One of my absolute favorites of the year! M.L. Wang creates such complex characters amid terrific magic systems and worlds, yet also brings very strong themes into play as well.

The horror when we learn the true cost was something I felt just as fully as our characters. Expert storytelling, theme exploration, characterization and pacing. M.L. Wang can do no wrong in my opinion.

I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang is a dark, bloody, challenging novel perfect for fans of Babel by R.F. Kuang and the Scholomance series by Naomi Novik.

Sciona Freynan is a mage, and the first woman to ever pass the test to be admitted to the High Magistry of the city of Tiran. When she finally does become a highmage, however, she is confronted by sexism, harassment, and a conspiracy to hide what powers the industry and magic of the city. Together with her Kwen assistant Thomil, she works first to uncover and then to reveal the ancient secret of magic.

It’s true that this novel is dark academia, but unlike many of this genre where the narrative follows the lives of students, here we follow those in the very highest positions of the University of Magics and Industry. The magic system is extremely interesting, with spell writing reminiscent of writing computer code.

I appreciate that the novel does not shy away from the horrors of exploitation and imperialism. You watch, instead, as the protagonist has her naivete shattered over and over again. It makes Sciona seem much more real, and the character development much more high stakes. Although, I do empathize with Thomil’s frustration when things go the way he predicts.

The author did a great job of leaving hints and breadcrumbs for the reader so I could piece together what was happening just before the characters did. This made it a very engaging and engrossing read, and all the more satisfying when what I suspected was happening was right.

I do wish we had gotten more of Thomil’s POV. Ironically, like the powerful Tiranish often overlook the Kwen living alongside them, it felt as if the narrative forgot about Thomil until it was absolutely necessary to have his perspective.

This quickly became one of my top reads of 2024, and I can’t wait to pick up Wang’s other work, especially Sword of Kaigen. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine / Del Rey for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Moods: dark, tense, mysterious, emotional
CW: racism, misogyny, violence, death, sexual assault, suicidal thoughts

Blood Over Bright Haven is perfect for fans of Babel by R. F. Kuang and other anti-colonial fantasy. This brutal, unflinching tale wraps itself in the isolating narcissism of academia, with main character Sciona blind to anything but magic and research. When she is confronted with the awful costs of that magic, her entire world is shattered. But not nearly as shattered as the lives of the many Kwen refugees residing in her city of magical splendor. It may take a significant time for Sciona to overcome her naivete, but when she does Blood Over Bright Haven becomes a remarkably gruesome and desolate tale of revenge and justice. As hard as it was to confront the real-life parallels of this book, I could not look away for a moment. By the fifty percent mark, I was neglecting the rest of my tasks to power on and finish. A compulsive and reflective novel that asks hard questions about justice, justification, and authority. I'm sure this will be on my frequently recommended list for a long time.

“Religious people often prefer to be right rather than compassionate.” - Karen Armstrong

I had to take over a day to contemplate Blood Over Bright Haven to write my review. Not because I was debating the rating, but because I wanted to think about how to approach writing the review. There are so many themes I could focus on when it comes to this book; I could even focus on all of them. This review would be very long if I did.

The conclusion I came to was that I can’t talk about the themes because I would end up spoiling the book. Once you start talking about the themes you can’t stop. They bleed into one another. It’s an intricate web of social, political, and cultural issues…just like our real world super issues no one knows how to solve.

The narrative prose and dialogue is where Wang shines brightest in this book. It’s beautiful language arranged and presented with perfect timing and so it hits exactly as it should with every line. Fantastic styling and construction with every paragraph. Every review I’ve seen/read has pointed out the uniqueness of the magic system and I have to say I’m in total agreement: The magic completely fascinated me. I found myself actually slowing down and thinking my way through the magical equations more than once just for fun. The worldbuilding wasn’t as strong, but I don’t think it really needed to be, because the world wasn’t as important as the people or characters and the characters were absolutely fantastic from the smallest role to the largest.

