Blood over Bright Haven starts very dark with a clan running for safety but only two survivors - Thomil and his niece.
10 years later Sciona is testing to be a Highmage - she would be the first female to reach this level if she gets the position. Once she is a Highmage she is not treated well by her fellow highmages. They assign the janitor to be her assistant- it is Thomil. Thomil learns quickly but Sciona is competing against the other highmages who have banded against her. Sciona and Thomil discover an awful truth. They have to decide what to do about their shocking discovery.
This is not a pleasant place to live - they are elitest and do not treat refugees well or even their own people.
The book is very well written. The characters are well drawn but I like humor in a story and this world is just too selfish and brutal.

ML Wang has done it again!! What an amazing ride of a lifetime. The magic system she has created in this book is just WOW AMAZING. I will be buying the special edition to sit on my shelf and look pretty

Wow, this book was incredible! I cannot believe the ending. The story, the characters, the world, the female rage... just wow. I feel like I have no words.

Blood Over Bright Heaven took me by surprise. I went into it completely blind, knowing only that it had academia vibes and had heard incredible things about M.L. Wang. I did not expect to love this book as much as I did.

The book features a badass female character and delves deeply into themes of sexism and female rage—something I absolutely loved. When the FMC's world crashed around her, and her entire view of reality shattered, I, a woman holding a Kindle safely in bed, felt like my own world was crashing down. I felt her pain, her rage, and the overwhelming anxiety of "WTF am I supposed to do now?" This, in my humble opinion, is a testament to how good the writing is.

She realized her entire world was fucked up, and instead of sitting, crying, and going mad with the truth, she decided to bring the whole world crashing down. I couldn’t stop reading—it hit all the right spots. The (VERY SLOW) slow-burn romance and tension, the academia setting, the unique magic system, the ambitious and rage-filled FMC, the hot MMC with a traumatic background, and the character development were all brilliantly done.

The book is filled with discussions about sex and race, the oppressed and the oppressors, and breaking such a system. I really don't know what to say except that you should go and read this book.

ML Wang is one of my new favorite authors. Ive read hundreds (if not thousands) of fantasy epics, and I was so moved by how wonderful Sword of Kaigen was, that ML Wang is now an auto-buy author for me. I was thrilled to receive this eARC and jumped at the opportunity to read it early. I loved it and highly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

WoW! Absolutely 5 star read. I haven't read much fantasy with a dark academia theme but I can't image it gets much better than this.
The story is about the mages who power their city in bubble (Tiran) with spells and magic. The main character, Sciona, is the first female mage in history and happens to be quite brilliant. Her skill as a mage rivals her mentor and all of the mages in the council she is now a part of. The male main character, Thomil, survived the gruesome trek to Tiran, escaping the deadly "Blight" that crosses his land. His people are the working class, considered by the people of Tiran to be sub-human.
The magic system is very scientific, unique, interesting and wonderfully described. I won't attempt to describe it or summarize it; it's too complicated for the likes of me to simplify! I did feel that I had a good understanding of how the magic and spell writing worked. I could not for the life of me picture it, though.

The book tackles so many very heavy topics. Misogyny and racism. How a society functions; the secrets of those at the top and the costs. This book is INTENSE from chapter 1 and never lets up. So well done.

Highly recommend! Thanks the NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

3.5 stars

So, for the first 50% of this book, I thought I was going to love it. The magic system was creative and intriguing (like writing computer code), and the MC was well written and flawed, and I wanted to root for her.

Then everything took a dark and dismal turn, and I wasn’t rooting for her anymore, I couldn’t see a good end to the story, and whatever end it was, it was fast approaching. I truly almost was hoping for a cliffhangar as the pages dwindled. But the MC continued to be unlikeable, and the world unraveled.

I know a lot of people like this type of darkness in their books. But I’m a root for the hero, HEA girl, and this was not that.

It's a shame because it was well written and had some interesting concepts.

Blood over bright haven is a must read for all. Wang tackles so many topics including racism, imperialism, supremacy and sexism in a brilliant way. This book leans dark and can be disturbing at times but it was throughly addictive and I could not stop reading.

The story focuses on Sciona and Thomil . Sciona is trying to make history becoming the first high mage. It is unthought of for a woman to take on this role as they should be at home in the kitchens and tending the family. After testing and proving herself to her peers they still want to humiliate her and instead of giving her an acclaimed assistant she is put with the janitor Thomil.

