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Blood Over Bright Haven
Magic has made the city of Tiran an industrial utopia, but magic has a cost—and the collectors have come calling.
An orphan since the age of four, Sciona has always had more to prove than her fellow students. For twenty years, she has devoted every waking moment to the study of magic, fueled by a mad desire to achieve the impossible: to be the first woman ever admitted to the High Magistry. When she finally claws her way up the ranks to become a highmage, however, she finds that her challenges have just begun. Her new colleagues will stop at nothing to let her know she is unwelcome, beginning with giving her a janitor instead of a qualified lab assistant.
What neither Sciona nor her peers realize is that her taciturn assistant was once more than a janitor; before he mopped floors for the mages, Thomil was a nomadic hunter from beyond Tiran’s magical barrier. Ten years have passed since he survived the perilous crossing that killed his family. But working for a highmage, he sees the opportunity to finally understand the forces that decimated his tribe, drove him from his homeland, and keep the Tiranish in power.
Through their fractious relationship, mage and outsider uncover an ancient secret that could change the course of magic forever—if it doesn’t get them killed first. Sciona has defined her life by the pursuit of truth, but how much is one truth worth with the fate of civilization in the balance?
A standalone dark academia brimming with mystery, tragedy, and the damning echoes of the past. For fans of Leigh Bardugo, V. E. Schwab, and Fullmetal Alchemist.
(Content warnings for gore, sexual assault, and suicidal ideation)
An orphan since the age of four, Sciona has always had more to prove than her fellow students. For twenty years, she has devoted every waking moment to the study of magic, fueled by a mad desire to achieve the impossible: to be the first woman ever admitted to the High Magistry. When she finally claws her way up the ranks to become a highmage, however, she finds that her challenges have just begun. Her new colleagues will stop at nothing to let her know she is unwelcome, beginning with giving her a janitor instead of a qualified lab assistant.
What neither Sciona nor her peers realize is that her taciturn assistant was once more than a janitor; before he mopped floors for the mages, Thomil was a nomadic hunter from beyond Tiran’s magical barrier. Ten years have passed since he survived the perilous crossing that killed his family. But working for a highmage, he sees the opportunity to finally understand the forces that decimated his tribe, drove him from his homeland, and keep the Tiranish in power.
Through their fractious relationship, mage and outsider uncover an ancient secret that could change the course of magic forever—if it doesn’t get them killed first. Sciona has defined her life by the pursuit of truth, but how much is one truth worth with the fate of civilization in the balance?
A standalone dark academia brimming with mystery, tragedy, and the damning echoes of the past. For fans of Leigh Bardugo, V. E. Schwab, and Fullmetal Alchemist.
(Content warnings for gore, sexual assault, and suicidal ideation)
430 pages, Hardcover
First published July 25, 2023
6,316 people are currently reading
216k people want to read
About the author
M.L. Wang
7books5,921followersHi, I'm M. L. Wang, writer of sci-fi & fantasy, winner of Mark Lawrence's 5th Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off (SPFBO).
I'm rarely on ŷ, so if you need to get in touch, please see the contact page of my website:
I'm rarely on ŷ, so if you need to get in touch, please see the contact page of my website:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 11,739 reviews
January 20, 2025
This review is a copy of the transcript of my video review on
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Unbelievable... She did it again. Blood Over Bright Haven is proof that no one writes standalone fantasy books as good as M.L. Wang. Full stop.
Here we are. A new adult fantasy book by M.L. Wang is finally here. Whether you knew about my book reviews from ŷ, Twitter, or BookTube, you might have known that I have been a diehard fan of The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang for years. I read and reviewed The Sword of Kaigen all the way back in January 2019. So four and a half years ago. Since then, it has been an utter delight seeing readers continuously loving The Sword of Kaigen. I have received many kind messages of gratitude for my book recommendation I will always treasure. For the past four and a half years, I told myself to always uphold my patience in waiting for Wang’s newest book. And now that I have read Blood Over Bright Haven, I am glad to say this patience has been rewarded. The Sword of Kaigen was not a fluke. Blood Over Bright Haven may be a different kind of fantasy novel compared to The Sword of Kaigen, but is another standalone masterwork. M.L. Wang's storytelling is a blessing to the genre, and we readers are lucky to live in the same era as her. And we should do the job of bestowing her books to future fantasy readers.
Blood Over Bright Haven takes place in the industrial utopia of Tiran, and it follows the story of two main characters. The first one is Sciona. An orphan since the age of four, Sciona has devoted every waking moment to the study of magic for more than twenty years. Her goal is to be the first woman ever admitted to the High Magistry. But when she finally claws her way up to the ranks to become a highmage, she finds that her challenges have just begun. Her new colleagues will do everything they can to make sure she knows she is unwelcome, and one of the ways they do this is to provide her with a Kwen janitor instead of a qualified lab assistant. This janitor, however, is the second main character: Thomil. Sciona and Thomil will have to work together to advance Sciona's status and unravel the mysteries of magic.
This is the premise of the book. It is a dark academia fantasy novel brimming with mystery, tragedy, morality, and echoes of the past. As you can probably tell, the pursuit of truth is a big motivator of the character’s motivations. And believe me on this, Blood Over Bright Haven is a relatively small fantasy book. But at 120,000 words long, this standalone novel packed many emotional themes to explore, and the characterizations and development were insanely well-written. As you can imagine from Wang's storytelling if you have read The Sword of Kaigen.
Blood Over Bright Haven circulates around many themes like legacy, family, vengeance, love, sacrifice, and intense faith and prejudice. As I said, it is a 120,000 words long novel, but if I discuss how each theme was magnificently implemented into the narrative, we will be here longer than it would be. So I will narrow it down to two main themes. And to explain my first point, I need to compare this novel to a recently released and recent favorite dark academia novel: Babel by R.F. Kuang. In Babel, the two main themes tackled in that book were colonialism and racism. Whether they were too on the nose or not, and whether you (as a reader) prefer it to be more subtle, I will leave that for you to decide on your own. But here’s the thing. One of the main themes in Blood Over Bright Haven is gender injustice or misogyny. I know some readers are usually annoyed by this. But look at it this way. If you liked reading the theme of gender conflicts and injustice portrayed in The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan, but prefer it to be much more efficient and less repetitive, then Blood Over Bright Haven will be suitable for you. This theme is profoundly utilized in the first half of the novel, and it remains strongly evident in the second half for many good reasons I cannot mention due to spoilers. I personally found it to be so extraordinarily well done. Social status, justice, ambition, faith, and racism are some of the other key themes of Blood Over Bright Haven. And it was unforgettable how Wang integrated all of these into topics of extreme bigotry, selfishness, and delusion. This novel depicts a quest for knowledge and truth at all costs, no matter how bloody it gets.
It is said if you stand up for nothing, you will fall for anything. However, what if the beliefs you stood up for have been the wrong thing? And then there is the matter of intentions versus the result of actions. What if your intentions were good, but the result is disastrous? Is it better when an intention of an individual is bad, but the result turns out great? Faced with this situation, which one is more benevolent and virtuous? Will guilt or grief be enough to cancel harmful actions brought out of good intentions? These are a few questions raised in Blood Over Bright Haven. It is true that Blood Over Bright Haven, as I said, is a different kind of book from The Sword of Kaigen. I mean, even the subgenre itself is different. The Sword of Kaigen is an Asian-inspired military epic fantasy, Blood Over Bright Haven is a dark academia or gaslamp fantasy novel. But there is no doubt that quite similar themes in this novel brought forth the emotional impact of immense proportions as The Sword of Kaigen did. And, of course, comparable to The Sword of Kaigen, this review is incomplete without talking about the characters and excellent characterizations.
It is practically unanimous that those, myself included, who loved The Sword of Kaigen treated Wang’s characterizations, arc, and development as masterful. And rest assured. You will get those again here. The 27 years old Sciona Freynan started off moderately, and I’m assuming intentionally, unlikeable. She was an egomaniac, self-centered, and single-mindedly driven toward her ambition. But remember that this leaves room for rewarding character development. Through her encounter and budding relationship with Thomil, a kind-hearted melancholic character with a harsh past, Wang achieved fruitful characterizations and growth. For both of them, not just Sciona. And I cannot help but wish more authors and storytellers were as capable as the way Wang portrayed characters� emotions and relationships as deeply as possible. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that some revelations in this book changed everything for the characters, and when that happened, I almost literally felt the devastating damage it did to the characters. Yes, not just Sciona and Thomil, but also Alba, Carra, and the other supporting characters. The way M.L. Wang writes characters and palpable emotional turmoils through actions, inner thoughts, and dialogues can be reflected only by the best kind of authors. And Wang is definitely one of them. By the end of the book, Sciona Freynan belongs in my list of favorite characters. To do everything M.L. Wang achieved here in a one-off standalone book (a relatively short one) feels almost impossible. And yet, she succeeded. This book will bring many thought-provoking discussions on principles and morality, and I haven’t even talked about the complex magic system.
I have made it crystal clear that I am a lifelong fan of manga and anime, and Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa, or the anime adaptation Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, is one of my top favorite stories of all time out of all storytelling mediums. You can probably imagine my uncontrollable excitement to witness that Blood Over Bright Haven is, intentionally or not, inspired by it. I’m going to assume some part of it is true because the official synopsis of Blood Over Bright Haven did mention the novel is suitable for those who love Fullmetal Alchemist. I think this is accurate. And whether in Fullmetal Alchemist or not, one of the irrefutable laws of alchemy is the law of equivalent exchange. It is impossible to conjure something out of nothing. The magic of mapping and siphoning through a spellograph in Blood Over Bright Haven is one of the most initially complex magic systems I have ever encountered. If you have difficulty understanding or visualizing the magic here, do not worry, I felt the same, too, at first. But everything will be clearer near the second half of the book.
But for those who feel confused and want to understand the magic sooner, I will try to explain them to you now as simply as possible. I will leave out all the author's in-text explanations and visualization for you to read yourself. So treat it this way. Spellograph is a map, or a graph, of the Otherrealm, a realm where the mages draw energy from. Mapping is choosing the precise and correct location in the Otherrealm. After that, siphoning is the act of drawing out the energy from the designated coordinates in the Spellograph. That energy is then used for a myriad of usages like powering the industrial utopia of Tiran, unleashed elemental magic, and more. This is as simple of an explanation as it gets. The in-text magic system is more elaborate and intricate. And I cannot help but applaud M.L. Wang for this display of creativity. The magic was brilliantly created, and every plotline and tribulation resulting from it was totally engaging.
With the satisfying character arc, the immersive setting, and the seamless blend of magic and science, M.L. Wang gets what I love to read in my SFF books. She gave literal meaning to the "dark" in dark academia. Blood Over Bright Haven is an apt title for the book. As you can probably expect from her adult fantasy books, this is a violent novel with merciless actions. The character's wrath and sorrow will peak. Self-serving and malicious characters will try to aggravate you. Gory scenes are included, and my god, the action scenes... Blood Over Bright Haven don't contain as many battle scenes as The Sword of Kaigen did. But do not take this to mean the book was ever lacking in high-stakes conflict and pulse-pounding tensions. Once the revelations kicked into the narrative, the book was ridiculously unputdownable. I finished this book in two days, and it was worth neglecting every book in my TBR pile for it. I love reading fantasy books where every action has irreplaceable repercussions, and as the intensity keeps ramping up, the climax sequences accomplish one of the most memorable crimson scenes of chaos I have ever read. I cannot help but wish there better be a special edition of Blood Over Bright Haven one day. So many scenes in the book, not just the ending sequences, would benefit from having interior illustrations. I will keep my fingers crossed that day will come.
There is not much else to say here. Any more beyond this is just redundant. Order and read this book as soon as possible. The character's story arcs were amazing, the threats felt real, the world-building was well-polished, and there were many beautifully written passages. M.L. Wang accomplished so much in this relatively short one-off standalone novel. It is astounding. Bloody brutal, creative, and intelligently crafted with powerfully heavy-hitting themes on morality and intentions, M.L. Wang's return to the adult fantasy scene signified her skills as an absolutely incredible storyteller. Blood Over Bright Haven is indisputably another standalone masterpiece from M.L. Wang. It is a dark academia fantasy novel at its best. It overtops Babel by R.F. Kuang for me. The fantasy genre is dominated by series. And it is true a terrific one-off standalone fantasy novel is relatively difficult to find. But the greatest kind of standalone fantasy book exists, and it can deliver the high emotions, intensity, and intricacies of a series efficiently and effectively. Blood Over Bright Haven is that kind of standalone book. So bravo, M.L. Wang. For crafting another masterpiece.
