To be posted on Goodreads and Story Graph on Oct 29, 2024. Link to be shared later.

Where to even begin with this book. Simply put, it’s one of the best reads of 2024. Hands down. I should probably get into the whys. Now, with this book, there is so much to go over that this will be a lengthy review. But the short of it is that ML Wang expertly dives into the socio-political dynamics of two people and how they both clash and help each other. This book took me by the shoulders, set me up for a feminist success story, and then dunked me headfirst into the disgusting icy waters of Tiran in an intersectional plight of two people trying to get out from under their respective oppressions.

Our heroine, Sciona, is the first female Highmage in Tiran. She has broken down the barriers that kept women from achieving success, but after she got there, she realized that she was not in warm company. She wasn’t given a proper assistant, instead the janitor being jokingly assigned to her, while most everyone else had multiple highly trained assistants. Ever the challenger, Sciona took what was handed to her and made the most of it, teaching her Kwen assistant, Thomil, the ins and outs of being a mage to help her achieve her goals.

In doing this, she learned that the Kwen were not, in fact, less than the “True Tiranish” people. They were humans like the rest of them. And that despite all of Sciona’s attempts to assimilate and tear down the male dominated field, there were people, the Kwen, that were treated poorly and did not share her same experiences from the same people. And this is the most I’m going to say about the plot directly. I do not want to give any spoilers.

But to quell a few concerns from that set up. Yes, I did believe this was a feminist story at first, and yes as this all developed, I thought it was just going to be another White Savior story. Of course, the set up of love interest between Sciona and Thomil did make me go eugh at first (my poor heart couldn’t take the power dynamics there and how that would be taking advantage of Thomil) this was also stripped down and criticized. Wang set out to examine so many different dynamics that are characteristic of this kind of intersectional interaction and she did it with a deft hand and much nuance that can’t be overlooked. This will be a book that I will be watching spoiler ridden deep dives discussing the topics in the book.

The characters are dynamic and wonderful. You learn to love and hate almost all of them from Sciona and her mentor, to Thomil and his niece. Sciona is forced to face the ways that she perpetuates the dark system on the Kwen while paradoxically tearing it down for women. Her mentor is her father figure and is stripped down to how his ego uses others. And Thomil is faced with having to put trust into someone that, until this point, has proven herself to be nothing but another egomaniac in hopes that it can actually free him from the damnation the Tiranish people sentenced the Kwen people to.

Now, the only two gripes I have is that the first few chapters of the book do have some clunky writing and that some villain characters were one dimensional. Sometimes I’m given whiplash by how quickly things happen to the characters. Several times I thought the character was in one place, but the next moment they were in another. Or that there was some important detail that was shoehorned in. But all of this was at the beginning of the book. Once it hit its stride, I was taken in and those writing mishaps were nowhere to be found. Or if they were, they weren’t noticeable by me anymore. As for the villain characters, we are introduced to Cleon Renthorn very early in the book who is characterized as a classic schoolyard bully that develops into a very comically evil character. In some of the interactions that are meant to be there to develop Sciona’s character, his prescriptive actions come off as stilted and childish. However, he is given an extremely satisfying and equally comical end and considering that he’s not the antagonist of the book, I’m willing to overlook this.

Now, with that in consideration, I didn’t give this a full 5 stars. I gave it 4.75 stars because this is literally one of my favorite books of 2024. I will be thinking about this book for a while and I will be harping on people to read it. This is my first M.L. Wang novel and I look forward to reading more from her. Her ability to examine oppression and identities and not forego nuance makes her one of my favorite authors already and one to watch.

4.5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this unique world system!! Sciona and her assistant Thomil are stirring up trouble for the ruling classes. The stakes are nothing short of the fate of their entire world. I had no idea where this story was going at any given point and that was completely refreshing! Too many books veer towards the formulaic so I appreciated the uniqueness of this story. The book was originally on KU and I was so excited to see it get picked up by a major publisher! I’m anticipating listening to the audio on release day (fingers crossed for the narration) as well.
*Thanks to Random House/Ballantine and NetGalley for the advance review copy.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Five stars. Absolutely brilliant and masterful. There’s so much to unpack at the surface level and a wealth even more still once you truly analyze the thematic material. And we love to support a fellow Wisconsinite!

