A Marvellous Light is the first in the 'Last Binding' trilogy, set in an alternate Edwardian England. Civil servant Robin Blyth, recently become a baronet after the (unexplained) deaths of his socialite parents, finds himself appointed as Assistant in the Office of Special Domestic Affairs. His first morning in the job is an eye-opener, as he encounters not only a lady civil servant of Indian origin -- the marvellous Adelaide Morrissey -- but the prickly Edwin Courcey, his liaison to the Magical Assembly. Courcey is a very minor magician, but yes: magic is real. And as Robin makes his way home, he falls victim to a rather darker enchantment than the snowflake conjured by Courcey: a curse is laid on him by men who believe the prior holder of his office passed on a vital secret ...

Afflicted and frightened by the curse, Robin accepts Edwin's invitation to his family home, where he meets Edwin's appalling siblings, narrowly escapes drowning, visits a charming country house with a murder maze, and begins to realise that he's attracted to Edwin -- and that it's mutual. Cue the 'can you help me with my cufflinks?' ploy, which felt like a deliberate shout-out to K J Charles' excellent Think of England.

A Marvellous Light focusses on the romance, though it doesn't ignore the magical mystery. There are themes of consent (both magical and sexual) and of confidence and its lack. Edwin and Robin, despite their shared tastes in pornography, are very different people -- the former a dedicated scholar, accustomed to hiding everything that matters beneath layers of emotional armour; the latter a hearty athletic type with a strong protective streak -- and their growing regard for one another is expressed as much in mutual support and encouragement as in romantic gestures. Their nascent relationship is inextricably entwined with, and affected by, the secret which Reggie Gatling (the previous Assistant in the Office of Special Domestic Affairs) died to keep.

That, by the way, is something that the reader knows (courtesy of a rather gruesome opening scene in which Reggie meets his end) but the characters don't: given that for much of the book there's discussion of how frightfully out of character Reggie's disappearance seems, this was unsettling. Though of course foreknowledge is an endemic issue in historical fiction: we recognise that the 'something terrible coming', feared by the Magical Assembly and by the villains alike, is very probably the First World War.

There are several characters I'm hoping to see in subsequent volumes: rude and arrogant Hawthorn, Edwin's ex; Adelaide Morrissey's sister Katy; Edwin's mother, afflicted by an unspecified malaise; Robin's sister Maud, who is keen to study at Newnham. And I look forward to seeing how the elements of the Last Contract are revealed and reunited ...

Reread for this review, and it's just as delicious the second time around. Thanks to NetGalley for the free copy, provided in exchange for this honest review.

A Marvellous Light first came to my attention when I was emailed by a publicist to suggest I might like this after having read Witchmark. And they were quite on the mark because it certainly shares some trades with each other like the magic in historical England and the gay relationship between our two main characters.

But it stands on its own just fine. What drew me into reading this book, in one day might I add, is that the characters completely drew me in. They each have an interesting position in life.

While being a minor baron Robin has to take an a minor government place so he can support himself and his sister after the death of his sister. Except it doesn't turn out to be quite that minor. Edwin on the other hand took his position as liason for the magical community so he could get away from his magical family to get some peace and quiet in the big city. When they meet they initially clash but when Robin gets stuck in a curse Edwin is right there to help him.

There is a lot to uncover about either character, their personality and their lives. Things look so nice on the outside but on the inside it isn't as pretty. They find safety in one another in a way that neither of them has felt in a while. I did truly feel their connection starting to begin throughout the book.

The plot outside of the romance was interesting. What was it excactly that these goons are after and why? However it is also the reason why I am rating this 4 stars and nog 5. The worldbuilding needed work. I would have loved to have seen more on the actual magic. Like how the magic of the curse put on Robin actually worked or how the runes looked. All of that was just too easily glossed over. That I just had to take it at face value that it was happening and that it was there. As someone who reads plenty of magical books, there needed to be more.

This was absolutely a 5/5🌟 read for me! I had a strong feeling I’d enjoy this based on the blurb and I was not disappointed!

The historical setting coupled with the unique and incredibly interesting magic system were joy enough. Add to that a mystery to solve, a curse to remove, and a heap of slow burn tension between Robin and Edwin and you have something marvellous! See what I did there?

