A marvellous light

Opposites attract in this impressive, queer fantasy set in Edwardian England. Robin Blyth, an English society jock, is thrown into the magical world after being mistakenly assigned to the Office of Special Domestic Affairs and Complaints, a government position that works with the magical liaison, the uptight Edwin Courcey. Edwin initially bristles at the churlish Robin and means to correct this obvious human resource error by erasing his memory with lethe-mint, a common practice in the magic world. However, his plans change when Robin is attacked then marked with a strange tattooed curse by a group of masked magicians looking for the last contract. But why is the last contract so important? What happened to Robin's predecessor? Will they be able to remove Robin's curse before it's too late? And why is he suddenly having strange visions? Both men tentatively dance around their growing attraction until a dangerous encounter with an imbued hedge maze brings everything to a boiling point. Marske's debut successfully combines the steamy romance of Casey McQuiston's Red, White, and Royal Blue (2019) with enchanting magic and mystery à la Harry Potter. This trilogy opener is sure to capture the hearts of romance and fantasy readers alike.

Marske debuts with a breathtaking queer romantic fantasy set in Edwardian England. Financial necessity leads newly titled, 25-year-old baronet Robin Blyth to take a post in the Office of Special Domestic Affairs and Complaints, where Edwin Courcey, liaison to the Chief Minister of the Magical Assembly, "unbushells" him by disclosing the reality of magic. Thugs accost Robin that same evening, placing a curse on him and demanding to know the location of a powerful object his predecessor hid. When Edwin learns of the curse, which gives Robin unbidden glimpses of the future, he whisks Robin to his family's country estate. There, Edwin, who lacks raw magical power but has a keen mind and a knack for research, attempts to find a solution while his family, including a sister whose pranks teeter on mean-spirited and a brother who torments him, cook up magical diversions. Edwin and Robin share some deliciously described sexual encounters as their research takes them to a powerful, dangerous magical estate. After forcing a vision leaves Robin nonresponsive, Edwin makes a risky decision that lifts the curse but causes a rift between the men as the identities of Robin's attackers come to light. Sensual erotic scenes, an intriguing magic system, and a puzzling mystery combine to make this novel a wonder. Fans of C.L. Polk's Witchmark, period queer novels, and creative fantasy will all clamor for more. Agent: Diana Fox, Fox Literary. (Nov.)

Marske's sparkling debut, a queer fantasy set in Edwardian England, features newly minted baronet Robin Blyth, who joins forces with government official Edwin Courcey to investigate a sinister magical plot. Robin's first day working for the Office of Special Domestic Affairs and Complaints, a shadowy government division that liaises with the magical world, is completely shocking. Not only does he learn that magic is real, but he is also attacked and marked with a deadly curse. Attempting to remove the curse, Edwin and Robin seek answers among the magical elite and discover that Robin's curse is part of a deeply rooted conspiracy. In the course of their travels, a tender and sensual romance blooms between the two, lending depth to this already captivating tale. Narrator David Thorpe skillfully conjures Marske's painstakingly crafted world, populating it with characters that range from perfectly affable to deliciously evil. Thorpe's depiction of Robin and Edwin's sexual encounters is superb, exquisitely bringing out the eroticism while also emphasizing the tenderness and love that runs throughout. VERDICT A perfect addition to round out any fantasy collection.--Sarah Hashimoto