This was SO GOOD! ML Wang write a mid book challenge (impossible). Honestly, for the first quarter of it I wasn't sure......but then it definitely picked up and the plot twist hit me like a ton of bricks! I'm not sure I've been that blown away by a twist before -- and it just kept getting better from there! Also, I thought it would be less depressing than Sword of Kaigen, but I still cried at the end :( Wang's just a master at making me care about characters in such a short amount of time!

I can't believe I almost DNF'd this book because of how deeply I disliked Sciona in the entire first half. I was a fool.

Sciona having to deal with reconciling who she was before finding out the source of energy and who she was going to be in the aftermath was devastating. I was so glad she finally saw what Thomil was telling her...but the emotional cost of it was devastating; I found myself feeling sorry for the character I had found so frustrating. But she never denied it...even to the end Sciona was selfish, and beyond forgiveness for taking part in a society that so clearly diminished the value of people who were put into that position by people she so admired. I knew it wasn't going to be a happy ending for her, but my heart broke nonetheless. I would love to revisit this world in the future to see what Mordra makes of it, but I don't know if anything would be the same without Sciona.

Oh, I'm sad about this one. That first chapter was AMAZING. So good, I was so into it! But then I kept reading and was met with Sciona, and it all went downhill from there *for me*. I greatly appreciate the creativity that went into the magic and magic system, I really do, but it was overexplained and it made this draaaaag. Meanwhile, the characters felt one-dimensional, and that's my biggest issue with this because I just wasn't invested in them at all. Sciona is unlikeable and she's meant to be, because she reflects the society she's in, but I just couldn't get behind her at all. The writing was so incredibly heavy-handed with its themes as well; it got on my nerves. Like, I get it, I really do, there's no need to spell things out for us when they're already so in our faces. Anyway, I didn't vibe with this at all, but I'm not writing off this author. I'm very interested in checking out The Sword of Kaigen at least.

Omg this was soooooo good. Perfectly executed with an interesting, more science focused magic system and an amazingly developed, fundamentally flawed female main character. This book touched on oppression in a masterful way, interesting race and gender and explored how people in power live in disillusionment to struggle. Excellent commentary about the need for violence in fighting oppression and how it is viewed from the perspective of the oppressor. Amazingly developed world, characters, struggle, and conclusion in a standalone novel. I am very impressed with the ending as well. Can’t say enough good about it, definitely a new favorite book and will be looking into reading more of her works in the future


Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

This was IT baby! I wish there was more, the ending make me 😔, time to read the rest of her books. Full disclosure I read this before I got the ARC but wanted to make sure I reviewed it here!

I cannot get over how much I LOVED this book! I devoured the entire thing in less than 24 hours. The author gave us a story filled with magic, politics, history, religion, relationships, and so much more!

The characters were so real! They showed all the emotions of being human and what it means to be selfish and also wanting to do better. Because the characters were real it also had me questioning which direction the story would go. Just like humans, they had choices to make and consequences that go with their actions! The story had me asking myself "Are you a good person? And What makes a person fully good?".

I will be talking about this book and recommending it forever! Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I have so much to say about this read, and yet as I sit here to type out my words, I find myself hesitating to put my thoughts together coherently. Because it was just genuinely that good. I’m practically gobsmacked. So let’s take it piece by piece.

I’ll start with the magic system, since that’s one of the first things that made me realize I was in for a truly unique reading experience. In this world, magic operates a lot like computer programming. Dedicated magical practitioners, called mages, use machines called spellographs. Imagine something akin to a typewriter, with a large hoop attached that can generate a black and white mapping image. The mapping image shows the user where to identify pockets of energy, which they can siphon to generate spells. This kind of distinctive magic system reels me in as a reader, and ML Wang did a great job educating the reader on how it works without ever info dumping – an amazing feat considering it’s a standalone, as well.

Setting was another area in which this book excelled. This story takes place in Tiran, a magically protected city in its industrial era. In Tiran, magehood is considered to be a research field as well as a pathway to city leadership. The magic and the setting combine to create a somewhat gaslamp fantasy mixed with a dark academia vibe.

But despite the magic, it’s a serious read. Blood Over Bright Haven manages to pack in a wide array of themes, including justice, faith, ambition, prejudice, selfishness, and even the weight of a soul. And ML Wang did not pull her punches. The resounding message was clear: our so-called “great” nations do not and cannot exist without the exploitation and genocide of someone else. It’s also an apt exploration about how racism and sexism coincide; where there’s one, there’s always the other.

