Blood Over Bright Haven is a dark academia fantasy novel that explores the pursuit of truth in a city that offers citizens comfort and industrialization within a magical barrier. A blind eye is turned on the treatment of refugees from the outside. The sacrifice of human and animal life is ignored, while the mages in power refuse to relinquish their comfort for those they consider lesser.
M.L. Wang packs a powerful statement in this stand-alone fantasy through intricate world building, substantial character developmental and an intriguing magic system. I highlighted line after line and contemplated the depths of my own existence while following the main character, Sciona.
Sciona claws her way up in ranks to be admitted as the first female highmage. She alters a code of spells and discovers an ancient secret. She must decide to follow her peers in ignorance or defy the expectations of her colleagues, family, and the rest of Tiran.
Sciona is accompanied on her pursuit of the trust by a former nomadic hunter from beyond Tiran’s magical barrier. Thomil was assigned as her assistant as a way for her colleagues to express that she was unwelcome as a female. Their relationship leads a more traditional path (little to no romance by the rules of Tiran) but the effect they have on one another’s role in society will carry on for generations.
The politics in Blood Over Bright Haven felt so real I nearly forgot I was reading about a fantastical world. The sacrifice that Sciona made to benefit future generations was profound, especially as we uncover that she remained ignorant and desired the same as her peers: supremacy. In the interest of not revealing too much, I might be in the minority by saying the real main character was Thomil, but I’ll let the readers draw their own conclusions by reading his parts of the plot.
Blood Over Bright Haven was brutally honest and true to itself through the entire story. I recommend this to all lovers of dark fantasy. M.L. Wang is an exceptional dark academia fantasy writer.
Thank you Del Ray and NetGalley for this ARC of Blood Over Bright Haven in exchange for an honest review.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars--

Blood Over Bright Haven is the best book I've read in a long time--definitely my favorite read this year! Dark, unflinching, critical, un-put-down-able. Wang uses the fantasy genre to put a spotlight on the violence and evil of colonialism. I'm so, so happy this book found a publisher, as I doubt I would have ever found it in its original self-published version.

The magical kingdom of Tiran is a fortress of sorts that has flourishes while the world outside its walls has been torn apart by a mysterious disease called Blight. Tiran credits its relative good fortune to their advanced magic system, which keeps them safe and powers the comfortable lifestyles of Tiranese citizens (notably to the exclusion of a marginalized population of refugees from Blighted territories who cross into Tiran as a last resort). Tiran is also pretty patriarchal though and all of its leading magicians are men. Until now. Sciona is an ambitious young woman mage who defies all odds and significant efforts at exclusion, to reach the highest order of mages in Tiran. While her male peers have assistants to do their grunt work, as a joke, Sciona is appointed the building's custodian as her assistant--a refugee from outside Tiran with no formal magical schooling. Scionia's new assistant, Thomil, nonetheless proves to be more helpful than she could have ever expected.

Tasked with developing more accurate and effective methods for siphoning magic, she unwittingly uncovers a terrible secret about Tiran's magic. A terrible secret that is unfathomable to her, but altogether unsurprising to Thomil, who has real experience with Tiranese oppression.

I loved the big moral questions this book deals with through Sciona's story. I also enjoyed how Sciona has to grapple with how her positionality affects her desire for friendship and possible romance with Thomil--raising questions for the reader about how domination shows up in romantic relationships between two people from different positions of social privilege and marginality. It adds a lot more meaning to the typical "enemies to lovers" trope.

I urge anyone interested in fantasy that has something to say about society at large, in particular histories of oppression, to pick this one up.

Many thanks to Del Rey and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Shocked, stunned, bawled my eyes out. This story covers so many aspects racism, classism, elitism, supremacy. Usually for fantasy I need multiple books to grasp the entirety of the world building, but with this storyline everything was so well done that I was entranced from the very beginning.

I think I just read my favorite book of the year.