You can pre-order this book from:
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
You can find and the rest of my reviews at | I also have a
Special thanks to my Patrons on for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Aliysa, Anastasia, Andrew, Andrew W, Annabeth, Arliss, Barbara, Biskit, Brad, Cade, Casey, Chris, Diana, Donna, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Ellen, Frank, Gary, Gregory, Hamad, Helen, Hunter, Jenn, Jesse, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Justin, Kristina, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Michael, Michael, Mike, Miracle, Nicholas, Norbert, Radiah, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawn, Tori, Tracy, Wendy, Wick, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Unbelievable... She did it again. Blood Over Bright Haven is proof that no one writes standalone fantasy books as good as M.L. Wang. Full stop.
“Truth over delusion. Growth over comfort. God over all.
Here we are. A new adult fantasy book by M.L. Wang is finally here. Whether you knew about my book reviews from ŷ, Twitter, or BookTube, you might have known that I have been a diehard fan of The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang for years. I read and reviewed The Sword of Kaigen all the way back in January 2019. So four and a half years ago. Since then, it has been an utter delight seeing readers continuously loving The Sword of Kaigen. I have received many kind messages of gratitude for my book recommendation I will always treasure. For the past four and a half years, I told myself to always uphold my patience in waiting for Wang’s newest book. And now that I have read Blood Over Bright Haven, I am glad to say this patience has been rewarded. The Sword of Kaigen was not a fluke. Blood Over Bright Haven may be a different kind of fantasy novel compared to The Sword of Kaigen, but is another standalone masterwork. M.L. Wang's storytelling is a blessing to the genre, and we readers are lucky to live in the same era as her. And we should do the job of bestowing her books to future fantasy readers.
“It matters because you’re a child. The future ultimately isn’t mine or Sciona’s. It’s yours.�
Blood Over Bright Haven takes place in the industrial utopia of Tiran, and it follows the story of two main characters. The first one is Sciona. An orphan since the age of four, Sciona has devoted every waking moment to the study of magic for more than twenty years. Her goal is to be the first woman ever admitted to the High Magistry. But when she finally claws her way up to the ranks to become a highmage, she finds that her challenges have just begun. Her new colleagues will do everything they can to make sure she knows she is unwelcome, and one of the ways they do this is to provide her with a Kwen janitor instead of a qualified lab assistant. This janitor, however, is the second main character: Thomil. Sciona and Thomil will have to work together to advance Sciona's status and unravel the mysteries of magic.
This is the premise of the book. It is a dark academia fantasy novel brimming with mystery, tragedy, morality, and echoes of the past. As you can probably tell, the pursuit of truth is a big motivator of the character’s motivations. And believe me on this, Blood Over Bright Haven is a relatively small fantasy book. But at 120,000 words long, this standalone novel packed many emotional themes to explore, and the characterizations and development were insanely well-written. As you can imagine from Wang's storytelling if you have read The Sword of Kaigen.
“All those jobs involve people, and I’m terrible with people. Magic is the one area where I can shut myself in a room with my books and my thoughts and come out more powerful than I went in. It doesn’t matter how big, or strong, or pretty you are in magic. It doesn’t matter how much people like you. With my fingers on the keys of a spellograph, if I can just think hard enough, I’m the most powerful person in the world.�
Blood Over Bright Haven circulates around many themes like legacy, family, vengeance, love, sacrifice, and intense faith and prejudice. As I said, it is a 120,000 words long novel, but if I discuss how each theme was magnificently implemented into the narrative, we will be here longer than it would be. So I will narrow it down to two main themes. And to explain my first point, I need to compare this novel to a recently released and recent favorite dark academia novel: Babel by R.F. Kuang. In Babel, the two main themes tackled in that book were colonialism and racism. Whether they were too on the nose or not, and whether you (as a reader) prefer it to be more subtle, I will leave that for you to decide on your own. But here’s the thing. One of the main themes in Blood Over Bright Haven is gender injustice or misogyny. I know some readers are usually annoyed by this. But look at it this way. If you liked reading the theme of gender conflicts and injustice portrayed in The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan, but prefer it to be much more efficient and less repetitive, then Blood Over Bright Haven will be suitable for you. This theme is profoundly utilized in the first half of the novel, and it remains strongly evident in the second half for many good reasons I cannot mention due to spoilers. I personally found it to be so extraordinarily well done. Social status, justice, ambition, faith, and racism are some of the other key themes of Blood Over Bright Haven. And it was unforgettable how Wang integrated all of these into topics of extreme bigotry, selfishness, and delusion. This novel depicts a quest for knowledge and truth at all costs, no matter how bloody it gets.
“You’re the worst kind of murderer, I think� The kind who won’t even acknowledge her crime. You’ve never worshipped a god of truth� You worship a delusion.�
It is said if you stand up for nothing, you will fall for anything. However, what if the beliefs you stood up for have been the wrong thing? And then there is the matter of intentions versus the result of actions. What if your intentions were good, but the result is disastrous? Is it better when an intention of an individual is bad, but the result turns out great? Faced with this situation, which one is more benevolent and virtuous? Will guilt or grief be enough to cancel harmful actions brought out of good intentions? These are a few questions raised in Blood Over Bright Haven. It is true that Blood Over Bright Haven, as I said, is a different kind of book from The Sword of Kaigen. I mean, even the subgenre itself is different. The Sword of Kaigen is an Asian-inspired military epic fantasy, Blood Over Bright Haven is a dark academia or gaslamp fantasy novel. But there is no doubt that quite similar themes in this novel brought forth the emotional impact of immense proportions as The Sword of Kaigen did. And, of course, comparable to The Sword of Kaigen, this review is incomplete without talking about the characters and excellent characterizations.
“The Caldonnae and most peoples beyond the barrier weigh a person by their actions and the effect they have on the world. It’s not enough to have meant to do good in the world; if you don’t do good, most gods—those of rivers, the hunt, and the fields—don’t care for your motivations. Why should they?�
It is practically unanimous that those, myself included, who loved The Sword of Kaigen treated Wang’s characterizations, arc, and development as masterful. And rest assured. You will get those again here. The 27 years old Sciona Freynan started off moderately, and I’m assuming intentionally, unlikeable. She was an egomaniac, self-centered, and single-mindedly driven toward her ambition. But remember that this leaves room for rewarding character development. Through her encounter and budding relationship with Thomil, a kind-hearted melancholic character with a harsh past, Wang achieved fruitful characterizations and growth. For both of them, not just Sciona. And I cannot help but wish more authors and storytellers were as capable as the way Wang portrayed characters� emotions and relationships as deeply as possible. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that some revelations in this book changed everything for the characters, and when that happened, I almost literally felt the devastating damage it did to the characters. Yes, not just Sciona and Thomil, but also Alba, Carra, and the other supporting characters. The way M.L. Wang writes characters and palpable emotional turmoils through actions, inner thoughts, and dialogues can be reflected only by the best kind of authors. And Wang is definitely one of them. By the end of the book, Sciona Freynan belongs in my list of favorite characters. To do everything M.L. Wang achieved here in a one-off standalone book (a relatively short one) feels almost impossible. And yet, she succeeded. This book will bring many thought-provoking discussions on principles and morality, and I haven’t even talked about the complex magic system.
“Thomil said that a woman was weighed at the gates of Heaven by her actions and their impact. Well, Sciona was going to leave an impact. Whatever happened next, whether it led to Hell or Heaven, she was going to have a hand in directing it. Sick or sound, good or evil, she was still Sciona Freynan. And Sciona Freynan didn’t slow down. Sciona Freynan would be remembered.�
I have made it crystal clear that I am a lifelong fan of manga and anime, and Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa, or the anime adaptation Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, is one of my top favorite stories of all time out of all storytelling mediums. You can probably imagine my uncontrollable excitement to witness that Blood Over Bright Haven is, intentionally or not, inspired by it. I’m going to assume some part of it is true because the official synopsis of Blood Over Bright Haven did mention the novel is suitable for those who love Fullmetal Alchemist. I think this is accurate. And whether in Fullmetal Alchemist or not, one of the irrefutable laws of alchemy is the law of equivalent exchange. It is impossible to conjure something out of nothing. The magic of mapping and siphoning through a spellograph in Blood Over Bright Haven is one of the most initially complex magic systems I have ever encountered. If you have difficulty understanding or visualizing the magic here, do not worry, I felt the same, too, at first. But everything will be clearer near the second half of the book.
“Men, love your progeny as God loves his Tiranish children. For, as the Tiranish are made in the image of Feryn, your children are your mirror. He of good character will rule his children well and their quality will speak to his. Govern your children for they are your truest reflection. They are your legacy, and a man’s legacy is as close as he may reach to godhood.�
But for those who feel confused and want to understand the magic sooner, I will try to explain them to you now as simply as possible. I will leave out all the author's in-text explanations and visualization for you to read yourself. So treat it this way. Spellograph is a map, or a graph, of the Otherrealm, a realm where the mages draw energy from. Mapping is choosing the precise and correct location in the Otherrealm. After that, siphoning is the act of drawing out the energy from the designated coordinates in the Spellograph. That energy is then used for a myriad of usages like powering the industrial utopia of Tiran, unleashed elemental magic, and more. This is as simple of an explanation as it gets. The in-text magic system is more elaborate and intricate. And I cannot help but applaud M.L. Wang for this display of creativity. The magic was brilliantly created, and every plotline and tribulation resulting from it was totally engaging.
“Know your rights, know your spells, and press on past the detractors� or through them, if you must. It’s a skill you’ll need over and over again in the High Magistry.�
With the satisfying character arc, the immersive setting, and the seamless blend of magic and science, M.L. Wang gets what I love to read in my SFF books. She gave literal meaning to the "dark" in dark academia. Blood Over Bright Haven is an apt title for the book. As you can probably expect from her adult fantasy books, this is a violent novel with merciless actions. The character's wrath and sorrow will peak. Self-serving and malicious characters will try to aggravate you. Gory scenes are included, and my god, the action scenes... Blood Over Bright Haven don't contain as many battle scenes as The Sword of Kaigen did. But do not take this to mean the book was ever lacking in high-stakes conflict and pulse-pounding tensions. Once the revelations kicked into the narrative, the book was ridiculously unputdownable. I finished this book in two days, and it was worth neglecting every book in my TBR pile for it. I love reading fantasy books where every action has irreplaceable repercussions, and as the intensity keeps ramping up, the climax sequences accomplish one of the most memorable crimson scenes of chaos I have ever read. I cannot help but wish there better be a special edition of Blood Over Bright Haven one day. So many scenes in the book, not just the ending sequences, would benefit from having interior illustrations. I will keep my fingers crossed that day will come.
“Because good people can turn desperate when the horrors are upon them� especially people whose culture of plenty has left them with no systems to cope with scarcity or cataclysm. Good people will turn monstrous when it’s down to their survival or someone else’s.�
There is not much else to say here. Any more beyond this is just redundant. Order and read this book as soon as possible. The character's story arcs were amazing, the threats felt real, the world-building was well-polished, and there were many beautifully written passages. M.L. Wang accomplished so much in this relatively short one-off standalone novel. It is astounding. Bloody brutal, creative, and intelligently crafted with powerfully heavy-hitting themes on morality and intentions, M.L. Wang's return to the adult fantasy scene signified her skills as an absolutely incredible storyteller. Blood Over Bright Haven is indisputably another standalone masterpiece from M.L. Wang. It is a dark academia fantasy novel at its best. It overtops Babel by R.F. Kuang for me. The fantasy genre is dominated by series. And it is true a terrific one-off standalone fantasy novel is relatively difficult to find. But the greatest kind of standalone fantasy book exists, and it can deliver the high emotions, intensity, and intricacies of a series efficiently and effectively. Blood Over Bright Haven is that kind of standalone book. So bravo, M.L. Wang. For crafting another masterpiece.
“Maybe it would be a hundred generations before the sun rose on a life of dignity for their descendants, but the worthwhile run was not the sprint.�
You can pre-order this book from:
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
You can find and the rest of my reviews at | I also have a
Special thanks to my Patrons on for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Aliysa, Anastasia, Andrew, Andrew W, Annabeth, Arliss, Barbara, Biskit, Brad, Cade, Casey, Chris, Diana, Donna, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Ellen, Frank, Gary, Gregory, Hamad, Helen, Hunter, Jenn, Jesse, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Justin, Kristina, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Michael, Michael, Mike, Miracle, Nicholas, Norbert, Radiah, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawn, Tori, Tracy, Wendy, Wick, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.
