Listen free for 30 days
-
A Marvellous Light
- The Last Binding, Book 1
- Narrated by: David Thorpe
- Series: The Last Binding, Book 1
- Length: 14 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £13.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
If This Gets Out
- By: Sophie Gonzales, Cale Dietrich
- Narrated by: Ramon de Ocampo
- Length: 12 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Eighteen-year-olds Ruben Montez and Zach Knight are two members of the boy-band Saturday, one of the biggest acts in America. Along with their bandmates, Angel Phan and Jon Braxton, the four are teen heartbreakers in front of the cameras and best friends backstage. But privately, cracks are starting to form: their once-easy rapport is straining under the pressures of fame, and Ruben confides in Zach that he's feeling smothered by management's pressure to stay in the closet.
-
-
love the story
- By Anonymous User on 07-06-22
-
What If It's Us
- By: Adam Silvera, Becky Albertalli
- Narrated by: Noah Galvin, Froy Gutierrez
- Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Meet Arthur and Ben. Arthur is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it’s that the universe can deliver a show-stopping romance when you least expect it. Ben thinks the universe needs to mind its business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn’t be carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend’s things. But when the boys have a chance meeting at the post office, they leave wondering what exactly the universe does have in store for them.
-
-
narration was a struggle
- By Mark Lynch on 07-04-22
-
The Hourglass Throne
- The Tarot Sequence, Book 3
- By: K. D. Edwards
- Narrated by: Josh Hurley
- Length: 14 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As Rune Saint John grapples with the challenges of assuming the Sun Throne, a powerful barrier appears around New Atlantis’ famed rejuvenation center. But who could have created such formidable magic...what do they want from the immortality clinic...and what remains of the dozens trapped inside? Now, the rulers of New Atlantis must confront an enemy both new and ancient as the flow of time itself is drawn into the conflict. And as Rune finds himself drawn back to the fall of his father’s court and his own torture, the secrets that he has guarded will be dragged into the light.
-
-
Not my fave of the series...
- By BevS on 13-06-22
-
Dark Rise
- Dark Rise, Book 1
- By: C. S. Pacat
- Narrated by: Christian Coulson
- Length: 15 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sixteen-year-old dock boy Will is on the run, pursued by the men who killed his mother. Then an old servant tells him of his destiny to fight beside the Stewards, who have sworn to protect humanity if the Dark King ever returns. Will is thrust into a world of magic, where he starts training for a vital role in the oncoming battle against the Dark. As London is threatened and old enmities are awakened, Will must stand with the last heroes of the Light to prevent the fate that destroyed their world from returning to destroy his own.
-
-
loved it!
- By Alison on 26-01-22
-
A Deal with the Elf King
- Married to Magic
- By: Elise Kova
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Evans
- Length: 11 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Three thousand years ago, humans were hunted by powerful races with wild magic until the treaty was formed. Now, for centuries, the elves have taken a young woman from Luella's village to be their Human Queen. To be chosen is seen as a mark of death by the townsfolk. A mark 19-year-old Luella is grateful to have escaped as a girl. Instead, she's dedicated her life to studying herbology and becoming the town's only healer. That is, until the Elf King unexpectedly arrives...for her.
-
-
Major Meh
- By Pola on 10-10-21
-
Something Fabulous
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton
- Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Valentine Layton, the Duke of Malvern, has twin problems: literally. It was always his father’s hope that Valentine would marry Miss Arabella Tarleton. But, unfortunately, too many novels at an impressionable age have caused her to grow up...romantic. So romantic that a marriage of convenience will not do and after Valentine’s proposal she flees into the night determined never to set eyes on him again. Arabella’s twin brother, Mr. Bonaventure “Bonny” Tarleton, has also grown up...romantic. And fully expects Valentine to ride out after Arabella.
-
-
Utter nonsense
- By Deliabattie on 26-01-22
-
If This Gets Out
- By: Sophie Gonzales, Cale Dietrich
- Narrated by: Ramon de Ocampo
- Length: 12 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Eighteen-year-olds Ruben Montez and Zach Knight are two members of the boy-band Saturday, one of the biggest acts in America. Along with their bandmates, Angel Phan and Jon Braxton, the four are teen heartbreakers in front of the cameras and best friends backstage. But privately, cracks are starting to form: their once-easy rapport is straining under the pressures of fame, and Ruben confides in Zach that he's feeling smothered by management's pressure to stay in the closet.
