I read about 45% of this book and unfortunately I realized it just wasn’t a good fit for me. Thank you for the opportunity to read this title.

A bit difficult to follow at first. The magic system is ... confusing, especially if you're listening to the audiobook. The prose could do with some editing, exposition, and higher stakes, but overall I really enjoyed this book. The characters are vibrant and hilarious. Looking forward to next book in series

The magic system in this book is one of the most unique I've read in a while and I think it might have been my favourite thing about the book. I also really loved the world building and the relationship between Edwin and Robin. I'll definitely be picking up the next book in the series.

After being named to a position in government, Sir Robert Blyth suddenly finds himself immersed in a world where magic is real, and bad people are after something that they think he has. Enter the brainy Edwin, who is awkward and prefers books to people, but has just enough magic to do small tricks but not enough that anyone finds him intimidating. The two join together to fight curses and evil magicians and find an artifact that may or may not actually be real. There's a house with a garden of magical plants. Magical tricks are played in a lake. It's a real romp of a story, and they fall in love along the way.

I loved this book. I love how the magic system is explained as contracts, and done through hand and finger gestures. The relationship between Robin and Edwin is a slow burn until it suddenly burns quite bright and the ending is hopeful even if it could also be considered a loss. This is a world where I want many, many more adventures, and these are two gentlemen I will enjoy returning to. I really do love the relationship between the two main characters, and I hope there's more of Kitty and her sister whose name I can't currently remember (Annabelle?) in future books.

This was such a great read! A richly imagined world where the magical live alongside the non-magical and a version of what happens when these two worlds collide. This was a mix of romance and historical fiction, and it came together beautifully. Both of the lead characters were likeable and made a great match. They manage to foil the beginning stages of a plot to control all the magicians of the world and this mission is clearly set to continue. I cannot wait to read the next book!

A historical fantasy romance that got a bit steamier than expected but I'm not complaining. An administrative error leaves baronet Robin Blythe serving as liaison to a magical community he previously knew nothing about. His magical counterpart, Edward Courcey, wants nothing to do with him, but a literal curse forces them together. Along the way, they discover a magical conspiracy of epic proportions, and their complicated feelings for each other slowly build as they work together to stop it.

I went into this with high expectations but was let down. I felt as though the characters were rather one dimensional.

a marvellous light is “Maurice” meets “Dr. Strange and Mr. Norrell” in this tantalizing, magical story of two people flung together by curiosity and circumstance.

sir robin ‘i’ll try anything once’ blyth & edwin ‘is there a book for that?’ courcey deliver one of the most enjoyable himbo jock and studious nerd dynamics i have ever had the pleasure of reading.

freya marske has a way of pulling you in to the world so abruptly that it’s like you’ve also been “unbusheled” (her term for magic being revealed to a non-magical person) & despite my needing to re-read several parts to understand the “rules” of magical edwardian england, the world-building is not over-complicated and blends easily into the plot as you go. plus, i love a magical house trope!

but same goes for the romance. it was so seamless and inevitable and i found myself going over quotes and just 🥺🥺🥺. not to mention the spicy scenes…👀

i also think the last portion of the book set up the story’s continuation quite nicely — i believe it’s gonna be a trilogy?? — and left you intrigued but still settled in what loose ends had been tied up.

one thing that needed a bit of work was the female characters. the rotton ones were given depth and room to showcase themselves but the ‘good’ ones were barely in the story. i do have a feeling we’ll be seeing more of them in the coming books though, so maybe i’ll bite my tongue till then! 😛

oh and can we PLEASE start a petition for publishers to stop comparing every m/m novel to red, white, and royal blue? this one literally had NOTHING in common with it except that they’re gay. it’s starting to feel homophobic at this point. 😒

Do you ever read a book and love it so much but can't explain why in words? That is me with A Marvellous Light. I finished it back in February and I have been trying to write a review that is not just me yelling at you to go read this book ASAP! And honestly, stop reading this review right now and go get a copy of this book for yourself.