Without giving too much away this book tackles so many topics and is very fleshed out. You will find yourself rooting for the main characters despite their flaws. Wang has a brilliant way of making the characters very realistic and relatable.

This book was top notch in my opinion and deserves all the stars. You're in for a wild ride hold onto your seats. The topics discussed in this book also make it a great choice for required reading with teens. Well done again M. L. Wang. I highly recommend reading this one perfect for adults and teens alike.

The beginning was gripping and I thought “finally, this will pull me out of my slump”! But, alas it didn’t. I met Sciona and lord she was intense, too intense and unlikable. Don’t get me wrong, mad respect for her not wanting what the typical women in Tiran wanted but it was too full on. We get it now shut up about it! She damn near emasculated Thomil in every respect which made the hints of possible attraction very cringey (lion and mouse love match? awwww, nope!). I liked how the magic system was explained initially but then it became so system-heavy, everything focusing on the process, my brain said “nope, too much for casual reading”. Interesting premise, poor execution -wasn't interested in finishing. Thanks Net Galley for the ARC.

"Blood Over Bright Haven" is an engaging fantasy novel that presents a vividly crafted world and an intriguing storyline. The author excels in creating a rich and immersive setting, filled with detailed history, magic, and political complexities that draw readers into the realm of Bright Haven. The world-building is a definite highlight, providing a strong foundation for the narrative.

The plot is well-conceived, featuring twists and turns that maintain interest throughout most of the book. However, there are moments where the pacing falters, particularly in the middle chapters. These sections, while contributing to character development and world-building, can feel slower and may challenge the reader’s patience.

The characters are well-developed, with the protagonists displaying significant depth and growth. Their personal journeys are compelling, and their relationships add emotional weight to the story. Secondary characters also contribute meaningfully, though at times, their arcs feel underexplored.

The prose is generally strong, with descriptive language that paints vivid images without being overly complex. The author’s writing style is accessible and enjoyable, making for a pleasant reading experience. However, there are occasional moments where the narrative could benefit from tighter editing to maintain a more consistent pace and clarity.

Despite its strengths, "Blood Over Bright Haven" has some shortcomings that prevent it from reaching its full potential. The uneven pacing and occasional narrative lulls detract from the overall impact of the story. Additionally, while the world-building is impressive, some elements could be better integrated into the plot to enhance coherence and engagement.

Overall, "Blood Over Bright Haven" is a solid fantasy novel with many commendable aspects, deserving of a 3.5-star rating. It offers a captivating world and well-drawn characters, but could benefit from a more consistently paced narrative. Fantasy enthusiasts will find much to enjoy, even if it falls short of being a standout in the genre.

Thank you NetGalley, Del Ray and ML Wang for this EARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I'm blown away by how much I loved this book. The beginning – the crossing – absolutely grabs your attention and the world building from there forward is so intriguing that I was hard pressed to step away from reading.

There was one specific moment in the book where things were finally made clear and I felt truly shocked – I'm certain others will clock what is going on sooner, but I didn't and I'm glad! It was such a big turning point in the story and it really set up what would unfold through the rest of the book.

I'll be HIGHLY recommending this one!

4.75 ⭐️

This book is so good!

M.L. Wang makes you care about the main character even when she can be selfish, ignorant and oblivious sometimes. But by the end you care so much for her because of her development throughout this book. Well written characters is a must for me to love a book and this had complex and very well written characters.

I really liked how the characters reactions to things and responses were super realistic and not written in a way just to be entertaining. Sometimes books just have characters react a certain way just to move forward but I don’t like when certain things get glossed over like that. M.L. Wang does not do that with any of the characters which made me love it even more.

The magic system and world building is SO unique, I have not read anything like this and it is done so well. Although it is an intricate and complex system, M.L. Wang wrote it in a way that was very easy for me to understand and visualize.

After reading this and Sword of Kaigen, M.L. Wang is one of my favorite authors and will read anything she writes!

This book was life-changing for me. I still fall asleep dreaming about it. Omg. I already knew M.L. Wang was an incredible author, though I am due for another reread of The Sword of Kaigen, but this book? Blood Over Bright Haven? Ethereal, stunning, soul-crushing, heartbreaking, world-changing. You have not lived until you have read this book, I'm so serious.