Sciona is not the typical female character. She’s egotistical and flawed and unapologetically so. She believes in herself, her brilliant mind, and her being special to the point of detriment not only to herself but the relationships of quite literally everyone in her orbit. She’s so absorbed in and focused on her work that nothing and no one else matters. BUT. When she’s forced to care about the assistant that’s been forced upon her to save face and save her ambition, this was the turning point for Sciona. Enter Thomil.

Thomil has seen nothing but pain, destruction, and injustice, BUT he still chooses to carry on for his niece in the face of it all. He chooses to keep the traditions of his people *for* his niece, but also for himself. He’s strongly held his convictions but isn’t naive to his selfishness in keeping his ways and raising his niece as he did. Because of this, this indisputable sense of self and unshakable understanding of the world he lives in, Thomil constantly challenges Sciona and drives her pursuit of her own greatness and glory to impossibly bright and terrible discoveries.

Through their working relationship and discoveries, Sciona and Thomil soften and grow in unexpected ways toward each other and the world around them.

There are so many poignant themes in this story that are masterfully woven together. The commentary on religion being the beacon of truth for the “civilized” can be seen and get in our own history. The acceptance that God is Truth in Tiran and is the foundation of their magic (science) and religious beliefs. How the patriarchal and colonialist machine working in tandem to keep everyone but the Tiranishmen down and ”in their place”. How intent and outcomes of one’s actions aren’t always congruous, arguing how the weight of one’s soul is measured at the end of it all. Is the intent to do good enough if the outcomes cause harm? Or is the outcome of good more significant even if that good didn’t come from good?

The magic system kind of reminds me of SQL querying in technology databases. The way energy is sourced and mapped in the spells and how databases are referenced in SQL felt similar in a way and made it digestible and easy to talk about the premise with others.

My only note of criticism is that there is on-page suicidal ideation, which may be triggering for some readers.

I can’t wait to have my hands on a physical copy at publication to read again.

This book grabbed my attention immediately! It was nothing that I expected. Every time I thought I knew how it would t ur n out, I was wrong. I absolutely loved the magic and science in the story line. I also loved how the main character in my mind switched a couple times. I would absolutely recommend this book to friends!

How many people died to mine the cobalt in the device you're reading this on? How much blood went into the making of our everyday necessities? How many people suffered for what we recognize as necessities and daily luxuries?

Saying this is dark academia does not quite do this book justice. Fury and anger and hurt and pain and blood, and a reminder of what all we sit in comfort with is built on. A reminder that we cannot hide from our guilt and complicity, that acting must be done. Having good intentions isn't always enough, as Thomil must so often explain to Sciona.

Blood Over Bright Haven is a fantasy novel that brings to life the utopia of Tiran. Sciona, a mage trying her hardest to become the first woman to be a high mage, finally achieves her goal. Tomil, a hunter, from the outside of Tiran’s magical barrier, lost his family to the blight, finds himself working alongside Sciona to find a way to protect the barrier. While working together, the two find more than what they are looking for and uncover centuries of secrets and lies.

Rating: 5/5 stars ⭐️

I want to start by thanking NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/ Del Rey for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I’m so honored that I was chosen to read this book early!

I didn’t want to put this down! I was so enthralled from the beginning. It took me about two days to finish because of interruptions!
I was so impressed by the magic system. I think it was well planned out and unique. I loved that it was a big part of the story and was explained/ explored throughout the whole novel.
The characters were great. I loved both Sciona and Tomil. I thought Carra was great as well as Alba.
There are many important topics discussed in this novel such as, sexism, racism, and mental health. These topics are written about in such a way that it can’t be ignored or brushed over and I really enjoyed that.
I can’t wait until this book is released!
Thank you again for the ARC

I don’t even know where to start with this book. There are very few books that made me feel as much as this book did I had goosebumps while reading the last about 50 pages. It is full of hope, sadness, tiny bit of romance, and goes in depth about how awful humans can be to each other. This book is beautifully written about a girl being the first to have a “high mage” title and she then discovers dark secrets about the government and how much she has to sacrifice to try and make it right.

