There is a lot to unpack in this story of a trail blazing woman in academia. The beginning of the story moves a little slowly, focusing on the magic system, which reads like a magical love letter to science. The world building is unique and tragic. The love the author put into each and every heavy subject matter that was addressed, some of which include racism, sexism, genocide, corrupt politicians, class discrimination, child labor, and more. This was a heavy read but worth it.

I mean absolutely wow, I am amazed by the magic system that was created! The characters were written so well! The emotional roller coaster that they take us on was beautiful !

As soon as i started this book I knew I’d love it. And I immediately started talking about it to all the people around me. I think there could have been deeper exploration of it but I enjoyed the themes of the exploitative nature of academia, the creation of the other and the subsequent dehumanization but reliance on labor and women who want more but how to do so within exploitative systems.

5⭐️ Blood over bright haven is an exceptional magical dark academia story which explores a patriarchal system set up on a base of colonialism, gender inequality and historical lies.

As a reader who much prefers character driven books Blood over bright haven showed me how intoxicating an incredibly detailed magic system which leads the plot can be. I didn’t need to take a deep dive into likeable characters to thoroughly enjoy this story.

It has been a long time since a fantasy book has stimulated so much deep thought, feeling like I’ve switched my brain into another gear. I was captivated by the story at the same time as feeling like a student of the university, learning the intricacies of the magic system and considering the impact on all those affected by it, not just those who enjoy its benefits.

What an amazing reading experience this was! Blood over bright haven will be one of those books which stays with me forever.

One of my top rated books(if not THE top rated book) is Sword of Kaigen, which I read shortly after it's release years back, and which I read again this year. It transported me to a different world, and I lived, laughed, and cried with those characters over the span of reading it. This book is at the same level as SoK, and has catapulted ML Wang as an insta buy author for me, and made them one of my favourite authors. I had originally read this book when it was self published, but it is currently being prepared to be released as a traditionally published book with allll the bells and whistles, so just a PSA get out there and preorder the special edition because you won't regret it!!!!!

I'm a sucker for fantasy, and usually not someone who actively looks for dark academia books but this book has changed that as well for me, because the characters were slaying, the vibes were vibing, and the plot was killing it so hard that I binged the whole book in a single day(which I've been known to do from time to time, but y'all, I had to force myself to take breaks to eat and even then i was devouring these pages harder than my dinner). If anyone reads my review, all I can say is pick up anything this author writes, because it'll take you on a journey of epic epic proportions and you 100% will be sorry if you decide to pass up on this book because nothing, I promise nothing will prepare you for what these books have to offer.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. Everything in this review is my own opinion and has in no way been influenced by the writer, publisher, or Netgalley.

A huge thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for gifting me a copy of this book for my honest review. Blood Over Bright Haven is a steampunk fantasy novel with magic, and a dash of romance by M. L Wang, the author of The SWORD of KAIGEN. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! I honestly don't know how to talk about it. I started crying when I tried to tell my daughter about. Literally started bawling my eyes out.

It follows Sciona who becomes the first woman High mage in Tiran. She is excited and thinks it will be the greatest achievement of her life to be in an institution that celebrates knowledge and truth above all. Unfortunately that is not what happens. Her males colleagues are against having a woman on board and as a cruel joke assigns her the janitor for her assistant.

Thomil is a Kwen refugee living under the brutal prejudices of the Tiranish people. He is also the last of his tribe and lives everyday with the trauma of the crossing. When he is assigned to the Tiranish woman high mage, he doesn't expect her to keep him, and is surprised when she not only keeps him, but is determined to teach him as well.

Their friendship changes everything...

To say more would give spoilers and I would never take that away from a fellow book lover. BUT this book had me on the floor crying at the end. It the most beautiful book I've read this year. The last book to hurt me like this was BABEL. This book tackles, imperialism, colonization, racism, sexism, all the isms but does it in such a beautiful way that even a flawed character like Sciona can find redemption. It redefined strength for me and what constitutes family. I don't know how else to say it except I will be purchasing a physical copy because I need it in my house. I highly, highly recommend this book and M. L Wang is now one of my faves. I'd give it more stars if I could.

(I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review) Wow, this is the first book I've read this year that felt really really good. I literally got home and sat down reading until I finished it. It had got dark when I looked up and I sat there for a while, lingering in the book hangover. Basically, in terms of emotional punch and drive, five stars. The magic system was really interesting and though I guessed a certain amount of what was going on, the full truth did hit very well. In terms of the overall book, I do have to say 4.5 stars, because I feel like as much as I love a knock at white feminism, it's less good to be doing it primarily from the white feminist perspective? I wish that the other characters didn't have to spend so much of their time breaking it down for our main character. I do think that it's a well done rendition of how she has to get reminded again and again that people will buy into systems of power that serve them. I just think that it sucks up a lot of air of the story. Also I could have done without the love story. I will for sure be reading anything else this author does though. Finally some good fucking food.