Let's break it down. Amazing characters with actual growth, complexity, and stories you can't help but root for? ✅ Check! Stunning worldbuilding where every little thread connects in the most gasp-inducing ways? ✅ Check! A unique magic system that combines spirituality, math, science, and technology? ✅ Check! Societal critiques of ethnic stratification, class inequities, gender roles, struggles for survival, and the ethics of power? ✅✅✅ Check, Check, Check!

Seriously, this book was such an enriching read. I felt like I was actually reading history about a real society that existed. I think fantasy is so much more powerful when it actually addresses real-world issues and problems. Because really, what is the difference between erecting border walls to keep out immigrants or putting up a magical shield to keep your city "safe from the outside."

M.L. Wang does a brilliant and nuanced job exploring the million different things that can make a society so fucked up. Especially after centuries of propaganda, suppression, and resource restriction. And our characters are so gosh-darn incredible in their attempts to do something with their talents and knowledge.

I could say a ton more, but that would lessen the impact of reading this work of art yourself, so go grab it! Now! Just please, bring a bunch of tissues. You will need them. And a cozy blanket. And some caffeine because you WILL want to reread this as immediately as you finish.

I devoured this book!!! The main character is breaking the glass ceiling and achieving her goals in a world completely dominated by men. Unfortunately, after breaking through the glass ceiling, what she finds on the other side is nothing she was prepared for.

What I loved about this book:
- Dark, gritty, real, and both depressing and optimistic at the same time
- FMC is 27 years old and has worked very hard to achieve her goals
- FMC is extremely intelligent and driven
- Unique magic system
- Interesting fantasy world

Can I say WOW!? This fantasy novel follows the determined Sciona as she navigates the challenges of being the first woman admitted to the High Magistry at the University of Magics and Industry. Her ambitiousness and hard work allowed her to break the gender barrier of the school. Other students criticized her, treated her with hostility, and thought she was admitted for sympathy or due to seduction; either way, she would never be of the same caliber as her male colleagues. Sciona is given a janitor, Thomil, as a lab assistant, who she initially treats dismissively. As they interact more, Sciona realizes that his people were driven from their homeland for a secret, and a possible new practice of magic could destroy the powerful elite of society.

I loved Sciona immediately. She is fierce, brilliant, and a revolutionary force. She knows the other students, and the school will test everything she has. It is a true testament to her resilience and her resolve. This determination is also accurate with Thomil's character. He has a tragic backstory and is willing to learn anything to help his people. The relationship between the two is beautiful. He causes Sciona to shift her focus and see more. Together, they are driven by a deep desire to understand the forces that shape their world.

The story explores themes of prejudice, the importance of challenging prejudice, and the transformative power of knowledge. The novel's pacing is well-balanced, with moments of intense action. The climax is mind-blowing. This book appeals to readers of fantasy and stories of personal triumph. If Goodreads would let me give it more than 5 stars, I would still be adding stars.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine, Del Rey.

M. L. Wang is out here AGAIN showing everyone that not everything has to be a series!

This was so interesting, I loved the pacing, I loved the story, I loved how addicting it was to read & how twisted it was.
Like movies, I say that no book is perfect, but I truly believe that Blood Over Bright Haven may have just changed my mind.
5,000,000,000 stars.

‘The first woman ever admitted to a prestigious order of mages unravels a secret conspiracy that could change the practice of magic forever, in this standalone dark fantasy from the author of The Sword of Kaigen.’

Blood Over Bright Haven was my first read by ML Wang. And while there was clearly no shortage of imagination, talent & creativity that went into writing this book, I still felt like I was wading through mud trying to reach the end.

Even with such a unique story of magic, with mapping zones, spellwebs, siphoning spells, mapping coils, and many more intricacies, I was struggling to grasp any emotion possible. But I had none. For the 450 page duration, I felt nothing. No excitement, anger, thrill, wonder, anticipation….nada. It all just read very stiff and monotone to me and heavy-handed on the sexism. I also found the FMC, Sciona, to be completely insufferable.

Would I read more work from this author? Absolutely. Sadly, this one just didn’t quite do it for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine | Del Rey for this arc in exchange for review. I am always grateful.

