A Marvellous Light is the debut novel by Freya Marske, published in 2021. The book is the first novel in the The Last Binding series.
A Marvellous Light was an international bestseller and winner of the 2022 Romantic Novel Award in Fantasy. It was also a Locus Award finalist and a Best of 2021 Pick for Amazon, Kobo and Barnes & Noble.
I was excited to read this one as I’d heard such great things. It promised to be a real blend of fantasy, romance and historical fiction, and I was keen to see if it lived up to all the hype.
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Plot
Young baronet Robin Blyth’s life takes an unexpected turn when he unwittingly becomes a parliamentary liaison to a secret magical society due to an administrative error. If it weren’t for this error, he’d never have discovered the incredible magic underlying his world
As he grapples with mysterious curses and haunting visions, Robin embarks on a quest for answers, enlisting the help of his reluctant counterpart, Edwin Courcey.
Together, they uncover a perilous plot that endangers every magician in the British Isles, unveiling the incredible magic hidden beneath their world.
A Marvellous Light Book Review
A Marvellous Light is a brilliant debut and it captivated me from the very first page. It had a bit of everything – magic, mystery, romance and murder, all set in the early 20th century.
Freya Marske’s meticulous world-building created an alternate Edwardian England that was both authentic and fantastical. This setting provided the perfect backdrop for a story that seamlessly blended elements of romance, adventure, magic, and whodunit.
At the heart of story is a queer romance that’s beautifully portrayed. The characters in the story feel real and authentic and their relationship felt like it evolved naturally. It was a joy to watch their connection deepen and grow as the plot unfolded.
I loved the exploration of magic within the story. One character, Robin, knows nothing of magic, while the other, Edwin, possesses limited power. The progression of Edwin’s character and his exploration of his abilities were particularly intriguing. The author delves into the intricacies of how the magic operates, which added depth to the narrative.
The humour in A Marvellous Light is a real highlight, often emanating from the banter and witty dialogue between Edwin and Robin. It added a layer of charm and levity to the story that made it even more engaging.
While A Marvellous Light tells a complete and satisfying story, it also hints at a much larger and more complex world, which makes me keen to read the rest of the series. Robin’s sister Maud was a great character and I was thrilled to discover that her story will be further explored in the second book of the trilogy.
Overall, A Marvellous Light is a fantastic debut by Freya Marske. With a delightful blend of romance, adventure, magic, and humour, this book left me eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.
What should I read after A Marvellous Light?
If you enjoyed A Marvellous Light, I’d suggest reading the other two novels in The Last Binding series.
I’d also recommend The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune for books that combine LGBT with magic and intrigue.