Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

170 reviews

anna_hepworth's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

What I thought I was getting was fantasy adventure (magic in England in the ~1910s) with a romance subplot. What I got was the type of romance plot that doesn't appeal, with a varnish of fantasy adventure sub-subplot, and quite a lot of sex scenes. Maybe if I'd had the right expectations, I'd have appreciated this story more.

As it was, there are lots of interesting details, and there were some fabulous paragraphs. But I finished it somewhat out of spite, and because I have book two out of the library, waiting for me to read it. I did want to know what happened, but I didn't really want to have to deal with the romantic couple and their emotional miscommunications. 

I can see that there are some interesting overarching plot threads, with three items to be found, and three books to find them in, so I have hopes that book two won't slump. 

Overall summary: world building fantastic, plot a bit rough, characterisation a little off and occasionally veering towards farce, writing shows promise, particularly as this is a debut novel. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Classism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Bullying, and Chronic illness

Minor: Homophobia and Alcohol

sadiesaurus's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• 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

I really enjoyed this book. Edwin and Robin feel like multidimensional, deep characters with complex emotions and histories. I felt like I could connect with both of them in their histories of dysfunction with their families. The way they initially bumped heads but then grew to like each other didn't feel contrived or silly, it felt plausible and real. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Violence

Moderate: Misogyny and Bullying

alyshab2005's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-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? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Bullying, and Death

pvp_niki's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Misogyny, Murder, Bullying, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Alcohol, Grief, Blood, Racism, and Mental illness

jennybugg's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Minor: Bullying

arialien's review against another edition

dark informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Murder

Moderate: Bullying, Violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Mental illness, and Chronic illness

devination's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• 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

5.0

Heartwarming! Fantastic! Took me a moment to get used to the British Lingo, but it absolutely rewards you for it in spades of literary charisma and charm! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Homophobia

knittingtipsy'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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Very fun queer fantasy in an Edwardian setting. Clever version of a magical universe, excellent exposition. First in a series but feels like a complete story. Looking forward to reading the next one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Chronic illness

caitlinemccann's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense slow-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Torture, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, and Murder

Moderate: Violence, Outing, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, Blood, and Body horror

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Chronic illness, and Stalking

nutmegandselkie's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Bullying, and Violence

Moderate: Murder