This story even explores the ways in which religion can be used to oppress, deny, or elevate as it sees fit, and how it can be used to delude others and even oneself.

Blood Over Bright Haven also nails its plot points and pacing. The midpoint has an absolutely sinister plot twist and changes everything, and the second half of the book had me both hooked and dreading what would come next at the same time. I couldn’t look away, even as it ripped my heart out. I cried.

I also have to mention the masterful character-building and growth arcs shown here. Our main character is both likeable and unlikeable – Sciona is selfish, overly ambitious, single-minded, and prejudiced. She admittedly cares little for others. And this is exactly what enables her to rise above her station. Despite her flaws, she also craves the truth, and she’s too intelligent to accept incomplete answers.

Thomil provided a much-needed counterweight to Sciona, both in worldview and in morals. He’s a Kwen, which means he’s indigenous to the world outside Tiran’s borders, and therefore treated as a lower-class citizen. Thomil is a janitor when we first meet him, and he’s only “promoted” to lab assistant because the other highmages think it’s a funny way to protest Sciona’s placement as the first female highmage. Rather than giving her a trained assistant, they give her a janitor. But Sciona, being too proud to back down, accepts Thomil to the role and trains him. What ensues because of their partnership changes everything.

Blood Over Bright Haven was crafted with heart and intelligence. I cannot recommend it enough.

Thanks to Netgalley and Del Rey for the ARC! All opinions are my own. This one releases October 29, 2024.

Blood Over Bright Haven is set in the utopia city Tiran, a haven sheltered by a magical barrier that keeps out the cold and the blight. Sciona is a mage, who has spent all of her time studying magic so that she could attempt the exam that will allow her to become a highmage, a position that no woman has ever been allowed to hold. After passing the exam, she is assigned Thomil, a Kwen janitor, as her assistant. The Kwen are a race of people who come from outside of Tiran, making the dangerous trek into the city in the hopes of finding safety. Thomil's entire tribe was killed by the blight as they came to the city, leaving only him and his niece behind. Sciona and Thomil delve deeper into their experiments and the magical and religious texts about the magical barrier around Tiran. They discover some dangerous truths that have been kept hidden from the people in the city, making powerful enemies for these characters and everyone they love.

The magic system in this book was so unique and detailed. Each chapter started with an excerpt from either books on theory or religious text about the system of magic, which added a lot of depth. It was almost like a combination of magic and computer science, which is something I've never seen before and I really enjoyed. The story started off with a lot of action, but then it lagged a little bit in the middle, only to pick up again at the end. I thought the characters were really interesting and they allowed the story to look at sexism and xenophobia head on. They had arcs that felt realistic and were enjoyable to follow as a reader. Another bonus is that it is a standalone, so the story is all wrapped up in this book. This will be a good one for fantasy readers who like getting into the nitty-gritty of magic systems or stories about schools of magic.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted copy.

Well this is my favorite read of the year! And I know it is going to be my all time favorite book for years to come! I have never ever read a story this deeply impacted me with my whole being into my bones and blood. I do not even know how to write this review because I am still staring into abyss and do not know what to do with myself. Infinity ♾️ plus 6 ⭐️ or moreee!!! My rating system isn’t even fair for this masterpiece! Wow wow wow I am truly blown away!

I was provided eARC by publisher through NetGalley and this review is purely my own opinion.

I want to preface that I am scholar of occult science and a mystic. I perceive every story that I digest in symbolic and archetypal level even if they’re fantasy books so if my review would not make sense to you or I trigger you, I kindly suggest you stop reading!

This storyline is pure archetypal masterpiece. I have never read a story this much mirror to what we are experiencing in this dark age in this time. Yes I genuinely think we are spiritually experiencing very dark age in our current society and societal issues are pure reflection of this!! I deeply believe this storyline is truly a mirror to our current society! We as a society is in very similar position and if you can’t see it well you can stop because I am about to be bold af!

When I read first chapter I started to cry and I knew in that moment this book was going to impact me in soul level and INDEED IT DID! Do you know how hard it is to feel this deep let alone cry for a character in first chapter!??? Not even possible for me at least before this gem.

I am blown away by the character of Thomil. He is the perfect representation of how oppression is so real and one of the most disturbing reality of this magical world but in the same time in our world as well. It broke my heart what Kwen community went through in the story what they endure under the tyrannical Tiran government!!