It is right there alongside M.L. Wang’s other masterpiece, The Sword of Kaigen. I don’t give out 6/5 star books often at all, but Wang did it twice in one year with her standalone fantasies. She is on another level. I’m floored by Blood Over Bright Haven.

Our main character, Sciona, lives in the magical industrial utopia of Tiran where she has trained and studied for years to be the first woman accepted into a prestigious mage academy where women have never been allowed. Once there, she is met with mockery and contempt from her peers as she is assigned a janitor, Thomil, as her lab assistant—but who is actually a nomadic hunter from outside Tiran’s magic-powered barrier. As they study together to solve a problem the city is facing that could solidify Sciona’s legacy, they uncover truths about Tiran that could change the practice of magic forever. That’s ALL you need to know, trust me. Just read it.

This book seared me to my core. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that it has left behind a mark on my soul. The first chapter alone had me hooked—Wang knows how to come out swinging, that’s for sure. I was entranced from then on and could barely stand to put the book down. My husband watched me finish the book—I was crying and was saying how I didn’t think I could move on from it easily. Which continues to be true.

The world-building was incredible. As is the magic system. To keep their industrial utopia running and progressing, mages use typewriter-looking devices to “code” magic. I can understand why people are saying the world-building is similar to Fullmetal Alchemist, it has that blend of steampunk and magical elements. This aspect of the book was so unique.

Wang’s character work, per usual, is top-tier writing. Because of her complex, multi-faceted characters that feel so painfully real, I just had such an emotional response to them and their decisions. Sciona and Thomil’s journey and challenges throughout the book, both internally and physically, are just unforgettable. Sciona is a flawed character that is subject to prejudice over and over due to her sex and yet dishes out her own to others deemed “beneath” her and the deep dive into that was just so moving. Sciona’s pursuit of truth was very admirable, and the way Thomil pressed her on her beliefs propelled the story in such a gripping way.

The questions Wang posed in this story will certainly stick with me. There are debates between the characters that had me on the edge of my seat!!! In this book, there are questions and themes of mortality, prejudice, social status, colonialism, faith, of the consequences of intentions. All with such compelling nuance.

M.L. Wang does not pull her punches. Wang will hurt your feelings—a trademark of hers at this point. Over the flawed characters, the tragedies, and despair, and yet in that there is the hope amongst it all that ties it all up that Wang balanced so perfectly. It is also important to mention that the rage I felt while reading this book was intense. The reveals will have you reeling!! I will not forget the emotional experience I had while reading this book.

Blood Over Bright Haven is a deeply moving story that has shot up to one of my all-time favorite books. M.L. Wang is a genius and I will forever sing her praises.

6/5 stars.

Once in a decade, a book comes across my lap that I am simply unable to put down. I mean, the wake up at 4 am because I need to go back to the world that M.L. Wang has created and see what happens next type of book. From the first chapter, I know that this is a book that is going to stay with me for a very long time. It is going to be a book that I will recommend over and over again to family, friends, strangers online, and strangers in the bookstore.

Perhaps it is the world building which is absolutely impeccable with a logic-based magic system that delights the nerd in me, perhaps it is the characters that not only jump out of the page, but into our hearts as well, or perhaps it is the themes of oppression, colonialism, racism, and sexism that are currently so pervasive in today's society that it offers a glimmer of hope to those of us living in darker times. Whatever it is, Blood Over Bright Haven is a masterclass standalone in Dark Academia Fantasy/Dystopian fiction that shows that you do not need a duology or a trilogy to tell a compelling and exquisite story. The talent that M.L. Wang has as an author is unparalleled, and I will be first in line to read whatever she publishes next. I simply cannot give this book enough stars.

For fans of Babel, The Hunger Games, and anyone who has ever been told what they can or cannot achieve because of their race, origin, ethnicity, or sex.

Thank you to NetGalley, M.L. Wang, and Del Rey for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

This took me a bit of time to get into and a while to finish, but overall I liked this!