An absolutely incredible read for fans of *Babel*, *Arcane* (Netflix), unique magic systems, and dark academia. The story follows two characters, Sciona and Thomil, as they cross paths in a city protected by a barrier spell that is fueled by dark secrets and justified by religious dogma. Sciona becomes the first-ever female highmage in the city’s history, challenging their religion’s view that women are unsuited for working in the upper echelon of magical innovation. The story is challenging, bringing up issues like colonization, oppression, and the intertwining of church and state. Reading it made me appreciate the power of fantasy writing to challenge deeply rooted beliefs taught to us from a young age. While other reviewers focus on the idea of “What is the cost of magic?” I would take it a step further to say the book asks: what is the cost of comfort?

The writing is exceptional, opening slowly with strong worldbuilding, explained clearly and cleverly to the reader. The book even includes an annex with terminology. The story takes a turn about a quarter of the way in, and the action and twists start to take shape. This book was a page-turner for me, between the worldbuilding, the moral dilemmas, and the author’s intoxicating writing style. The focuses of the story are the character flaws, personal ambitions, the desire for legacy, and systems of power — but there is a hint of will-they-won’t-they for readers who enjoy a sprinkle of romance in their books. Similar to one of the dilemmas presented in *Arcane*, the story presents the dichotomy of people using magic as a gift to enrich their community and those who manipulate and bend it to their will to fulfill selfish ends.

Easily the best book I have read this year — I will be clawing for a hardcover edition as soon as it’s available and following M.L. Wang’s writing journey closely! And of course, thank you to Del Rey Books and Random House Group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

CW for readers: suicide, light body horror, religion

This is the most incredible political industrial colonialism fantasy. I have read since Babel and it may have topped it for me because frankly I found the magic system maybe even a little bit more interesting. It’s five stars. No notes. I will be thinking about this for a long time. I inhaled all 500 pages of it in a single day!!

Blood Over Bright Haven is funny, creative, and tragic in all the best ways. From the first page I was sucked into the magical and unique world of Titan - itching to understand more and more as I continued further into the story. This story has left me wrecked, yet there truly is no better ending possible for a tale with themes such as this one.

Sciona is everything I love in a female lead - fiery, strong-willed, determined, and brilliant. In an effort to not spoil the story for others, all I will say regarding her character arc is that seeing her rise as a phoenix from the ashes of her world view was inspiring. The idea that our emotions are energy and what we do with that energy matters is something that really impacted me as I read the story. Sciona’s story is one that shows it doesn't matter what stereotypes are out there in the world, you don't have to conform to either side - you can just be you, whomever that is at your core.

Thomil, in contrast, is someone who has lost all hope - there is no passion left in him at all, until he meets Sciona. His cynicism and pessimism versus Sciona’s never ending hope was a necessary contrast to the story as it progressed. It was wonderful to see his view on “hope” change by the end of the story.

Blood Over Bright Haven discusses the themes of exploitation, prejudice, selfishness, and egocentrism, all while also asking the very important question - to what end?

To what end do you continue to turn a blind eye? To deceive? To delude yourself into thinking your actions do not have consequences? To accept that nothing will ever change? Sciona shows us that the end is really never an “end.” Boundaries can be pushed, further than anyone may think or imagine, and the potential energy is always greater.

I feel for the general population of Tiran, just as I feel for the Kwen, and have been left thinking of all these gray areas covered in the last 50% of the story. M.L Wang is a truly great storyteller and I am looking forward to seeing more of their work in the future.

*review will be posted on Goodreads and Instagram (linked below) on October 29th, 2024, as requested in the ARC by the publisher*

M.L. Wang has once again proven her mastery in the fantasy genre with "Blood Over Bright Haven." Following her critically acclaimed "The Sword of Kaigen," Wang delivers a standalone dark academia fantasy that is as thought-provoking as it is immersive.

The story centers on Sciona Freynan, a determined and ambitious young woman striving to become the first female Highmage in the patriarchal city of Tiran. Her journey is fraught with obstacles, not the least of which is her assignment of Thomil, a Kwen janitor, as her lab assistant instead of a qualified mage. Together, they unravel the mysteries of their world's intricate magic system and confront the deep-seated prejudices that pervade their society.

Wang’s world-building is exceptional. The city of Tiran is depicted as an industrial utopia with a dark underbelly, and the magic system is unique and meticulously crafted. The concept of spellographs and the mathematical, almost alchemical process of siphoning energy from the Otherrealm is fascinating, though initially complex. Wang's ability to blend magic with elements of science and technology adds a layer of realism to the fantastical setting.