The POV is split between Edwin and Robin (formally addressed as Robert). Whenever there’s romance in a book I always prefer to get both POVs and it worked so well in this case. We get to experience Robin’s wonder and fear at discovering magic and we get all the world building information we need through Edwin’s POV. Both characters experience dramatic changes and I liked that we saw this from their own perspective as well as through the alternate POV.

This book did a great job of wrapping up without a brutal cliffhanger. That said there is still so much more for these characters to do and learn. I’m already eagerly awaiting a sequel!

Read for:
• A unique magic system ✨

• Historical setting (Edwardian England) ☕️

• Gay romance 🌈

• Mystery with a time sensitive hunt for answers 🧐

• Slow burn romance ❤️

• A book nerd main character 📖

• A fair few steamy scenes 🔥

Thank you @panmacmillan for my review copy through @netgalley 📖 A Marvellous Light is out in the UK on the 9th December! You don’t want to miss this one! 5/5🌟 #AMarvellousLight #NetGalley

When Sir Robin Blythe is assigned to a new civil service role, little does he know it’s as liaison to the secret world of magic. There’s clearly been a mistake, and exasperated Edwin Courcey will have to take care of it. He can simply wipe Robin’s memory and find a more suitable replacement for the man who has gone missing. But the people responsible for his predecessor’s demise won’t let a simple lack of knowledge stop them, they are looking for something and they think Robin knows where it is.

A Marvellous Light is a fun and queer, magical Edwardian romp. Edwin and Robin are unlikely allies; Edwin’s reserved, some might say frosty, manner is the complete opposite of Robin’s friendly aristocratic diplomacy. Edwin comes from a magical family but barely has any power of his own. The magic in this universe is cast using precise hand movements, and Edwin uses string to assist him, like a cat’s cradle.

As Edwin and Robin try to find out what exactly was killed for, and where it might be, the two become closer, from reluctant colleagues to friends to more. It doesn’t take them too long to find out they have the same inclinations towards men. In a time where homosexuality is illegal, they have their subtle ways of knowing. Whilst they could get into a lot of trouble for their relationship, this never felt like it was the focal point. It’s more warm and fuzzy than that. Maybe the magical community is just a bit more understanding than the general population.

I haven’t read much set in the Edwardian era, it’s on the edge of modernity. There are cars, but they’re a bit of a novelty and not really considered when magicians are setting up their wards. There are nice period touches like the William Morris wallpaper being trendy. The women in the story are overlooked in their roles, but that ends up what giving them their edge. They are still mothers, widows, secretaries in the eyes of the men who run the world.

My feelings towards sex scenes are similar that to fight scenes; fine if it furthers the plot or relationships but I tend to skim when they go on too long. I felt the balance most mostly OK here but there did seem a pointless sex scene towards the end when everything was wrapping up. I guess if you approach this as a steamy romance then you know what you’re getting, but it might be a bit of a surprise to those thinking they’re picking up a regular historical fantasy.

I loved how the magic was handled and the mystery was intriguing all the way through. Edwin and Robin are kind of an adorable couple too, both with their family hang-ups but deep down good eggs.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I enjoyed this book a lot. Marske has managed to come up with a new theory of magic which fits her world and also makes sense to the reader, and Robin and Edwin are just adorable. Fair warning that there are some VERY NSFW passages in this book (which I loved). Hoping for more action from the female characters in the next book, which I will definitely be picking up.

I love a good Historical Fiction novel, so when I saw this was set in Edwardian England and featured magic, I knew I had to give it a go. I really enjoyed the slow-burn romance featured, and just the general chemistry between the two main characters, Edwin and Robin. Another thing I really liked was how the magic was introduced in A Marvellous Light and featured throughout without there being this need to have a whole elaborate backstory or huge world-building surrounding it. This book pleasantly surprised me for the most part - I found myself looking forward to the free time when I could pick up my kindle again - however, once the main storyline kicked into action I found the plot complicated at times and very action-filled, whereas I quite innocently preferred the introduction to all the characters and their seemingly quaint magical lives. I will still definitely pick up the sequel as I am very intrigued to see where the story will go from here.