An above-average standalone novel is worth more than any average duology or trilogy, in my opinion, and Wang has delivered a dark, violent, magical, innovative, seething fantasy I can see becoming an absolutely classic in the genre.

I was provided a copy of this title by the publisher and author via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Star Review/Dark Fantasy/Paranormal Fantasy/Political Fantasy/Standalone Novel/Urban Fantasy

This book was bloody, intense and brutal. Sciona and Thomil's stories were both so beautifully intertwined and I loved their relationship and all its rocky realness. This book has a myriad of themes from racism, classism, religion, and misogyny all encompassed in a dark academia magic setting. There was a lot to unwrap here but I would whole heartedly recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for this earc!

Really interesting set up for a book, with a dark and violent look into themes of misogyny, racism, and colonialism. I think that the way that the magic system was set up was honestly brilliant, and the tie in to the fantasy religion was well done as well. I also really enjoyed the follow through for the natural consequences of the character's actions.

What I didn't love was the long on-page explanation of colonialism, oppression, etc. I think that the author is trying to explain complex ideas in an easy to understand manner, but it felt like sitting in on a college 101 level class for some of it instead of feeling like the dialogue was natural. I would have preferred to see some of those themes play out directly in the world, maybe with more single chapter POVs from Kwen characters, instead of receiving it quite so much like an academic lecture. I also felt like the book kept the characters at a bit of an arm's length, which isn't a problem because the plot itself is such a gut punch, but definitely blunted the emotional impact.

Definitely for fans of Babel, and I might also add To Shape a Dragon's Breath as well.

I really wish I would have liked this book more than I did, the premise was intriguing and had a lot of room to be a fantastic read, but for me, it just felt less. The magic was the best part of the book but everything else just fell short, there weren't any characters I felt attached to the story itself felt slow, uneventful, and the plot twists and surprises were predictable. The authors writing style was wonderfully done it just did not draw me in and keep my attention.

Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang was such a phenomenal read.
The character developments and themes were so well-executed.
And the world-building was intricately crafted.
The magic system was so unique and intriguing.
An entertaining and engaging dark academic fantasy that sucked me in and held me completely captive.

Thank You NetGalley and Random House, Ballantine & Del Rey for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This story started off feeling like a dark academia with a fun magic system, but quickly morphed into something with powerful messages about sexism and caste systems, prejudice, logic vs. ethics, and leaving your world/community better for the next generation(s).

I loved reading about this book's magic system: very logical and similar to coding. For an academic fantasy, the pacing was really good throughout with certain chapters sucking me and making my eyeballs move too fast. 😂

This is one of those books that I don’t feel like my words here after reading won’t do it justice, so just know I HIGHLY recommend.

I am absolutely blown away by this book and will most definitely be thinking about this one for a long time.

This is 100% fantasy with a smidge of romance so make sure you don’t go in with false expectations or you will likely be disappointed.

I went into this without reading the synopsis, just excited to read an ML Wang book. I completely recommend going into books blind because the blurbs can absolutely be spoilers and I have so much more fun not knowing what I’m getting into.

This book has an insanely unique magic system which took a lot for me to fully comprehend in the beginning. It tackles tough subjects like sexism, racism, and imperialism in a completely unique fantasy world. I truly could not put this book down, even though I was SO STRESSED because I could not even fathom how the conflict was going to be resolved once I hit than 50% point in the book.

Sciona (FMC) is certainly a flawed character but her yearning for knowledge and understanding along with her empathy allowed her to exhibit such great character development.

Thomil (MMC) is a man with a tragic past living in a world designed to hate his kind for no reason other than that it was the “will of God” or some BS. I thought he was an excellent character and broke my heart on multiple occasions.