I wanted to love this book. I tried multiple times to read and get through this, unfortunately this a DNF at just over the 25% mark. I absolutely LOVE the writing style and I enjoyed the magic alot. My hold up is simple, 1. The ham fisted messaging with sexism. I have absolutely no issues with it being a theme, it's part of what drew me to the book, however, in my personal opinion it's just to in my face. It was as if it had to be a part of every single page to make sure the point got across, and it really pulled me out of the rest. And 2. I just really don't like Sciona. Maybe that's the point, and maybe if I kept going I would change my mind, but I just have no desire to find out right now. In all honesty I'm wondering if it's just not the right time for this book for me. I don't see myself picking it back up anytime soon, but it's definitely one I will try again in the future. I am leaving a 2 star rating because I can not submit without a rating, and as I said I did enjoy the writing.

M L Wang has done it again! Fantastic read! This book, about a female mage, the first of her rank, will have you cheering and crying for the main character as she learns about the world she lives in. This book addresses feminism, sexism, prejudice, classism, and entitlement as the main character moves through her story to the conclusion. Wang effortlessly moves the reader through the story along with the character and when it's done you want more; it's just never enough. Wang's writing is so good, you just want her to keep going, and going. This is a story that everyone should read.

Loved this good. Incredible allegory of the world today in a fictional setting. The magic system is unlike anything I have read and the pacing was perfect

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the arc. While the story was interesting. The writing style wasn’t my favorite. I believe this will be popular regardless and as thankful for the opportunity to have early access to the novel,

A well written and interesting story. Enough twists to keep your attention although not exactly unpredictable.

What kept this from being really really good was the characters' reactions and evolutions; Sciona continues to ignore Thomil's point of view until the point where she transitions all the way over to it without any gradation. The antagonists are almost cartoonish in their devotion to their point of view and justifiy it circularly (which may the part of the point, but a more nuanced motivation/self-justification would have been more interesting IMO)

I’ve heard so many great things about this book. I tried to give it a chance but ultimately decided to DNF at 32%. I was just bored.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced eARC.

long story short...
this is a very mid book with in your face themes and an extremely predictable plot.

The long story...

The first chapter of this book is insanely gripping, it had me excited to continue reading and I couldn’t wait to read this magical, life changing book everyone is raving about…

but then everything went downhill fast…

The remainder of the first 30% of this book is spent over explaining a magic system that made me feel like I was in my Java 101 class. While I do think the magic system is fairly unique the author spends entirely too much time explaining it. Additionally the method of world building feels like a giant info dump. It is mostly presented in the form of out FMC teaching our MMC about magic so she can assist him in her research, what that really means is pages worth of dialogue that dumps more than needed information on a magic system that did NOT need to be explained in such detail. This is a STANDALONE novel, I do not need 30% of the book reserved for world building, it’s not worth it in my opinion.

I was told by many that loved this book that it is character driven and that’s where it really shines, ok cool. So why is it that we spend 30% of the book on the magic system, show maybe a single day or two interaction between the FMC and MMC and then have a FUDGING TIME JUMP, where we’re told the FMC and MMC come to care for each other?! I would have preferred to see their relationship develop over those weeks (months?) rather than have chapters worth of detail about coding on a typewriter.

40-60% The 40% mark is where the book actually picks up and the first time we get to see the MMC’s niece again. Why?! Why do we not see her and their relationship before the 1/2 mark when the first chapter makes it seem like she’ll at least be a fairly important minor character?!

Before I go any further…

I get it, the author has built a world that reflects our own in terms of misogyny, sexism, classism, religion, morality, etc… but it is done in a very IN YOUR FACE LOOK AT ME AND HOW TERRIBLE THIS WORLD IS, kind of way. This is just my personal opinion but when reading fiction I prefer these topics to be included with more finesse and a lot less in your face. I like the idea of a fiction book that tackles hard topics, but does so in a way that isn’t so obvious, maybe even in a way that less discerning readers might miss. Again, just my PERSONAL preference. The only really well done aspect of this within Blood Over Bright Haven is the idea of intentions vs consequences. That was done with nuance and in a way that will have you thinking without shoving it in your face.

Now on to the last 40% of this book…

By this point in the book I was so angry and felt so duped (my fault for assuming the hype for this book was appropriate) that I had to take about a week break from the book. Once I started back up I could not care less about the plot progression, character arcs, or the story as a whole.

Look this book gets better after the 1/2 way mark but in my opinion it doesn’t make up for all the ways this book when wrong.

I’m giving it 3⭐️ because it does have some redeeming qualities but in the end there are better books out there.

With that, I still plan to read Sword of Kalgan and I won’t write off this author based off this book alone.

and lastly… The ONLY reason I finished this book is that it was an ARC - had I not needed to review it I would have stopped reading around the 29% point.

Thank you NetGalley and ___ for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I was kindly given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Blood Over Bright Haven is a beautifully written Dark Academia world that reflects real world social inequality. M.L Wang weaves themes regarding misogyny, xenophobia, colonialism, immigration etc. into a fantastical magic world.

The way she touched on these very heavy and emotional topics was deeply authentic and emotional. This book leaves you reflecting for days after.

“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.”

