A Marvellous Light

Robin Blyth receives an appointment to a government position, only to discover he's been thrust into a hidden world of magicians in Edwardian England. His counterpart Edwin Courcey must help Robin navigate magical society while investigating the disappearance of Robin's predecessor. The two men work to untangle a web of magical politics and dangerous secrets, facing threats both supernatural and human. Their partnership evolves as Robin learns about magic and Edwin confronts his own relationship with power. A romance develops against the backdrop of magical mysteries and high society intrigue in 1908 London. The story combines historical fantasy, romance, and elements of the classic country house mystery. The novel explores themes of power dynamics and identity, examining how magic and social privilege intersect with personal authenticity and trust. Through its fantasy elements, it presents questions about the nature of inheritance - both magical and societal.

Readers highlight the romance between Robin and Edwin as a strength, noting the chemistry and slow-burn relationship development. Many point to the Victorian-era magical world building and the murder mystery elements as engaging aspects. Likes: - Detailed descriptions of magic systems and spells - LGBTQ+ representation in a historical setting - Balance of romance and plot - Supporting characters, especially Miss Morrissey Dislikes: - Pacing issues in the first third - Some find the magical explanations overly complex - Several readers note explicit intimate scenes may not suit all audiences - A few mention the mystery plot feels secondary to the romance Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (34,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (3,800+ ratings) StoryGraph: 4.1/5 Common reader comment: "The magic system is unique but takes time to understand. The romance carries the story more than the mystery elements."

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🌟 The book was Freya Marske's debut novel and won the 2022 Romantic Novel Award for Fantasy Romance 🔮 The magical system in the novel is deeply rooted in physical movements and gestures, inspired by traditional British folk magic and ritual practices 📚 The story is set in an alternate Edwardian England where magic exists alongside historical events of 1908, blending real historical details with fantasy elements 🌿 The author drew inspiration from classic country house mysteries and the works of E.M. Forster, particularly "Maurice," while crafting the romance between the main characters 🎭 The novel is the first book in "The Last Binding" trilogy, which explores themes of power, privilege, and class distinctions in magical society through queer relationships