An administrative error sends Robin Blyth head first into a world of magic and out of his comfort zone. Robin is welcomed into the world of magic with a missing predecessor, a deadly curse, and an ominous plot, forcing him to team up with his less than willing colleague Edwin Courcey to solve the mystery he has found himself embroiled in.

I. Loved. This. Book.
So much.
This exceeded my already fairly high expectations. I absolutely fell in love with the main characters, as individuals and in their interactions with one another. Their relationship was so well written and developed alongside the plot-it didn't feel as though it was there just to serve the plot or that the plot existed just to serve the relationship, it was balanced perfectly.
I did get off to a slight rocky start with the prose (I can be picky about writing style and this started with a lot of flowery descriptions and metaphors which tend to take me out of a story), but I was soon enthralled and entirely invested in the story.
This book has a really cool and unique magic system that was integrated nicely into the 'real world', and was well used to further plot and character development and often as a subtle reflection on the characters' personalities and states of mind throughout.
When I tell you I need the next book immediately to see more of Robin and Edwin, I do mean immediately please, Miss Marske.

Overall, a really refreshing read with the perfect mix of romance, msytery and magical shenanigans-a must read!

Thank you NetGalley and PanMacmillan for my e-arc of this title, received in exchange for an honest review.

Magic, mayhem and romance!

I really loved the writing! This book gave me hate-to-love vibes, where we follow two men who meet under very different circumstances. The magic system was so cool, and so vivid, i really enjoyed it! This book starts off with a bang- it sort of throws you right in there, and then the story follows on from there. Surprisingly, our main character isn't a magic-user, but is thrown into this world almost by accident, and it was so exciting to see him develop!
The romance was super sweet and swoon-worthy! Definitely recommend if you're a fan of slow-burn relationships.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for an e-arc for review!

This book was a slow burn for me, but then when it had me, boy did it have me. Not my typical read, in the sense I’m not always one for a period romance type novel, but throw in some LGBTQIA+ characters and you can ALWAYS see me there!!
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This books engagement grows the more you read to the point where you are so wrapped up in the pages that you can’t help but flip the pages faster and faster, even when things are getting steamy and you’re getting very hot under the collar!!
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For fans of Downtown Abbey who just wished it was a lot more gay!!
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Thank you for Netgalley and Pan MacMillan for the ARC!!

Truly loved this one. It's a typical tale of two people who don't see eye-to-eye but have to work together with some magic and romance thrown in. And wow did I get entirely swept up in Edwin and Robin's story. It's intriguing and paced well enough to keep you interested in the mystery. It's full of magic and curses and secret enemies to keep any magical realism fan entertained. And it has a really gorgeous queer romance threaded through the whole thing.

It's just so entirely my thing and I couldn't recommend it enough. If you read it, don't worry if you find it to be a slow start. It definitely gets there as it goes on! Thanks to Pan Macmillan for letting me read the ARC, it was one of my favourites of this year so I feel lucky to have gotten the chance.

Hello and welcome to this fabulous historical fantasy that starts off a new trilogy in the best possible way. I was really looking forward to this one, so was very excited when it arrived through the door, and it did not disappoint.

Let's start with the magic. I loved the cradling idea - that to use it you have to create and envision a sort of cat's cradle, hence the name. It felt really new, and was a good visual for what was happening to cast spells. Plus it leaves a lot of restrictions on magicians so that they're not all powerful in fights and there's space for non-magical Robin can get involved.

And then the book starts to explore older and other magics, which certainly look to be a major feature of the coming books. The extension was a very interesting concept, and I can't wait to see where it goes.

It's also a carefully researched historical, down to the dialect and mindset (which is something I <em>love</em> seeing. It shows the depth of time sunk into understanding the world that's about to be altered to include magic.) There's the luxury of Edwardian era, made to feel even more decadent by the hidden magical society underneath. I love this time period, one of my absolute favourites as that transition between the Victorian (and all its industrialisation) and the war periods is a fascinating one for technology and social change.