January 19, 2024
This is the best book I’ve read in 2023.
Literally:
Literally:
December 11, 2024
Following The Sword of Kaigen, M.L. Wang proves once again with Blood Over Bright Haven that she's a master at character writing.
I could say over and over again that this is one of the best books I've read all year (the best...perhaps?) because the magic system is innovative and intricate, and the pacing is pitch perfect, and the actual structure of the storytelling is incredible, but at the end of the day it's M.L. Wang's characters that set her work apart. I love a book that proves that a character doesn't have to be likeable to be good and the arc the main character goes through in this story is compelling from start to finish.
Where does one choose to draw the line in the search for power they've been systematically denied; or, is there a line at all? What does it truly mean to dedicate yourself to truth and the pursuit of knowledge? How do ruling classes commit atrocities while pretending piety and goodness? Are we - and should we - be judged more on our intents or our impacts? And what are we willing to do when our complicity in oppressive systems is put in front of our faces?
Blood Over Bright Haven is another M.L. Wang book that will be on my mind for a long, long time. And for what it's worth, it is now the highest rated book club book in the four years I've been hosting it. The majority of ratings were 5 stars (which I don't believe has happened before) and not a single person rated it lower than 4 stars
I could say over and over again that this is one of the best books I've read all year (the best...perhaps?) because the magic system is innovative and intricate, and the pacing is pitch perfect, and the actual structure of the storytelling is incredible, but at the end of the day it's M.L. Wang's characters that set her work apart. I love a book that proves that a character doesn't have to be likeable to be good and the arc the main character goes through in this story is compelling from start to finish.
Where does one choose to draw the line in the search for power they've been systematically denied; or, is there a line at all? What does it truly mean to dedicate yourself to truth and the pursuit of knowledge? How do ruling classes commit atrocities while pretending piety and goodness? Are we - and should we - be judged more on our intents or our impacts? And what are we willing to do when our complicity in oppressive systems is put in front of our faces?
Blood Over Bright Haven is another M.L. Wang book that will be on my mind for a long, long time. And for what it's worth, it is now the highest rated book club book in the four years I've been hosting it. The majority of ratings were 5 stars (which I don't believe has happened before) and not a single person rated it lower than 4 stars
January 24, 2025
4 1/2 stars. I've barely read any high fantasy books over the last few years, and I've liked even less. I got to a point a few years back where every fantasy started to look the same; same characters and worlds with different names. But I read this book on a whim and it reminded me what great fantasy can be� political machinations, complex and exciting magic systems, and morally grey characters.
I immediately started after finishing this and so far I'd say the hype is very much deserved.
This is a great book in so many ways. Here is why I couldn’t put it down.
» Very strong opening chapter. I do love a book that grabs you immediately, and the awful and bloody opening had me horrified and intrigued from the start.
» A vicious university setting with rivalries and competition. Fantasy set in academia is one of my favourite things when it's done right. The tensions! The jealousies! I can't look away.
» Deeply infuriating sexist society. Why is this a good thing? Because nothing makes me desperate to know what happens next like burning fury. Sciona is the first woman to be a highmage and dealing with her patronizing colleagues and outright dickheads is an exercise in not imploding.
» Genuinely interesting magic system. The magic system here is so creative that I didn't mind sitting through explanations of how it works. The use of spellographs into which mages program spells reminded me a lot of computer programming. Such a cool idea!
» Awful villains. They made me turn pages so fast in hopes I got to witness their painful deaths.
» Social commentary. Behind the propulsive central story, there is a commentary on social class and on how both class and racial stereotyping is used to "other" fellow humans.
» A very, very tiny amount of romance. Exactly the right amount for emotional investment without it ever taking over the story.
» Sciona. Last, but not least, our protagonist. She is such a flawed, fascinating character, desperate to compete in a world defined by men, but with a lot of her own biases to work through. I like that she isn't entirely likeable. I like that she experiences growth. I am still reeling from some of the shit she goes through in this book.
It really is very good and right now I'm feeling that strange tingle of excitement I get when I discover an author with such obvious talent and hopefully many more books to come.
Warning for those sensitive to graphic death and .
I immediately started after finishing this and so far I'd say the hype is very much deserved.
This is a great book in so many ways. Here is why I couldn’t put it down.
» Very strong opening chapter. I do love a book that grabs you immediately, and the awful and bloody opening had me horrified and intrigued from the start.
» A vicious university setting with rivalries and competition. Fantasy set in academia is one of my favourite things when it's done right. The tensions! The jealousies! I can't look away.
» Deeply infuriating sexist society. Why is this a good thing? Because nothing makes me desperate to know what happens next like burning fury. Sciona is the first woman to be a highmage and dealing with her patronizing colleagues and outright dickheads is an exercise in not imploding.
» Genuinely interesting magic system. The magic system here is so creative that I didn't mind sitting through explanations of how it works. The use of spellographs into which mages program spells reminded me a lot of computer programming. Such a cool idea!
» Awful villains. They made me turn pages so fast in hopes I got to witness their painful deaths.
» Social commentary. Behind the propulsive central story, there is a commentary on social class and on how both class and racial stereotyping is used to "other" fellow humans.
» A very, very tiny amount of romance. Exactly the right amount for emotional investment without it ever taking over the story.
» Sciona. Last, but not least, our protagonist. She is such a flawed, fascinating character, desperate to compete in a world defined by men, but with a lot of her own biases to work through. I like that she isn't entirely likeable. I like that she experiences growth. I am still reeling from some of the shit she goes through in this book.
It really is very good and right now I'm feeling that strange tingle of excitement I get when I discover an author with such obvious talent and hopefully many more books to come.
Warning for those sensitive to graphic death and .
November 28, 2024
4.45!
Very close to being a masterpiece! this was so well-crafted and it also gave me major the poppy war vibes while both are very different, the overall vibe and the way the characters think really made me resemble them and I loved it because I loved the poppy war! I initially wanted to read 'The Sword of Kaigen' first but I got an arc of this book and I was so excited!! so obviously I dove into this one first and it's one of the best decisions that I have ever made. It was slow paced but whenever I picked it up, my soul would be consumed because I would actually be breathless by the time I looked up from my screen, it was that captivating, Wang's writing style was perfection it made me feel everything, laced with a thin layer of Hun our was maybe all that I wanted and hoped for because the way it was crafted and thought out was so brilliant that I actually want more, this is such a bittersweet story but a one that has such important themes. My only complain was the pacing but it still so worth the story.
Basically, we enter an enriched world where theres this high magistery which is basically fueled with institutional sexism where like theres literally no women and during the admission only one woman get a chance to enter so here we follow our main character Scoia who's just out of the world brilliant and observant and like thinks out of the box and wants to like do well for the future of more woman (this isnt really based on feminism lol but it was an aspect) so she goes there and obviously gets admitted. So like there ever highmage gets a kwen assistant and Kwens our basically the lowest race, possible the 'untouchables' who follow a different religion and out persecuted for that and tirens(?) are like the highmages and the upper-class who treat the Kwens like shit so Sconia gets this really amazing, well informed Kwen named Thomil and omg the things that he unraveled were absolutely amazing. After this event the story starts to progress so muchhh.
Theres minimal romance, high institution politics, magic, ruthless fmc, heartbreaking and obviously well themed.
Sconia, Our main character is the perfect example of someone brain fed with propaganda to the point where they are so infused with it that they follow it without question and blindly following a religion is also a main theme of this book, the main character is also an example of someone who has been raised to follow a religion without the ability to question it, they are just made to follow it and not question it and like I loved it because Sconia was so brilliant, easily one of the smartest characters and it shows how easily she was manipulated and a major reason for this was everyone she trusted was feeding her this so like it really makes you think how propaganda can be s dangerous but also I loved how she bordered the limits of her potential and sometimes crossed it and with the help of her assistant unlocked the truth that everyone is hiding and I love, love, loved how ambitious she was and how when she set her mind on something she achieved, mercy and second thought be damned (lol runin vibes) but yeah it also showcases how when someone is fueled by anger and hate they dont think twice and act on their impulse to free the minority and often in process forget the innocents that live among them and I feel like this was so complex and so beautifully written!!
Thomil, was such an integral part of this story. He was the balance, he was the truth, without hijm we would've blindly followed Sconia along her journey both of us being blind to the atrocities being committed while he was scheming and plotting and helping her, struggling with keeping his niece safe and trying to make their lives better. The complexities that his character provided for our main character were so beautiful I liked how she didnt blindly accept him and went through so many emotions to accept it, felt very realistic and I love Thomil for being the way that he was.
The ending was truly heartbreaking, it was so poetic, it was so beauty, it was carnage, it was chaos and it was peace so I am satisfied and I am in love with this book.
Overall, I would recommend this!
___
I am soooo excited for this 🤭🤭 let's see how it goes!! I've heard the best things.
___
I really thought 'The sword of kaigen' was going to be my first Wang book but then I got an arc of this and it's so beautiful and interesting that this has to be read first!
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher- Del Rey for an arc of this book.*
Very close to being a masterpiece! this was so well-crafted and it also gave me major the poppy war vibes while both are very different, the overall vibe and the way the characters think really made me resemble them and I loved it because I loved the poppy war! I initially wanted to read 'The Sword of Kaigen' first but I got an arc of this book and I was so excited!! so obviously I dove into this one first and it's one of the best decisions that I have ever made. It was slow paced but whenever I picked it up, my soul would be consumed because I would actually be breathless by the time I looked up from my screen, it was that captivating, Wang's writing style was perfection it made me feel everything, laced with a thin layer of Hun our was maybe all that I wanted and hoped for because the way it was crafted and thought out was so brilliant that I actually want more, this is such a bittersweet story but a one that has such important themes. My only complain was the pacing but it still so worth the story.
Basically, we enter an enriched world where theres this high magistery which is basically fueled with institutional sexism where like theres literally no women and during the admission only one woman get a chance to enter so here we follow our main character Scoia who's just out of the world brilliant and observant and like thinks out of the box and wants to like do well for the future of more woman (this isnt really based on feminism lol but it was an aspect) so she goes there and obviously gets admitted. So like there ever highmage gets a kwen assistant and Kwens our basically the lowest race, possible the 'untouchables' who follow a different religion and out persecuted for that and tirens(?) are like the highmages and the upper-class who treat the Kwens like shit so Sconia gets this really amazing, well informed Kwen named Thomil and omg the things that he unraveled were absolutely amazing. After this event the story starts to progress so muchhh.
Theres minimal romance, high institution politics, magic, ruthless fmc, heartbreaking and obviously well themed.
Sconia, Our main character is the perfect example of someone brain fed with propaganda to the point where they are so infused with it that they follow it without question and blindly following a religion is also a main theme of this book, the main character is also an example of someone who has been raised to follow a religion without the ability to question it, they are just made to follow it and not question it and like I loved it because Sconia was so brilliant, easily one of the smartest characters and it shows how easily she was manipulated and a major reason for this was everyone she trusted was feeding her this so like it really makes you think how propaganda can be s dangerous but also I loved how she bordered the limits of her potential and sometimes crossed it and with the help of her assistant unlocked the truth that everyone is hiding and I love, love, loved how ambitious she was and how when she set her mind on something she achieved, mercy and second thought be damned (lol runin vibes) but yeah it also showcases how when someone is fueled by anger and hate they dont think twice and act on their impulse to free the minority and often in process forget the innocents that live among them and I feel like this was so complex and so beautifully written!!
Thomil, was such an integral part of this story. He was the balance, he was the truth, without hijm we would've blindly followed Sconia along her journey both of us being blind to the atrocities being committed while he was scheming and plotting and helping her, struggling with keeping his niece safe and trying to make their lives better. The complexities that his character provided for our main character were so beautiful I liked how she didnt blindly accept him and went through so many emotions to accept it, felt very realistic and I love Thomil for being the way that he was.
The ending was truly heartbreaking, it was so poetic, it was so beauty, it was carnage, it was chaos and it was peace so I am satisfied and I am in love with this book.
Overall, I would recommend this!
___
I am soooo excited for this 🤭🤭 let's see how it goes!! I've heard the best things.
___
I really thought 'The sword of kaigen' was going to be my first Wang book but then I got an arc of this and it's so beautiful and interesting that this has to be read first!