Our main character Sciona, defeats the odds and becomes the first female mage in society. In a patriarchal system, she learns quickly that she will have to work harder than her peers. In her time as a mage she befriends a Kwen man, Thomil. He and his niece fight to survive after their deadly crossing into Tiran to face a society that outcasts and oppresses them for being Kwen. Together Sciona and Thomil uncover dark secrets regarding Magic and their government. Ultimately their lives can never be the same after learning the truth.


Blood over Bright Haven will be a book I think about for years to come. If you like fantasy books, but also appreciate the evocative nature of dark academia this book is for you.

Firstly, a huge thanks to the author, ML Wang, NetGalley, and the publisher, Del Rey, for the digital ARC copy of Blood Over Bright Haven. I loved this novel, and am looking forward to purchasing a hardcover copy of my own to keep! ML Wang truly brings magic to the pages. The characters leap to life through their suffering and growth. Sciona and Thomil will pull you into their world and make you want to stay, even though it is at times scary and unpredictable.

The story is dark and riveting; the writing itself exquisitely mythical in the way it structures and lays out a scene and story. I thought a lot of the word choices were no less satisfying than the first bite of a favorite treat, and the thoughts stirred when reading inspired me to think more about concepts like friendship, class structures, identity, hard work, and how pure bad luck in the genetic lottery can place people in the worst of situations.

If you ever thought about political events and wondered, “What would I have done? How would I have reacted,” this book will make you want to be a Sciona. She refuses to remain stagnant or be limited, and cannot help but be her, even if that leads her into a truly harrowing struggle. Sciona and Thomil feel like real people. Their struggles, even though on one hand, feel far from anything we can imagine on our planet, are common to most of us. We all feel we can be made smaller by the world around us, placed in a box preventing our reach into life paths that would be so enjoyable and challenging.

ML Wang is an extremely talented writer with a bright future ahead, and I am very much looking forward to more. A truly beautiful and thought provoking, genre-bending story. I highly, highly recommend. One of my favorite reads of the year so far.

Get ready for a transformative journey with this book! It will shift your perspectives, challenge your thoughts, and evoke a range of emotions. Prepare to be amazed, laugh out loud, and even feel a little uncomfortable at times. But most importantly, be ready to grow as a person. This book is a magical rollercoaster that will leave you wondering what just hit you!

This book is so dark in the best way! Some books I just can't put down, this one I had to put down a few times just to catch my breath. Absolutely riveting storyline, character development, and plot.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “It’s much easier to tell yourself you’re a good person than it is to actually be one.”

This is one of the best standalone sci-fi fantasy novels I have ever read! This is an ARC and its release date is October 29, 2024. I’m not even joking when I say that this book should 1000% be turned into a movie and the moral of the story is so important and so relevant not only in the US, but in many parts of the world.

First, can I just say how amazing the “about the author” section is… “M.L. Wang is an author, martial artist, and weird recluse currently hiding somewhere in Wisconsin with her maroon-bellied parakeet, Sulu. She enjoys gruesome nature documentaries and long walks in circles around her room.” UMM SAME M.L. SAME.

There’s a ton of spellwork and machinations that I still don’t understand in the book, but it’s written in a way that you don’t really have to get it to see what’s important. Sciona is an independent, uber focused woman who’s spent her entire life working to achieve the pinnacle of all jobs, a highmage. There’s a pretty severe hierarchy where the “haves” and “have nots” couldn’t be more different and the Kwen (have nots) are treated like garbage and their life really has no value to the people of Tiran. Anyway, it begs the question: if you unearthed a secret that all top officials have been keeping and innocent people, animals and lands are being murdered and destroyed… would you turn a blind eye to it or would you stand against the status quo and use your voice in an attempt to create change for the better? It brought to mind Christopher Columbus and his BS lies, the slaughter of indigenous peoples, the treatment of immigrants, child trafficking, nazi germany, segregation.. I mean the list goes on and on! This may be a fantasy novel written by a woman in Wisconsin chilling with her bird, but it’s SO much more than that. This book was powerful and I cried. Buy the book, trust me if you like sci-fiesque fantasy with magic and heart and love and compassion mixed with brutality you’ll love this! Again, this should be a movie.








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Wow!!! Wang's weaving of religion, magic, and science creates an immersive and compelling world you want to linger in. It's a world where magic is studied like chemistry and physics, creating a unique academic setting. It is a little funny imagining characters wielding their magic by writing lines and shapes on stacks of paper, typing everything into a typewriteresque machine, calculating coordinates, and then hitting enter, but it brings to life the dark academic world in which the characters move in. Outside of the unique magic system, this world is enriched by having established class structures and the people's ideology is expressed throughout the story to reinforce the stakes and the opposition the characters are up against.

While I wasn't a fan of Sciona, I did appreciate her ARC and growth. She's a character that grows for the better but recognizes what makes her, her, isn't always morally good. She is a character that understands herself and doesn't shy away from the ugly parts and I can respect that.

I loved Thomil and his niece. I cared about them the most and while they may not be the MCs they are present enough to have a significant role in Sciona's story and smooth her jagged edges. They are the type of supporting characters that are in the story but they feel separate because they can't last in the world. That's one of the plot points in the book.

This book has been the best fantasy book I've read, so far, this year.