One of the reasons I adored this is because it made my nostalgic for all the fantasy-of-manners books Teen Me was obsessed with. This book is the queer version of that genre college me wanted so very much! Even better is that it is the first in a trilogy! This series starter is set in Edwardian England and is about a down-on-their-luck, non-magical person discovering that the upper crust noble families of England are secretly magicians and that magic is very much real when a clerical error puts him in position in a government office where his job is to be the civil service liaison to this magical secret society.

I came for the queer romance but the world building, intrigue, and magic system of this book was so exquisitely done that I stayed to see what was going to happen next! Well, and the magical house. The romance was everything though! I love me a good sunshine/grump romance and this book delivered! Robin had my heart within the first chapter and Edwin wasn't too far behind him! This was the historical romance himbo/librarian pairing I didn't know I needed in my life and they seriously needed each other. I am so damn glad that we will be getting more books in this world!

The next book has Robin's sister, Maud, as the main character and it is taking place on a ship! I cannot wait to read it in all of its sapphic glory! And hopefully we'll see more of Robin and Edwin as well.

A delightful book full of adventure, action, and thrills. Fun to read, engrossing world building, and very descriptive imagery made it feel like it was cinematic. It's hard to resist the story as it drives forward. Would recommend.

I’m confused why they let [redacted character] leave with [redacted item] in the end. Like… surely they could’ve stopped that outcome. I have so many worldbuilding questions because I don’t quite understand the magic system.

When I saw Rick Riordan had described this book as " Downtown Abbey with magic and gay romance", I had to read it for myself!

This book was so much fun, and I am excited to see it is the first in a series. The world the author creates is one readers will be sad to leave. It will be easy to sell to customers with magic, steamy romance, and an Edwardian backdrop!

I honestly just couldn;t get into this book. But it is selling well at my bookstore and other people seem to love it.

Did I know what I was getting into when I picked up this book? No, absolutely not. I am not ashamed to admit that I wanted to read this for the cover and the cover alone.

However, I am very happy to say that it is fabulous!

The atmosphere of this story is a thing of beauty. You constantly feel just slightly on edge waiting to see what happens with the mystery which adds greatly to the overall ambience. I love the mystery and pondering “who is the big bad in the shadows?” aspect. You know there is a villainous villain waiting in the wings, letting things unfold, and with every page you wonder, “Is this it? Are they going to show themselves now?” The anticipation is exciting yet maddening!

While the mystery plot is the main driving force of this book, the romance of this story is fantastic. When I picked the book up, I was actually unaware of the gay relationship in the plot. What an absolute delight to discover! Edwin is so…closed off. He is unwilling to open up to other people and lives a life of relative solitude with his books. Robin, on the other hand, is boisterous and outgoing. There isn’t a conversation he can’t contribute to nor a person he can’t charm. Together, they are simply wonderful. It is one of the best grumpy/sunshine parings I’ve ever had the pleasure to read.

Overall, I loved this book. The mystery drew me in, the magical aspects felt very real and present, and the romance was top tier. I’m so very glad I stumbled across this and can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

I think this story is great, but the audiobook narration did it no favors. The narrator wasn't so bad that I couldn't listen to it, but it was a near thing. You might ask why didn't I just read the text instead of listening to the audiobook if I didn't like the narration so much? And the thing is I just struggle big time reading historicals in text (with very few exceptions), so audio was really my only option to finish this book at all. So, here we are.

Content notes include torture, people getting their minds wiped without consent, homomisia, a character getting outed, kidnapping, misogyny, racism, mentions of physical and emotional abuse, violence, death, and mentions of parents dying before the book starts.

I did find the first chapter quite hard to get through. Chapter one is essentially a prologue - the POV is from a character we only hear about for the rest of the book, but don't see. His disappearance is what causes one of the MCs to erroneously be assigned as his replacement. I am not a fan of prologues and it probably took me about three tries to get through it because it drops you into the middle of the action without any explanation and I was NOT having it. This is why I eventually had to resort to listening to the audio in order to get over this prologue-but-not-prologue hump.