The best way I can describe it: a very nuanced read, complex characters, reminiscent of a higher fantasy version of Babel in its overall tone. The pacing didn't necessarily have me hooked the entire time ( a lot of explanation and time developing the magic system), but it really picked up around the 50% mark.

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the arc! :)

4.75 ⭐️

I have heard so many amazing things about M.L. Wang before going into this book. So I had high hopes. I’m so happy to report my hopes were exceeded with this book. The magic system in this world was one of the most unique I’ve read and I loved the heavy topics and themes it discussion. This book was written with excellent care and had me gripped from the start.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an early arc!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!

3.5 stars

Content warnings: sexual harrassment, detailed attempted sexual assault, misogyny, racism

I am afraid that this book is simply not for me.

Good things first, I LOVE the magic system! The way it operates similarly to computer programming is so unique, and is something I have never come across before. I already know coding so it was easy enough to follow along, but I think the author explains it well enough for non-coders to understand. I also appreciate the handbook at the back of the book that explains all the different roles that mages have, although I wish I knew it was there before I started reading so I could refer to it. The world-building is pretty straightforward and easy to grasp, while leaving potential for more to be explored beyond the city the book is set in.

Where this falls off for me is the main character. I have seen reviews comparing this book to Babel by R. F. Kuang, and I definitely agree, if Babel was from the perspective of Letty. Sciona is a white feminist through and through, with her constant complaining about the patriarchy and misogyny, but only because it affects her, while not caring about her fellow women or non-white-coded characters. She does undergo a character arc, where she realises and learns that systemic racism is a thing, but it takes her FOREVER to get there. I suppose that might be a realistic portrayal, but it was beyond grating to read. I do appreciate the narrative about her having to work extra hard to prove herself academically, but I wish the author had chosen to focus on either that or Thomil's story. This book deals with themes of racism and misogyny, but I wish the book had chosen to only tackle one of them, because it fails to fully address or explore either. If you want a compelling narrative that explores colonisation and systemic racism in academia, that is NOT from the point of view of a white saviour, just stick to Babel.

The dialogue is also awful. Whenever Sciona is talking, she is either a) explaining to Thomil (or her cousin, or other assorted men) how the patriarchy is oppressing her (while ignoring the fact that she is his higher up who can literally have him executed, and also ignoring the fact that she doesn't care about empowering women either), b) arguing with Thomil about whether or not his people deserve human rights (like the human right to live) or c) in disbelief that people are racist. I do understand why she is that way; it is hard for white people to acknowledge racism, and harder still for white feminists to realise that the world does not revolve around them. However, I do not like it.

Speaking of Thomil, he deserved so much better. I wish this book had been completely from his perspective. While we do get a few chapters from his PoV, we really don't know what he's thinking for most of the book. He is so much more interesting than Sciona, with a much more compelling backstory. In that regard, I appreciate how fleshed out his character is. I wish there was no romance between Thomil and Sciona; they have zero chemistry, and the time spent on Sciona being surprised that Thomil isn't stinky like his race (🙄) could be better spent on like. Literally anything else.

To round out this compliment sandwich, here's two more things I liked!
1. The writing is accessible and engaging. I already sort of said this, but the author is really good at introducing world-building concepts in a way that is easy to understand.
2. The plot is well-paced and exciting. The way the conspiracy is gradually unravelled raises the stakes in a way that feels realistic and makes sense.

I do think this book could be appealing to a different reader. If you found Babel too wordy or slow, or, for white readers, if you want to read a book with a protagonist you can relate to while also supporting an author of colour, this book could be for you.