This is going to be one of my top reads of 2024 for sure. Thank you so much to Del Rey & NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN had a really strong start that literally had me shedding tears in chapter one. So I'm sad to be here now, alongside Micky's shiny review, and not be singing it's praises. Because there are a lot of things about this book worth championing. Where I think for me it failed to find footing was, mainly, the lack of tension. And I mean that in a variety of ways.

First of all, the concept of this may not seem all that rare but the unique way that Wang spun her tale, her particular brand of darkness at the heart of this utopic world, definitely made me sit up. I did sorta see the potential for this to be the conflict but it still shook me a bit. I loved that, even though, of course, it is so vile. What shook me more, and what I really appreciate that Wang did, was how at every turn, we got to witness the apathy, the complicity, the acceptance, instead of, in similar stories with similar turns of events, becoming a surprise reveal that necessitates action. I was less appreciative of the constant haranguing and rehashed dialogue of it all -- it got a little (lot) tired after the initial realization that an argument for being a better person wasn't going to have any positive result, and yet we still had to suffer through it anyway. But I think the author was just trying to hammer it home. And I use hammer purposefully because some of the constant banging on, well, yeah, it was painful.

Much like Sciona could be. Her lack of self-awareness made her the perfect conduit for this story because she was so self-righteous, so oblivious, so imperfect, and her arc is hard won because of this. Even in the throes of coming to terms with what must be done, what she can't not do, she still drops hurtful generalizations and prejudiced offhand comments, and it was agonizing. But I suppose it made her human, more real, less the idealized champion. Her character represented so much of what we see in the world around us and it was tough to endure. But where the end of this book leaves her is a triumph.

But back to the tension. The sense of being under threat was very much missing. I felt, well, almost no tension at all. Not in the stakes or the brutality or the resistance or even the aftermath. Even the touch of romance had very little. It all (excepting chapter one, of course) felt a bit dulled. And the magic, well. I think it would've been better had it felt.. fantastical. Instead of, like, keyboard typing? It took some of the impact out of it all.

Having said that, I did peruse a few reviews and it seems as if many of the themes -- the overwhelming sexism and conservatism, patriarchal structure, racism and xenophobia, colonialism, and so much more -- are also present in the author's big hit THE SWORD OF KAIGEN but done better. I had planned to read that anyway but after this experience I may make more of an effort to get to it sooner than later. Because, again, there's a lot of strength and important and critical dialogue being said here. Speaking for myself, I just don't think the execution worked -- but I hope it does for you.

Thank you to Del Ray, Penguin Random House Audio, and ML Wang for this ARC

I read “Sword of Kaigen” by ML Wang earlier this year, and it was heartbreaking, eye-opening, and an emotional rollercoaster. Going into this new book by Wang, I expected nothing less, and incredibly, it exceeded my expectations.

I think it is almost impossible to build a vivid world, explain a magic system, and have incredible character arcs all in a standalone novel under 600 pages, but yet again, Wang somehow does it impeccably and with ease.

Similar to Sword of Kaigen, this book explores moral and ethical issues that will stay with me for a long time. The concepts of gender injustice, anger at a corrupt system, xenophobia, and colonization are just the tip of the iceberg. While set in a fantasy realm, it reflects some of the situations in our current world. I cried, I got mad, and I gasped at the twists. My emotions were all over the place with this stand-alone fantasy novel.

Moira Quirk's narration elevated this plot to a whole new level for me. Her voice made the scenes more emotionally charged, and I highly recommend listening to this novel if you can. Hearing the scenes from a human voice makes these themes even more intense and realistic.

The pace of this one is also steady. You won't be able to put this one down between the magic system, the world-building, and all the tension.

If you love fantasy books, you need to read ML Wang’s books, specifically Sword of Kaigen and Blood Over Bright Haven. This book is a dark academia fantasy novel with mystery, tragedy, magic, and morality questions. Do yourself a favor and definitely prioritize this one on your TBR.

Imagine you did the impossible, earning your way to becoming the first female highmage in a world where sexism flourishes. After spending your entire life yearning for this moment, everything comes crashing down when you learn the horrific, evil truth behind your coveted position. Will disillusionment be the end or will you do everything possible to change the way of the world you no longer know?