Afterwards, it's pretty smooth sailing. We meet Robin Blyth, a baronet after his parent's death, who is also employed as a civil servant. His family's estate doesn't exactly have money and Robin is struggling to make do. He still has his younger sister, Maud, to take care of, and when he takes the job assigned to him to replace his missing predecessor, he accidentally winds up as an assistant in the Office of Special Domestic Affairs and Complaints. Which is how he meets Edwin Courcey, the liaison to the Chief Minister of the Magical Assembly. And this is how Robin inadvertently winds up finding out about magic.

Weirdly, I'm not the biggest fan of books about magic. But this story really lures me in and it makes it work. I think in part, this has to do with the fact that magic doesn't entirely take over the story. It's still on a very human level and Robin himself has seemingly no magic, while Edwin seems to have very little compared to his own family. This book is part mystery, where the characters have to go on an adventure (okay, to Edwin's family estate and around the English countryside but STILL) in order to find out how to remove the magical runes embedded onto Robin's skin after an unfortunate encounter with men who are after something from Robin's predecessor.

I really loved Robin and Edwin, and found them really likable. They have their internal conflicts, but still managed to find a way to care deeply about the other. Some bits about the magic in this book felt vague, in a way that I couldn't picture in my head what the heck was going on, but I liked the use of it in this world well enough. I do question some parts where it seemed like magic was used to push through certain plot points (like with Robin's arm at the end, and the fight with the true villain in the book). After the characters have been through so much, it seemed like there could've been a more drawn out, detailed fight for both of these scenes and it seemed over too fast, too easily.

Something I was not expecting is that the sex scenes in this book are really explicit? I mean, not erotica levels or anything but much more detailed than I would ever expect from Tor from an author I don't know. I think I have been too jaded from reading traditionally published romances and I just wasn't expecting detailed sex scenes at all, but instead was expecting fade-to-black. This IS a slow burn romance and it still is a traditionally published book, so don't expect a LOT, but what was in this book was a pleasant surprise.

I did read this book AFTER book 2 was announced, and I am really, really baffled why the series isn't continuing with the main characters from THIS book. I get that the next book is going to be f/f, but it just doesn't make sense to me after finishing this book because the story is not tied up and still actively affects the characters from this book. It would make so much more sense for the next books to continue on with Robin and Edwin than anyone else. Why are we switching POVs? It makes no sense to me. Apparently book 2 is with Robin's younger sister, Maud, and will take place on a ship out in the open waters, which sounds awful to me. I hate stories on boats and traveling long distances on a boat with nowhere else to go. It is also weird that the love interest is a new character and NOT Adelaide Morrissey (an Indian woman who is the only employee who works under Robin at the office). I would've liked to see more of Adelaide.

I can only hope that the publisher uses some sense and casts a female narrator for book 2 because David Thorpe is not one for female voices. He made me hate Maud, even though I know she's a decent character and I only hated his voice for her.

Book 3 is maybe still not Robin and Edwin, if the trilogy is going to change up the POVs every time. So, my guess would be Baron Hawthorn - John Alston. Also called Jack? Robin does remark about how handsome he is and him and Edwin had a history together and he seems like an asshole and I think we should explore that. Also, book 2 is about Maud heading to New York and apparently Hawthorne is going to be there in New York or will be on his way there on the same ship. So, it's only natural if book 3 is about Hawthorne in New York, yes? (I just really want to have his book if there's no more Robin and Edwin books).

Overall, I liked this book in spite of the audiobook narration. The magical world created here is fascinating and we learn with Robin as he discovers the magical side of things, so aside from the prologue, the reader never feels left out. I would have preferred if the books could stay with Robin and Edwin instead of switching to new characters, but it is what it is. The second book doesn't interest me at all because I hate boat stories, but I guess I must read it if it still connects to the events at the end of this book in some way.

***Thanks to the publisher for providing me an e-ARC on NetGalley***

4.5 stars.

Give me magic and dissimilar personalities going from animosity to utter devotion or give me death. The dual narratives of Robin and Edwin were crafted with such care and personality; I felt I knew each man not only from his own voice, but how the other saw him. And, surprisingly, the supporting characters were just as compelling in their own way and with their own amount of depth. The initial conflict ended up having more layers than I'd anticipated, but these weren't far-fetched and instead felt like proper build-up to an ongoing series—in other words, what you'd expect from a first book. The magic system was fascinating in how it was based around contracts and cradling and creation, and it's something I'm especially looking forward to seeing further developed. I'm absolutely feral for Edwin and Robin as individuals and a couple: Marske really took us on a journey with these two, and I can only imagine what they'll get into next.

Robin managed to hold his tongue on something truly unwise like You look like a Turner painting and I want to learn your textures with my fingertips. You are the most fascinating thing in this beautiful house. I'd like to introduce my fists to whoever taught you to stop talking about the things that interest you. Those were not things one blurted out to a friend. They were their own cradles of magic, an expression of the desire to transform one thing into another.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“It didn’t take long to become so accustomed to something that you could describe the exact shape of it’s absence.”

You know when you read a book and you immediately know that it’s going to become an all-time favorite? That’s how I feel about A Marvellous Light. It’s only been a few days and I already want to re-immerse myself in this world; I miss it dearly. This book has absolutely EVERYTHING that I could possibly want and more:
- romance (with the perfect amount of heat)
- angst
- GRUMPY X SUNSHINE YES PLEASE
- absolutely gorgeous writing
- a complex magic system that’s still simple enough to fully understand
- wonderful discussions on power and gender imbalances
I knew I was going to enjoy this, which is probably why I put it off so long. I wanted to be in the perfect place to fully appreciate it and I’m SO glad that I did. This is a book that I’m going to be thinking about and recommending for a very long time - I can’t wait to re-read it catch every little thing I missed.

This book is just SO good. I barely have the words to explain just how much I enjoyed diving into this world and with these characters. Edwin Courcey and Robin Blyth are the PERFECT protagonists to tell this tale. Edwin is rigid and insecure due to years of neglect and abuse from his family; And Robin is pure joy, yet is also struggling with overcoming his family’s past expectations. They’re both incredible and easy to love - I developed an immediate connection with them both and couldn’t get enough.

A Marvellous Light is unlike any other fantasy (really, any other book) that I’ve read before and that just makes me love it 10x more. Edwin’s power supply is extremely limited and a large portion of the story revolves around him coming to terms with that within the confines of the overarching story. The Edwardian England upper-class society setting allows for these conflicts with power imbalances to rub together brilliantly.

I’ve seen several reviews that liken A Marvellous Light to top-tier fan fiction and I think that’s the PERFECT description for it. This is a story that revels in tropes and fluff; in crafting complex and fully fleshed out characters and just setting them loose on their adventures. It’s the perfect combination of character development and plot progression - and neither feels underdone.

The true star of this story, however, is Marske’s unbelievable writing. This is a DEBUT, you said?? A Marvellous Light solidified Freya Marske as a must-read author for me. The prose is lyrical, yet not heavy. You never once feel bogged down by descriptors. It’s rare that you have a magic system and world as complex as this one that’s still simple to understand, and I think that’s a true testament to Marske’s skill.

My ONLY complaint, if you can call it that, is that the audiobook didn’t fully hit the mark for me. The narrator’s voice for Robin didn’t match that in my head, so it was jarring to go back and forth between the e-book and audio.

I’m just so overwhelmed with love for this story. I can’t wait to learn more about the Lost Contract in book 2 (and I’ll be praying for more Edwin x Robin x Sutton Cottage) in book 3!!

I wholeheartedly loved A Marvelous Light. No holds barred, loved this book! The method of magic was well explained, the characters were excellent and appropriately deep, the family drama is top tier, and the spice is just so well placed and well written. This was my favorite book of the year, easy. I finished it and immediately contemplated starting all over again, taking the audiobook out of the library so I could listen to the story in a different way. I love that Edwin was not an overpowered magic user and instead relied on knowledge and logic and finesse, rather than raw power. That he took so much time to explain things to Robin and encouraged him to speak his ideas aloud. The magic was woven so seamlessly into the world.