Sciona is a compelling protagonist. Her flaws—arrogance, stubbornness, and a certain unlikability—make her journey towards self-awareness and growth deeply satisfying. Thomil, with his kind-hearted yet melancholic nature, provides a perfect foil to Sciona's driven persona. Their relationship evolves from one of mutual suspicion to a partnership built on respect and shared goals. The debates between Sciona and Thomil on morality, goodness, and the nature of evil are intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its thematic depth. Wang tackles issues such as misogyny, racism, religious fanaticism, and the moral complexities of human nature with nuance and sensitivity. The portrayal of Sciona's struggle against a male-dominated academic institution is particularly powerful, reflecting real-world issues of gender inequality. The exploration of blind faith and the delusions people maintain to justify their actions adds another layer of complexity to the narrative.

The pacing of the book is well-balanced. While the first third of the novel involves detailed world-building and exposition, the story picks up momentum as Sciona and Thomil delve deeper into the secrets of Tiran's magic. The last third of the book is particularly gripping, with high-stakes conflicts and surprising twists that keep the reader engaged until the very end.

However, the book is not without its minor flaws. The initial exposition can feel a bit dense, and the social commentary, while important, occasionally feels heavy-handed. Additionally, the development of Sciona and Thomil’s relationship, though ultimately satisfying, could have benefited from more gradual progression.

Despite these minor issues, "Blood Over Bright Haven" is a remarkable achievement. It is a dark, thought-provoking tale that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Wang’s ability to create complex characters, a richly detailed world, and a unique magic system is truly impressive. Fans of dark academia and fantasy that challenges societal norms will find much to love in this book.

In conclusion, "Blood Over Bright Haven" is a testament to M.L. Wang’s talent as a storyteller. It’s a gripping, emotionally resonant, and intellectually stimulating read that I highly recommend. If you enjoyed "The Sword of Kaigen," this book is a must-read. Wang continues to prove that she is a formidable voice in contemporary fantasy literature.

Book Review: Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang

Brilliant, Beautiful, and Tragic

M. L. Wang's Blood Over Bright Haven is nothing short of a masterpiece in dark fantasy literature. From the first page, this novel grips you and doesn't let go, weaving a mesmerizing tale of ambition, power, and the search for truth.

The story follows Sciona, the first woman ever admitted to the High Magistry at the University of Magics and Industry. Her journey to this prestigious position is fueled by a relentless desire to achieve the impossible. However, Sciona soon realizes that passing the qualifying exam is just the beginning of her challenges. Her colleagues, resistant to change, make every effort to make her feel unwelcome. Instead of a qualified lab assistant, she is given a janitor.

What neither Sciona nor her peers understand is that this janitor, with his taciturn demeanor, was once a nomadic hunter. Ten years ago, he lost his family on a perilous journey from the wild plains to the city. Now, he sees an opportunity to understand the forces that decimated his tribe and displaced him from his homeland, forces that also maintain the power of the privileged.

The relationship between Sciona and her assistant starts off fractious but evolves as they uncover an ancient secret that could revolutionize the practice of magic. This discovery, however, comes with its own set of dangers that could very well cost them their lives.

The world-building in Blood Over Bright Haven is exceptional. Wang has created a universe that is both rich and immersive, with a unique and well-thought-out magic system that adds depth to the narrative. The character development is superb, particularly the growth of Sciona and her assistant as they navigate their personal struggles and external conflicts.

In summary, Blood Over Bright Haven is a brilliant, beautiful, and tragic tale that will leave a lasting impression on its readers. M. L. Wang has once again proven her prowess as a storyteller with this standalone novel that is as thought-provoking as it is enchanting. Whether you're a fan of dark fantasy or new to the genre, this book is a must-read.

This one surprised me! I really liked the story and didn't see the twist coming. Sciona wasn't exactly likeable but the story was great! I only wish the sections with Sciona describing the siphoning and magic to others were shorter. I did think the magic system was creative and interesting, kind of like magical programming.

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.