This story follows Sciona Freynan, aspiring highmage, and Thomil, a refugee appointed as Sciona’s assistant, as they navigate themes of sexism, morality, religion, racism, prejudice, colonization, and disillusionment. The book starts out as dark academic tale, but quickly changes into a metaphor of social justice. Covering these topics, this book is both thought provoking and emotional, extremely heavy at times, and made me wonder what I would do in a moral quandary like this.

If you are not into high science fiction/fantasy, this may not be for you. I am a fan of these stories and yet I struggled to get into this book at first because there is extremely intense world building. The universe this story takes place in has a unique magic system entangled in, and it was difficult to understand at first. I did enjoy how it was written in as the reader is learning about the magic system as if we were Thomil. While this was something I had not seen before, I don’t think the painstakingly detailed explanation was necessary and hindered the storyline. Around 30% of the way in, the book started to pick up and I was getting into the groove reading.

I struggled to connect with the FMC Sciona and found her extremely brash, irritating, arrogant, and childish for being the intelligent late 20something year old she was meant to be. I would argue that her character arc was redeeming and I do believe that she had to be written the way she was to get the story’s point across (but that doesn’t mean I liked it). I had high hopes for connecting to her as I have also faced sexism in the workplace (although, hers is more extreme) being a female in engineering.

On the other hand, I was immediately drawn and compelled to Thomil from the first chapter. We are thrown into this universe seeing the devastating ways of their world cause the downfall of not just Thomil’s family, but the remaining members of his tribe. The two characters end up falling in love by the end of this book and I don’t understand the need to have the romance between Thomil and Sciona at all quite frankly. It didn’t add to the plot and seemed like a way to check the box that there was “romance.”

One thing I did love was that the initial scene and the final scene of the book feel like the perfect bookends to this story. The story starts and ends with the same characters, 10 years apart, in the location that changed everything. This seemed like a beautiful, full-circle moment.

Overall, I rated this book 4 stars because there was heavy world building that left me a bit confused at first and took away from me getting really excited about the book. I also felt like the “romance” was unnecessary with how the plot was written. Once I got past the confusing elements, it was incredible and thought provoking. Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for giving me the chance to read this as an e-ARC!

I absolutely loved this standalone fantasy novel. It was my first Wang, but it will definitely not be my last.
Dealing with heavy themes of colonialism, sexism, and theology Blood Over Bright Haven doesn't pull any punches on the reader and this I think is one of its strengths.
Sciona has worked her whole life to be the first female Highmage in the magic-fueled technological utopia of Tiran but her male colleagues are determined to make it as hard and unwelcoming as possible. Thomil is a refugee from the world outside the barrier surrounding Tiran where the Blight destroys the world without logic or forewarning, now a janitor in the tower of mages he is assigned as Sciona's assistant in a cruel move by the other mages. Together the two will work to discover the secret of Tiran's strength and magic, learning a truth that will rock both of them to their core.
Sciona is such an interesting and unlikeable character - driven solely by her ego and desire to find glory she is a perfect instrument of Tiran. Thomil offers a great foil to her - he is driven by grief and a reticence to give up his own traditions. The books shines in the conversations they have about morality, ethics and the work and function of the gods in the world.
I'm trying to not spoil too much of the plot because the journey of discovery is such an important part of this novel and while I anticipated a lot of the big moments it wasn't any less satisfying when they occured because they had been built so well in the run up.
Wang does a brilliant job of developing the book and it makes the ending even more heartbreaking for it. Give me more fantasy like this and i'll be a happy reader

Only read if you’re ready to have an existential crisis in the best way 4/5⭐️

⭐️The magic system is unique and gruesome.
⭐️ Best character development in a stand-alone I’ve read in a while.
⭐️ Handles and describes racism and misogyny in this world but relates it to our world 🤌
⭐️ Definite plot-twists but M.L. Wang provided the perfect heart-breaking ending.

