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.
'Lush historical fantasy . . . A delightful book, with richly developed characters' – New York Times
‘Mystery! Magic! Murder! . . . This book is a confection, both marvellous and light’ – Alix E. Harrow, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January
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.
‘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
‘An absolute delight . . . 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
Annina
15/05/2023
Absolutely enthralling! I think it's my first time reading a gaslamp fantasy story, but the setting felt real. The plot can be described as a bit of a cliché, there's a crime, something stolen, a mystery to solve, and in the end the whole bloody English Isles need saving. But it works because of the characters and the unique world build around them. The magic system is something I have not seen before, so very intriguing. And how it has rules, contracts, it's somewhat scientific and academic research and inherent talent woven into one - but something else entirely. I love good characters. Good characters are the heart and backbone of a good story. Robin and Edwin were exactly that. Troubled, afraid, spitfire and cleverness, touch-starved, brave and cowardly. I absolutely adored the two from the very first moment! I'm already so invested in them and their budding love that I'm practically drooling for more. Which is why I'm both elated and slightly disappointed when I realised that this book was, in fact, part of a series. Elated, because yay more! And disappointed, because well, the MC shifts from my beloveds to Maud the sister in the next, and Jack in the third book. I will still read them, the writing is splendid and the story has me already hooked, but I still wish that I could read more from Robin and Edwin. In addition, to all of you who love a good queer fantasy with well-written sex, this is definitely it. I can't call it spicy, but the sex is very well-written!