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher- Del Rey for an arc of this book.*
February 13, 2025
this is my first 6 star read in about a year. i want to demand ŷ give me the ability to go beyond 5. please I am begging you 5 stars is not enough for me.
April 17, 2025
This is a masterpiece.
“It’s not enough to have meant to do good; if you don’t do good, most gods—those of the rivers, the sky, and the fields—don’t care for your motivations. Why should they?�
Brutally honest, unique and thought provoking. I knew this was going to be a 5 star when I was not even 100 pages in. It brought so much emotion from me. Absolutely phenomenal. This will be one of my favorite books of the year.
“Because good people can turn desperate when the horrors are upon them—especially people whose culture of plenty has left them with no systems to cope with scarcity or cataclysm. Good people will turn monstrous when it’s down to their survival or someone else’s.�
“It’s not enough to have meant to do good; if you don’t do good, most gods—those of the rivers, the sky, and the fields—don’t care for your motivations. Why should they?�
Brutally honest, unique and thought provoking. I knew this was going to be a 5 star when I was not even 100 pages in. It brought so much emotion from me. Absolutely phenomenal. This will be one of my favorite books of the year.
“Because good people can turn desperate when the horrors are upon them—especially people whose culture of plenty has left them with no systems to cope with scarcity or cataclysm. Good people will turn monstrous when it’s down to their survival or someone else’s.�
December 28, 2024
Why can’t every book be this good! I wish I could give a 6 star rating. M. L. Wang is my favorite author of the year and possibly of all time! This story started off feeling like a dark academia with a fun magic system, but quickly morphed into something with a powerful message. I am in awe of this author’s ability to create a fantasy story that makes me examine my own life. Just outstanding. Absolute perfection.
March 1, 2025
i will be discussing this book with my therapist
September 27, 2024
Oh no.
I've probably mentioned this before, but I'm going to mention it again -- once I clear my Del Rey backlog, I will no longer be requesting any of their titles. We do not vibe.
As you may know, I used to be a very snobby high fantasy reader, but lately, I am tired of how white/cishet/male the genre is. As I search for fantasy written by women, preferably BIPOC women, I am continuously disappointed in my East Asian reads.
Green eyes are the rarest in the world. A quick search states they are only 2% of the population. So, why is it that so many fantasy novels, namely Del Rey's, written by Asian women, include them? And terrible representations of colonialism?
Yes, this is a colonizer romance. Granted, it's a little different in that Sciona, the woman, is from the colonizing party. You may ask, "What makes this a colonizer romance?" and "Why does this offend you so much?"
Sciona's people use a form of magic called siphoning. This steals the energy from a different source. This source comes from the natural resources of a neighboring nation, specifically, . This is called Blight, but what it is is a travesty. If you can't "see" colonization, and are from the west, boy, do I have some interesting news for you.
I truly don't go into these books wanting to hate them. I want to be surprised. Sciona is not smart. She is annoying, petulant, and very sheltered, even when she thinks she is the smartest person in the room. Thomil, her Kwen assistant, is seen as less than and other, because he comes from the lands with Blight. Their working dynamic gives me the ick. Their "romance" gives me the ick. Everything gives me the ick.
Colonizer romance is not "just" enemies to lovers. Enemies to lovers must be equal in standing. This is oppressor/oppressed. It's giving Stockholm Syndrome. It's not cute.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey
I've probably mentioned this before, but I'm going to mention it again -- once I clear my Del Rey backlog, I will no longer be requesting any of their titles. We do not vibe.
As you may know, I used to be a very snobby high fantasy reader, but lately, I am tired of how white/cishet/male the genre is. As I search for fantasy written by women, preferably BIPOC women, I am continuously disappointed in my East Asian reads.
Green eyes are the rarest in the world. A quick search states they are only 2% of the population. So, why is it that so many fantasy novels, namely Del Rey's, written by Asian women, include them? And terrible representations of colonialism?
Yes, this is a colonizer romance. Granted, it's a little different in that Sciona, the woman, is from the colonizing party. You may ask, "What makes this a colonizer romance?" and "Why does this offend you so much?"
Sciona's people use a form of magic called siphoning. This steals the energy from a different source. This source comes from the natural resources of a neighboring nation, specifically, . This is called Blight, but what it is is a travesty. If you can't "see" colonization, and are from the west, boy, do I have some interesting news for you.
I truly don't go into these books wanting to hate them. I want to be surprised. Sciona is not smart. She is annoying, petulant, and very sheltered, even when she thinks she is the smartest person in the room. Thomil, her Kwen assistant, is seen as less than and other, because he comes from the lands with Blight. Their working dynamic gives me the ick. Their "romance" gives me the ick. Everything gives me the ick.
Colonizer romance is not "just" enemies to lovers. Enemies to lovers must be equal in standing. This is oppressor/oppressed. It's giving Stockholm Syndrome. It's not cute.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey
October 15, 2024
slayed boots the house down everyone is deceased
August 12, 2024
I finished this on the way back home from Glasgow Worldcon.
It's an excellent read and I think M.L is due to become a much bigger name than she is now (and she's well known now).
The thing (for me) that Wang does best is that she "sees" people and delivers them whole onto the page. She's great at generating strong emotion in a small number of lines, and she understands and uses restraint very well - it works for her rather like the silences in music build the whole. And like, Robin Hobb, she's wonderful when it comes to bringing relationships to life.
Her prose is good, but it's the above, combined with top class story telling that I'd highlight.
These are all highly commercial skills, and the romance in Blood Over Bright Haven is "more traditional" than the one in . All reasons I think this book will sell its socks off.
For me, The Sword of Kaigen was an even better book, more sophisticated and unexpected, marred by some rough edges at the start and end. This book is far smoother, and it certain does have sophistication - it's far from being on rails. You will almost certainly be surprised by how things turn out, and Wang digs down through different layers of morality and humanity, making us reassess the situtation several times.
It's clever, emotional, exciting ... all the good stuff. I highly recommend you give it a go. I hugely enjoyed it!
She's another of those authors who bulldozes my ego and makes me admit that I need to do better at this writing game.
.
It's an excellent read and I think M.L is due to become a much bigger name than she is now (and she's well known now).
The thing (for me) that Wang does best is that she "sees" people and delivers them whole onto the page. She's great at generating strong emotion in a small number of lines, and she understands and uses restraint very well - it works for her rather like the silences in music build the whole. And like, Robin Hobb, she's wonderful when it comes to bringing relationships to life.
Her prose is good, but it's the above, combined with top class story telling that I'd highlight.
These are all highly commercial skills, and the romance in Blood Over Bright Haven is "more traditional" than the one in . All reasons I think this book will sell its socks off.
For me, The Sword of Kaigen was an even better book, more sophisticated and unexpected, marred by some rough edges at the start and end. This book is far smoother, and it certain does have sophistication - it's far from being on rails. You will almost certainly be surprised by how things turn out, and Wang digs down through different layers of morality and humanity, making us reassess the situtation several times.
It's clever, emotional, exciting ... all the good stuff. I highly recommend you give it a go. I hugely enjoyed it!
She's another of those authors who bulldozes my ego and makes me admit that I need to do better at this writing game.
.
December 1, 2023
2.5 stars.
I have to admit that I was less than impressed with this book. The magic system was cool, but the rest of the book left a lot to be desired.
The "big twist" was so obvious that I figured it out in the first chapter and struggled to believe that, in a society filled people who study magic on a daily basis, only the tiniest handful of their "elite" actually ever figure out the "big secret."
The handling of the sexism theme was so ham-fisted that it felt like the author was going down a checklist of "all the sexist things that men can say to women" and trying to cram every item into every single conservation.
One of the villains basically turned into a mustache-twirling cartoon character two-thirds of the way through the story, and he completely out of the blue in the third act, an event that the book tries to make sense of by literally back-filling information after the fact.
The plot has some strange pacing and development issues. There are lulls where there shouldn't be, and the plot progresses unevenly. And while the climax is kind of satisfying in the way that it deals with the antagonists, I don't like how open-ended the conclusion is. I felt that it could've been way more definitive than that, given the setup for the climax.
I wish I had liked this book a lot more than I did, because I know that people really love this author's other novel, The Sword of Kaigen. But this book just didn't land well with me. Lots of cool concepts, but the execution could've been a lot better.
I have to admit that I was less than impressed with this book. The magic system was cool, but the rest of the book left a lot to be desired.
The "big twist" was so obvious that I figured it out in the first chapter and struggled to believe that, in a society filled people who study magic on a daily basis, only the tiniest handful of their "elite" actually ever figure out the "big secret."
The handling of the sexism theme was so ham-fisted that it felt like the author was going down a checklist of "all the sexist things that men can say to women" and trying to cram every item into every single conservation.
One of the villains basically turned into a mustache-twirling cartoon character two-thirds of the way through the story, and he completely out of the blue in the third act, an event that the book tries to make sense of by literally back-filling information after the fact.
The plot has some strange pacing and development issues. There are lulls where there shouldn't be, and the plot progresses unevenly. And while the climax is kind of satisfying in the way that it deals with the antagonists, I don't like how open-ended the conclusion is. I felt that it could've been way more definitive than that, given the setup for the climax.
I wish I had liked this book a lot more than I did, because I know that people really love this author's other novel, The Sword of Kaigen. But this book just didn't land well with me. Lots of cool concepts, but the execution could've been a lot better.
March 23, 2024
M.L. Wang has seemingly done it again. From the start this dark academia story was an emotional roller coaster.
The characters? Top tier
The Magical system? Quite insane, absolutely insane.
M.L. Wang you can’t keep getting away with this but congrats on another 5 star read!
The characters? Top tier
The Magical system? Quite insane, absolutely insane.
M.L. Wang you can’t keep getting away with this but congrats on another 5 star read!
August 12, 2024
Lord, I don't even know how to start this review.
Since everyone I know loves ML Wang's books, I decided to request the trad pubbed arc thinking that this would be a new fave.
Yeah, so... That was a huge mistake.
This was a buddy read with my fellow hater from another mother, Mai, and I was glad that we had the exact same thoughts throughout the novel.
Mine was mainly: Who is this novel written for?
While I'm always down to support marginalized authors, I've noticed that ever since my favorite author, RF Kuang, started to dominate the bestseller lists, there have been several clones popping up in SFF. A lot of debut authors think they can handle heavy themes such as institutionalized racism and colonialism/anti-colonialism with an ounce of Kuang's finesse, but then they let me down with their obvious lack of understanding with such complex topics.
I'd label Blood Over Bright Haven as either Babel-lite or a Babel wannabe.
But make it about a white savior.
As a fan of Babel, I honestly don't care too much if a novel is heavy-handed with its themes. This novel though... Sure, it was heavy-handed, but it also made the extremely huge mistake of holding the reader's hand by literally writing out all of its themes like I was 18 years old again enrolled in Sociology 101.
I mean, this is cool for readers who never knew that SFF can be a mirror for societal issues, but for longtime readers and fans of SFF, this book felt like it was talking down to the reader.
Hell, even for newbies to this genre, I'm pretty sure you can easily figure out this book's themes without having the author treat you like a child. Especially since this is supposed to be a novel geared towards adults.
For example:
Not only that, the main POV character, Sciona, was insufferable. There was no redeemable quality about her. Was there even character growth by the end? Not in my opinion. I love morally grey characters as much as anyone else on BookTok/Bookstagram, but she was so narrow-minded and one-dimensional that it was difficult to root for her, much less like her.
Literally everything she did was self-serving. Even the major event she pulled at the end was self-serving.
The entire time I was reading this arc, I was wholly in denial that a BIPOC author would write about a white savior/martyr character. My god. Do better.
And Thomil? Poor Thomil didn't deserve to be saddled with an idiot of a main character. The author really tried to make his character complex, but he felt lumped in with the faceless mass that was the stand-in for the Indigenous/POC community in this novel.
Speaking of that, it was really uncomfortable for me to read about a marginalized community's role as the defacto downtrodden, second/third class citizens when readers are introduced to only TWO characters from that community who are given names and are mostly well-written (Thomil and his niece, Carra).
And next to that, the novel introduces us to handfuls of thewhite folks upper echelons of society who are white majority coded, along with their names, their roles in society, their personalities, their relationships to each other, etc.
As Sciona grew closer to Thomil, why weren't we introduced to more Kwen folk?
I didn't think this would be an issue, but in the second half, the Kwen become a literal riotous, bloodthirsty mob with only revenge on their mind.