-
-
love the story
- By Anonymous User on 07-06-22
-
What If It's Us
- By: Adam Silvera, Becky Albertalli
- Narrated by: Noah Galvin, Froy Gutierrez
- Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Meet Arthur and Ben. Arthur is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it’s that the universe can deliver a show-stopping romance when you least expect it. Ben thinks the universe needs to mind its business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn’t be carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend’s things. But when the boys have a chance meeting at the post office, they leave wondering what exactly the universe does have in store for them.
-
-
narration was a struggle
- By Mark Lynch on 07-04-22
-
The Hourglass Throne
- The Tarot Sequence, Book 3
- By: K. D. Edwards
- Narrated by: Josh Hurley
- Length: 14 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As Rune Saint John grapples with the challenges of assuming the Sun Throne, a powerful barrier appears around New Atlantis’ famed rejuvenation center. But who could have created such formidable magic...what do they want from the immortality clinic...and what remains of the dozens trapped inside? Now, the rulers of New Atlantis must confront an enemy both new and ancient as the flow of time itself is drawn into the conflict. And as Rune finds himself drawn back to the fall of his father’s court and his own torture, the secrets that he has guarded will be dragged into the light.
-
-
Not my fave of the series...
- By BevS on 13-06-22
-
Dark Rise
- Dark Rise, Book 1
- By: C. S. Pacat
- Narrated by: Christian Coulson
- Length: 15 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sixteen-year-old dock boy Will is on the run, pursued by the men who killed his mother. Then an old servant tells him of his destiny to fight beside the Stewards, who have sworn to protect humanity if the Dark King ever returns. Will is thrust into a world of magic, where he starts training for a vital role in the oncoming battle against the Dark. As London is threatened and old enmities are awakened, Will must stand with the last heroes of the Light to prevent the fate that destroyed their world from returning to destroy his own.
-
-
loved it!
- By Alison on 26-01-22
-
A Deal with the Elf King
- Married to Magic
- By: Elise Kova
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Evans
- Length: 11 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Three thousand years ago, humans were hunted by powerful races with wild magic until the treaty was formed. Now, for centuries, the elves have taken a young woman from Luella's village to be their Human Queen. To be chosen is seen as a mark of death by the townsfolk. A mark 19-year-old Luella is grateful to have escaped as a girl. Instead, she's dedicated her life to studying herbology and becoming the town's only healer. That is, until the Elf King unexpectedly arrives...for her.
-
-
Major Meh
- By Pola on 10-10-21
-
Something Fabulous
- By: Alexis Hall
- Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton
- Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Valentine Layton, the Duke of Malvern, has twin problems: literally. It was always his father’s hope that Valentine would marry Miss Arabella Tarleton. But, unfortunately, too many novels at an impressionable age have caused her to grow up...romantic. So romantic that a marriage of convenience will not do and after Valentine’s proposal she flees into the night determined never to set eyes on him again. Arabella’s twin brother, Mr. Bonaventure “Bonny” Tarleton, has also grown up...romantic. And fully expects Valentine to ride out after Arabella.
-
-
Utter nonsense
- By Deliabattie on 26-01-22
-
Hither Page
- Page & Sommers, Book 1
- By: Cat Sebastian
- Narrated by: Joel Leslie
- Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
James Sommers returned from the war with his nerves in tatters. All he wants is to retreat to the quiet village of his childhood and enjoy the boring, predictable life of a country doctor. The last thing in the world he needs is a handsome stranger who seems to be mixed up with the first violent death the village has seen in years. It certainly doesn't help that this stranger is the first person James has wanted to touch since before the war.
