A review by thestorydragon
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted 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? No

4.5

Pros:
✨Authentic Romance
✨Queer Representation
✨Character Development and Relationships
✨Interwoven Plots / Pacing
✨Magic System / Setting

Cons:
✨Predictable Mystery
 

I enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would! It was a random addition to my TBR thank to it popping up on my socials nonstop, and now I’m about to power through the whole trilogy! Everything about this novel worked for me, from the romance to the magic system to the writing style to the mystery. Marske does an excellent job of weaving a multifaceted plot into a seamless storyline, and by the end, every part of this held an important piece of information that wrapped up the first book and launched us into the second. The cast is distinct, and our two protagonists, Edwin and Robin, slot together well. Robin is a idealistic optimist who approaches every obstacle with enthusiasm, while Edwin is a pessimistic pragmatist who analyzes each variable to find the surest path to success. This balance came through in their blossoming romance as well. The magic system here is intriguing and unique, though not overly complex, and I enjoyed that combination. It was easy to slip into this setting, especially thanks to the flow of Marske’s writing style. I’ll probably devour the rest of this trilogy in the coming days, and I can’t wait!