Which, well...
If this was supposed to be a book about the Kwen being treated like lowly members of society, it definitely got the point across well. We get no names, no introductions, no personalities to this zombie horde that starts attacking the Tiranish and their property.
It felt so wrong to paint them that way. Like the author couldn't be bothered to give the Kwen the same level of respect that she gave the Tiranish. And even though they were the last Caldonnae, Thomil and Carra felt cut off from the rest of the larger Kwen community because we were never introduced to anyone else.
The vibes were so off.
Like I asked above: Who is this novel written for?
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for this arc.
Since everyone I know loves ML Wang's books, I decided to request the trad pubbed arc thinking that this would be a new fave.
Yeah, so... That was a huge mistake.
This was a buddy read with my fellow hater from another mother, Mai, and I was glad that we had the exact same thoughts throughout the novel.
Mine was mainly: Who is this novel written for?
While I'm always down to support marginalized authors, I've noticed that ever since my favorite author, RF Kuang, started to dominate the bestseller lists, there have been several clones popping up in SFF. A lot of debut authors think they can handle heavy themes such as institutionalized racism and colonialism/anti-colonialism with an ounce of Kuang's finesse, but then they let me down with their obvious lack of understanding with such complex topics.
I'd label Blood Over Bright Haven as either Babel-lite or a Babel wannabe.
But make it about a white savior.
As a fan of Babel, I honestly don't care too much if a novel is heavy-handed with its themes. This novel though... Sure, it was heavy-handed, but it also made the extremely huge mistake of holding the reader's hand by literally writing out all of its themes like I was 18 years old again enrolled in Sociology 101.
I mean, this is cool for readers who never knew that SFF can be a mirror for societal issues, but for longtime readers and fans of SFF, this book felt like it was talking down to the reader.
Hell, even for newbies to this genre, I'm pretty sure you can easily figure out this book's themes without having the author treat you like a child. Especially since this is supposed to be a novel geared towards adults.
For example:
Kwen were dangerous beasts when it meant tightening control over Tiranish women. Tiranish women were damsels when it meant tightening control over Kwen. They were all hapless children when it meant denying them access to power—and it was that lack of power that made them helpless, made them monstrous, made them subject to the benevolent Tiranishman, who would save them from their deficiencies. Each gear turned tidily into its neighbor in a soul-grinding system designed to sustain the men who had named the pieces and made them so: damsel, devil, servant, wife.
Not only that, the main POV character, Sciona, was insufferable. There was no redeemable quality about her. Was there even character growth by the end? Not in my opinion. I love morally grey characters as much as anyone else on BookTok/Bookstagram, but she was so narrow-minded and one-dimensional that it was difficult to root for her, much less like her.
Literally everything she did was self-serving. Even the major event she pulled at the end was self-serving.
The entire time I was reading this arc, I was wholly in denial that a BIPOC author would write about a white savior/martyr character. My god. Do better.
There was no one else to stand up for Thomil's people, for Carra's future, for the sanctity of Truth in the face of this insidious lattice of lies.
And Thomil? Poor Thomil didn't deserve to be saddled with an idiot of a main character. The author really tried to make his character complex, but he felt lumped in with the faceless mass that was the stand-in for the Indigenous/POC community in this novel.
Speaking of that, it was really uncomfortable for me to read about a marginalized community's role as the defacto downtrodden, second/third class citizens when readers are introduced to only TWO characters from that community who are given names and are mostly well-written (Thomil and his niece, Carra).
And next to that, the novel introduces us to handfuls of the
As Sciona grew closer to Thomil, why weren't we introduced to more Kwen folk?
I didn't think this would be an issue, but in the second half, the Kwen become a literal riotous, bloodthirsty mob with only revenge on their mind.
Which, well...
If this was supposed to be a book about the Kwen being treated like lowly members of society, it definitely got the point across well. We get no names, no introductions, no personalities to this zombie horde that starts attacking the Tiranish and their property.
A second shock wave crashed through the crowd, and Sciona heard more bones snap, more cries of agony. But the Kwen didn't stop coming. Why should they? Their ancestral land was ravaged, their kin Blighted, their future stolen. What did they have to lose? And who in the wide world could tell them to stand down?
It felt so wrong to paint them that way. Like the author couldn't be bothered to give the Kwen the same level of respect that she gave the Tiranish. And even though they were the last Caldonnae, Thomil and Carra felt cut off from the rest of the larger Kwen community because we were never introduced to anyone else.
The vibes were so off.
Like I asked above: Who is this novel written for?
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for this arc.
December 17, 2024
Did I finish this book, or did it finish me? 6 ⭐️ forever.
This has quickly become a very important story to me. Please don’t miss this plot when you read it.
This has quickly become a very important story to me. Please don’t miss this plot when you read it.
December 8, 2024
5 Stars�
M.L. Wang has done it again
After reading The Sword of Kaigen, I went into Blood Over Bright Haven with sky-high expectations, and wow it did not disappoint. This book has genuinely altered my life. In the words of Xanni, call it an ugly twink the way it cannot be topped. 🔥
Though this isn’t the same type of fantasy as The Sword of Kaigen, it stands shoulder to shoulder with it. Perhaps even surpassing it. Blood Over Bright Haven is a dark academia fantasy that follows a woman who earns a place in a prestigious order of mages, only to unravel secrets about the magic system that fundamentally change her worldview.
What makes this book exceptional is that it excamines the cost of progression and the value of impact vs intention. One of my favorite aspects was its realism. Too often, fantasy books shy away from depicting prejudices that would logically exist in their settings. Here, the author doesn’t flinch. The main character lives in an intensely misogynistic world, where even her groundbreaking academic achievements can’t shield her from constant belittlement and dehumanization by her male colleagues.
In this setting, there’s also a significant refugee population facing systemic prejudice. Despite the protagonist’s own experiences of oppression as a woman, she doesn’t fully question or challenge the broader societal bias against refugees. Instead, she perpetuates these assumptions, which reflects the way people can internalize and uphold the very systems that harm them. This makes the story feel brutally honest and layered. It’s uncomfortable yet profoundly engaging.
The magic system and worldbuilding are nothing short of breathtaking, but it’s the moral complexity of the characters that will stay with me. If you’re a fan of dark academia (and i mean DARK) or fantasy that doesn’t sugarcoat its truths, then i highly recommend this book.
_____________________
Pre-read:
When I said, I would buy any book this queen writes, I meant it!!! Plus I bought this as hardback and if your Canadian you know why that’s a big deal
M.L. Wang has done it again
After reading The Sword of Kaigen, I went into Blood Over Bright Haven with sky-high expectations, and wow it did not disappoint. This book has genuinely altered my life. In the words of Xanni, call it an ugly twink the way it cannot be topped. 🔥
Though this isn’t the same type of fantasy as The Sword of Kaigen, it stands shoulder to shoulder with it. Perhaps even surpassing it. Blood Over Bright Haven is a dark academia fantasy that follows a woman who earns a place in a prestigious order of mages, only to unravel secrets about the magic system that fundamentally change her worldview.
What makes this book exceptional is that it excamines the cost of progression and the value of impact vs intention. One of my favorite aspects was its realism. Too often, fantasy books shy away from depicting prejudices that would logically exist in their settings. Here, the author doesn’t flinch. The main character lives in an intensely misogynistic world, where even her groundbreaking academic achievements can’t shield her from constant belittlement and dehumanization by her male colleagues.
In this setting, there’s also a significant refugee population facing systemic prejudice. Despite the protagonist’s own experiences of oppression as a woman, she doesn’t fully question or challenge the broader societal bias against refugees. Instead, she perpetuates these assumptions, which reflects the way people can internalize and uphold the very systems that harm them. This makes the story feel brutally honest and layered. It’s uncomfortable yet profoundly engaging.
The magic system and worldbuilding are nothing short of breathtaking, but it’s the moral complexity of the characters that will stay with me. If you’re a fan of dark academia (and i mean DARK) or fantasy that doesn’t sugarcoat its truths, then i highly recommend this book.
_____________________
Pre-read:
When I said, I would buy any book this queen writes, I meant it!!! Plus I bought this as hardback and if your Canadian you know why that’s a big deal
April 8, 2025
5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
She was one soul adrift in an ocean of blood. All the tears in the world wouldn’t wash that from her hands or fill her a channel to Heaven.
Blood Over Bright Haven is a provocative and cleverly rendered dark academia fantasy standalone set against the stunning backdrop of a lush industrial city blessed by an abundance of magic and brilliant minds.
This is the first novel by M.L. Wang that I finally had the pleasure of reading and I am completely blown away.
On the surface, the story follows the first female Highmage in history as she ventures into an unknown domain surrounded by allies and foes—mostly men who deem her as less due to her sex.
But if we delve deeper, the author boldly weaves in such themes of sexism, racial superiority, neocolonialism, and machiavellian politics without dimming the authenticity of the story.
This book scrapped my emotions raw and evoked such devastation and anger in me. Not to say I wasn't absolutely enthralled as the story progressed but so much mirrors the reality we live in and what we are witnessing in modern time as well as what history recorded.
Greed and hunger for power is truly root of all evil. Much more is explored with the concept of the ends-justify-the-means or taking whatever necessary action for a greater good (and the greater good is subjective here).
I have to applaud Wang for creating one of the most multi-faceted cast of characters I've ever read about. Unconventional heroines are always entertaining to read about as they're unapologetic about their flaws and always carry an attitude of "so what?".
In this case, Sciona Freynan is self-indulged and brilliant in her own right. I've rooted for her as much as I wanted to jump into the page and throttle her. She grated my nerves for sure but I can't begrudge her for it knowing what she had endured.
Wang also created a very intricate and science-based magic system that was a little hard to digest at first and I truly have so much respect for authors who manage to build up a magic system from scratch based on their own original concepts.
“Because good people can turn desperate when the horrors are upon them—especially people whose culture of plenty has left them with no systems to cope with scarcity or cataclysm. Good people will turn monstrous when it’s down to their survival or someone else’s.�
Trust me when I say my review does not do this book justice, it's something you need to experience firsthand. There is more to it beyond this review and the synopsis.
Trigger warning: this book has dark and adult themes that may not be suitable for sensitive readers and that includes graphic scenes of death, violence, attempted sexual assault, gore, misogyny, classism, racism, etc.
She was one soul adrift in an ocean of blood. All the tears in the world wouldn’t wash that from her hands or fill her a channel to Heaven.
Blood Over Bright Haven is a provocative and cleverly rendered dark academia fantasy standalone set against the stunning backdrop of a lush industrial city blessed by an abundance of magic and brilliant minds.
This is the first novel by M.L. Wang that I finally had the pleasure of reading and I am completely blown away.
On the surface, the story follows the first female Highmage in history as she ventures into an unknown domain surrounded by allies and foes—mostly men who deem her as less due to her sex.
But if we delve deeper, the author boldly weaves in such themes of sexism, racial superiority, neocolonialism, and machiavellian politics without dimming the authenticity of the story.
This book scrapped my emotions raw and evoked such devastation and anger in me. Not to say I wasn't absolutely enthralled as the story progressed but so much mirrors the reality we live in and what we are witnessing in modern time as well as what history recorded.
Greed and hunger for power is truly root of all evil. Much more is explored with the concept of the ends-justify-the-means or taking whatever necessary action for a greater good (and the greater good is subjective here).
I have to applaud Wang for creating one of the most multi-faceted cast of characters I've ever read about. Unconventional heroines are always entertaining to read about as they're unapologetic about their flaws and always carry an attitude of "so what?".
In this case, Sciona Freynan is self-indulged and brilliant in her own right. I've rooted for her as much as I wanted to jump into the page and throttle her. She grated my nerves for sure but I can't begrudge her for it knowing what she had endured.
Wang also created a very intricate and science-based magic system that was a little hard to digest at first and I truly have so much respect for authors who manage to build up a magic system from scratch based on their own original concepts.
“Because good people can turn desperate when the horrors are upon them—especially people whose culture of plenty has left them with no systems to cope with scarcity or cataclysm. Good people will turn monstrous when it’s down to their survival or someone else’s.�
Trust me when I say my review does not do this book justice, it's something you need to experience firsthand. There is more to it beyond this review and the synopsis.
Trigger warning: this book has dark and adult themes that may not be suitable for sensitive readers and that includes graphic scenes of death, violence, attempted sexual assault, gore, misogyny, classism, racism, etc.
