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A review by lennie_reads
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan / Tor for my arc.
This book is set in an alternative Edwardian Britain where magicians exist in secret. And I loved the Downtown Abbey feel of the book with magic subtly threaded through the lives of the upper class magicians.
This may be an odd take but I found this story oddly relaxing. Despite one of our MCs being cursed early on, a murder mystery and both of our MCs having to hide their sexuality due to society and laws of the time - I found I was quite happy to potter along with Edwin and Robin as they tried to solve the mysteries of the curse and the missing Reggie. To go on the journey with them as they navigated the magical and non magical upper class society, revealed their sexualities to each other, grow closer in the quiet alcoves of the Courcey Library and eventually start to fall in love was a joy.
I loved the romance aspect of this book so much and I really appreciated the open door scenes, not just for the smut aspect but for the character insights and growth.
However, there were a few parts of this book that I felt drew parallels with the series written by the transphobe; The Assembly being hidden in plain sight in London with government style employees, a fairytale detailing 3 magical items etc. Whether this was intentional or not I'm not sure, but it took me out if the story a bit.
Overall I really enjoyed it though and found the world building and magical system fascinating, especially the 'cradling' based on the game Cat's Cradle.
I'm also very glad that this is a series because this story was left very open ended.
I want to see more of Robin and Edwin in future books but I know book two focuses on Robin's sister Maud so I guess we'll see what happens!
CW: sexual content, blood, injury, abusive family members, death, murder
This book is set in an alternative Edwardian Britain where magicians exist in secret. And I loved the Downtown Abbey feel of the book with magic subtly threaded through the lives of the upper class magicians.
This may be an odd take but I found this story oddly relaxing. Despite one of our MCs being cursed early on, a murder mystery and both of our MCs having to hide their sexuality due to society and laws of the time - I found I was quite happy to potter along with Edwin and Robin as they tried to solve the mysteries of the curse and the missing Reggie. To go on the journey with them as they navigated the magical and non magical upper class society, revealed their sexualities to each other, grow closer in the quiet alcoves of the Courcey Library and eventually start to fall in love was a joy.
I loved the romance aspect of this book so much and I really appreciated the open door scenes, not just for the smut aspect but for the character insights and growth.
However, there were a few parts of this book that I felt drew parallels with the series written by the transphobe; The Assembly being hidden in plain sight in London with government style employees, a fairytale detailing 3 magical items etc. Whether this was intentional or not I'm not sure, but it took me out if the story a bit.
Overall I really enjoyed it though and found the world building and magical system fascinating, especially the 'cradling' based on the game Cat's Cradle.
I'm also very glad that this is a series because this story was left very open ended.
I want to see more of Robin and Edwin in future books but I know book two focuses on Robin's sister Maud so I guess we'll see what happens!
CW: sexual content, blood, injury, abusive family members, death, murder
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse