Anytime Red, White, and Royal Blue is mentioned in a blurb for a book I immediately have to check it out. I enjoy magical realism and this book fit the bill! The setting for this book is one of my favorites and I have been on a huge kick of it lately. This is a series and I am excited for the rest because Marske set the series up beautifully with book one!

*ARC received in exchange for my honest review*

Robin Blyth has just been named the new civil service liaison to a hidden magical society. He is assigned to work in a government office that liaises between magic users and the Prime Minister of Edwardian England. His new job suddenly turned dangerous when he was targeted for something involving his predecessor and had the misfortune to be under a curse. And it’s up to his official counterpart, Edwin Courcey, to help reverse the curse.

The book touches on the social division between classes, race, sexuality, and magic-user over non-magic user (you get the drift). As a fantasy romance, You cannot ask for more. The author sure knows how to pack everything in this story! The whole premise of the book was just fantastic. It has impressive world-building, the entire magical system was engaging, and of course, the chemistry between Robin and Edwin – ugh. It was so much fun to read. I loved the adorable scenes between them, including the sexy times, which are totally off the charts!

I guess my only qualm about this book is its misogynistic undertone. I am not sure if it’s just me or I’m reading too much into it, but there’s just some commentary that I’d rather ignore since I didn’t think that I would enjoy it as much as I did.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Tordotcom, via Netgalley for an impartial and honest review.

What a stunning debut is Freya Marske’s A Marvellous Light. Set in 1908 London, this lovely novel is reality-adjacent, but make no mistake, there is magic galore in these pages. A magic that Robin Blythe had no clue existed until a paperwork snafu placed him in the seat only recently vacated by a man who has disappeared. A man who appears to have run afoul of a sinister plot. And now those who would see that plot through to its fruition have set their sights on Robin, in the belief that he knows the location of the item they’re looking for.

Yes, there is mystery, magic, danger, a painful curse, and suspense in A Marvellous Light, but it also features a warm and heartfelt romance between the charming Robin and the prickly Edwin Courcey, a man from a magical family who, in terms of his own powers, is the weakest link in the Courcey chain. And his siblings never let him forget it. They and their retinue of friends are despicable people, and meeting them allows readers to not only empathize with Edwin but to understand why he trends toward being aloof and doesn’t trust easily. Watching his barriers fall to Robin’s kindness over the course of their investigation is managed with care by the author, and I loved watching these two characters fall in love even when the going wasn’t easy, which, if we’re being honest, was much of the time.

Marske’s prose is nothing but lush, and I found myself chewing through the beauty of her scenery and the world she built around a magic system that was so unique. The ways in which Edwin’s own magic morphs, and presumably will continue to change as the series goes on, was a great twist for him and his sense of empowerment, most especially in a face-off with his brutish brother Walt during which the hook is baited for more adventure and danger yet to come. Something is unintentionally unburied within Robin himself as well, and it will be interesting to see where the author leads him as he and Edwin continue their work together.

I hope Freya Marske had at least half as much fun writing this book as I did reading it. Her characters charmed or repelled as was their role, and the dialogue was crisp and enriched the storytelling. This is a patriarchal magical system, women are not taught to practice to the fullest of their abilities, and I like how this is playing out against the suffrage movement. The roles have already begun to change, I feel, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store next.

First, thank you to Netgalley and Tor for an ARC of this book.

In this queer historical fantasy Marske introduces us to a magical world set in Edwardian England. The newly minted Sir Robert (Robin) Bltyh has just been assigned a job he's not entirely sure he's qualified for, but he's willing to give it ago. Enter Edwin Courcey, who knows Robin is not qualified for this job and wants him reassigned immediately.

Unfortunately for both men, they're stuck with each other until they can figure out what happened to the last fellow who had Robin's job. Between curses, country parties, and ill-tempered hedge mazes it'll be a surprise if they both manage to survive until the end of the week.

I greatly enjoyed seeing Robin and Edwin come to understand each other as they faced the various obstacles thrown at them and I cannot wait to see what will happen in the next book!

First let’s just talk about this cover a moment shall we? Whomever is in charge of jacket design at @tordotcom should be getting the big bucks, cause they continue to turn out some of the most gorgeous covers for any imprint out there, and this one is simply stunning!
So one of my most anticipated titles this year ended up being a mixed bag. Billed as a mash up of #JonathanStrange&MrNorrell with #RedWhite& RoyalBlue is, well, maybe half right? The fact that RWARB is now the baseline for any book that involves gay romance is great for that book but misleading for every book it’s compared to.
Okay so yes, this book is set in Edwardian England and there’s magicians involved, and yes our two males eventually get down for some sexy time, but scratch the comparisons after that.
Robin Blyth has been named the civil service liaison to a hidden magical society. (I want this job. Let’s contemplate if we think they actually exist).
With his predecessor gone missing, a group of faceless baddies believe Robin might have what his predecessor left behind:
A secret something that will propel the story while bringing into his path one Edward Courcey, his counterpart in the bureaucracy, and someone who sets his Edwardian gaydar off. The problem is Robin becomes cursed and it’s up to Edward to help reverse the spread before Robin’s demise. All of this is great setup, and hopefully you’re still with me.
We have: 1) magic 2)deadly curse 3) sexy men in smart suits 4) missing former employee 5) manicured gardens and paneled drawing rooms with scones and a spot of tea.
What we don’t have is propulsion .The car is gassed, the trunk is packed and damn if the accelerator never hits above twenty five. People! Pick up the pace.
Author Freya Marske has a great story which for me got a little lost in the hedge maze.
I never got a true sense of the gravity of Robin’s curse which suddenly became back seated to a romantic interlude that talks briefly of the risk of sodomy laws facing these two men at this time. And look, I get world building and this is certainly just an opening for what will surely continue, but it really took a good half of the book for me to feel compelled to continue, and it’s not that long. I say this as someone who wanted and expected to love this, but instead just kinda liked it, wishing everything could have been accelerated to make the overall story-well, magical. Thank you to @tordotcom and @netgalley for the advance copy.

Full review will be available later this week; wasn't able to finish the review before the archive date. Good series start.

”You make me feel like something extraordinary.”

From the unforgettable description to the stunning cover to the blurb from Alix E. Harrow, everything about A Marvellous Light drew me in. And just as I’d hoped, the book had everything I could possibly want in a story—a delightful historic setting, a richly-woven fantasy element, and a steamy romance to cap it all off!

A Marvellous Light reminded me of a mashup of Things In Jars (mysterious, fantastical curiosities of Victorian/Edwardian London), Neverwhere (mazes and labyrinths and cities with seedy magical underbellies), and Under the Whispering Door (an unexpectedly hot gay romance with a supernatural flair).

I enjoyed every minute of this one! I loved the way Freya Marske brought historic London to life, and I had so much fun immersing myself in the dynamic of Robin and Edwin’s relationship. I’m not sure if I ever entirely grasped the magic system in this one, but I was consistently entertained nevertheless, so that’s a win in my book!

——

A huge thank you to Freya Marske, Tor Books, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Review of A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor for providing me access to this marvelous eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Robin just wants this new job to go well so he can provide for his sister; he never expected to have his eyes opened to the world of magic in such a violent attack after work. Edwin just wanted to have a regular day at work but instead, he finds out that his colleague has gone missing and has been replaced by someone new (Robin). These two couldn’t be more different and yet they must figure out how to remove a curse from Robin and uncover a sinister plot that will impact all magicians. This book is all about the slow-burn. The romance between Robin and Edwin is not love at first sight by any stretch of the imagination. It’s more like annoyance-at-first-sight turns oh, there’s more to you than I thought. This book is also excellent in terms of its fantasy elements; the world-building is wonderful and done through Edwin’s attempts to riddle out magic and through Robin’s introduction to magic and magical society. Readers who love mysteries are sure to fall in love with A Marvellous Light. And readers who love humorous romances between people who yearn for each other will adore A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske.

I cannot wait to see what happens next in this series! 5 out of 5 stars!

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske comes out November 2, 2021! (That’s tomorrow! Go get it!)

DNF - I was really excited about this book but didn't have enough time to read and finish it before publication. I'll track it down once it's out and give it the attention it deserves.

The setting and inclusion of magic reminded me a bit of the magpie series by KJ Charles, however that being said it’s still very much it’s own story.

I love a good prickly character and Edwin gives me all that. He’s a delightful crusty marshmallow!

There’s mystery, betrayal, family drama, romance and magic. What’s not to love about this story?

Hopefully a series starter?

This magical, romantic and captivating novel is set during the early beginnings of autumn, which makes it a perfect read for fall. Marske’s debut novel is just a delight.
Her Main Character—Robin—has been assigned a new job in civil service: liaison to the magical society that he isn’t aware of...until the moment his new colleague—Edwin—walks through the door.
Robin is thrown into this new world and threatened by strangers because of his new position. He ends up with a curse embedded into his arm and is plagued by visions he can’t explain.
Edwin, the intellectual, is reluctant to guide Robin into this world, but Robin’s predecessor has gone missing and Edwin needs his help to uncover what’s really going on. There’s a rich and mysterious history to unfold and this pair seems like the absolute worst match to investigate. But the librarian and the himbo make it work. And you know what they say--sometimes opposites attract.
The vibes are immaculate: Edwardian London, slow-burn romance, English countryside games, clever banter, broken families and an enchanting estate with a bewitched hedge-maze.
Fans of historical and magical fantasy like THE NIGHT CIRCUS, THE SHADOW OF THE WIND, and A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES will adore this charming story.

All the praise for this book is well deserved. It’s terrific!

The publisher is marketing it as a combination of Red, White & Royal Blue and Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, but I think the comparison to those books is very loose. True, it’s set in an alternate England with magic, and the leads, Robin and Edwin, don’t exactly see eye to eye at first. But to me, this novel reads more like C. L. Polk’s Witchmark in setting and tone.

As in Polk’s book, magical families live in secret among ordinary people, sometimes using their gifts in service to their nation. Very ordinary Sir Robert Blyth gets introduced to their world when he accidentally is assigned to work in a government office that liaises between magic users and the Prime Minister of Edwardian England. His new job quickly turns dangerous when Robin is targeted by shadowy magicians who believe he knows where his predecessor hid something they desperately want to find. Robin must turn to his official counterpart, Edwin Courcey, for help in lifting the painful curse that they laid on him and the visions of the future it triggers. The two of them become caught up in figuring out the mystery of what these magicians are looking for to save themselves and others from their ruthless hunt.

Everything about this book is great—the worldbuilding, the magical system, the plot—all of it. The setting is generally faithful to the history of the period, with the story touching on issues of class, race, sexuality, and gender in Edwardian society. The novel also adds another layer of social division within the magical community, between those who have power and those who have little or none, who are usually treated with pity and derision. Edwin is one of those with little personal power, so he’s devoted himself to the academic study of magic, which in this world involves making complicated cat’s cradle-style hand gestures to guide intention. Edwin’s deep knowledge of magic turns out to be pivotal in lifting Robin’s curse and countering the schemes of the nefarious magicians. And although the storyline involves lots of library research, Edwin and Robin also have some exciting adventures along the way, including one episode that takes place in a hedge maze that would be excellent on film.

The novel is billed as a historical fantasy, but it is also very much a romance, a lovely example of the hurt/comfort trope. Looked down on and mistreated by his family and other magicians, Edwin has learned to protect himself from being hurt by holding himself aloof. He’s afraid of his growing feelings for bluff and hearty Robin, who seems more like his bullies than someone who could return his affections. Eventually, though, Robin’s good nature and kind heart break down Edwin’s walls, and Robin proves to Edwin that he is loved. As they fall for each other, there are some wonderfully swoony romantic moments, as well as scenes that are MUCH steamier than usually found in the average fantasy novel. (The AO3-style tags the author uses to describe the story on her website include “VRST (very resolved sexual tension),” and . . . yeah. True.)

Fans of both historical fantasy and romance will find a lot to appreciate in this novel. Highly recommended!

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this book, it was a lot of fun. It's a really impressive debut and I look forward to seeing more from this author.

I loved the early 1900s England setting. It had all the house parties, footmen, and back-stabbing of Downton Abbey but with magic! The setting was great and written perfectly, it really set the stage and made this a delightful read.

Edwin and Robin were really fun characters and I liked the multiple POVs. I felt like I got to know each of them and their backgrounds were quite interesting. Their romance was really fun to watch unfold. I was a little surprised how smutty it ended up getting. Those scenes were a little too much of the second half of the book for my liking but I was still really invested in the story and I could overlook the overly long smut. It wasn't bad or poorly done, just a lot.

Lastly, I thought the magic system was pretty good. A hidden magic society in England isn't exactly new but I liked the atmosphere in this book so much and the magic was a big part of that. I also thought it was interesting to read a book about magic where the main characters have little or no magic when normally it's the opposite. My only complaint on the magic system was how sexist it was. A system where the women have less magic than the men and the man with the least magic is the gay one. They get on the verge of explaining this was more about training and girls didn't get the opportunity to go to school in this time period but it still bothered me as this wasn't made totally clear if that was the case.

Overall, this was a really fun read and I look forward to the next one. 4 stars.

**I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

- 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?

A Marvellous Light was easily one of my most anticipated 2021 releases. A queer, reluctant-allies-to-lovers fantasy romance with curses and magic and Edwardian vibes and a mystery plot to tie it all together? It had so many ingredients of stories I tend to love. Unfortunately, the combination and execution of A Marvellous Light didn’t work as well as I would have hoped for me personally.

There were elements I enjoyed of this novel and I will start there. First, the prose and technical aspects of the writing were gorgeous, and there were lots of highlightable lines throughout. The worldbuilding felt easy to follow while still rich enough to give new life to a historical setting, and the descriptions of magic were lovingly written. I also appreciated the inclusion of several explicit queer sex scenes in a heavily marketed and traditionally published novel; while it can be easy to forget if you’re more familiar with indie publishing, it’s still a rarity to find in more ‘mainstream’ (for lack of a better word) novels. The mystery plotline was intriguing, and honestly was the element that hooked me and kept me reading.

Even though the romance has one of my favourite pairings of himbo/nerd, I was never really sold on it. The dynamic reminded me a lot of those I have seen in the fanfiction sphere, particularly MLM fanfiction, and while that may work for some people (and has worked for me in different circumstances—obligatory ‘I love fanfiction, this is not an insult!’ disclaimer), I was not a huge fan personally. Moments that were meant to be heartfelt seemed lacking in chemistry, and even by the end, I wasn’t quite sure what our leads saw in each other.

My main critique has to do with the treatment of women within this novel. The women who got page time in this novel were either 1) antagonistic/cruel/vapid 2) died within five pages of being introduced to further the character arc of one of the male leads 3) existed to motivate/soothe the male leads or 4) popped up in the nick of time and for the express purpose of providing a handy solution to a plot point for our male leads. In the case of the last point, they were also women of colour, which particularly rubbed me the wrong way.

There were also no queer women to go along with our queer male leads (stated on page or that I was aware of), let alone any trans or nonbinary characters. It’s my hope that some of the women introduced in this novel get more page time and development as the series progresses, though I’m uncertain at this time if I’ll be continuing it.

My second main critique which is definitely more personal in nature is that homophobia, sexism, and racism are all features in this world/universe. It’s based in Edwardian England so I understand these themes would have been prevalent, and I think these topics can and should be engaged with in meaningful ways. However, these were all accepted as fairly stock standard and barely challenged within the novel.

On top of that, I have little patience for these elements featuring prominently in fantasy universes where the rules can be bent and changed even in a historical setting, especially when those assumptions aren’t pushed back against. This probably wasn’t helped by the fact that, in the same week that I finished A Marvellous Light, I read a historical romance book also set in Edwardian England where sexism, homophobia, and even notions of gender identity WERE challenged and discussed in meaningful ways (if not perfectly), so I had a fresh and direct comparison.

Overall, I think this book just wasn’t the book for me for the reasons outlined above. For readers who would like a novel that reads like well-edited, character driven, erotic romance MLM fanfiction set in a historical fantasy universe, this one is worth checking out. I likely will not be continuing with the series, though I have enjoyed other published short fiction by Marske, so I will keep an eye out on her future endeavors.

Thank you to Tordotcom and NetGalley for an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 Q: what’s everyone currently reading? I just finished Manda Collins’s An Heiresses’s Guide to Deception & Desire.

Rave reviews sent me running to request Freya Marske’s A Marvellous Light & I don’t regret it.

This is a scrumptious fantasy to savor featuring a gruff, prickly magician paired with an amiable non-magician who just might have a little unknown power, a something something, of his own 👀 .

Sir Robert “Robin” Blyth, member of the Civil Service, has just been transferred to the Office of Special Domestic Affairs & Complaints when the off-putting Edwin Courcey—a member of the magical community who’s widely derided for the small amount of magic he possesses—asks where Robin’s predecessor in the position is.

Robin doesn’t know.

But Robin wants to find out for himself when he’s magically kidnapped one evening & tortured as his captors look for info regarding a “Contract.”

With world-building that kept me feeling “ohhhh,” a relationship that starts bumpy (my fave kind of beginning 🤣) & continues bumpy-ish but also enjoys growing closeness, & a story & mystery that captivates & entertains, A Marvellous Light is a fun one.

I really love reading romances with unlikeable leads who lash out bc they’re scared of feelings & love & vulnerability & this book has that & more (including another lead who wears his sweet heart on his sleeve).

Imagine a fantasy that really sucks you in—a la Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, as the blurb says—plus some fantastic and all too-appreciated 🔥 🔥 🔥 & you have this one. It is a real delight & I’m so looking forward to the rest of the trilogy!

5 ⭐️. Release date: 11/02.


CW: murder, torture, & harassment & bullying.


[ID: an ebook copy of the book is surrounded by pink & orange spines of hard-copy books—arranged comparably to the flourishes found on the ebook’s cover. Usually there are lines of pink spines with orange spines poking out intermittently along the sides.]

A beautifully captivating fantasy set in Edwardian England with magicians, mystery, and slow burn m/m romance that gets blazing hot! This debut is the first in The Last Binding Trilogy and is sure to be one of the best books of the year.

There are meals that are plated beautifully with visible care shown to every intricate detail. Anticipation is almost unbearable, but the first bite is a delicate balance of flavors. The second bite adds something bold and unexpected, and the third brings even more surprises. You become torn between devouring and savoring. That is this book with one exception. You don't have to make the decision. The harmony between all the components sets the pace for you.

The extensive world building and character development coupled with the slow burn romance allow you to savor every beautiful word. There are magical mysteries to solve, curses to break, and bursts of excitement thanks to some interesting characters and magical estates that compel you forward. Okay, so the "when will they..." aspect of the romance is undeniably a page turner too. Let me tell you that when they inevitably do... OH MY WOW!

Robin and Edwin are main characters you will gladly invest in. Sir Robert (Robin) is not a magician. Edwin is a magician without much magic at all. Robin is mistakenly appointed to a position because his predecessor Reggie has disappeared. As the two, who are seemingly opposites in every way, work together to solve the mystery of Reggie's disappearance, and their forced proximity grows into something more. Great banter and dry humor add to the sexual tension between these two and are on point for Edwardian London. I really enjoyed watching both of them, but especially Edwin grow.

I loved where this ended, and I'm excited to see what happens next in this trilogy! There were so many things I loved about this book, and I could go on and on forever, but this review is long enough as it is! I will be recommending this to absolutely everyone.

What an unbelievably fun treat! A delightful new fantasy novel featuring magic and queer characters was always going to land on my radar, and I'm happy to say this did not disappoint! Freya Marske has crafted a fully realized world in Edwardian England, and created a propulsive mystery and a swoony romance. This was an absolute delight, and a perfect book to spend a day reading. I'm excited to see what Marske brings us next!

A Marvellous Light is a beautiful LGBTQ romance that will delight readers of the genre, who enjoy more modern themes and characters. I found myself swept away by the original story and setting.

4.5 rounded up. I only found one fault in this book which I will explain later.

This was an amazing lovely and gay story. I adored the magic system that was logical with obvious constraints and careful consideration. I really appreciate a fantasy book that doesn’t make magic the perfect solution. Edwin was so clever and as a reader I felt I could truly follow his way of thinking.

The relationship between Robin and Edwin was wholesome and beautifully written. They were fully fleshed out characters that slipped into a romance that felt organic and inevitable… Not to mention their interactions could be smutty as hell! Seriously 18+ only friends.

My one rather significant complaint with this book is the casual misogyny and UTTERLY insufferable female characters for about the first 70% of this book. I found myself extremely frustrated especially given this is a female author writing dialogue and anti-feminist commentary that was very offputting to read for me as a woman. It was completely unnecessary and to me if you’re going to include such oppressive misogyny that doesn’t further any plot and then not address it, it does not need to be included.

Thank you so much Netgalley for the ARC of this book I will absolutely be buying it and all the rest of the series!