March 17, 2025
hmm idk about that ending�
December 15, 2024
M.L. Wang did it again. As a fangirl of The Sword of Kaigen, I had high hopes for this book. I didn’t even read the summary. So I had no idea what I was going into. But that didn’t matter because it was excellent.
This was fantastic. Gripping from the first page. Complex and unique magic system. At first, I was so confused by the magic, but I understood it more as I read and it’s become one of the best written magic systems I’ve read. This story was well-written, intense, and dark. Wang covered so many topics but it never felt too convoluted� maybe because they’re all intertwined: sexism, colonialism, capitalism, racism.
The best thing about this story and the topics it discusses, is that it shows that almost nothing is black and white. Things are complicated, one solution for some may be a punishment for others. It presents tough questions and shows realistic outcomes of the struggle with humanity.
I don’t know what else to say without being spoilery. Yes, the FMC is unlikable and that’s very important to the story. So even if you’re annoyed with her, that’s fine, that’s expected, don’t quit because of that. This is such a worthwhile read both if you want an excellent, standalone fantasy novel, but also because you’re a human, and there’s much to learn here.
This was fantastic. Gripping from the first page. Complex and unique magic system. At first, I was so confused by the magic, but I understood it more as I read and it’s become one of the best written magic systems I’ve read. This story was well-written, intense, and dark. Wang covered so many topics but it never felt too convoluted� maybe because they’re all intertwined: sexism, colonialism, capitalism, racism.
The best thing about this story and the topics it discusses, is that it shows that almost nothing is black and white. Things are complicated, one solution for some may be a punishment for others. It presents tough questions and shows realistic outcomes of the struggle with humanity.
I don’t know what else to say without being spoilery. Yes, the FMC is unlikable and that’s very important to the story. So even if you’re annoyed with her, that’s fine, that’s expected, don’t quit because of that. This is such a worthwhile read both if you want an excellent, standalone fantasy novel, but also because you’re a human, and there’s much to learn here.
January 3, 2025
audio: 5 stars SO SO happy I did this on audio it made the experience so much better!
plot: 5 stars are you kidding??????
M.L. Wang continues to serve absolute bangers👏 First with The Sword of Kaigen, which is probably one of my favorite fantasies ever with one of the BEST FMCs to ever exist, and now with this MASTERPIECE featuring yet another INCREDIBLE FMC. 👏
Not only was this wonderfully thought out with one hell of magic system, had excellent world-building imo, and featured fleshed out characters, but it also touched on so many important themes like women's rights, misogyny, religion, discrimination, right and wrong, and so much more. This book challenges you, as a reader, to wonder how you would react in such circumstances.
The plot here is very reminiscent of current world events where some countries are doing unspeakable things to either remain in power or gain more power. So, THIS HIT DEEP.
The FMC Sciona, was a force to be reckoned with. She was intelligent, strong and brave but also flawed in a way we are all flawed. The way we sometimes agree with a norm simply because it is what everyone does, the way we don't challenge authority because we might be scared or worried about our own well being. Sciona had those flaws but best believe she did not let those flaws govern her. Truly what an incredible character she was.
The MMC Thomin was the perfect counterpart to Sciona; patient, understanding but also willing to challenge her despite his rank. I loved their dynamic so much🤧
I really think that if someone wants to get into high fantasy, M.L Wang is where you should start. Her writing is beautiful yet so easy to digest. It is not at all overwhelming or hard to follow. If you want your fantasies to feature formidable yet vulnerable fmcs with a plot to challenge you, READ HER BOOKS!
This will definitely be one of the best books of the year for me.😌
Thank you QUEEN WANG 🧎♀�
-------------------------------------------------------
pre-read
Starting the year off with the QUEEN M.L Wang 🧎♀�
plot: 5 stars are you kidding??????
M.L. Wang continues to serve absolute bangers👏 First with The Sword of Kaigen, which is probably one of my favorite fantasies ever with one of the BEST FMCs to ever exist, and now with this MASTERPIECE featuring yet another INCREDIBLE FMC. 👏
Not only was this wonderfully thought out with one hell of magic system, had excellent world-building imo, and featured fleshed out characters, but it also touched on so many important themes like women's rights, misogyny, religion, discrimination, right and wrong, and so much more. This book challenges you, as a reader, to wonder how you would react in such circumstances.
The plot here is very reminiscent of current world events where some countries are doing unspeakable things to either remain in power or gain more power. So, THIS HIT DEEP.
The FMC Sciona, was a force to be reckoned with. She was intelligent, strong and brave but also flawed in a way we are all flawed. The way we sometimes agree with a norm simply because it is what everyone does, the way we don't challenge authority because we might be scared or worried about our own well being. Sciona had those flaws but best believe she did not let those flaws govern her. Truly what an incredible character she was.
The MMC Thomin was the perfect counterpart to Sciona; patient, understanding but also willing to challenge her despite his rank. I loved their dynamic so much🤧
I really think that if someone wants to get into high fantasy, M.L Wang is where you should start. Her writing is beautiful yet so easy to digest. It is not at all overwhelming or hard to follow. If you want your fantasies to feature formidable yet vulnerable fmcs with a plot to challenge you, READ HER BOOKS!
This will definitely be one of the best books of the year for me.😌
Thank you QUEEN WANG 🧎♀�
-------------------------------------------------------
pre-read
Starting the year off with the QUEEN M.L Wang 🧎♀�
April 20, 2025
This broke me� in the best way possible
July 23, 2024
If I had to describe this book with one word, it would be intense. I wasn’t very “convinced� by it when I first started reading, mostly because the main character isn’t pleasant � but, now, I think that it was very important for her not to be, for she perfectly incarnated the mind and the ideas of every other Tiranish man. Of course, she was intrinsically different from them and she faced unique challenges � and, being a woman myself, that wasn’t pleasant to read as well �, but, deep down, she still wanted what they wanted, she still wanted to be one of them, and she still shared their prejudices. Eventually, she changed and I started appreciating her � not as much as I appreciated Thomil and Carra, but still, her character development was touching. I believe that, even though it doesn’t make for the most pleasant reading experience, her unpleasant personality is quite fundamental to understanding the evil, corrupted mechanisms of the world portrayed, for it perfectly shows the ugliness of said world.
One thing that really got to me was how deeply connected to the character I was, how much I cared for them and their survival and how much I hoped for an happy ending. It’s no surprise, then, how much I cried towards the end. And, even though it wasn’t what I’d have wanted to read, the story really stayed true to itself, it was as brutal as it was honest and that was beautiful: it didn’t feel forced or fake, it was as raw and blunt as it could be. I don’t really know at what point they started meaning so much to me, because I don’t recall any chapter being particularly striking, I think that my affection grew gradually, with every setback and horror we witnessed. Frankly, this book made me very sad, probably because I kept comparing what I was reading to the real world, but, sometimes, this kind of slap in the face is very much needed.
One thing that really got to me was how deeply connected to the character I was, how much I cared for them and their survival and how much I hoped for an happy ending. It’s no surprise, then, how much I cried towards the end. And, even though it wasn’t what I’d have wanted to read, the story really stayed true to itself, it was as brutal as it was honest and that was beautiful: it didn’t feel forced or fake, it was as raw and blunt as it could be. I don’t really know at what point they started meaning so much to me, because I don’t recall any chapter being particularly striking, I think that my affection grew gradually, with every setback and horror we witnessed. Frankly, this book made me very sad, probably because I kept comparing what I was reading to the real world, but, sometimes, this kind of slap in the face is very much needed.
December 22, 2024
RATING BREAKDOWN
Characters: 5⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 5⭐️
Themes: 5⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 5⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 4.75⭐️
If you're going to tackle writing about oppression and supremacy, this is how you do it. M.L. Wang continues to weave themes into her stories without oversimplification or trite solutions. She manages to deliver hopeful narratives, even when the material is bleak. Here, she takes on sexism, capitalism, colonialism, racism, and classism with her brilliant tact. And for good measure, she also drops in an ethics conversation that still has me thinking, regarding intent vs. consequences.
Just from a story-telling perspective, Blood Over Bright Haven has a unique and interesting setting; one of, if not the, best magic systems I've ever read; and compelling characters wrapped up in a plot that keeps you turning pages. I love the coding-like typewriters that are magic conduits! The academic setting was scrumptious. And the unlikable FMC who grows has got to be one of my favorite character arc structures.
I'm still reeling about the ethical weight of intentions vs. consequences when people take action. This question is dropped in the middle of the narrative and beautifully develops Thomil and Sciona's characters by showing what they believe on a theoretical level. It gives the reader something to analyze as their beliefs are tested in small and large ways throughout the story.
Finally, I am so pleased that in a story where there is no right answer, the message is that maybe someone else has a better answer than you do. Healing can come through surrender, trust, and hope. There is a letting go that can have profound impact.
My only note is that this story did not pack the emotional punch that The Sword of Kaigen did. For that reason, it isn't my favorite book she's written, but I cannot find fault with it. It is a clean and satisfying story about a corrupt system and the unsustainability of it. It illustrates how the average citizen can be both ignorant and complicit, and how one can be both part of the problem and the solution. Love can change the game. Ego is its own kind of evil magic, casting the most unreasonable delusions. I could go on. There are so many takeaways because this woman understands NUANCE.
If you like Dark Academia, and fiction that offers insight into the complexity of the issues we face, I highly recommend this!
Characters: 5⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 5⭐️
Themes: 5⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 5⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 4.75⭐️
If you're going to tackle writing about oppression and supremacy, this is how you do it. M.L. Wang continues to weave themes into her stories without oversimplification or trite solutions. She manages to deliver hopeful narratives, even when the material is bleak. Here, she takes on sexism, capitalism, colonialism, racism, and classism with her brilliant tact. And for good measure, she also drops in an ethics conversation that still has me thinking, regarding intent vs. consequences.
Just from a story-telling perspective, Blood Over Bright Haven has a unique and interesting setting; one of, if not the, best magic systems I've ever read; and compelling characters wrapped up in a plot that keeps you turning pages. I love the coding-like typewriters that are magic conduits! The academic setting was scrumptious. And the unlikable FMC who grows has got to be one of my favorite character arc structures.
I'm still reeling about the ethical weight of intentions vs. consequences when people take action. This question is dropped in the middle of the narrative and beautifully develops Thomil and Sciona's characters by showing what they believe on a theoretical level. It gives the reader something to analyze as their beliefs are tested in small and large ways throughout the story.
Finally, I am so pleased that in a story where there is no right answer, the message is that maybe someone else has a better answer than you do. Healing can come through surrender, trust, and hope. There is a letting go that can have profound impact.
My only note is that this story did not pack the emotional punch that The Sword of Kaigen did. For that reason, it isn't my favorite book she's written, but I cannot find fault with it. It is a clean and satisfying story about a corrupt system and the unsustainability of it. It illustrates how the average citizen can be both ignorant and complicit, and how one can be both part of the problem and the solution. Love can change the game. Ego is its own kind of evil magic, casting the most unreasonable delusions. I could go on. There are so many takeaways because this woman understands NUANCE.
If you like Dark Academia, and fiction that offers insight into the complexity of the issues we face, I highly recommend this!
April 14, 2025
Truth over delusion. Growth over comfort. God over all.
depicts an unflinching representation of colonialism with her magic system in Blood Over Bright Haven. Her stark world-building provides a look at not only conservative sexism through Sciona's eyes as she becomes the first ever female Highmage in the Magistry, but also at racism through Thomil's POV who migrated to this so-called 'Bright Haven' Tiran when his tribe could no longer survive in the outer cold world.
The characters are undeniably rich - Sciona can be applauded for striving to carve a path for women through the sexism; she can be criticized for failing to appreciate the working women around her just because they weren't academic; and she can be hated for her implicit racism against the janitor-turned-assistant Thomil; but she has to be given credit for learning to respect their opinions and agree with their arguments as she grows through the book. Thomil likewise is intricately sketched as he tries to balance preserving aspects of his tribe with himself and his niece while surviving in a city that considers them subhuman.
The book on the whole packs a lot in its relative size and the immersive writing coupled with a grand plot prompts digesting it in slow bursts, especially when the plot goes in a direction you don't want it to, but can't fault given the circumstances. It is recommended as a thought provoking fantasy read, and given the author's insight into the human ego as well as emotions, I'll keep an eye out for her future work!