Magic system was incredibly unique, creative, fascinating and how layered and intelligently crafted was truly fascinating! It took some time for me to fully understand and digest it but end of the book it has glossary I found it little later down in my read. (I didn’t go to end of the book to check because you know it’s ebook lol ) It took some time but when I understood everything then plot started to form which is very connected to magic system! I am truly blow away by it and it was amazing!

Sciona is not my favorite character at all. I disliked her from the beginning. Her lack of empathy and her pretentious attitude was overkill but in the same time I totally understand why the way she was necessary for the storyline and deep perspective towards how brainwashing works in tyrannical/religious system.

Sciona is a highmage which is the best of Tiran’s magic practitioner and she is the only highmage woman in this world! Sexism and how real it was reflected very deeply on her story and it was uncomfortable how real it was but she was also racist and classist through and through and her cognitive dissonance was disturbing and familiarity of it, was uncomfortable especially after what we went through as a society in recent years. She was the perfect representation of how people react when they uncover the truth in the beginning, but her character development was truly fascinating from there.

As a said another deeply mirrored part how brainwashed society reacts through media, politics, education system and religion and in this world people were brainwashed in the same way except we didn’t see a lot of media propaganda here. It was fascinating and sobering how people use religion towards their own gain and power same as our society. (As a I said I am being bold)

The author writes how real evil is in a way that it breaks your heart the reality of it and it’s on your face with thick ass truth. It was truly bold painful truth! (Yeap again mirror 🪞 to humanity) I have cried so many times.

Sciona was annoying but also such an unexpected character because the way she was bold and courageous the way she showed everyone and everything what truth is! Aftermath of her acts weren’t lost on me but author does incredible job again how seeing truth hurts so much and causes great disturbance I am in awe of Sciona’s last act which was truly inspiring and showed deeper occult insight through and through iykyk!

I am just so glad the way this story ended and what a deep message left behind! 🤯This story will stay with me forever as much as it was uncomfortable it was eye opening and inspiring to my core!!!

As I always say “Storytelling will heal humanity” and this storyline is perfect representation of it! 🥹❤️‍🔥

M.L. Wang's *Blood Over Bright Haven* immediately captivates with its complex characters and immersive world. The story of Sciona and Thomil pulls readers in, with Sciona being a brilliant, ego-driven, and flawed protagonist. Despite her faults, Wang masterfully makes her relatable, while Thomil, with his more emotionally grounded perspective, serves as a perfect foil. Their dynamic creates moments of tension and growth, making both characters deeply engaging. The novel’s intellectual depth stands out, especially in the way it tackles themes of morality, good versus evil, and social issues like race, religion, and human rights.

What truly sets this novel apart is its fresh take on magic, described as something akin to coding rather than traditional sorcery. This methodical approach to magic fits perfectly with Sciona’s analytical mindset and adds an interesting layer to the action scenes. Wang also doesn't shy away from tough topics, elevating the novel beyond typical dark academia by intertwining social commentary with the character’s struggles. *Blood Over Bright Haven* is a brilliant, thought-provoking stand-alone novel that challenges the norms of fantasy and offers something entirely new for the genre.

This was a bit of a disappointment. The first part of the book gives you a much darker feeling than the rest of the book, and it seems that will take the book to another place to where is going. After that, the book turned to more of a usual trope and a less darker pace, and I could see the big "puzzles" of the world and the direction of where things were going a mile away. It also bothers me that a character who shows up as someone important in the beginning disappears in the book's second part without even a mention. Finally, the whole "oh my god I don't believe this is happening" also dragged for a long time, and took from the story. In the end, it's a nice story, with an interesting premise, but I didn't love how it was executed, but its worth a read.

This was great! A little bit of Sci-fi with all the magic system! I think fans of HP or Mistborn, and the Magicians are gonna eat this up!

Magic School
Break down the Patriarchy
Social norms and stereotypes
Lab setting


It's hard to explain any part of this book without taking the suspense out of—I think it was the third chapter!
Once again ML Wang hits you right in the feels.

If the Author decided to include a "what inspired this book" page I would very much like to read it! if I had to guess it was directly inspired by several events in the summer of 2020.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an honest review. 4.5 stars.