** spoiler alert ** I’m not entirely certain what I think about this novel that other reviewers haven’t already said, and in many cases more eloquently. This is a book that left me feeling a great many conflicting things, in large part because the parallels between our world and Sciona’s. The racial divide between the Tiranesh and the refugee Kwen who are treated as subhuman, if even allowed that much humanity; social injustice as a marginalized group is used, abused, and ignored in equal measure, where a woman — if she’s a Kwen — can’t be raped because she’d need to be seen as a person, first; where Tiranish women are treated as genteel, petted creatures, allowed rights and privilege with a decided emphasis on being a homemaker, on being emotional and soft and incapable of complex thought, with few rights and many excuses made for their delicate and helpless selves.

It’s in this world Sciona discovers the terrible truth about her magic, where it comes from and what it costs, and she falls to pieces. She is, justifiably horrified, she is angry, she is heartbroken and yet — as Carra, a Kewn girl whose family were killed by the Blight that lurks outside the walls of the Tiranesh city, she has no pity for an entitled, comfortable Tiranisehi woman. Nor forgiveness. And raised by books as I have been to sympathize with the main character … it left me with, well, feelings. Sciona isn’t rewarded for having human feelings, or for seeing something wrong for being wrong; she’s not the one suffering, and she’s bennefitted from the magic, much as every other Tiranish citizen. As a mage, she’s taken for granted everything she has, because she’s been allowed to exist in a bubble where she is the most important person in the world.

It’s a wrench for her, as a character, to go from seeing and feeling herself as a victim to seeing herself as part of the problem. But, credit where credit is due, when she realizes she’s in a unique position to do something that has even the smallest chance of making a change, she takes it with both hands.

I much prefer books that are character forward, but I really did enjoy the magic system this book used. It’s more akin to coding than waving wands and chanting, and rather than eye of newt there’s pens and ink and magic typewriters. The world building is strong, with a world heading into a magical industrial revolution with factories, horseless carriages and clockwork, though I do think it leans heavily on the patriarchy is bad. I understand needing to show that the Tiranishi people are on the wrong side of the fight — willing or not — but it did get a little predictable when every encounter with a Tiranishi man and anyone else ended up with the Tiranishi man being awful and horrible — save an adolescent boy and a young man who, it is mentioned, killed himself.

While I enjoyed all the little details and moments of Sciona’s thoughts and struggle to prove herself … I would have liked to see Sciona actually have to work at something. Magic came so easily to her, and I never got the feeling that it was ever in question that she would be the first female mage ever, simply because the impossible test was … well, a cakewalk. She was a bit of a mary sue where magic was concerned. For all that, those two minor nitpicks were the only ones I had.

The writing is decent, the pace is fine, and I whipped through this book in one sitting. It may not be to everyone’s taste, but it worked for me.I want to thank Net Galley and the publisher for granting me access to an advanced reader copy

I dove into this book totally clueless. But after a couple of chapters, I started to wonder if this was even my kind of story.

Pretty quickly, I realized this book just wasn't my jam—and that's cool. You can't win 'em all!

DNFd

5 stars...phenomenal! First off thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the eARC of this book. I know it was out before but now being re-released with an actual publisher. This book was everything u heard it would be. It had me laughing, crying, wanting to stick it to the "man". This book had a little everything: unconventional magic, blight/murder, some religion/politics, love for family and friends, redemption, vengeance, betrayal. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. It was a heartbreaking, fantastical story.

Initial notes: The cover looks stunning, the contrast immediately draws your eyes in and makes you want to take a longer glance to see what it’s about.

The About section regarding the books synopsis does feel a bit long and gives away a little more than I’d like, like about her assistant used to be a hunter. It’s a small detail, but leaving it more mysterious might have more reader appeal. For example, instead of saying what he did, leaving an open ended statement about not being what he seems, or having a ‘darker’ past, or some other adjective, might have a more broad appeal and give the readers more initiative and desire to actually read the story.

This is my first foray into the "Dark Academia" genre and boy was this something. This was SUCH a frustrating read even though I knew it served a purpose to the story but I was in TEARS by the end. I loved Sciona's determination to make her mark on this world but I found myself just hating her for the things she would say to Thomil but I had to step back and think...this is the only world she knows, and being a woman in their world you're supposed to just be a housewife and not question anything so of course she would think this way. My heart broke when I realized what her last minute plan was and I mourned for the life they could have had together but I also think there was no other way the ending could have gone.
Topics include: colonialism, extreme sexism, racism

Amazing writing felt like I was standing next to the main character. The fear she had was so real I could feel it.