A Marvellous Light

In A Marvellous Light, Freya Marske introduces characters who will appear throughout her series, often with foreshadowing of later developments. Reggie Gatling’s murderers are never fully identified, with only a brief reference to “George.” Billy and Walt’s reluctance to name their leader, or who cursed Robin, preserves these mysteries to be resolved in later installments. Hawthorn’s relatives are key to the conspiracy, and Billy and Walt fear interference from his powerful parents. This adds thematic resonance to the trilogy, as it emphasizes the importance of family tragedy as well as found family.

Robin’s name is an important clue that subsequent works in the series are likely to include fairies and their role in British magic. Robin Goodfellow was a popular figure in early modern English folktales and is perhaps best known when he appears as Puck in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Robin’s visions take on particular importance in grounding the events of the trilogy, as his repeated emphasis on a blond woman, Hawthorn, and a journey by boat indicate the key setting of A Restless Truth. This also increases the reader’s interest in Hawthorn, who appears as largely unsympathetic and cruel, making it more intriguing to imagine him taking on a central role as an ally later.