My one complaint comes with the sequel, and how it follows Robin’s sister instead of Robin and Edwin. I didn’t like what I saw of Robin’s sister, finding her annoying and awfully young. I’m not sure how old she actually is and maybe she seems younger than she is.

Happy US pub day to A Marvellous Light! ✨

This gaslamp fantasy had everything I love - great worldbuilding, a twisty mystery, and ROMANCE. Perfect for snuggling up in front of the fire and staying up late to find out what happens next. Cannot wait for the next one!

Robin Blyth's life changes in an instant because of a bureaucratic error. Despite being of the landed gentry the baronet has to take a job because of his recently deceased impecunious parents. He has an estate to oversee, a sister to shepherd through the world, and all of it needs money. Therefore he takes a job in the civil service. And that's where the error happens. He is mistakenly appointed to the Office of Special Domestic Affairs and Complaints. The mistake is that Robin, unlike his predecessor who mysteriously disappeared, doesn't know that magic exists. Therefore it is left up to his new colleague, Edwin Courcey, the liaison to the Chief Minister of the Magical Assembly, to "unbushell" him. Edwin figures it's the safest course for the time being to let Robin see a bit of this secret world, after the administrative error is corrected Edwin will administer Robin Lethe-mint and Robin won't remember a thing. But there's a time limit to Lethe-mint and the longer it is not administered the more likely it won't work. On his way home from his eye opening first day of work Robin is attacked. The thugs are magicians and curse Robin agreeing to remove the curse only if he hands over a powerful magical object that his predecessor has hidden. Seeing as Robin didn't even know of magic twenty-four hours previously it's unlikely he would know where the magical object is secreted, so he turns to Edwin. They scour the office but find nothing. What's more the curse is violently attacking Robin. He has severe attacks of pain accompanied by visions of the future. And it's spreading. This is serious. Which makes Edwin take a course of action he usually avoids. He goes home to his family estate. There the family has a massive library that might contain a clue as to how to help Robin. But there there is also family. A family that treats him as their whipping boy. While the little bit of magic Edwin has performed for Robin is amazing in his eyes, Edwin knows the truth. He barely has any magic. A fact his family likes to remind him of. And he's walking into the belly of the beast for a stranger. But their battle against curses, thugs, and family brings them closer than either of them could have thought of in their most detailed fantasies.

Touted as "Red White and Royal Blue meets Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell...featuring an Edwardian England full of magic, contracts, and conspiracies"A Marvellous Light was my most anticipated read in November of 2021. After reading it I have to say it's blasphemy that they invoked Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell to try to sell this dreck that everyone else seems to love. I just don't get it. What is so great about this book? Yes we get copious amounts of gay sex, but that needs to be balanced by the narrative, for example actually bothering to define the magical system in the world this book is set in instead of having people say it's similar to The Magicians. No. Bad Freya. You need to have your own unique magical system that is well defined. I repeat, WELL DEFINED! I should not know more about Robin's cock than I do about how the magical system works! A BALANCED NARRATIVE. That shouldn't be too much to ask for in this day and age now should it? Apparently it is as everyone just loves this book. OK, how about I attack the writing style, would that help? Well, it would help me, because I'm still pissed this book didn't deliver. The writing style is not polished, confusing, and at times so elliptical that I would have to re-read whole sections to try to get the gist of what the author was attempting to say. Also while the book is seen through both Robin and Edwin's eyes sometimes the transition from one to the other is fumbled and it's really confusing for awhile until you realize whose POV you're reading. In other words, this book is in dire need of an editor. I find it hard to believe that Tor actually published a book that is more fanfic than it is literary endeavor and really pushed out the boat to promote it too. And I want to make it clear, it's not the explicit gay sex that is what I object to, it's that the book needs to have an explicit magical system to balance it and overall it just needs to be better written. I don't even buy Robin and Edwin as a couple. They are two gay men who a thrown together in a life and death situation who learn each other's secret and therefore decide to have lots of steamy sex. And I'm not buying the whole "opposites attract" theory either. In the normal course of things neither would have considered the other as a romantic partner, and what they've been through doesn't make them bound together, it just makes them need an outlet. And that's not really romantic at all.