A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
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Web ID: 151605612 reviews
Amazing fantasy romance
A Marvelous Light is a fantastic queer fantasy. Freya Marske builds an intriguing world with complex characters, and a grumpy sunshine romance that I couldn’t put down. Cheerful Sir Robin Blyth is a civil servant who finds himself transferred to be a liaison to some sort of magical society he’s never heard of before. Magical liaison Edwin Courcey, the least magical person in a family that values magical power above all, arrives to find Robin in the office of his missing predecessor. As awkward Edwin struggles to explain the magical world to Robin, and Robin finds himself chased and cursed by a mysterious group that thinks he knows where powerful magical objects are hidden. As the two work together to unravel the mystery that affects all of magical Britain, they also get to know each other very, very well. Can the attraction between them survive secrets, attacks, and evil plans while they try to figure out what exactly is going on? This book is filled with magical power and curses and mysteries and romance too. I love every bit of it. Edwin and Robin are both intensely likable, but not perfect, characters trying to navigate their way through perilous situations. While both Robin and Edison have parents who are terrible in their own ways, I liked the way Robin and his sister Maud support each other no matter what happens. And Edwin respects this relationship, even though it’s so different from his with his own awful siblings. I also love how important it is to Edwin to have Robin’s clear consent, in both magical and romantic scenarios. This was a long book, but didn’t feel that way while reading. I’m proud of myself for waiting until all three books in the series were released before diving in; now I can just keep reading and reading about this fascinating world. A Marvelous Light is a wonderful introduction to a magical fantasy world. I adore Edwin and Robin, and the way they care for each other while remaining true to their ideas about right and wrong. I’m so impressed with Freya Marske’s world building and characters, and can’t wait to read what happens next in this series.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great Novel and Looking Forward to the Next
In this debut novel I found a lot to like; the story, structure, character development our primal connection and stewardship of the earth. What was missing was a sustained sense of atmosphere. A couple of times, in the Maze for one, you were given the sense of danger and urgency. What I was not a total fan of and didn't understand the need for the extended sexy bits. Queer is not the point here. Gartuitous sex is. Do the scenes advance the story, build the characters involved. The first sex scene certainly tells you about the men's state of mind towards relationships in a society that held them in less than regard.(this statement is tongue in cheek; they were considered criminals) It also deals with their personal demons. The second towards the end of the book certainly lets you know the change that has occurred in their acceptance and welcoming in the love. But the scenes themselves, I felt, were way too long and fell into sex for erotica's sake only not the story. They took me out and away from the purpose of the story. Is this a story about their sexual interaction or about the first contract, finding it, protecting it at all costs from he bad guys? Building relationships to further their main goal? These are my issues. I will read the new novel that has come out because I love the story. If the sexy bits begin to take away from the story I will simply skip them and move on with the questing. But I will not recommend this book without an attached warning about the extended scenes of erotica.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com