Story: 5 ⭐

It's been a while since I've been stunned to silence over a book. This wasn't even my typical genre of books. but, man it really left a mark.

This is a steampunk/gas lamp fantasy (I don' t even know if they can be put together but that's how I would describe it) And is based in a world where a county's foundation is a religion made 300+ years ago. You have all the hard topics within this story. Classism, misogyny, and even racism.

Sciona a woman, who obsessively worked to become the first women in the Magistrate. Basically, the group of intellectuals who run this county of their religion and magic. She gets paired with an unexpected partner.

The magic system is so unique. I would call it an industrial magic system.

You get to watch as all these truths come to light and who/how Sciona responds to them. It's heartbreakingly hopeful. Be prepared for tears.

It took me a few attempts to get into Blood Over Bright Haven with the hefty scientific world-building but once I was hooked, it did not disappoint.
The patriarchy and racism at the heart of Tiran felt heavy-handed at times but still relevant to today. An interesting blend of magic, technology, and religion that could be hard to follow but made the reveal gripping. Still thinking about the ending weeks later.

the city of Tiran, an industrial utopia powered by magic. However, beneath its gleaming surface lies a grim cost, as the collectors come calling to claim their dues. The story follows Sciona, an orphan who has spent two decades striving to become the first woman admitted to the prestigious High Magistry. Her relentless pursuit of magic finally earns her the title of highmage, but her journey is far from over. In a world where her colleagues are determined to undermine her, Sciona is unexpectedly paired with a janitor as her assistant. Yet, this seemingly inconsequential assistant, Thomil, harbors secrets of his own. A former nomadic hunter, Thomil's past is entwined with the mysteries of Tiran's magical barrier. Together, Sciona and Thomil must navigate their tumultuous alliance to uncover an ancient secret that could alter the fabric of magic itself.

Reading "Blood Over Bright Haven" was an exhilarating and thought-provoking experience. The narrative's exploration of power dynamics and the societal structures that enforce them resonated deeply, especially in today's political climate. M.L. Wang masterfully weaves a compelling story filled with impactful, powerful, and at times, painful moments. The book's commentary on social class and racial stereotyping is both timely and timeless, highlighting how these constructs are used to "other" individuals. Sciona's journey raises profound questions about the lengths one might go to reclaim power unjustly denied. This book is not only a gripping fantasy tale but also a profound critique of societal norms, making it worthy of academic discussion. I believe "Blood Over Bright Haven" should be taught in schools, as it provides both an engaging story and insightful commentary on human nature and society.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Blood Over Bright Haven" by M.L. Wang is a dark academia fantasy novel that delves into themes of ambition, morality, and societal structures. The story follows Sciona Freynan, a determined and skilled mage striving to become the first female highmage in a male-dominated society. Her journey is marked by challenges that test her resolve and ethical boundaries.
Wang's writing is captivating, immersing readers in a richly developed world with a unique magic system that mirrors coding or formula writing. The narrative is intense and thought-provoking, exploring complex moral dilemmas and the pursuit of knowledge at all costs. The character development is particularly noteworthy, with Sciona portrayed as a multifaceted protagonist whose growth is both compelling and realistic.
However, some readers may find the heavy emphasis on themes such as gender injustice, social status, and faith to be overwhelming. The dark and sometimes brutal nature of the story might not appeal to those seeking a light or escapist read. Additionally, the intricate magic system, while innovative, may be challenging to grasp initially.
In summary, "Blood Over Bright Haven" is a powerful and engaging novel that offers a deep exploration of societal issues through the lens of fantasy. While it may not be suitable for all readers due to its dark themes and complex narrative, those interested in thought-provoking and emotionally charged stories will find it a rewarding experience.

I loved everything about this book.
The science, the religion, the message. Everything was great
Easily one of my top reads of the year

I'm still awake struck and trying to process that ending.
I'm emotionally wrecked

I had been waiting for this book for months! I was so excited when I had the chance to read this! Such a heroine and the background story building was incredible! I was so enraptured in the story! It’s a mix of fantasy, gothic fantasy but also action! I really can’t help recommending this book! So worth every page!

I loved EVERY PAGE of this book. The world-building was detailed but never overwhelming, and the characters were simply fantastic. The magic system, clearly inspired by programming, made everything feel so real, almost as if I could truly grasp how it worked. This is one of those stories that stays with you long after you’ve finished it and makes you question everything. I haven’t felt this way about a book since The Handmaid's Tale. It’s truly a masterpiece.

This is my second M.L Wang book and it most definitely won’t be my last.

This is the most unique magic system I’ve ever read. The world building and plot is beautifully done.

The characters growth and the hard topics such as misogyny and oppression were laid out in a way that was easy to digest.

I really loved this story and would definitely would recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this eARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.


Number one: GORGEOUS COVER!!!! They always tell you not to judge a book by it's cover but ummmm hello?! The cover sets the tone accurately for this book: the writing style is rich, the characters are well-written, and the fact that it's in a dark academia setting is just the cherry on top for me. I can't wait to read more by this author!

This book wasn't for me. I was very interested in the world and magic, but found the characters lacking. I also couldn't be bothered to continue on reading because of the misogyny taking place. I found it was a bit to heavy handed for my taste. I think the author is a good writer and can build fantastic worlds, but her characters were lacking.

