This book is brutal and captivating. It gripped me from the first page and never let go. The pacing was fast without feeling rushed. Character wise, I appreciated how flawed and complex they were. I loved the unique magic system and the worldbuilding was so well done. My only issue with Blood Over Bright Haven is the predictability. I was able to guess where the plot was going which took away from the overall emotional impact for me. Sword of Kaigen is still my favorite book by this author but I would still highly recommend reading Blood Over Bright Haven if you like dark academia fantasy!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to review this title.

Blood Over Bright Haven is the second book by ML Wang. I will be honest and say that I have not read Sword of Kaigen, but it is very high on my TBR.

This novel is not set in the same universe, and it follows a girl named Sciona in her quest to become a highmage. But her journey isn't as straightforward as she thought it would be. As the only girl in her group, she knows she is unwelcome in the predominantly male world of the Magistry. One way that they make sure she gets this message is by giving her an assistant that turns out to not only be a janitor, but also someone that came from the outside tribes.

Sciona figures that showing any weakness by pushing back would not help her cause, and she finds that her assistant, Thomil, might actually teach her more than any other assistant would. It's not long before.a friendship is formed - but the Magistry did not count on the teamwork of a brilliant girl and a janitor coming from an opressed people making breakthroughs that might shatter their world.

I've seen a lot of love for this book online, but I would be lying if I said it didn't leave me a little bit disappointed. The writing was really good, and the message was also important. It just felt like I've read the story before. I could also see where the story was going, and guessed at the ending.

I still think this is an important book, and it shows that we should question things around us, no matter if we are in the minority.

I still look forward to reading Sword of Kaigen and will keep an eye out for any other books by ML Wang in the future!

This book devastated me in the best way. The parallels between the world of Tiran and our world (particularly the US) are striking. Sciona, Thomil, and Carra are well-rounded, flawed characters that I fell in love with. I really, really hope there's another book in this world focusing on one of the younger characters (I don't want to say who to avoid any spoilers of who makes it out of the story alive, but if you've read it, I'm sure you know who I mean!).

I have been thinking about this book nonstop since I finished it, and I don't think that will stop anytime soon. Few stories have impacted me in quite the same way, forcing me to question practices and interrogate my complicity in systems I participate in--willingly or not.

HOT DAMN! What a book! I'm here for whatever M.L. Wang puts out next.

This was nothing like what I expected it to be and I loved it. The characters are so well thought out and rounded and I really appreciate how the author takes the time to fully examine a character's beliefs from all sides and point out the flaws in their logic. Sciona is a perfectly flawed character and I really enjoyed seeing her growth as she battles the belief systems she thought she had. Her relationship with Thomil didn't feel rushed or forced; they felt natural together and I really enjoyed their philosophical debates and how Thomil was able to change Sciona's beliefs, which also seemed like it came naturally. I really thought the overall message and intention of this novel and feel it's incredibly important, even if some of the lessons may be a bit obvious to minority groups. Still very fun and I really enjoyed the characters.

One of the most unique magic systems I’ve ever read. It reminded me a lot of coding, and felt very logical and beautiful. Even throughout all of the explaining of the system, it never once felt like “too much” or “boring…” it was absolutely fascinating. Though it had dire consequences, I completely ate it up. The story, though not super long, was so complete. It was dark and disturbing, yet full of hope, and utterly addictive. I loved the characters and how true to themselves they remained, for better or for worse. I loved how it dove into topics of sexism, racism, elitism, imperialism, supremacy… the connections that can be drawn to todays world left me feeling so emotional, in a way I haven’t felt from a book in a very long time. It absolutely delivers on being an emotional roller coaster, bold risks within the writing, gut wrenching twists, and somehow still, a satisfying ending. An amazing standalone fantasy that I implore you to read this year. Don’t wait.

I absolutely love this book and how hooked it had me from the very beginning! The characters, the magic, the mystery had me so glad I was able to get a copy of this one and can't wait to see more from this author!

This will have you on the edge of your seat!!! It was such a fun journey and I liked how Sciona had to wrestle with the reality of the world around her. So much intrigue and turmoil throughout all the elements of this book, I loved every page. This is the type of book that appeals to any reader.

*this review contains spoilers*

What an absolutely spectacular book. It left me both speechless yet also with so many thoughts. The only concern I have about this book is the description of the magic system, at least in the beginning. Learning about action and sourcing spells were tricky at first, but as time passed, it started to make more sense.

I admire how great of a writer and storyteller M.L. Wang is. With the confines of a standalone, Wang is still able to craft such a decadent, rich, and compelling story. I am in awe of how good the story pacing was. I always found myself saying just “one more page” until I ran out of pages. The story itself was so masterful. When I found out what the Other Realm really was and what caused the Blight, I was speechless. What an amazing conflict. What a great way to test our character’s morality.

Speaking of characters, Sciona had some of the best character developments yet still stayed true to who she was. In the beginning, she was close-minded and held prejudice against the Kwen people, often believing she was better than them. When she found out about the siphoning, it would’ve been easier to just ignore it to further her own career as the first woman High Mage. However, she disregarded that to make things right, even if it meant she lost her career, reputation, and life. She knew she had no chance of a happy ending, but she did the right thing anyway.

Now, to reflect on the ending, what a spectacular ending. So tragic and heart-breaking, yet so hopeful and bright. My favorite part was the parallel between the beginning with the Kwen people running towards Tiran and the ending with them running away, both in hopes of a better life.

Overall, I think this book is exactly what a fantasy should make you feel. It should be compelling and make important commentary on real society and make the readers question their morality and complacency. It makes me wonder if I would have had the same courage to make the same choices.