My favourite of the two men was definitely Edwin; he's a bookish, research-driven character - there's no way I'm <em>not</em> going to identify with him more than an athlete! I liked his precision and the academic way he explained things (and the academic slant that gave magic in my mind, because we get most of the initial introduction to magic through him.) Also all that fragility and the cool shell erected to protect himself from a world he doesn't fit into (because his magic isn't as impressive as others?) Very relatable too.

This isn't to say that I didn't like Robin. He was so cheery and nice, courteous and kind. And loyal - the sort of man you want to be friends with. He has his own fears and insecurities too, but doesn't let them make him mean.

They balance each other so well, which makes the tension of their fears pushing them away from each other even more. Because you can see how well they work as a team, and how they help the other be more themselves.

The sequel has firmly put itself on the list of books I really want to read right now, thank you very much.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

As soon as I found out about this I was so excited to finally read it. I'm a massive KJ Charles fan so when it was comped to that authors titles I knew I would love this one!

"A Marvellous Light" had everything in love in a historical fantasy; amazing characters, great mystery and magical elements and a lovely grumpy vs sunshine romance at its centre.

The story dragged a little in the middle, but picked up again towards the end. I really liked the writing style and I can't wait to read more by this author in the future.

Overall, I loved this one and I'm super excited for future releases by Freya Marske!

I loved this book and thought it was the perfect mix of fantasy, romance, mystery, and historical fiction. The writing was good and I loved the characterisation of Edwin and Robin. They were the perfect foil for each other and I loved following them throughout the book. The mystery element was done well and it left me on the edge of my seat trying to work out what happened to Robin's predecessor and who was behind the mysterious goings-on with England's magicians. This was a great read and I really hope that there is a follow on to this as i'd love to see more adventures with Edwin and Robin.

My friend forced me to read this and I didn’t even have a single clue what it was about when I started it.
And then this book happened and totally swept me off my feet.
A hidden magical world in the 1900s and poor (unmagical) Robin being thrown into it without a warning, simply because someone made a mistake.
I loved Robin and I especially loved Edwin, and most of all I loved these two together!!!
Opposites attract and found family all at once.
Miss Morrisey and her sister were a delight and I’m so glad they formed a sort of friendship in the end. I hope we’ll see even more of her in the following book.
It was super gripping and unpredictable and simply…magical!
The narrator was amazing and I think he was picked perfectly for this book.
There wasn’t a single second of this I felt bored and I just wanted more and I still need MORE!
Give be book 2! Now!

A rather magnificent queer romance with magic, A Marvellous Light takes us into an alternate Edwardian age where aristocrats weave spells at house parties, suffragettes chafe against the constraints of society, and dark forces seek powerful artefacts...

Sir Robin Blyth has recently inherited his father's baronetcy on the death of his parents. He's actually inherited little else, the family fortunes having been squandered in social climbing, and to make ends meet, he has taken a job in the Civil Service.

Unfortunately, this turns out far from the sinecure Robin might have hoped for. The Office of Special Domestic Affairs and Complaints is, it seems, the British Empire's own liaison with the world of magic and Robin's been placed there to replace the luckless Reggie Gatling, missing in suspicious circumstances. Before he knows what's hit him, he's under attack from faceless men - and strangely attracted by Edwin Courcey, his counterpart in the hidden world.

Courcey is a prickly, cold and reticent man, one who's been taught to bury his feelings deep, but something in him sparks at Edwin.

These two awkward and shy men soon find that to survive they need to depend on each other. Edwin is all the help Robin will get with the magical forces now pursuing him, and Robin holds the only clues Edwin will get about what happened to his friend Reggie. So the two bicker along, introducing each other to their respective worlds as they race against time to understand a creeping curse.

I loved Edwin and Robin. Their reticence and defensiveness at first make this seem like Pride and Prejudice squared, but Marske soon shows how much of it proceeds from their being gay in a world that would persecute them for what they are. Yes, defensive instincts are all to the fore but it's because any moment of weakness - any confession of what they really feel - could be catastrophic. What follows is a measured and careful dance, interrupted by volcanic bursts of emotion - not just romantic passion, but fear, jealousy, despair. Edwin's awful family doesn't help: almost all better magicians than him, they're inclined to treat him with bored tolerance at best, scornful bullying more often.

