A Marvellous Light

One of the best books I've read in 2021, and one of a very few books that I have purchased after borrowing from the library because I want my own copy to keep and re-read. This debut had it all - fascinating world-building, clever writing, very British humor, and a taut plot (not fully resolved at the end of this book but not a cliffhanger either). The MCs were easy to root for, both individually and together. Edwin is bookish and insecure because his magic powers are minimal. Robin is an Edwardian bro with a good heart who also has self-esteem issues related to his late parents' very conditional love. Their relationship starts out with mistrust and changes to a tentative truce with unwilling attraction. Gradually there is a dawning realization that they see each other for who they are, support each other, and have very satisfying sex together. The “how did this person who is so different from me end up being the only one who gets me” trope is one of my favorites, and Marske does it to perfection.The highest form of praise I can give this book is that it reminded me of the work of [a:K.J. Charles 7123498 K.J. Charles https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1418032373p2/7123498.jpg], from the setting to the writing and the brilliant character arcs. I'm already eagerly anticipating the next book in this series and can't wait to see where Edwin and Robin go from here.