A Marvellous Light: A dazzling, queer romantic fantasy (The Last Binding Book 1)

Captivating. Intriguing. Marvellous!I loved this debut. The magic system was intriguing and I loved the ideas that it hasn’t been completely explored due to stifling society rules. I also loved how Robin took everything in stride and it took him awhile to process and take in all the information thrown at him which I love in a character and it is refreshing to see in a book that isn’t totally bonkers (I’m looking at you Lightning Struck Heart).I did find that there is more to the story and relationship between our hero’s and am slightly worried that the next books won’t expand on these as they are focused on different couples.I adored the two hero’s! I loved how they worked together but also apart and felt that they were absolutely perfect. Finding their own individual strengths and building their ideas of self worth and obligations was a joy to read and I can’t gush enough about how they worked through family, malicious bushes and arguments. I don’t want to spoil anything so you will just need to read this masterpiece to find out what I’m even talking about.This book is just “French kiss” 5 stars.

A Marvellous Light’ is Australian author Freya Marske’s debut novel and the opening book in her The Last Binding series.With ‘A Restless Truth’, Book 2 in this series of historical fantasies set in Edwardian England, due soon I decided to prepare by reading Book 1. I did a combined read/listen with its unabridged audiobook edition.It proved an entertaining fantasy, focusing upon Robin Blyth, a young baronet, who finds himself appointed as parliamentary liaison to a secret magical society. He is introduced to Edwin Courcey, his counterpart in the magical society. Edwin is quite a prickly character, though as this is a romance things do more than thaw. Together they uncover a plot that threatens every magician in the British Isles.It end with a preview of the opening chapters of ‘A Restless Truth’.

I absolutely love the idea of secret magical societies and this book has it in spades - as well as being set in one of my favourite time periods, Edwardian London. It tells the story of Robin and Edwin who are thrown together when a mishap sees Robin named the civil service liaison to the world of magic that Edwin lives in. And what a world it is! A Marvellous Light has one of the most creative magic systems I've read of in a long while - it's based around the game of cat's cradle and was such a delight to read about. I especially loved the idea that because Edwin struggles he has to use string to guide his magic, it's these added extras that made everything seem more authentic and real.More things to love are the magical house and the romance. I was not expected the amount of steam in this book but my gosh it was well written! That library scene...phew! The tension between our two mains was palpable from the start and I loved how they slowly grew closer over the course of the book.I'm very much eagerly looking forward to reading the next in the series!Many thanks to Pan Macmillan/Tor and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I actually enjoyed it so much I bought my own physical copy soon after finishing it!

Is this book absolutely perfect? Maybe not quite but close enough! A delightful blend of magic and romance in a historical setting, this is a must for anyone who has enjoyed KJ Charles, Lynes and Mathey, Salt Magic, Skin Magic, or the Magic in Manhattan series. There's a good balance of character, action, humour and feeling, enjoyable worldbuilding and believable romantic and sexual chemistry between the leading characters. I hope we get to see them again and I look forward to the next in the series!

I loved it start to finish. The setting was fantastic. I loved the characters and their development. I hope one day there's another book to focus on them rather than rotating to other characters within the story. Either way totally loved it.

Victorian era magicians engage in a fearsome battle for the control of magic. Gay interest, with adult themes and one of the best descriptions of sex between two men that I've ever read.

Wow! So glad I took a chance on this. The world building, the characters, their romance, and the story are all wonderful and the writing is great, too. Can't wait for the next book.

I don’t want to give anything away but if you like magic, historical settings, great characters and awesome writing, then this amazing novel is for you.Fantastic world building within a recognisable and well researched period of history. Characters that are attractive, believable and swoon worthy. Life threatening encounters with powerful magical forces that are intent on controlling the world. This book has it all.The author writes with authority and understanding and her world is so credible that you will be trying to weave magic with a ball of string by the time you’re finished.I can’t wait for the next instalment.