You may, of course, guess how things will end up - I hope it's not too spoilery to say that there are, eventually, some very steamy scenes indeed. But that doesn't mean everything's done and settled. These are complicated men, thrown into an imbroglio of secrets, betrayal and lust for power. Much, much more is at stake than their personal happiness. If they make mistakes as they negotiate that tension, they risk death, ruin or, perhaps worst of all, being made to forget what they have found in one another. the stakes are certainly high.

Secrets are laid bare on many levels in A Marvellous Light. Most obviously, there's the process of "unbushelling", the revelation to a non-magical person of the hidden powers and abilities that exist in the world (the name coming form the Biblical reference to hiding one's light - the marvellous light of the title, perhaps - under a bushel, a container for grain). There's Robin and Edwin's sexuality, hidden from society and, at least initially, from each other. There's the revelation to each of them what the other is, or might be. And, more prosaically, there's the exposure of a fiendish plot that could endanger all magicians. And this is only the first in a series of books - who knows what secrets await?

This mannered and passionate book comes as something of a breath of fresh air in fantasy and introduces a pair of fascinating and deep characters who will I hope appear again soon in what is sure to be a successful and fun series.

Robin Blyth has a lot on his plate. He's struggling being a good brother, taking over as head of the house since his parents's deaths and dealing with the mess of bills they have left and trying to find his own way in the world. So, when an admin error means he becomes civil service liaison to the hidden magical world and comes face to face with Edwin Courcey, his cold and prickly magical counterpart, Robin finds himself in the deep end.

And then he's cursed by mysterious men who think Robin's predecessor hid something of great importance. A man who has vanished off the face of the Earth. As Robin and Edwin find themselves in a plot that could very easily affect every magician in the British Isles, the two begin to realise that their first impressions of each other are wrong and there might be some connection between them...

I have seen several reviews on Goodreads and other reviewing sites that have said A Marvellous Light is the lovechild of Susanne Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and Casey McQuiston's Red, White and Royal Blue. And I totally see it and kinda get why everyone is saying that.

However, I DNFed both Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and Red, White and Royal Blue. While I liked the richness of Jonathan Strange, I found it too dense, too longwinded and the footnotes. OH! The footnotes! And with Red, White and Royal Blue, I didn't believe in the romance and the level of inconsistencies that a simple Google search would have solved.

So, why did I finish A Marvellous Light and I have plans to read the next book in the series is kinda a mystery to me.

Oh yes, this is going to be one of THOSE write-ups.

There's something about this book I really warmed to. I liked the characters - both Robin and Edwin, as well as secondary characters such as Robin's sister, Maud, and his secretary, Adelaide Morrissey (oh, I liked her HUGELY!) - as well as the world, the magic system, the romance, the mystery, the writing. Hell, I even liked the audiobook narrator. There's something about this - a quality(?) - that I instantly connected with and I hope that it continues, because if it doesn't, I fear this series will get lost in the fantasy genre.

Notice how I keep saying "series"? Well, there's a reason. I didn't know this was the first book in a series till I was around 60-odd percentage in so some of the niggles/questions I had, I realised that these will be solved or at least semi-answered later on. I just wish this was made a little clearer near the start of my reading journey.

I, still, do have some niggles as some elements to the story were quite convenient. I get why as these were explained, but still at times, it felt a little too easy, a little too neat.

But, I am going to try and read the next book in this series when it comes out (I believe in November 2022). I have hope in this series and am intrigued to see where this goes next, and I do hope that this book gets attention, not only with fantasy readers but with MM romance readers as well as I see a marvellous bright future for this author!

Sir Robin Blyth has been assigned to take over a small department in the civil service when his predecessor has gone missing but he has no idea what he is supposed to do. So, he isn’t too pleased to find out that he is in fact the parliamentary liaison to a secret magical society, reporting only to the Prime Minister, especially when he has just found out that magic exists.
Edwin Courcey, his counterpart, magician and descendent from an old, magical family is also none too pleased that he has to work with a new liaison who has no idea about magic
Unfortunately, the men have to work together to help cure Robin who has been cursed by attackers, find Robin’s predecessor and thwart a plot that threatens every magician in the British Isles.

