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sinceraly's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
cameronreads's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Outing
Minor: Homophobia, Suicide, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
aardwyrm's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Minor: Ableism and Death of parent
stardustandrockets's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Chronic illness, Homophobia, Self harm, Death of parent, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood and Alcohol
caseythereader's review against another edition
- 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
- 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?
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Homophobia, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Chronic illness and Alcohol