M. L. Wang does it again. That’s it. That’s the review. But in all seriousness, “Blood Over Bright Haven” is another superb standalone fantasy novel from Wang. This novel will have a permanent place in my dark academia library alongside the likes of “Ninth House,” “Babel,” “Ordinary Monsters,” and “The Secret History.” I loved the blend of the unique yet logical magic system with the powerful underlying message regarding racism and imperialism. In my opinion, the mark of a truly good book is how much it forces the reader to have long moments of introspection, and Wang does just that. As always, thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine/Del Ray for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Is someone a good person just because they believe they are? And does having good intentions make them good, even if their intentions yields no positive results? Or worse, yields catastrophic ones that harm others? How should one determine if there is goodness in a soul if one's actions has multiple consequences, both good and bad? This is something we're constantly prompted by Wang to reflect on throughout the story, and one that really stuck with me even as I sit here.

M.L. Wang has yet to cease to amaze me with her compelling characters, and the creativity and ingenuity in her storytelling. This masterpiece was worth letting Wang wrench my heart out once again, as she did with Sword of Kaigen.

An auto-buy author for me at this point, I look forward to M.L. Wang's future works and hopefully one of these days she'll leave my heart intact.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the e-Arc in exchange for my honest review.

Blood Over Bright Haven
By M.L. Wang
Narrated by Moria Quirk
5 ⭐️

Once again, I am captivated by Wang’s writing. Even as I’ve finished, I’m still within its pages. There’s something magically powerful in the way Wang weaves their characters. There’s so much of modern humanity/society embedded in this story. It’s impossible not to reflect on how the flaws in Tiran are mirrored in the US/the patriarch/the “developed” world/and beyond. It’s impossible not think of what you would do in the many situations depicted where it’s easy and expected to continue the status quo. This is a powerful story about passion, dedication, admitting wrongs, and defying all you have ever known with everything you have.

The audiobook is masterful. I’m awed and am a serious fan of Quirk following this read. I cannot recommend this book and audiobook enough. It is a top read of 2024 for me.

I was provided an eARC from Penguin Random House and M. L. Wang via NetGalley. Thank you! I have also purchased personal copies.

I didn’t know what to expect going into the story, except that a lot of my fellow friends found it very emotional. The story involves magic, privilege, sexism and ultimately dictatorship. Both of which the main characters must struggle with. There’s no romance to speak of, but an undertone of what could be if times are different for the main characters. Sciona is the first female high mage, and experiences a lot hatred because of that. And Thomil, whose journey has not been easy. And you’ll learn why from chapter 1. I found the magic system in this book very unique, but pretty to understand. The author took a lot of time to think through all of the small details.

I have been waiting for this book to come out for like a hundred years. This was a fantastic stand alone fantasy novel. This was definitely one of the best fantasy books I've ever read, and absolutely one of the best standalone fantasy books ever. Such great world, descriptions and characters--with ultra compelling plot ideas and pacing. Everything about this was great. The magic system in this was fantastic, the dark academia notes, the themes and messaging woven in, everything was jsut *chef's kiss*. I am floored, and I cannot wait for more from this author. If I could give this 10 stars I would.

M.L. Wang is quickly catapulting herself to my top author's list. This grabbed me from the start and was an absolute emotional roller coaster.
This book tackles sexism, xenophobia, capitalism, and colonialism with tact. There are important ethical and theological debates and conversations throughout the book as a method of character development between Thomil and Sciona. The magic system might be the coolest, and definitely the most unique one that I've read to date.
Honestly, I can't find a single flaw in this book.

3.5⭐️

M.L. Wang’s Blood Over Bright Haven is a bold exploration of complex themes such as oppression, sexism, capitalism, and racism, deftly woven into a narrative that often balances hope against a backdrop of societal bleakness. Wang’s ability to handle these subjects with nuance sets her apart, presenting readers with a thoughtful engagement rather than simplistic solutions.

The magic system is a standout feature of the book, particularly the innovative concepts of mapping and siphoning. These elements contribute to one of the most unique magic systems I’ve encountered, although the extensive explanations can feel overwhelming at times. The first chapter hooks you with its gripping premise, but subsequent pages often descend into heavy exposition that sometimes feels akin to a classroom lecture. As much as I appreciated the depth, I wished for a more seamless integration into the narrative.

