Scan barcode
sinceraly's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.25
I love Robin so much. Man is both a brawler and the emotionally intelligent one and his back must be hurting over carrying Edwin through every social situation.
That being said Edwin was also a treasure, the isolated, emotionally dense man he is, and I hope he gets all the nice things.
I genuinely loved my time with the book, and once I got to the last half of the book I couldn't put it down. Robin and Edwin's dynamic was phenomenal, the dialogue was snappy but felt realistic and not at all like the Marvel movie type quips that can get so irritating. The mystery was interesting and let me build my own theories and sets up an ongoing plot very well. I also loved the magic system, treating different magic styles as more native to specific countries, like recipes in cookbooks. I think the worldbuilding gives a lot to be interested in, despite a more stifling era chosen for a historical fantasy.
That being said, I think the two things that really stopped me from being able to label the book with 5 stars came down to odd pacing at times and a few decisions made in the course of Robin and Edwin's relationship that left me wanting more. The largest section of the book takes place somewhere where - though research is being done for the main quest - stakes don't seem to exist. It seems casual. And given what was at risk, it felt like a weird choice to make. The focus on character building was great, but it came at a cost of making it hard to really feel like things were at risk.
The second critique was a lack of a proper relationship-based dialogue between Edwin and Robin when it really seemed like it should be there. This review is spoiler free so I won't go into any details, really, but their last interaction alone in the book - though well written and still imbued (hah) with emotional and romantic context - felt kind of out of place considering what had happened prior, and what needed to be said. I'd give the author the fact that their relationship takes place in a stifling society that doesn't except gay relationships, so maybe they don't truly have the experience to talk it out, but I would have enjoyed more of an actual conversation in that stead.
That all being said, this book was still lovely, and a very fun read. Highly recommended for anyone into historical fantasy.
That being said Edwin was also a treasure, the isolated, emotionally dense man he is, and I hope he gets all the nice things.
I genuinely loved my time with the book, and once I got to the last half of the book I couldn't put it down. Robin and Edwin's dynamic was phenomenal, the dialogue was snappy but felt realistic and not at all like the Marvel movie type quips that can get so irritating. The mystery was interesting and let me build my own theories and sets up an ongoing plot very well. I also loved the magic system, treating different magic styles as more native to specific countries, like recipes in cookbooks. I think the worldbuilding gives a lot to be interested in, despite a more stifling era chosen for a historical fantasy.
That being said, I think the two things that really stopped me from being able to label the book with 5 stars came down to odd pacing at times and a few decisions made in the course of Robin and Edwin's relationship that left me wanting more. The largest section of the book takes place somewhere where - though research is being done for the main quest - stakes don't seem to exist. It seems casual. And given what was at risk, it felt like a weird choice to make. The focus on character building was great, but it came at a cost of making it hard to really feel like things were at risk.
The second critique was a lack of a proper relationship-based dialogue between Edwin and Robin when it really seemed like it should be there. This review is spoiler free so I won't go into any details, really, but their last interaction alone in the book - though well written and still imbued (hah) with emotional and romantic context - felt kind of out of place considering what had happened prior, and what needed to be said. I'd give the author the fact that their relationship takes place in a stifling society that doesn't except gay relationships, so maybe they don't truly have the experience to talk it out, but I would have enjoyed more of an actual conversation in that stead.
That all being said, this book was still lovely, and a very fun read. Highly recommended for anyone into historical fantasy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Torture, Violence, Sexual content, and Bullying
Moderate: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
cameronreads's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this one! I think the concept and plot was excellent, and the characters and main relationship were compelling and very well written. I liked the mystery elements a lot and I think the magic system was very interesting - a magic based on cradling?? That’s so cool! I really liked both Robin and Edwin and was rooting for them the whole time, and there relationship was truly great. I did want a little bit more out of the side characters as I wasn’t very invested in them however, and I think there was a bit of a reliance on characters having lucky guesses to find solutions, but those are my only gripes. I think this was so much fun, a great historical fantasy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Outing, Bullying, Misogyny, and Murder
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, Homophobia, Vomit, Suicide, and Alcohol
aardwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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
4.0
In the subgenre of (frequently queer) alternate magical history set anywhere between 300 and 75 years in the past in an approximately earthlike but supernatural world where conspiracies happen, this one ranks highly. The characters are solidly sketched, the mysteries don't advertise themselves too aggressively, the romance is both engaging and plausible, and the worldbuilding has some real originality to it. A lovely little creampuff of a book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Death
Minor: Death of parent and Ableism
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
caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.0
Thanks to Tordotcom for the free advance copy of this book.
- A MARVELLOUS LIGHT is one half magical murder mystery, one half slow burn queer romance.
- Robin and Edwin are a wonderfully mismatched pair, and the world they inhabit is unlike anything I've read in a long time, with an inventive magic system woven into the structure of Edwardian high society we know.
- I did feel like it dragged quite a bit, unfortunately: there necessarily needed to be a lot of speculating and planning happening. One of those books where a thing happens and then we discuss and re-discuss it, you know?
- A MARVELLOUS LIGHT is one half magical murder mystery, one half slow burn queer romance.
- Robin and Edwin are a wonderfully mismatched pair, and the world they inhabit is unlike anything I've read in a long time, with an inventive magic system woven into the structure of Edwardian high society we know.
- I did feel like it dragged quite a bit, unfortunately: there necessarily needed to be a lot of speculating and planning happening. One of those books where a thing happens and then we discuss and re-discuss it, you know?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexism, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol and Chronic illness
More...