This book had so many elements of different genres I love. Magic, fantasy, academia, a little romance…a little class/dystopian struggle thrown in as well.

I honestly didn’t love the ending…it both was and wasn’t what I saw coming and kind of felt a little rushed and abrupt to me, but I loved the rest of the story

This is one of those books that I need to be in the right mindset to read. It took me a long time to finish this book. I did think it was written well! I really enjoyed the characters and the plot. But for some reason, this wasn’t one I was running home to finish.

Thank you NetGalley, M.L. Wang and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the eARC!

Rating: ✨✨

#BloodOverBrightHaven #NetGalley

As much as I wanted to love this book, while it was beautifully written I had a hard time staying interested. I really did appreciate the themes and character development, but the long chapters and slow build took me out of the story. I’ve heard incredible things about this author so I will absolutely be checking out her other works! I just don’t think this book was for me.

I listened on audible and the narration is fantastic. I did have to stop after a couple of chapters because it immediately opens into some serious, dark and gory content. I am not affected by this normally, but I was not in the proper mindset. I absolutely will complete this at a later time. The writing and characterization are exceptional. I definitely recommend giving it a try. The rest of my book club also confirmed it is a fantastic read!

I really liked the world-building and magic system of this book. I also think it handled its subject matter rather well, and it was well written. The characters felt realistic, and even when the main character was being the worst, her thought process and motivations were clear. Though I feel like the actual events of the story are slow-paced, there was never a part where I felt the prose dragged. It was a quick read, despite the length. I think the ending was maybe a little predictable, but I really enjoyed the story overall. I think anyone who liked Babel by R. F. Kuang should give this book a try.


Also, at the risk of sounding odd, I think anyone who liked this book should try watching Fullmetal Alchemist (2003).

I genuinely don’t have any other word to describe this book, other than MAGNIFICENT.

I have no notes. Seriously, none. Even if there were parts of this book I didn’t love, I wouldn’t even be able to tell you what they were, because this book is so incredible.

This book tackles gender roles, race & class/economic divides and exploitation, and religious fanaticism. The main character, Sciona, is inherently flawed. She can be difficult to like, but she is easy to love, through her growth and persistence. She highlights the struggles of women, many of which are paralleled in today’s society. The same goes for the economical, racial, and religious conversations - the reflection on our society is astounding. The further into the book you read, the more of a reflection on human history and humanity. It’s truly masterful.

Initially, when I started reading, I thought this book was going to be HEAVY science fiction, which it is. However, I didn’t anticipate the balance of the humanities, in this book. From history to witchcraft, and everything in between, this book is more than just a “sci-fi” book.

I was shaking reading this book. It is depressing and hopeful and wonderful and sad, all at the same time.

One of the best books I've read so far this year, maybe even this decade. M.L Wang is a marvel at character work which was apparent in her previous work but Blood Over Brighthaven had me hooked from the first chapter and clung to me until the very end. Thought provoking and genuinely engaging while still being a joy to read. I'll be thinking about this story for a long time and am already considering a re-read.

holy bloody hell, i am simultaneously speechless yet have so much to say about this masterpiece of a novel.

instant five stars and new favorite read of 2025, AND autobuy author — thank GOD i have sword of kaigen to read next! i’m kicking myself for waiting this long to read ANYTHING by m l wang.

as the events in blood over bright haven unravelled, i saw so many similarities from one of my all time favorite series, full metal alchemist/brotherhood.

sciona is the first female highmage in tiran, and despite working hard to pave the way for other young women to become high ranking mages instead of simply educators, she is also extremely prejudiced and heavily blinded by the propaganda her theocratic government spews about the kwen people and their culture.

i absolutely loved seeing sciona not only acknowledge her prejudices and learn about the kwen culture through her conversations with thomil, but also how she slowly changes and becomes less self-absorbed in her pursuing own legacy as the first female highmage as she uncovers the secret of the blight.

when sciona discovers this secret and how their magic is in fact NOT a gift from their god, but a terrible and horrifying atrocity against humanity, i was instantly reliving the events of full metal alchemist (which is a trip in and of itself).

i love that sciona is considered a villain in HER world, for exposing the hard truth of her culture, but for readers, she is a hero.

my god, i would love to reread this for the first time, that is how much i am amazed and blown away by this book. the broken binding edition is gorgeous.

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang completely blew me away. This dark academia fantasy had everything I could ask for — rich world-building, complex characters, and a story that digs deep into power, privilege, and ambition.

The story follows Sciona, the first woman to be admitted to the High Magistry at the University of Magics and Industry. She's worked her whole life to get there, but instead of a proper assistant, she's stuck with Thomil — a janitor with a hidden past. Their partnership starts off rocky, but as they uncover dangerous secrets tied to magic, things start to spiral fast.

What I loved most was how layered this story felt. The themes of colonialism, classism, and discrimination were woven so seamlessly into the plot. Sciona’s fight to prove herself in a male-dominated institution felt so raw and real, and Thomil’s backstory added so much depth. Their dynamic — tense but evolving — kept me hooked the whole time.

The pacing was spot-on, with twists that had me holding my breath. And the ending? Absolutely powerful. If you love morally gray characters, academic politics, and a touch of rebellion, this one’s a must-read. Easily one of my top fantasy reads this year!

I will be trying to process that ending for a long time! WOW! Not what I expected, but in the best way.

***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.***