It's not often that you read a world building fantasy that draws you in so completely to a world which sounds familiar (especially to those today who are well off) and also horrifies you about what we are doing to our world. The world in this book is not Earth but the people seem to treat their land much the same way. The Tiranish are the owners of a city/land which has wonderful living conditions -- at least for those who are Tiranish, especially high level Tiranish. The magicians (Archmages, highmages) who create the power that runs this land have created a utopia for the haves but of course someone has to be the have nots; in this world it is the Kwen. The Kwen come from outside the area controlled by the mages, and they are allowed to exist by offering their labor and the only reason they come is because their land has been destroyed as well as many of their people.
Sciona, a woman who has studied magic for years in hopes of becoming a highmage (an ambition that is almost hopeless due to the lack of women mages or even opportunities to become so). and has become the protegee of an Archmage. She is given the opportunity to test for the position of highmage and unbelievably succeeds due to the fact that her magic is excellent. Once she achieves this long-sought ambition, she finds out that she is still an outcast to her fellow mages. Hazing starts as soon as she is given an office and as a joke, she is given a Kwen janitor, Thomil, as her assistant. Sciona makes the best of it since in reality she doesn't really count on anyone. She has been self-directed all her life and someone who does not care about anyone other than herself and her hope to become a highmage.
Becoming thrown together has a good effect on both Sciona and Thomil -- each has much to teach the other and as Sciona learns so much more about her world and what the mages are doing to it, the more human she becomes. This book keeps you reading and thinking.

M. L. Wang writing is just so raw. The good, bad and ugly of what it means to be human stares right back at you throughout Blood Over Bright Haven.

We meet Sciona, the first woman to ever be admitted to High Magistry and follow along as she uncovers exactly what it entails to hold the title she coveted for so long. I've never disliked, yet still rooted for a character as much as I did with Sciona. I'd go from feeling for her and the discrimination she faced to being baffled at her own ignorance and prejeduce.

The magic system? Insane and captivating to learn about.

Like I said I'll read M. L. Wang’s grocery list at this point. Pairing this book and The Sword of Kaigen? M. L. Wang is an auto-read author for me 100%.

Received an eArc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Blood Over Bright Haven is a standalone fantasy from M.L. Wang, author of Sword of Kaigen, a great standalone fantasy. When I saw she had another standalone coming out, and that it had been picked up by a traditional publisher, I was really excited to try it out. And then on top of that, there was so much hype from those who had already read it. Unfortunately it did not live up to the hype for me.

The book follows Sciona and Thomil, the former the first female high mage in Tiran, a city protected from the winter and Blight by the mages, and the latter a Kwen, a savage from beyond the protected city, whose whole tribe except for him and his niece died in the attempt to face the winter and Blight to get to Tiran.

The magic system was interesting, a type of magical coding. The messages that M.L. Wang wants the reader to take away are really straightforward and laid out repeatedly in the novel. While there were portions of the novel that I liked, the heavy gore descriptions, the lack of subtlety in much of the novel, and the open ending made this book just an okay novel, which really disappointed me. Should you read it? I guess? It wasn’t awful, but I would not go out of my way to recommend it to anyone. Overall, a 2.5-3 star book.

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Blood over Bright Haven is a phenomenal, compelling story.

The world building is intricate and the depth of the characters are well developed.
Bright Haven of Tiran was built by man in order to protect it from winter and blight. Eternal spring. The Otherrealm is quite the opposite.
After her mother passed away Sciona’s own father denied her having his last name. He sent her away to live with her Aunt. Now she denies him her glory. All of Sciona’s life she has wanted and she’s also worked hard on becoming a Highmage of Tiran. Magic and men run the city. The government needs those who possess the necessary skills of magic to come up through the ranks and keep the city running smoothly.
Sciona wants to break barriers for women. Move past the good old boy network and become a highmage. There is so much working against women in advancing their career. Being a highmage is nowhere for a woman to be they say. This is a man’s profession they say.
Sciona says - hold my beer, I’ll show you hellfire.

I felt such empathy for Sciona and Thomil for being treated poorly. One, because she’s a woman highmage typically reserved for men, and Thomil, for being in a lower societal class called Kwen. Further in the story a friendship between Thomil and Sciona develops, making them a team.

✅Thought provoking darkness.
✅Social disparity.
✅Absence of morals.
✅Intense strong magic.
✅Emotional.
✅Complex.
✅Brilliantly told legacy.
✅Strong FMC

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
To M.L. Wang, thank you for telling such an impressive tale.