‘A Marvellous Light’ is a Marvelous Delight
by Shuyler Clark
20th-century England, otherwise known as the universally accepted setting for fantasy stories. Robin Blyth, a baronet plagued by financial issues, now finds himself in a seemingly dead-end office job. As it turns out, the position is none other than administrative liaison to England’s magical society. Robin knows nothing about magic―a fact that his new partner, Edwin Courcey, is quick to pick up on.
Unfortunately, ignorance isn’t enough to spare Robin from the wrath of several magicians in search of a dangerous artifact. Bearing a curse the magicians inflicted upon him, Robin seeks assistance from Edwin, who agrees to help despite his initial distaste for his new partner.
Author Freya Marske wastes no time introducing readers to her world, leaving them to experience the same initial perplexity and wonder as Robin. The magic system itself is imaginative, deviating from some of the genre’s common tropes; rather than using wands or other objects as conduits, magicians cradle with string (or without, for the more magically inclined) to cast spells.
The audience is spared from much of the technical jargon behind this system, making for a smoother reading experience. The worldbuilding, in general, follows this example: rather than relying on info-dumps, Marske gives details of magical society as necessary.
The non-magical aspects are accurate to the time period as well, with mentions of women’s suffrage and racial tensions woven throughout. Where the time period is best utilized, however, is in regards to the story’s romance.
While the curse and the missing artifact are the plot’s major focus, Marske pays near-equal attention to Robin and Edwin’s budding romance. Given the political discourse around same-sex relationships at the time, the two carry their identities in relative secrecy, only learning of each others’ orientation through coincidence.
Their relationship escalates rather suddenly following the discovery, evidenced by the presence of not one but three rated-R scenes within the book’s second half. Each of these scenes are heavily detailed, something for canoodling-averse readers to keep in mind.
Despite the dedication to the adult facets of their relationship, the book’s greatest strength is in the individual character growth of both Robin and Edwin. As with the world-building, Marske immediately establishes their personalities, giving readers insight through alternating perspectives. The ways in which characters interact with their environments are consistent with their personalities as well, helping to flesh out each character’s struggles and relationships.
Although Robin and Edwin are well-constructed, the side characters suffer from a lack of thorough motivations and are often one-note. This is not inherently negative as the story is equally dedicated to internal as well as external conflicts, but it is something for Marske to improve in the next installment.
If the headline’s pun is any indication, A Marvellous Light is an entertaining debut perfect for romance fans who aren’t afraid of the genre’s mature aspects. Be sure to look out for the yet-unannounced sequel, which is likely to be as steamy and sensational as the first.
Shuyler Clark
