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vlw195's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
zagfros's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow, a fantastic dark academia standalone from M.L. Wang, great for fans of Sword of Kaigen and will have you eagerly awaiting her next novel. You'll be gripped from the very start with the introduction of The Crossing & the Blight. The world building is brilliant and not over done, it reads well and provides a harsh introduction to the city.
The magic system is top notch, so unique and anyone with a small understanding of programming will really enjoy the inspiration. The different specialisations are super interesting and they really help engross you in the world.
Sciona & Thomil are brilliant well rounded characters and whilst sometimes Sciona can be ignorant of others and their plights she is still a lovable character who is open to growth (though this is all because of Thomil's influence)
nacholsg's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
abkinlaw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
andyydvr's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
msbrenda's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
adleekay's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jlwilson's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
eiion's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for feedback!
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang is a standalone story. Dark academia and magical fantasy blend together seamlessly, in a book that isn't afraid to touch on more difficult topics like racism and sexism. It follows the story of female mage, Sciona, and her unlikely friend, Thomil, living in the magic-fueled city of Tiran, run by mages who look out for themselves. And only themselves. Worlds collide, and people change, in an emotionally packed story about love, hope, rebellion, and loss.
This book wrecked me.
Sciona was a loveable character, with admirable morals and a frustratingly ignorant view of the world. No matter how uninformed she was, I never hated her. She was a product of her environment, just like Thomil. He had so much depth to him, and while he was frustratingly patient at times, he never acted in a way I found unrealistic or off-putting.
The books willingness to talk so much about sexism, racism, and real problems we face in our society surrounding religion and moral compasses never felt stifling or restricted. There were some parts that felt too on the nose, some parts that felt overplayed or too harsh for the sake of making a commentary. I can't fault the book for this. It made me uncomfortable, and I believe that that was exactly what it wanted to do. So many of these problems are so deeply rooted in the city of Tiran (and by extension all of its citizens) but it never feels forced, it felt organic and executed in a way that showed how many years it had had influence over the people.
There was a large chunk about struggles with mental health in this book as well that featured some scenes or thoughts that could be triggering to some readers. While they were handled incredibly well in my opinion, it's an important thing to check before starting this book.
M.L. Wang's writing is effortless, and flows over the page like it's dancing. Information dumps felt like plot points, world building interweaved into the story seamlessly. It was an amazing, heartbreakingly beautiful story.
There is some serious talent in being able to so vividly craft a world like Tiran and not have your book be over 800 pages. The academic properties, the magic, the politics on which the city stand are such an integral part of the story without just being an information slog. Despite all of the backstory we needed, the pacing was still really good. Characters could explain things for a page or two without feeling like they'd been going on forever, and I didn't feel like I was talked at nor did I find myself skimming these sections.
Fans of dark academia will absolutely sink their teeth into this one, and I promise that the build up is worth it, in an emotional gut-punch that will linger in your mind in the best way possible.
I would give anything to read it again for the first time.
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang is a standalone story. Dark academia and magical fantasy blend together seamlessly, in a book that isn't afraid to touch on more difficult topics like racism and sexism. It follows the story of female mage, Sciona, and her unlikely friend, Thomil, living in the magic-fueled city of Tiran, run by mages who look out for themselves. And only themselves. Worlds collide, and people change, in an emotionally packed story about love, hope, rebellion, and loss.
This book wrecked me.
Sciona was a loveable character, with admirable morals and a frustratingly ignorant view of the world. No matter how uninformed she was, I never hated her. She was a product of her environment, just like Thomil. He had so much depth to him, and while he was frustratingly patient at times, he never acted in a way I found unrealistic or off-putting.
The books willingness to talk so much about sexism, racism, and real problems we face in our society surrounding religion and moral compasses never felt stifling or restricted. There were some parts that felt too on the nose, some parts that felt overplayed or too harsh for the sake of making a commentary. I can't fault the book for this. It made me uncomfortable, and I believe that that was exactly what it wanted to do. So many of these problems are so deeply rooted in the city of Tiran (and by extension all of its citizens) but it never feels forced, it felt organic and executed in a way that showed how many years it had had influence over the people.
There was a large chunk about struggles with mental health in this book as well that featured some scenes or thoughts that could be triggering to some readers. While they were handled incredibly well in my opinion, it's an important thing to check before starting this book.
M.L. Wang's writing is effortless, and flows over the page like it's dancing. Information dumps felt like plot points, world building interweaved into the story seamlessly. It was an amazing, heartbreakingly beautiful story.
There is some serious talent in being able to so vividly craft a world like Tiran and not have your book be over 800 pages. The academic properties, the magic, the politics on which the city stand are such an integral part of the story without just being an information slog. Despite all of the backstory we needed, the pacing was still really good. Characters could explain things for a page or two without feeling like they'd been going on forever, and I didn't feel like I was talked at nor did I find myself skimming these sections.
Fans of dark academia will absolutely sink their teeth into this one, and I promise that the build up is worth it, in an emotional gut-punch that will linger in your mind in the best way possible.
I would give anything to read it again for the first time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Sexual assault