The setting—a rich academic environment—offers a tantalizing backdrop that enhances the story, and the coding-like typewriters as magic conduits are a delightful touch. However, despite the intriguing worldbuilding, the pacing suffers. There are moments of lull where the plot should be advancing, creating a sense of unevenness that detracts from the overall experience.

Sciona, the main character, presents a complex challenge. Her growth is rewarding, yet her initial anti-feminist and racist attitudes are difficult to reconcile with as a reader. This internal conflict makes it hard to fully root for her, even as her character arc unfolds in a compelling manner. Wang’s exploration of her beliefs, particularly the ethical implications of intentions versus consequences, adds a significant layer to the story. The dynamics between Sciona and Thomil invite readers to reflect on their own beliefs, though the journey may be uncomfortable.

While the climax delivers some satisfaction in resolving the antagonistic forces, the conclusion leaves much to be desired. An open-ended finale feels less like an intriguing invitation to ponder the future and more like a missed opportunity for a more definitive resolution.

Ultimately, Blood Over Bright Haven is a thought-provoking novel with a powerful magic system and complex themes. However, its pacing issues and the struggle to fully connect with its main character left me wishing for a more cohesive experience. Despite its flaws, Wang’s storytelling ability and thematic depth ensure it will resonate with many readers, sparking conversation long after the last page.

This is a standalone novel and it’s so well written. Sciona has been studying magic since young with the goal to be the first woman admitted to the High Magistry. Watching her work her complex magic in the trials and be in control over her skill was fascinating to watch. I enjoyed that Sciona was not a character cutout we would usually see. Her nerve and defiance stand out. She is in it not just for the credit of her work but also for the glory. She loves power and wants to leave her mark on the world. She can be selfish and yet we still see the good in her.

When her fellow high mages assign her a custodian as her lab assistant we see her rise to the challenge of both teaching him and building on her own skill. Thomil is a character whose people have been beaten down and forced to be subservient when that is not who he is at all. Watching both Sciona and Thomil grow as characters was both heartbreaking and bittersweet. There is some romance but it is not the focus. It felt real. You will feel every gamut of emotion.

Yes, it could fall under dark academia but it’s a lot more than that. It’s a heavier book than I was expecting while still being hopeful. It asks a lot of questions. Just looking at the title and the cover after reading evokes a strong emotion now. I won’t be forgetting this book anytime soon. Read this as soon as you can.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine|Del Rey for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest review.

Are you looking for a really unique, intense, emotional, and incredible read?? Look no further than Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang!!

From the start, this story pulls you in, shocks you, and makes it hard to put down. The magic system is unique and complex. While it’s sometimes hard to understand at times, you mostly figure it out by the end. It also helped learning the magic system thru Thomil’s eyes.

This story tackles really tough issues like misogyny and racism. As a woman, there were many times I could understand and relate to Sciona. I loved watching her take on the patriarchy at every turn.

M.L. Wang really built an incredible world, story, magic system, and characters. As someone who often sees twists coming, there were so many I never predicted! I really enjoyed this book!

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gosh, why is it such a struggle to put into words how much I ATE THIS UP? FINISHED IT, LOVED IT, and now I need this book in every edition possible!

Set in an industrial utopia governed by high mages who source their power from the Other Realm, this story takes us through the journey of Sciona, the first-ever female High Mage. As she enters this elite order, she uncovers a secret that could forever change the practice of magic. The depth of themes in this novel is at times hard to read, prejudice, oppression, sexism, religion, and the corruption of patriarchal societies, also has themes of hope through found family and the dream of a better society..

The magic system is nothing short of incredible, thoroughly detailed from spellcasting to the mechanisms of siphoning magic, even down to the spellographs. Admittedly, some aspects went over my head at times because your girl here is surviving on two brain cells, but the amount of thought and structure in the magic system deserves applause!