I loved this book. The author manages to build an intricate world of hidden and ancient magic within the first few chapters but also effectively build a complex picture of Robin’s and Edwin’s personality, quirks and backstory. Robin and Edwin both have complicated relationships with their families which add another layer of complexity to the story.
The magical system is a uniquely based system of cradling- a complex mix of hand movements based on a pattern and a hierarchy of sorts where the strongest magicians are held in higher esteem. People from magical families without magic or weak magical skills are delegated to jobs, well in the civil service.
The book also captures the changing society in Edwardian times and the descriptions of the food, transport and customs paint a vivid picture of the period.
The story is told from both Edwin’s and Robin’s viewpoints and there is plenty of action and peril. There are some truly breathtaking scenes particularly the scene where Robin and Edwin are trapped in a maze with sentient plants. I don’t think I will ever enter another maze without making sure the plants do not have a mind of their own.
The book has a strong undertone of romance throughout with a final climax in the end. I’m not a big fan of romance and sex in books but this was in balance with the rest of the story and was satisfying when we learn how lonely the two main characters are.
I found myself laughing a few times especially when Adelaide Morrison was on the scene- this woman deserves her own book.
The book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger and there is enough resolution of the main storyline but there are plot stands that could be continued in another book. I would definitely read another book containing Edwin’s and Robin’s battle against the dark side of magic.

I love regency romances so much, so I have high expectations going in- but this exceeded them! It was filled with romance, mystery and intrigue- I loved it!

A Marvellous Light is such an entertaining, fun and flirty book that brightened up my day. I love the way Marske blends this fantastical mystery with a historical romance, making it a real mix of genres that just shines.

I loved how Marske pops you straight into the action, with danger, magic and deadly consequences straight away. From those first few pages, you are heavily invested in the plot, knowing the stakes are high. The plot never really lets up, with danger and twists just a page away. I really liked this rollercoaster style approach and the way it built with the tension getting more and more intense.

Then, she fleshes out these wonderful characters through their alternating viewpoints. We’re allowed some time to get to know both Robin and Edwin, but the nefarious plot is never too far away. I liked this pacing, as it was kept tense and dangerous, but also allowed for the quieter moments of character development. Of course, these still moments are also often where the romance starts to blossom. I loved their entire dynamic and how it felt like it grew naturally, with subtle moments that grew into something more.

Threaded through all this is Marske’s imaginative magic system. I loved how interesting it was, becoming genuinely fascinated with the intricate workings of this spellcraft. Also, Marske was so creative with applying it to the wider worldbuilding and plot in a way that allowed us to explore new locations and characters that were all interwoven by their shared use of magic. It adds that extra spark of imaginative zeal to an already intriguing plot that will make readers fall in love.

A Marvellous Light is a flirty, raunchy and romantic book that blends history, mystery and fantasy brilliantly.

Headlines:
Historical fantasy in England (early 1900s is my guess)
Hidden magic revealed
Mysterious plot and peril

A Marvellous Light really was a great debut novel, bringing that genre I love of historical fantasy and spotlighting a gay relationship in that era. This was the kind of read that I liked as soon as I dipped my toe into but it still took me a little while to truly get into it. When I did, I appreciated the unfolding magical world in historical England and most of all, I adored the connection that began to evolve between Edwin and Robin.

Looking back over the story as a whole, the plot really was rather clever. If I had moments of fogginess over what was happening, clarity did come without me feeling overly confused. The rules of the magical world and what was happening with Robin had a pressing sense of urgency, I was willing things to resolve. There was intelligence and wit throughout.

“I can’t believe we were almost killed by a hedge.”

These two really were chalk and cheese, both in magical power and lack of but also in personality, physicality and communication. I particularly loved Robin, his openness, generosity of feeling and willingness to go with the flow. The chemistry between these two rose off the page…

“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.”

There were a few periods in the book that felt a bit pacey, but if you feel that too, it’s worth pushing through. I didn’t like Edwin’s family at all and some of that focus was longer reading for me.

I would definitely recommend this read to you. It read authentically in terms of context and culture to my knowledge (and limitations) and I’m really pleased this is a series. I’ll be turning up for the next book!

Rating is rounded up.

Thank you to Tor Books and Black Crow PR for the review copy.