Reviews

5/5

Audiobook narrated by David Thorpe.

Are you looking for a light and gay fantasy reminiscent of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell? Want intrigue, engaging characters and lots of overt romance? Look no further than A Marvellous Light. Set in the Edwardian period a magician and a baronet are thrown together to solve the mystery of a disappearance. Curses, magical party games and queer intimacy ensue.

- The two main protagonists are really fun to follow. we have Robin, a new baronet trying to work out his new life as a peer, and Edwin, a magician working in the civil service. They were both distinct, wonderful men who I wanted to give the biggest hugs to. The narrator also did a really good job giving them their own individual voices.

- The story was amazing, swinging from magical mystery to cosy historical to raunchy sex scenes. Nothing felt forced or out of place and I enjoyed the way each facet enhanced the others.

- The magic system was a really cool idea. I played Cat's Cradle as a child and I could really imagine the possibilities and limitations of this kind of system.

A really enjoyable read and I plan to read the sequel A Restless Truth very soon.

khoang's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The book flounders a bit, the beginning and middle fall a bit flat. Slow-paced. The plot felt like it lacked a bit if oomph. Robin is a great character. Edwin felt lacking as an individual a bit. I think their relationship development could have been better as well, more incremental changes of heart perhaps. The best part was the ending, quite riveting, fast paced and what I needed from the rest of the book which fell a bit flat. Overall cute romance parts, though I wish there was a bit more short, stolen moments rather than long scenes far and few in between.

madelinelurene's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious relaxing

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

neixin's review against another edition

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4.0

this was such a delight i’m even willing to overlook the britishness of it.

i jest i jest (or do i…) but this really was a fun time; it’s very much a historical fantasy romance after my own heart, the characters are easily lovable, the plot is solid, and freya marske’s prose is so charming. i’m also excited to pick up the rest of the series which is a feat in and of itself tbh.

kevinthereader's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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