-
-
Thoroughly enjoyed it
- By elly gausden on 18-08-20
-
Slippery Creatures
- Will Darling Adventures Series, Book 1
- By: KJ Charles
- Narrated by: Cornell Collins
- Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Will Darling came back from the Great War with a few scars, a lot of medals, and no idea what to do next. Inheriting his uncle's chaotic secondhand bookshop is a blessing...until strange visitors start making threats. First a criminal gang, then the War Office, both telling Will to give them the information they want, or else. Will has no idea what that information is, and nobody to turn to, until Kim Secretan - charming, cultured, oddly attractive - steps in to offer help. As Kim and Will try to find answers and outrun trouble, mutual desire grows along with the danger.
-
-
Great story, very poor narration 😕😕😕
- By BevS on 06-05-21
-
The Lightning-Struck Heart
- By: TJ Klune
- Narrated by: Michael Lesley
- Length: 19 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Once upon a time, in an alleyway in the slums of the City of Lockes, a young and somewhat lonely boy named Sam Haversford turns a group of teenage douchebags into stone completely by accident. Of course, this catches the attention of a higher power, and Sam's pulled from the only world he knows to become an apprentice to the king's wizard, Morgan of Shadows.
-
-
Utterly hilarious
- By Sarah Louise Smits on 18-01-16
-
This Poison Heart
- By: Kalynn Bayron
- Narrated by: Jordan Cobb
- Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ever since she can remember, Briseis has had power over plants. Flowers bloom in her footsteps and leaves turn to face her as though she were the sun. It’s a power she and her adoptive mothers have spent her whole life trying to hide. And then Briseis inherits an old house from her birth mother and suddenly finds herself with the space and privacy to test her powers for the first time.
-
-
Fantasy botanical young adult fiction
- By Rudy Lorentz on 21-12-21
-
Legend of the Highland Dragon
- Highland Dragon, Book 1
- By: Isabel Cooper
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Victorian England, gossip is often as precious as gold. But the Highlanders are a more mysterious bunch. And if anyone found out what Stephen MacAlasdair really was, he'd be hunted down, murdered, his clan wiped out. As he's called to London on business, he'll have to be extra vigilant-especially between sunset and the appearance of the first evening star.
-
The Prince's Poisoned Vow
- Infernal War Saga, Book 1
- By: Hailey Turner
- Narrated by: Gary Furlong
- Length: 17 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Soren is a nameless, stateless man, tasked with keeping watch over Maricol’s borders. He isn’t meant for politics, only dealing with the dead. His past was buried in the poison fields, but after a fateful encounter with a prince, Soren realizes he can’t keep the magic hidden inside forever. Vanya Sa’Liandel was the spare who survived the Houses’ murderous games to become the crown prince of Solaria. He has a duty to his country, but he’ll owe his life to the wardens. Payment of any kind is costly, especially when he risks losing his heart to the man who saved his life.
-
-
Superb story and performance
- By Susie Umphers on 29-06-22
-
Think of England
- By: KJ Charles
- Narrated by: Tom Carter
- Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
England, 1904. Two years ago, Captain Archie Curtis lost his friends, fingers, and future to a terrible military accident. Alone, purposeless, and angry, Curtis is determined to discover if he and his comrades were the victims of fate, or of sabotage. Curtis's search takes him to an isolated, ultra-modern country house, where he meets and instantly clashes with fellow guest Daniel da Silva. Effete, decadent, foreign, and all-too-obviously queer, the sophisticated poet is everything the straightforward British officer fears and distrusts.
-
-
Story is amazing....the narration not so much.
- By BevS on 19-11-17
-
The Stardust Thief
- The Sandsea Trilogy
- By: Chelsea Abdullah
- Narrated by: Nikki Massoud, Rasha Zamamiri, Sean Rohani
- Length: 15 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Loulie al-Nazari is the Midnight Merchant: a criminal who, with the help of her jinn bodyguard, hunts and sells illegal magic. When she saves the life of a cowardly prince, she draws the attention of his powerful father, the sultan, who blackmails her into finding an ancient lamp. With no choice but to obey or be executed, Loulie journeys with the sultan's oldest son to find the artefact. Aided by her bodyguard, who has secrets of his own, they must survive ghoul attacks, outwit a vengeful jinn queen and confront a malicious killer from Loulie's past.
-
-
A good start..