Blood Over Bright Haven is a masterpiece. Watching an imperfect FMC not only fight the social constructs placed on them due to their gender, but then brutally and heartbreakingly come to terms with the evil that is behind the society she fought so hard to be a part of was like nothing else I've ever read.

The way this book discusses oppression in a multifaceted way was truly amazing. I cannot recommend this book enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC of this book!

This book was previously published but is now being published by Del Rey. I found it originally because it showed up on a list for dark academia fantasy novels, but the selling point for me was the magic being based on coding. Most of the magic is done by using something akin to a typewriter to compose spells in a similar way to how programs are coded on computers. This world is a very patriarchal society, only allowing men to be mages, until Sconia passes the tests brought forth by the society of old man mages. From there she befriends a janitor, which is when our main characters collide. The janitor used to be a nomadic hunter that lived outside the protection of the city. From there we learn the sinister secrets held by the mages and the truths they don't want the public to know. Excellent standalone fantasy, the ending is something I will never forget.

Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang is a book that I absolutely devoured.

Sciona Freynan is the main female character. I admit she starts out rather unlikable and stubborn but the character development achieved by the author is absolutely outstanding and you’re rooting for her unquestionably by the end. Because of this amazing character development, you’ll find yourself deeply invested in other characters, specifically Thomil and Carra as well.

This book has a unique magic system and is set in a richly detailed academic world. The world building is outstanding and the pace of the book is, in my opinion, just right as secrets are exposed and Sciona and Thomil begin to work together.

I have to say I REALLY enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. I was truly wowed!

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My Synopsis:
A story following two characters. Sciona, an incredibly talented and knowledge-hungry mage destined to become the first female high mage and Thomil, once a hunter among his people’s, now just a man trying to survive in a society where his people and culture are viewed as second class and barbaric. With Sciona’s appointment as a high mage at the Magicentre, the first female in a patriarchal society that mirrors the 1950s, she crosses paths with Thomil, a Kwen man turned janitor. Now with an unlikely assistant and a task at work pushing magic to its limits, Sciona’s pursuit of knowledge will uncover a truth that completely turns Sciona’s world and everything she believes to be true upside down.

My Review:
This book has one of the most fascinating magic systems I’ve come across yet! The character development of the two protagonists is just so well done, you can’t help but be emotionally invested as the characters and their relationship develops, rooting for them to overcome the obstacles they face. One of the best parts of this novel is seeing how the relationship shakes up who the protagonist is at her core bringing into question everything she has learned and needs to unlearn. This story weaves together a fantastical storyline that sucks you in from the very beginning while also philosophizing on topics such as gender equality, a sort of radical nationalism, cultural bias, the costs of idealism, colonialism, blind religion, and proselytism. The intricacies of the magic system and very clearly well thought out, a strong female protagonist who not only dominates her male counterparts but is also willing to put aside her own biases, and the overarching themes had me reading with every free second I had. M.L. Wang is a phenomenal author.

Final Thoughts: I love books that push you to step back and question anything and everything especially when it comes to topics of religious beliefs, society norms, and equality. To be able to do that with such a gripping plot is a gift. I NEVER get emotionally invested the way I did with this book, easily 5/5 stars!

Are you a good person?

Are you sure?

There is a specific point in blood over bright haven where you question if you truly are a good person. The main character says that if you have good intentions but everything that you leave behind in your life is destruction, are you actually a good person and will you be judged before God as such? If your intentions were good but all you left behind was suffering, he states that you should be met with the same fate that you left the world in regardless of what your intentions are. This was a very profound statement for me. He uses the word ravine to describe these types of people where you have the potential to be a river, or you could have been a river once before, but the potential to be a river doesn't water the crops and it doesn't bring water to people who are thirsty. The potential of being a good person does not make you a good person. So now I'm sitting here wondering am I actually a good person or am I just a ravine? It is easier to delude yourself into thinking that you are a good person by saying that your intentions are good, but it is much harder to actually be a good person and leave the world a better place. 

Sciona dreams of being Bright Havens first female high mage, a magic wielder, tasked to fuel their safe-haven, half dome of a world, surrounded by a vast ice expanse of wasteland. Inhabited by barbaric cannibals who suffer a blight of the unclean. 

Thomil, a refuge from the blight-lands residing in the slums of Bright-Haven, works his fingers to the bone as a janitor in the Highmage building. Seen as less than, stupid and unclean. An animal. 

When their paths cross, more than one secret is exposed, changing both of their lives, and both of their worlds forever. 

