The Review

“A Marvellous Light” by Freya Marske is a mostly delightful debut novel set in an alternative Edwardian England. This story offers a unique blend of comedy of manners, manor houses, hedge mazes, a magic-infused murder mystery, and a delightful queer romance.

Young baronet Robin Blyth, our protagonist, initially believes he’s taking up a minor governmental post. However, he soon discovers that he’s been appointed parliamentary liaison to a secret magical society. This administrative error leads to a series of events that unveil the incredible magic hidden within his world. As he’s cursed by mysterious attackers and haunted by enigmatic visions, Robin becomes determined to uncover the truth behind his missing predecessor’s disappearance. To do so, he reluctantly teams up with Edwin Courcey, his initially hostile counterpart from the magical society.

With the book’s premise in mind, the story’s unique blend of mystery, magic, and romance becomes more apparent. The plot offers a delightful twist on the traditional Edwardian setting, adding magical elements that elevate the narrative. Robin and Edwin’s partnership takes center stage as they delve into a plot that threatens the entire magical community in the British Isles.

Despite its engaging premise, “A Marvellous Light” does have some drawbacks, including a somewhat conventional plot, predictable twists, and one-dimensional secondary characters. Additionally, the narrative’s pacing can be uneven, and the mystery aspect of the story sometimes takes a back seat to the burgeoning romance between the two protagonists.

However, the main characters, Robin and Edwin, shine with their endearing personalities and well-crafted character arcs. Their evolving romance, which is at the heart of the story, is charmingly portrayed. Readers who enjoy a slow-burn queer romance with historical and magical elements will find much to appreciate.

In summary, “A Marvellous Light” presents an alternative Edwardian England filled with magic, mystery, and romance. While it may have its flaws, including a plot that occasionally loses focus, the charming protagonists and their relationship make it an enjoyable read for those seeking a blend of historical fantasy and queer romance. This book is especially recommended for fans of Georgette Heyer or Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series looking to welcome magic into their literary repertoire.

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Short Review (AKA TLDR)

“A Marvellous Light” by Freya Marske is a captivating debut novel set in an alternative Edwardian England, offering a unique blend of comedy of manners, manor houses, hedge mazes, magic-infused murder mystery, and a delightful queer romance. The story follows Robin Blyth, a young baronet who unwittingly becomes the parliamentary liaison to a secret magical society. As he grapples with curses, visions, and a missing predecessor, he reluctantly teams up with Edwin Courcey, his initially hostile magical counterpart. Together, they uncover a plot that threatens the entire magical community in the British Isles, blending mystery, magic, and romance in an engaging narrative.

While the book’s premise and the evolving relationship between Robin and Edwin shine, it does have its drawbacks, including a somewhat conventional plot with predictable twists and one-dimensional secondary characters. The narrative’s pacing can be uneven, occasionally prioritizing romance over the mystery aspect (To be fair, I did miss the part where this was a romance so I was expecting more mystery). Despite these flaws, “A Marvellous Light” presents an enchanting alternative Edwardian England filled with magic and romance, making it a recommended read for fans of historical fantasy and queer romance, particularly those who appreciate a slow-burn narrative with charming protagonists.