isnt as thrilling as it could be. what i mean is the reveals could be worth more, considering all the painstaking trouble the main characters go thru for them. in sum, i think this book works as a well-written romance above anything else, and i'll be keeping an eye out for the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gaslighting, Death, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Outing
Minor: Colonisation and Death of parent
sambutwithbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
3.75
I'm surprised I enjoyed this so much because I'm usually not one for historical settings in books but this was a super quick read for me! The magical system isn't hard to understand- I honestly had a harder time with the setting than the fantasy aspects of this book- and I really loved both of the main characters although Robin was my favourite.
I did find the smut a little awkward but it did feel like it got better the more the story progressed so I might chalk the first scene up to Robin and Edwin being kind of goofy themselves.
I did find the smut a little awkward but it did feel like it got better the more the story progressed so I might chalk the first scene up to Robin and Edwin being kind of goofy themselves.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Outing, Death, Torture, Sexual content, and Sexism
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
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