This is possibly the best book I have ever read in my life. There are many comparisons between the implantation of Israel in Palestine, and how Israel treats Palestinians, as animals. I don't think my life will be the same after reading this book. I will forever be questioning and striving to be a truly good person, not just diluding myself.

4.5 Stars 🌟

This is the second stand alone novel that I've read from Ms. Wang and so far, she is batting 1000. The unusual thing is that each book could not have been more different, even though I think The Sword of Kaigan is the book I liked best.

In this story, we are introduced to Sciona Freynan, who is a female Mage who has just become the first female Highmage in the history of Tiran. Tiran is a dome like city that exists in a type of protected state. The outside of the protection is thought of as the "wild" full of savages and dangers while inside the city they have modern conveniences such as electricity, trains, vehicles, etc.

Sciona starts off as a fairly unlikeable character. I think that one of the really great things that Ms. Wang achieves as an author is the way she develops the characters in her stories. We get to truly see the character arc that Sciona takes, and it is a doozy. The funny thing is that she never really loses her arrogance and her selfishness, and her ego and pride continue for the entire story. Yet she does grow. Somehow, she stays true to her character but develops a better self-awareness and for the first time in her life, she becomes aware of events that are occurring to the people around her, and how they affect those around her. That is the big thing. It is so interesting to see her confusion with these new feelings, because she is still so arrogant - she isn't sure how to react to her new feelings.

We also meet Thomil. He is my favorite character in this book. Thomil came from "outside" the barrier and he is fully aware of what life is like on the outside. They call these people the Kwen and they are regulated to a certain part of the city and are forced into certain "low paying" and dangerous jobs. This book really deals with some tough issues - but the biggest issues are misogyny, xenophobia, and racism. It doesn't shy away from them and at times, it is not easy to read.

So, Thomil is working as a janitor in the mage building and gets put with Sciona as her lab assistant. This is meant as a slight to her, because the men cannot deal with the fact that a woman has become a Highmage. Thomil breaks every pre conceived notion that Sciona has been told about the Kwen - he is smart, literate, intelligent and HE LISTENS to her. He is also able to give her a perspective that she was not expecting, and that changes everything

Anyway, let's just say that the two of them become a pretty good team and then are faced with some pretty awful circumstances when they discover that things are NOT the way Sciona has always been led to believe. The story takes off when Sciona (and Thomil) are faced with unexpected information and because she is so intelligent, she quickly realizes that something is wrong - and she doesn't fall for the stories that try to explain her new discoveries.

As I was reading, I kept trying to figure out "how" this was possibly going to end. One thing I can say is that the story does stay true to itself. It lets the circumstances play out, and even though it isn't a HEA type ending, it still plays it out until the end. No spoilers, so that's all I'll say.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone. This book comes out for traditional publication on October 29, 2024.

This is a carefully thought-out world of magic and consequences. This author has done a wonderful job creating a world and inhabiting it with people who are likable (at times), but mostly human. Much time is spent building characters sometimes at the expense of action. However, action does build and expand, moving quickly to its climax. The ending may not be to the liking of all readers but this one found it satisfying.

Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang captivated me from the start with its fearless exploration of power and oppression. Set in a richly detailed academic world, the story features a unique magic system and a fantasy setting that eerily echoes our own reality. Wang doesn’t shy away from tackling tough themes like sexism in academia, racism, prejudice, and misogyny, weaving them seamlessly into the narrative in a way that feels both relevant and thought-provoking.

The protagonist, Sciona Freynan, is a character who immediately drew me in. She’s ambitious, brilliant, arrogant, stubborn, selfish, and a little unhinged. At first, I wasn’t sure I would like her, but as the story progressed, I found myself rooting for her despite her many flaws. Her unyielding determination and bravery make her an unforgettable character, offering a deep, often unsettling glimpse into a corrupt world.

I also found myself deeply invested in the characters Thomil and Carra. I was hoping with all my heart for the happy ending they deserved. The emotional attachment I felt toward these characters was intense, and their stories kept me hooked until the very end. Speaking of the ending, it took me by surprise. It wasn’t what I had hoped for, but I appreciated how it stayed true to the story’s themes and messages, reflecting Wang’s commitment to honest storytelling.

If you’re looking for a fantasy novel that isn’t afraid to tackle real-world issues with depth and nuance, I highly recommend Blood Over Bright Haven. It’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.