A review by thewordsdevourer
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

adventurous funny mysterious 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? No

3.5

a marvellous light is, all in all, an enjoyable debut novel and start of an interesting trilogy. the book's delightfully written--the prose is indeed sublime and there were times i couldnt help but pause and sigh, admiring and reveling in it; the magic is, well, magical and creative, and i like how it's also used to good effect in certain situations. the scenes with bookshops, libraries, and books are also a balm to my soul. and while some of the characters can be frustrating, privileged assholes, robin and edwin are wonderful both individually and tgt (the latter is, in fact, painfully relatable in his fears for [redacted] and love for books): they are simultaneously tropey yet subversive; their sex scenes are sexy, sensual, and lovely; and i love how their relationship is imbued w/ respect, consent, and understanding.

still, i find sth just a lil lacking, hence the not-4-stars. the book could be tightened up more, i think, as rn some chapters kinda drag a bit. the mystery, while interesting, lacks a certain oomph and isnt as thrilling as it could be. what i mean is the reveals could be worth more, considering all the painstaking trouble the main characters go thru for them. in sum, i think this book works as a well-written romance above anything else, and i'll be keeping an eye out for the sequel. 
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