Having read The Sword of Kaigen and now this one, I can confidently say I'm completely in love with M.L. Wang's writing!

I'm conflicted in my thoughts about this book. While I appreciated the strong representation of women's rights—a theme not often explored in fantasy—I'm left feeling frustrated by the familiar trope that women must sacrifice themselves for the greater good. The outcome for our main female character, in particular, left a bitter taste. While there is a sort of HEA for some characters, it doesn't extend to all. I also wished there had been more exploration of Sciona's discoveries and her experiences with them. Overall, the book gave me Lessons in Chemistry vibes with a sci-fi twist, which was an enjoyable surprise.

*Thank you to M.L. Wang, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Amazing, incredible, everything I could ever want in a dark academia fantasy - read this immediately!

What an amazing and poignant story. I loved the elements of steam punk meets London and the magic system is incredible. The way this book addressed the systemic problems in our world was fascinating and I look forward to reading more from ML Wang!

I don’t think I’ve ever been frustrated with a main character for the reasons that I was (in the beginning). This book forces the fmc to come face to face with her own prejudice but also that of the community she knows, all she has known and worked for. It’s a very important topic, and extremely well done and well written. So the reasons this book felt heavy thematically, is what makes it such a wonderful and essential read

A work of art that will stay in your heart forever.

# Blood Over Bright Haven
# 11/18/2024 ~ 12/30/2024
# 5.0 / 5.0

I have never loved a book more this was absolutely on of my favorite reads of 2024. I am now such a big ML wang fan! The world building in Blood of Bright Haven is just absolutely perfect. There is no spice for those of you that care about but but in this story it is absolutely irrelevant and not needed to make the story compelling. This is a god tier book I will definitely be reading it again sometime this year. 5 stars is not enough!

I saw this book all over social media and when I had the opportunity to read it I jumped right in. Social media got it right this time and this book did not disappoint! The way she builds a fantasy world and characters that make you examine your own life is perfection. Running now to read The Sword of Kaigen!

Wow, I am a huge M.L. Wang fan! Her previous book, The Sword of Kaigen, is one of my all-time favorite books. This book is going to be up there. The way that Wang writes is just truly amazing. The things she makes you feel and how she makes you question things are impressive.


Sciona is a character that I will think about for a long time. She was orphaned when she was young and lives with her aunt. She’s an up-and-coming in the world of magic. Her mentor is sure she can enter the High Magistry, where she would be the first woman. It’s a male-dominated field, and they do not respect or allow women. She’s powerful, smart, and skilled. She’s constantly treated unfairly and grossly. She doesn’t seem to care too much. She has this way of letting things roll off of her and focus on her work. Then we have Thomil, a Kwen, enter the picture and unravel her world.

Wang’s writing was captivating from the very beginning. She’s brilliant at writing such dark themes but making you understand the lesson. Her characters are fantastic and so well-developed. Even some of the side characters added so much to this story. I didn’t realize this was a standalone until about halfway. I think this would appeal to so many! There’s the magic, the dark academia, and the many important themes. It’s not a happy book, but it’s such an important read.

Overall, this was a fantastic read. I had high expectations, and it did not disappoint. I have purchased a physical copy because it’s also stunning. Wang is an author that does not fear going there. This book is sometimes brutal, but there’s also love and hope. I highly recommend reading this one. I will be impatiently waiting for the next thing Wang writes!

Thanks to Del Rey and Netgalley for an e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Blood Over Bright Haven is one of those books where the reader knows exactly what the authorial intent is in telling the story. There is no nuance, there are no shades of grey. The reader is hit over the head repeatedly with societal issues of racism, patriarchy, elitism, etc. The prose is basic, which further hammers home Wang's point that humanity is always divided into the oppressor and the oppressee.

All that being said, I devoured this book. Wang set up her protagonist as one of the elite mages, blinded to societal ills by her ambition, and her own struggles with being a woman in a man's world. Sciona Freynan is essentially a white woman with a white woman's privilege and a white woman's tears and she's frequently informed of these attributes by other characters. If this was a contemporary novel, Blood Over Bright Haven would be panned as a white savior narrative, but because it's a fantasy set in a completely different type of world, it seems to escape these criticisms.

I did like Blood Over Bright Haven, but I do have some criticisms regarding lack of nuance in the characters and the plot is pretty thin. The magic system is just steampunk with a different name and a different source and I don't feel that Wang really stretched the bounds of creative fantasy. But the story is engaging and I did read most of it in just a couple of days. I'm just not sure that I feel like there was any new ground broken in this book.

Thank you to Del Rey and Netgalley for the arc for review purposes.

There is something captivating about how ML Wang writes that I struggle (in a good way) to describe to other people and Blood Over Bright Haven was no different. It didn’t grab me the same way Sword of Kaigen did but I was still sucked in and invested in what was going on. The story premise was very unique and I found myself reflecting on the very first chapter when similar examples came about as I read. I felt Sciona’s struggle as she learned, shared with the power that be, her shock there after sharing and ultimately what she does about trying to help/change the situation. The ending was shocking and just like SoK has me yearning for an aftermath follow up that may never come. Ms. Wang is a great writer and I am very happy to see her success growing with time. I anxiously await her next book and will quickly buy it as soon as it is released.

Thank you so much Del Ray for this ARC review copy.

This was my first M.L. Wong book and it definitely won’t be my last.

This book was everything.. so many thought provoking themes, so many great characters moments for Sciona. Dark academia… a really unique and intriguing magic system. I really really really loved this book. I dual read with with both my kindle and the audiobook and it was such an immersive experience for me. A solid 5 Star read for me.