In Blood Over Bright Haven, M.L. Wang composes an alluring story that explores systemic oppression, colonialism, sexism, identity, and resilience. The unique magic system and flawed characters enhance the story, and the author’s critique of societal norms invites readers to reflect on their own beliefs and actions. While BOBH is described as a dark academia/fantasy, the themes Wang writes about are reflective of issues in our current society. I would definitely recommend checking this book out if you’re looking for a haunting, thought-provoking read.

- Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review! -

M. L. Wang’s *Blood over Bright Haven* is a compelling addition to the fantasy genre, seamlessly weaving themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the complexity of familial bonds. The narrative is set in a richly developed world, brimming with intricate political machinations and vibrant cultures that draw readers in.

Wang’s characters are multi-dimensional, each grappling with their own moral dilemmas and personal growth. The protagonist’s journey is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, making their struggles relatable and engaging. The relationships between characters are nuanced, reflecting the harsh realities of trust and betrayal in a world teetering on the brink of chaos.

The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of intense action interspersed with quieter, introspective scenes that allow for character development. There are, however, moments where the pacing becomes hindered by exceptionally long descriptions of spells. As the spells work in a mathematic way, this may be a turn off to some readers.

What stands out most is the book’s exploration of themes such as the consequences of power and the weight of heritage, challenging the reader to reflect on their own values. The moral "greyness" present in many characters adds depth and complexity.

Overall, *Blood over Bright Haven* is a tale that will resonate with fans of character-driven fantasy, especially in the Steampunk sub-genre. Wang has created a captivating world that invites readers to explore the complexities of human nature against a backdrop of adventure and intrigue.

This was my first book by ML Wang and it did not disappoint!! the intricate magical system was a bit complicated but the world building and the characters were amazing!!

Blood Over Bright Haven is a tragic, dark academic fantasy. Including heavy religious and political themes, as well as race, gender, and class disparities. Absolutely heartbreaking and thought provoking- this is definitely and intellectual thriller that will leave your jaw on the floor. Equally inspiring as it is devastating, I am truly blown away by this book.

Bright Haven is a community run by men in which women have clear expectations of being homemakers or teachers. Sciona is a woman that defies the societal norm by having a strong desire for academics and becoming a high mage. Her goal is to make a name for herself by breaking the glass ceiling and advancing where no other woman has before.

After defying the odds and becoming a high mage, Sciona's male peers have no issue making her feel unwelcome. In trying to break her spirit further, they assign her an assistant that has no magical background and currently works in janitorial services at the magistry.

Unbeknownst to them, Thomil is more than just a janitor, and helps Sciona make magical discoveries that were never thought possible. Unfortunately, some of these discoveries are horrific and will change Bright Haven and beyond forever.

This book was actually released in 2023, but is being officially published and re-released on October 29th. I was not expecting the story I read, but I'm so glad that I read it. As dark and heavy as it was, it's really a fantastic story. I highly recommend this book if you like dark and heavy themes with lots of inspiring character growth.

This is an excellent book.

The main characters in this are almost all adults so this skips over my least favorite dark academia tropes. I loved the academic environment in this and I’m so glad this wasn’t a book that made me sit through a main character going to classes and worrying about grades.

Some of the major elements of the plot are subtle at first so the beginning section of this feels different from the end. This was done so well because it allows you to really get into the head of the character you’re reading through - you miss what they would miss because you see the world through their lens!

There are a lot of heavy and complex themes and topics covered in this book and the author handles them all with nuance while keeping the reader entertained.

Sciona and Thomil are very interesting characters with a lot of depth. They are flawed and complicated and both feel real. I loved watching them develop and grow over the course of the novel.

This book was enthralling. M.L. Wang is phenomenal at writing works that make you feel conflicting emotions at the same time and that requires a lot of talent!! I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

10/10 amazing