A Marvellous Light

The Last Binding, Book 1

By: Freya Marske

Narrated by: David Thorpe

Length: 14 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Set in an alternative Edwardian England, this is a comedy of manners, manor houses and hedge mazes: including a magic-infused murder mystery and a delightful queer romance.

For fans of Georgette Heyer or Julia Quinn's Bridgerton who'd like to welcome magic into their lives....

Young baronet Robin Blyth thought he was taking up a minor governmental post. However, he's actually been appointed parliamentary liaison to a secret magical society. If it weren’t for this administrative error, he’d never have discovered the incredible magic underlying his world.

Cursed by mysterious attackers and plagued by visions, Robin becomes determined to drag answers from his missing predecessor—but he’ll need the help of Edwin Courcey, his hostile magical-society counterpart. Unwillingly thrown together, Robin and Edwin will discover a plot that threatens every magician in the British Isles.

The Binding meets Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell in debut author Freya Marske’s A Marvellous Light. Continue the thrilling series with A Restless Truth.

©2021 Freya Marske (P)2021 Macmillan Publishers International Limited

Critic reviews

"Mystery! Magic! Murder! Long looks full of yearning! This book is a confection, both marvellous and light." (Alix E. Harrow)

"Freya Marske's A Marvellous Light is an absolute delight. I was caught from the very beginning by the compellingly realized characters, the gorgeous and deadly magical world, and the fascinating mystery. If you ever wished Downton Abbey was sharper-edged and full of magic, this is the book for you." (Kat Howard, author of An Unkindness of Magicians)

"A dazzling debut." (Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun)

"Prepare to fall in love with the gorgeous Edwardian setting, the sizzling character dynamics, and the murderous enchanted hedge maze." (Emily Tesh, author of Silver in the Wood)

Gay and magical

I'm fairly new to queer romance as a genre. And I've always been a fantasy nerd. This ticked every box I have: Lovely romance, interesting magic system and wonderful characters with an engaging plot (and some well-written spicy scenes). I can't wait for the sequel (even if the focus isn't on Edwin and Robin).
Additionally, the narrator has a wonderful voice and delivered an amazing performance. I hope he returns for the sequel.

Would benefit from a different narrator

The plot in interesting and I did want to know how things will turn out. The romance was nice if kind of underwhelming.

The narrator made Robin sound terrible. Like an old bafoon. And when the characters were supposed to be in throes of emotion or passion they just kind of rasped squakily.

So much fun

I had good time listening to this book. The world building is excellent, the magic system is exciting and original and the characters are incredibly well written. I especially enjoyed how easy it was to slip into the story and be take on an adventure filled with magic, mystery and gay spice. Would highly recommend.