I will not turn my gaze, though Light burn me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Random House publishing group - Ballantine/ Del Ray for an advanced copy of this book, the review is entirely honest.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
[One star for the premise and the whole book; One star for the characters; One star for the world-building; 3/4 star for the story arc and plot; 3/4 star for the writing - 4 1/2 stars in total, rounded up to Five stars.]
depicts an unflinching representation of colonialism with her magic system in Blood Over Bright Haven. Her stark world-building provides a look at not only conservative sexism through Sciona's eyes as she becomes the first ever female Highmage in the Magistry, but also at racism through Thomil's POV who migrated to this so-called 'Bright Haven' Tiran when his tribe could no longer survive in the outer cold world.
The characters are undeniably rich - Sciona can be applauded for striving to carve a path for women through the sexism; she can be criticized for failing to appreciate the working women around her just because they weren't academic; and she can be hated for her implicit racism against the janitor-turned-assistant Thomil; but she has to be given credit for learning to respect their opinions and agree with their arguments as she grows through the book. Thomil likewise is intricately sketched as he tries to balance preserving aspects of his tribe with himself and his niece while surviving in a city that considers them subhuman.
The book on the whole packs a lot in its relative size and the immersive writing coupled with a grand plot prompts digesting it in slow bursts, especially when the plot goes in a direction you don't want it to, but can't fault given the circumstances. It is recommended as a thought provoking fantasy read, and given the author's insight into the human ego as well as emotions, I'll keep an eye out for her future work!
I will not turn my gaze, though Light burn me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Random House publishing group - Ballantine/ Del Ray for an advanced copy of this book, the review is entirely honest.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
[One star for the premise and the whole book; One star for the characters; One star for the world-building; 3/4 star for the story arc and plot; 3/4 star for the writing - 4 1/2 stars in total, rounded up to Five stars.]
May 26, 2024
*deep breath* This was compulsively excellent.
If there is one book, one author really, that booktok is not lying to you about. That really lives up to the praise you hear. It’s this one. Blood Over Bright Haven by ML Wang.
The Sword of Kaigen made my top reads of 2023 and I’m confident this will make my top of 2024. Some people say that The Sword of Kaigen, for all it’s splendor, starts off a little slow and I don’t know� but I feel like Wang heard that take and rubbed her little hands together and said fine, FINE. You want to see what an insane start looks like? I’ll show you. So the opening of this book? Had me floored. An immediately gripping launch with bursts of context and world building woven into a bloody and anxiety inducing sprint of a chapter one. Iykyk
We first get introduced to this world through Thomil, a nomadic hunter who lives in a region plagued by “Blight�, as he attempts to seek shelter in the gloriously urban and sophisticated city of Tiran. In Tiran we step into Sciona’s shoes, a brilliant student and researcher who is trying to become the first female highmage ever. When Sciona succeeds and receives her first highmage task (to work on expansion plans for the magical boarder of Tiran) the other highmages play a cruel joke on her and give her Thomil, a current janitor, as her lab assistant. What happens when you put this unlikely pair together? Well they’re going to uncover some sinister magical secrets aren’t they.
Explanation time is over let’s talk about everything else that I want to: characters, world building and themes. Wang is a master at all three and she does it with my favorite nebulous term: NUANCE.
I think it’s something quite special to create characters that are not only fascinating and complex, but who’s characterization and development serves a narrative purpose. Sciona is selfish, egotistical and single minded in her pursuit of truth, advancement and recognition. She is also incredibly prejudiced while being oppressed herself. Watching her discover and grapple with atrocity moved the plot forward in compelling ways that would have been lost if a perfect Mary Sue hero character had been given the reins. Can Sciona grow to understand someone else’s oppression through her own? Or will inequality only concern her if it directly affects her goals. Importantly, can she overcome her ignorance when faced with disturbing truth?
The supporting cast was just as moving - the quiet resilience of Thomil, the deep rage of Carra, the simple love of Alba. And the villains? You don’t even want to get me started on their brainwashed, sadistic, misogynistic, and oppressive behavior. I WILL start yelling.
The world building/ magic system� think Babel x Harry Potter with a magic system which is basically coding? This also managed to have a lot of the themes of dark academia with a cyberpunk/ technological overlay. I pictured the city of Tiran to be a kind of carnivorous gaping maw - the spires of the buildings being the teeth that chew up its residents for the sake of societal progress. I feel like� I shouldn’t say any more. Know that it’s EXCELLENT stuff.
Now for the THEMES~ my favorite part.
Sciona’s insatiable curiosity creates a manic propensity for finding the truth at all costs. This brings her and us as readers to some truly hideous revelations� and having a character both privileged and oppressed is the perfect slate for the kind of moral conversations Wang is trying to have.
Early on, Thomil and Sciona have a philosophical/ moral debate which essentially boils down to what is more important: having good intentions but accidentally causing harm or unintentionally creating a better world while not having any thought towards doing so. Aka - Do our intentions matter as much as the results of our actions? I found myself constantly going back to this question while observing the characters in this story. Sometimes these characters create good while meaning evil, sometimes they aim for kindness and instead wreak havoc, and sometimes they both wish and enact cruelty. Some don’t think at all. Most alternate between all options. None are perfect. Who’s going to “Heaven� then?
These questions are particularly fascinating in a world that seems rotten to its core - a city where blind fanaticism can be used to control historical narratives and serve the desires of the elite. BUT this is also a world that houses humans with that pesky little inclination for hope despite it all. How do we as people have the capacity to dehumanize an entire population while also retain the ability to love, to seek connection, to hope for better? Do our intentions matter here? Our actions? Or both? What legacy do we want to leave behind� and does that even matter in the slightest?
Somewhere along the way of all these questions, this book became a 6 star read. READ THIS.
___________________
pre review
you all are NOT ready for my thoughts on this one. review to come. (threatening) (in awe) (slightly drunk)
If there is one book, one author really, that booktok is not lying to you about. That really lives up to the praise you hear. It’s this one. Blood Over Bright Haven by ML Wang.
The Sword of Kaigen made my top reads of 2023 and I’m confident this will make my top of 2024. Some people say that The Sword of Kaigen, for all it’s splendor, starts off a little slow and I don’t know� but I feel like Wang heard that take and rubbed her little hands together and said fine, FINE. You want to see what an insane start looks like? I’ll show you. So the opening of this book? Had me floored. An immediately gripping launch with bursts of context and world building woven into a bloody and anxiety inducing sprint of a chapter one. Iykyk
We first get introduced to this world through Thomil, a nomadic hunter who lives in a region plagued by “Blight�, as he attempts to seek shelter in the gloriously urban and sophisticated city of Tiran. In Tiran we step into Sciona’s shoes, a brilliant student and researcher who is trying to become the first female highmage ever. When Sciona succeeds and receives her first highmage task (to work on expansion plans for the magical boarder of Tiran) the other highmages play a cruel joke on her and give her Thomil, a current janitor, as her lab assistant. What happens when you put this unlikely pair together? Well they’re going to uncover some sinister magical secrets aren’t they.
Explanation time is over let’s talk about everything else that I want to: characters, world building and themes. Wang is a master at all three and she does it with my favorite nebulous term: NUANCE.
I think it’s something quite special to create characters that are not only fascinating and complex, but who’s characterization and development serves a narrative purpose. Sciona is selfish, egotistical and single minded in her pursuit of truth, advancement and recognition. She is also incredibly prejudiced while being oppressed herself. Watching her discover and grapple with atrocity moved the plot forward in compelling ways that would have been lost if a perfect Mary Sue hero character had been given the reins. Can Sciona grow to understand someone else’s oppression through her own? Or will inequality only concern her if it directly affects her goals. Importantly, can she overcome her ignorance when faced with disturbing truth?
The supporting cast was just as moving - the quiet resilience of Thomil, the deep rage of Carra, the simple love of Alba. And the villains? You don’t even want to get me started on their brainwashed, sadistic, misogynistic, and oppressive behavior. I WILL start yelling.
The world building/ magic system� think Babel x Harry Potter with a magic system which is basically coding? This also managed to have a lot of the themes of dark academia with a cyberpunk/ technological overlay. I pictured the city of Tiran to be a kind of carnivorous gaping maw - the spires of the buildings being the teeth that chew up its residents for the sake of societal progress. I feel like� I shouldn’t say any more. Know that it’s EXCELLENT stuff.
Now for the THEMES~ my favorite part.
Sciona’s insatiable curiosity creates a manic propensity for finding the truth at all costs. This brings her and us as readers to some truly hideous revelations� and having a character both privileged and oppressed is the perfect slate for the kind of moral conversations Wang is trying to have.
Early on, Thomil and Sciona have a philosophical/ moral debate which essentially boils down to what is more important: having good intentions but accidentally causing harm or unintentionally creating a better world while not having any thought towards doing so. Aka - Do our intentions matter as much as the results of our actions? I found myself constantly going back to this question while observing the characters in this story. Sometimes these characters create good while meaning evil, sometimes they aim for kindness and instead wreak havoc, and sometimes they both wish and enact cruelty. Some don’t think at all. Most alternate between all options. None are perfect. Who’s going to “Heaven� then?
These questions are particularly fascinating in a world that seems rotten to its core - a city where blind fanaticism can be used to control historical narratives and serve the desires of the elite. BUT this is also a world that houses humans with that pesky little inclination for hope despite it all. How do we as people have the capacity to dehumanize an entire population while also retain the ability to love, to seek connection, to hope for better? Do our intentions matter here? Our actions? Or both? What legacy do we want to leave behind� and does that even matter in the slightest?
Somewhere along the way of all these questions, this book became a 6 star read. READ THIS.
___________________
pre review
you all are NOT ready for my thoughts on this one. review to come. (threatening) (in awe) (slightly drunk)
April 15, 2025
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Rating: 4 stars
‘Blood Over Bright Haven� raises fascinating moral dilemmas and social commentaries, making it a powerful and memorable read.
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
What struck me first was the vivid similes and rich writing style that brought this story to life. The world-building was also impressive, packed with intricate history, politics, and magic. However, some aspects went over my head, and the information is mainly presented in chunks at the start of the story. Still, the elaborate world allowed for complex themes such as misogyny, systemic oppression, prejudice, power and legacy to be deeply explored and provided a solid foundation for thought-provoking social commentaries. These compelling themes were the best part of the novel for me.
"Truth over delusion. Growth over comfort."
The storyline kicks off with an intriguing and intense start that provides essential context before Sciona’s journey unfolds. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the story, even though the biggest reveal was pretty easy to predict. The dark academia vibe is also brilliantly executed, offering a twisted backdrop of fierce rivalries,nepotism and sabotage. As the story builds toward its climax, tension mounts, and the realistic consequences of Sciona’s choices made it all the more memorable.
Sciona herself is a remarkably complex and flawed antihero. She is self-absorbed, ambitious, power-hungry, yet also strangely naive. Her unyielding drive and struggle within a misogynistic society made it impossible not to root for her. Her ability to wrestle with conflicting viewpoints and relentless pursuit of truth also appealed to me, especially given how challenging it can be to confront personal biases and take a stand for a better society.
"it's much easier to tell yourself you're a good person than it is to actually be one."
The secondary characters were far less memorable, and even Thomil didn't leave a lasting impression. Sadly, this affected the light romance that unfurled, as I was not entirely convinced by the connection between the characters. In contrast, Moira Quirk's narration was a standout. Quirk's delivery nicely complemented the somewhat formal writing style and conveyed emotional range during the dialogue between characters.
You can also find more of my thoughts and discussion questions on !
Rating: 4 stars
‘Blood Over Bright Haven� raises fascinating moral dilemmas and social commentaries, making it a powerful and memorable read.
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
What struck me first was the vivid similes and rich writing style that brought this story to life. The world-building was also impressive, packed with intricate history, politics, and magic. However, some aspects went over my head, and the information is mainly presented in chunks at the start of the story. Still, the elaborate world allowed for complex themes such as misogyny, systemic oppression, prejudice, power and legacy to be deeply explored and provided a solid foundation for thought-provoking social commentaries. These compelling themes were the best part of the novel for me.
"Truth over delusion. Growth over comfort."
The storyline kicks off with an intriguing and intense start that provides essential context before Sciona’s journey unfolds. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the story, even though the biggest reveal was pretty easy to predict. The dark academia vibe is also brilliantly executed, offering a twisted backdrop of fierce rivalries,nepotism and sabotage. As the story builds toward its climax, tension mounts, and the realistic consequences of Sciona’s choices made it all the more memorable.