- By R. Maines on 16-06-22
-
The Vicar and the Rake
- Society of Beasts, Book 1
- By: Annabelle Greene
- Narrated by: Cornell Collins
- Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As a young man, Sir Gabriel Winters left behind his status as a gentleman, turning his back on his secret desires and taking a self-imposed vow of celibacy. Now he's a chaste, hardworking vicar, and his reputation is beyond reproach. But, try as he might, he's never forgotten the man he once desired or the pain of being abandoned by his first love.
-
The Darkness Outside Us
- By: Eliot Schrefer
- Narrated by: James Fouhey
- Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ambrose wakes up on the Coordinated Endeavor with no memory of a launch. There’s more that doesn’t add up: evidence indicates strangers have been on board, the ship’s operating system is voiced by his mother, and his handsome, brooding shipmate has barricaded himself away. But nothing will stop Ambrose from making his mission succeed—not when he’s rescuing his own sister.
-
-
Could have been good
- By Drdzim on 08-06-22
-
The Charm Offensive
- A Novel
- By: Alison Cochrun
- Narrated by: Vikas Adam, Graham Halstead, Cassandra Campbell
- Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dev Deshpande has always believed in fairy tales. So it’s no wonder then that he’s spent his career crafting them on the long-running reality dating show Ever After. As the most successful producer in the franchise’s history, Dev always scripts the perfect love story for his contestants, even as his own love life crashes and burns. But then the show casts disgraced tech wunderkind Charlie Winshaw as its star.
-
-
Cheesy but nice
- By Anonymous User on 09-04-22
-
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Book 1
- By: J.K. Rowling
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry's eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!
-
-
Sells its self as always
- By Amazon Customer on 23-01-19
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.
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)
More from the same
Narrator
What listeners say about A Marvellous Light
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Danski H
- 02-01-22
Much promise, little delivery
I had high hopes for this book as it promises lots to love (gay Edwardian magicians? Yes please). There are some neat ideas but unfortunately the writing is completely charmless. It makes for hard going. I soldiered on because I was listening but if I had a hard copy of the book I’d have given up. It’s slow moving and the writing isn’t good enough to enjoy it fit itself. Finally, the sex is tacked on, overwritten and, frankly, unnecessary. It completely detracts from the story (gay man here, and no prude).
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Escape Artist
- 15-01-22
Interesting approach and enjoyable romance
I did enjoy this story and the very different way in which magic was presented, I wasn’t overly keen on the narrator if I’m honest, I do generally prefer English narrators, but at times it felt like this chap was narrating a child’s story and the accent used for the secretary wasn’t consistent and the voice for the sister was just plain odd - it wasn’t so bad I couldn’t get through it, but I don’t think I’ll be listening to this story again, which is a shame, as with a different voice actor I’m sure I would have
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Natalia
- 07-02-22
Excellent
Excellent world building and characters with depth. Can I ask for more? Yes, I want more books! The only problem is that the narrator, even though he does a good job, might be too old, the main characters are around 25 years old and he makes then sound much older and it's a bit distracting. I would read it instead.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 19-04-22
definitely worth listening
I've just listened to this book for a third time. Great story, characters, and writing
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mithrial
- 22-06-22
A Great Magical Yarn.
A great magical yarn with well developed major characters and interesting plot. The narration was excellent. A fab holiday listen.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- D
- 10-06-22
Really a Romance Novel
Don't read this if you want a book with an intense complicated story. While the world building is delightful and the characters terribly charming, the book feels almost like a prologue to the real story.
Apart from the growing and deepening relationship of the protagonists... nothing much really happens. And I enjoyed this book for the romance sure, but I do wish we had gotten more of the mystery, of the lore. Understood more about the setting and about magic and how it works and how it remains hidden in plain sight. Am very disappointed that most of my questions were not answered.
TL;Dr: Read if you want a well written romance, and skip if you want some hard fantasy with a focus on plot.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- M.F.W.P.
- 07-06-22
Quite repetitive
The overall story was okay, but the constant repetition of subjects like the ownership of Sutton house and the unchanging emotional mindset of the main characters really detracted from it. It would have been way better with some editing, and it would have been nice if the author trusted the reader to remember what they've just read, instead of putting it on a loop.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 22-03-22
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.