Sciona is a protagonist worth rooting for as she navigates a male-dominated society and struggles against ingrained barriers. Her journey felt painfully real which highlights the very real frustration women face in traditionally male spaces. F*ck the patriarchy! Sciona is deeply relatable, but also flawed, selfish, and occasionally frustrating, which made her human. She has real desires, ambitions, and vulnerabilities, all of which brought her character to life.
One of the best aspects of the book is the dynamic between Sciona and Thomil, her lab janitor turned assistant. Thomil’s tragic backstory hits hard from chapter one. Despite his status as lower class and Sciona’s own struggles with acceptance, the two form an unlikely alliance. When they uncover a conspiracy, their conflicting perspectives on how to handle it create tension and depth that I absolutely loved.

This story is beautifully and well thought out, with complex worldbuilding, a well-developed and detailed magic system, and flawed yet relatable characters. I’m not usually one to cry over books, but tears were shed! From chapter one to that last chapter, this book pulled at my emotions in a way few others have.

Highly recommend if you’re ready to be emotionally destroyed and left staring at the wall for the unforeseeable future.

Thank you Del Rey for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is probably the longest review I will ever write for a book, but it was earned.

Incredible. Perfection. There cannot be any criticism. This is the best book I have ever read, which is a huge statement considering how much I read.

The themes in this book are its strongest element. Racism, sexism, classism, and immigration to name a few. This would be an incredible book for assigned reading for a class. It contains so many topics to dissect, I wish I had a group of people to discuss it with.

This is set in a dystopian world where the city of Tiran is protected by a barrier from the blight- which essentially kills the people that live outside of this barrier. These people are known as Kwen.

The magic system is one of the more unique ones I have read, and was so interesting.

A university in Tiran contains the highest level of essentially magicians- highmages who invent and produce to keep Tiran and its people within it, functioning. Only men can become highmages, although women are given the opportunity to test in once each decade.

Which brings our main character Sciona, who becomes the first ever woman highmage.

Sconia as a character is so complex and deep that she is so hateable at times, but other times you have to root for her. She is so flawed, but how much of this is her and how much of this is the society she’s been raised in? She is brilliant but fails to realize she supports what she believes is “right” so blindly without always grasping how flawed her morals can be. She steadfastly abhors the fact that she is looked down upon because she is a woman, but fails to realize her hypocrisy when she does the same. - “sciona foundered, frustrated by her inability to come up with a logical answer when tiranish culture was the one built on logic. The kwen were the illogical ones, everyone knew that”

I NEVER use the highlight feature on my kindle and I was highlighting lines of this book like it was my job.
I literally do not know how I’m going to read another book after this and be able to give it 5 stars because it just will not compare to this one.

Blood Over Bright Haven
By: M.L. Wang
Stars: 5 Stars
Format: Ebook
Review: Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang is an extraordinary read and one of my favorites of the year. Wang crafts a rich, intricate world with one of the best magic systems I’ve encountered, complete with “coding-like” spellcasting and spellographs. She addresses complex themes like oppression, sexism, capitalism, and colonialism with nuanced storytelling, embedding messages of hope and healing.
Set in an industrial utopia, we follow Sciona, the first female High Mage, as she navigates a male-dominated society full of prejudice and corruption. Sciona’s journey is both compelling and relatable, reflecting the challenges women face in such spaces. The story’s ethical depth shines through the evolving dynamic between Sciona and her assistant Thomil, whose tragic past adds weight to their choices and conflicts.
Wang masterfully explores intentions vs. consequences, leaving readers with much to ponder. Blood Over Bright Haven is a profound exploration of societal issues through a unique Dark Academia lens, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a deep, thought-provoking read.
Recommend (Yes/No/Maybe): 100000000% YES
Thank you, NetGalley and Del Rey for allowing me the opportunity to review the title.