Sciona herself is a remarkably complex and flawed antihero. She is self-absorbed, ambitious, power-hungry, yet also strangely naive. Her unyielding drive and struggle within a misogynistic society made it impossible not to root for her. Her ability to wrestle with conflicting viewpoints and relentless pursuit of truth also appealed to me, especially given how challenging it can be to confront personal biases and take a stand for a better society.
"it's much easier to tell yourself you're a good person than it is to actually be one."
The secondary characters were far less memorable, and even Thomil didn't leave a lasting impression. Sadly, this affected the light romance that unfurled, as I was not entirely convinced by the connection between the characters. In contrast, Moira Quirk's narration was a standout. Quirk's delivery nicely complemented the somewhat formal writing style and conveyed emotional range during the dialogue between characters.
You can also find more of my thoughts and discussion questions on !
May 17, 2024
I've read a lot of SFF books about colonization, exploitation, and systemic oppression. I've read a lot of SFF books about terrible empires built on those things. I don't think I've ever read a book where that truth and its reckoning feels this heavy, where the weight and the burden of knowledge is genuinely and realistically impossible to carry, because almost like a Lovecraftian monster, to truly look at the depths of the depravity of "civilization" would be madness-inducing. If any of us were to look around us and seriously hold the knowledge of how everything around us came to be there - the unethical labor practices, the factory farming, the deforestation, a dozen other evils that stack on top of each other to put, say, a slice of pizza on a disposable plate - if we genuinely wrapped our heads around every piece of the puzzle that makes up our daily comfort, we would sit in a corner and scream. We would be incapacitated.
That's really all I'm going to say; that's what this book is about. Not in its entirety, of course, there's actually a ton going on, but that feeling is what I'm left with. I finished reading this a while ago now and I've been letting it marinate hoping that I'll figure out how to properly review it, but I actually think this is one where it's better to know as little as possible going into it. If you know M. L. Wang at all, you'll know to expect incredibly nuanced character work and a brilliantly intricate magic system. This is perfect for fans of Babel, and the worldbuilding will appeal to anyone who loved Fullmetal Alchemist. I also think you'll love this if you enjoyed the Final Strife, although they're very different stories.
I figured out early in the book what the terrible twist to the "utopia" would be, and felt pretty clever for it, but learning the truth actually isn't the point at all. The point is what we do with it.
That's really all I'm going to say; that's what this book is about. Not in its entirety, of course, there's actually a ton going on, but that feeling is what I'm left with. I finished reading this a while ago now and I've been letting it marinate hoping that I'll figure out how to properly review it, but I actually think this is one where it's better to know as little as possible going into it. If you know M. L. Wang at all, you'll know to expect incredibly nuanced character work and a brilliantly intricate magic system. This is perfect for fans of Babel, and the worldbuilding will appeal to anyone who loved Fullmetal Alchemist. I also think you'll love this if you enjoyed the Final Strife, although they're very different stories.
I figured out early in the book what the terrible twist to the "utopia" would be, and felt pretty clever for it, but learning the truth actually isn't the point at all. The point is what we do with it.
July 18, 2023
4.5/5 but I'll round it up for the bold ending.
Dark, disturbing, and utterly addictive, Blood Over Bright Haven is an absolute must-read. I’m not well-versed in the dark academia subgenre, but you can’t go wrong with this page-turner. It delves into topics of imperialism, racism, elitism, and supremacy, but it’s a damn good book above all.
The City of Tiran is impressive. Enclosed within a magical Barrier, it offers its citizens comfort and industrialization made possible by magic. Refugees from the outside, however, can’t expect equal treatment, and they usually scrape by in factories or doing menial jobs. Those who live outside? Dead or soon to be dead through Blight. This lethal light appears from nowhere and strips away layer after layer of human and animal bodies until nothing but blood remains.
Within the confines of the walls, Sciona Freynan has the potential to make history as the first female highmage. She just needs to pass the final exam. Since work, studies, and magic are her sole priorities and she lacks social skills or real interest in other human beings, she feels she can do it. Driven by insatiable ambition and hunger for glory and gifted with a brilliant (if obsessive) mind, she has no equals. There’s just one problem - she’s a woman. And most mages believe women are not destined for greatness.
To avoid revealing any crucial plot points, I’ll keep the synopsis brief. Wang gradually unveils the true origin of magic and sheds light on the mysterious Otherrealm - from which mages draw energy to power the city. Expect the unexpected. It’s dark academia, after all, where appearances are often deceiving.
Blood Over Bright Haven avoids gratuitous violence but contains graphic scenes that may unsettle some readers. It excels at stripping its protagonist from her core beliefs while making her understand the monstrous secrets of Tiran.
There’s, of course, a man and a potential for romance. Sciona faces many obstacles, and it is through the other point of view character, Thomil—a Kwen refugee—that we understand how limited her choices are. Their chemistry and dynamics are great. But here’s the catch - we’re talking about M.L. Wang’s book. In The Sword of Kaigen, she has proven to be unafraid of defying readers� expectations and making bold, heart-wrenching choices. I have issues with parts of the story and the characterization of one of the bad guys, but the ending left me speechless and deserves all the stars.
A word about the magic. I’m not usually a fan of magic systems, but I loved how similar to coding it was. How logical and elegant it felt. Bravo! The characterization of most players is top-notch, too.
The book itself is relatively short (around 120,000 words) and tells a complete story. It skilfully explores themes of gender injustice, racism, faith, and consequences of intentions. All while providing suspense, action, and personal drama. The second half of the book is driven by anger. A righteous anger that serves as a catalyst for societal change, igniting a fire that propels the characters and their world forward.
To provide a balanced perspective, it is worth mentioning that some readers may take issue with the somewhat simplistic depiction of certain characters and the use of narrative shortcuts to convey the message. Personally, I found myself emotionally engaged, and these aspects did not hinder my overall enjoyment of the story.
In short, Blood Over Bright Haves is excellent. It tells a complete story, provides a satisfying ending, and is an emotional rollercoaster as the narrative takes bold risks and delivers gut-wrenching twists. Go ahead, give it a read.
Dark, disturbing, and utterly addictive, Blood Over Bright Haven is an absolute must-read. I’m not well-versed in the dark academia subgenre, but you can’t go wrong with this page-turner. It delves into topics of imperialism, racism, elitism, and supremacy, but it’s a damn good book above all.
The City of Tiran is impressive. Enclosed within a magical Barrier, it offers its citizens comfort and industrialization made possible by magic. Refugees from the outside, however, can’t expect equal treatment, and they usually scrape by in factories or doing menial jobs. Those who live outside? Dead or soon to be dead through Blight. This lethal light appears from nowhere and strips away layer after layer of human and animal bodies until nothing but blood remains.
Within the confines of the walls, Sciona Freynan has the potential to make history as the first female highmage. She just needs to pass the final exam. Since work, studies, and magic are her sole priorities and she lacks social skills or real interest in other human beings, she feels she can do it. Driven by insatiable ambition and hunger for glory and gifted with a brilliant (if obsessive) mind, she has no equals. There’s just one problem - she’s a woman. And most mages believe women are not destined for greatness.
To avoid revealing any crucial plot points, I’ll keep the synopsis brief. Wang gradually unveils the true origin of magic and sheds light on the mysterious Otherrealm - from which mages draw energy to power the city. Expect the unexpected. It’s dark academia, after all, where appearances are often deceiving.
Blood Over Bright Haven avoids gratuitous violence but contains graphic scenes that may unsettle some readers. It excels at stripping its protagonist from her core beliefs while making her understand the monstrous secrets of Tiran.
There’s, of course, a man and a potential for romance. Sciona faces many obstacles, and it is through the other point of view character, Thomil—a Kwen refugee—that we understand how limited her choices are. Their chemistry and dynamics are great. But here’s the catch - we’re talking about M.L. Wang’s book. In The Sword of Kaigen, she has proven to be unafraid of defying readers� expectations and making bold, heart-wrenching choices. I have issues with parts of the story and the characterization of one of the bad guys, but the ending left me speechless and deserves all the stars.
A word about the magic. I’m not usually a fan of magic systems, but I loved how similar to coding it was. How logical and elegant it felt. Bravo! The characterization of most players is top-notch, too.
The book itself is relatively short (around 120,000 words) and tells a complete story. It skilfully explores themes of gender injustice, racism, faith, and consequences of intentions. All while providing suspense, action, and personal drama. The second half of the book is driven by anger. A righteous anger that serves as a catalyst for societal change, igniting a fire that propels the characters and their world forward.
To provide a balanced perspective, it is worth mentioning that some readers may take issue with the somewhat simplistic depiction of certain characters and the use of narrative shortcuts to convey the message. Personally, I found myself emotionally engaged, and these aspects did not hinder my overall enjoyment of the story.
In short, Blood Over Bright Haves is excellent. It tells a complete story, provides a satisfying ending, and is an emotional rollercoaster as the narrative takes bold risks and delivers gut-wrenching twists. Go ahead, give it a read.
October 30, 2024
Gosh, why is it such a struggle to put into words how much I ATE THIS UP? FINISHED IT, LOVED IT, and now I need this book in every edition possible!
Set in an industrial utopia governed by high mages who source their power from the Other Realm, this story takes us through the journey of Sciona, the first-ever female High Mage. As she enters this elite order, she uncovers a secret that could forever change the practice of magic. The depth of themes in this novel is at times hard to read, prejudice, oppression, sexism, religion, and the corruption of patriarchal societies, also has themes of hope through found family and the dream of a better society..
The magic system is nothing short of incredible, thoroughly detailed from spellcasting to the mechanisms of siphoning magic, even down to the spellographs. Admittedly, some aspects went over my head at times because your girl here is surviving on two brain cells, but the amount of thought and structure in the magic system deserves applause!
Sciona is a protagonist worth rooting for as she navigates a male-dominated society and struggles against ingrained barriers. Her journey felt painfully real which highlights the very real frustration women face in traditionally male spaces. F*ck the patriarchy! Sciona is deeply relatable, but also flawed, selfish, and occasionally frustrating, which made her human. She has real desires, ambitions, and vulnerabilities, all of which brought her character to life.
One of the best aspects of the book is the dynamic between Sciona and Thomil, her lab janitor turned assistant. Thomil’s tragic backstory hits hard from chapter one. Despite his status as lower class and Sciona’s own struggles with acceptance, the two form an unlikely alliance. When they uncover a conspiracy, their conflicting perspectives on how to handle it create tension and depth that I absolutely loved.
This story is beautifully and well thought out, with complex worldbuilding, a well-developed and detailed magic system, and flawed yet relatable characters. I’m not usually one to cry over books, but tears were shed! From chapter one to that last chapter, this book pulled at my emotions in a way few others have.
Highly recommend if you’re ready to be emotionally destroyed and left staring at the wall for the unforeseeable future.
Thank you Del Rey for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Set in an industrial utopia governed by high mages who source their power from the Other Realm, this story takes us through the journey of Sciona, the first-ever female High Mage. As she enters this elite order, she uncovers a secret that could forever change the practice of magic. The depth of themes in this novel is at times hard to read, prejudice, oppression, sexism, religion, and the corruption of patriarchal societies, also has themes of hope through found family and the dream of a better society..
The magic system is nothing short of incredible, thoroughly detailed from spellcasting to the mechanisms of siphoning magic, even down to the spellographs. Admittedly, some aspects went over my head at times because your girl here is surviving on two brain cells, but the amount of thought and structure in the magic system deserves applause!
Sciona is a protagonist worth rooting for as she navigates a male-dominated society and struggles against ingrained barriers. Her journey felt painfully real which highlights the very real frustration women face in traditionally male spaces. F*ck the patriarchy! Sciona is deeply relatable, but also flawed, selfish, and occasionally frustrating, which made her human. She has real desires, ambitions, and vulnerabilities, all of which brought her character to life.
One of the best aspects of the book is the dynamic between Sciona and Thomil, her lab janitor turned assistant. Thomil’s tragic backstory hits hard from chapter one. Despite his status as lower class and Sciona’s own struggles with acceptance, the two form an unlikely alliance. When they uncover a conspiracy, their conflicting perspectives on how to handle it create tension and depth that I absolutely loved.
This story is beautifully and well thought out, with complex worldbuilding, a well-developed and detailed magic system, and flawed yet relatable characters. I’m not usually one to cry over books, but tears were shed! From chapter one to that last chapter, this book pulled at my emotions in a way few others have.
Highly recommend if you’re ready to be emotionally destroyed and left staring at the wall for the unforeseeable future.
Thank you Del Rey for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
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