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A review by robotcorsair
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
4.25
This was a fun book! It is part of a series but stands well enough by itself: the main characters' story makes a complete arc, and even though there is an overarching plot that is not entirely resolved in this book, it still provides a satisfying ending.
The book is set in Edwardian England, where there is a hidden society where magic is power, and those with little magical power (and women) are overlooked and treated as second-class citizens. Robin is forcefully brought into this world and his point of view as someone who is as unfamiliar with it as the reader makes for a smooth introduction to the setting. Edwin is one of those characters who possess little magic and are, therefore, rejected by his fellow magicians.
The main characters were complex, especially Edwin, and both were lovable and fun to read about. Other characters were also interesting enough, although none were particularly well-developed, in my opinion.
I enjoyed the portrayal of magic, it's understated and convincing, but at points the rules felt a bit unclear to me. For a relatively short and light book, the world-building was okay.
The most enjoyable part was the developing relationship between the two characters. It made sense and was very sweet. The sex scenes weren't strictly necessary, but were well-written, didn't detract from the story, and did reveal new facets of the characters' personalities.
Overall a fun, interesting book that, while not life-changing, is still very much worth reading.
The book is set in Edwardian England, where there is a hidden society where magic is power, and those with little magical power (and women) are overlooked and treated as second-class citizens. Robin is forcefully brought into this world and his point of view as someone who is as unfamiliar with it as the reader makes for a smooth introduction to the setting. Edwin is one of those characters who possess little magic and are, therefore, rejected by his fellow magicians.
The main characters were complex, especially Edwin, and both were lovable and fun to read about. Other characters were also interesting enough, although none were particularly well-developed, in my opinion.
I enjoyed the portrayal of magic, it's understated and convincing, but at points the rules felt a bit unclear to me. For a relatively short and light book, the world-building was okay.
The most enjoyable part was the developing relationship between the two characters. It made sense and was very sweet. The sex scenes weren't strictly necessary, but were well-written, didn't detract from the story, and did reveal new facets of the characters' personalities.
Overall a fun, interesting book that, while not life-changing, is still very much worth reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia