A review by moominquartz
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

dark hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Do you wish you could rewatch FMA for the first time all over again? That's how I felt reading this book. Highly, highly recommend. Wang has some very poignant commentary about racism and sexism and the way the white imperialist patriarchy uses this to encourage infighting among the oppressed rather than allowing the oppressed to rise as a single class against their oppressors. I appreciated that Sciona struggles with her racism towards the Kwen for the vast majority of the book. And the ending was just... chef's kiss. I thought it was really satisfying,
even though it wasn't a "happily ever after." Because sometimes, choosing to fight means you are risking your death
.

I really struggled with whether this deserved 5 stars or not. It only barely missed the bullseye.
I just felt that the romance between Sciona and Thomil was not necessary. I didn't think the relationship was more compelling or more profound, and at some parts I felt like it detracted from the main plot. Maybe it's a me thing. It just felt very... heterosexual. Also, at one point there's a line about how "Thomil could not belong to a Tiranishwoman and Sciona could not belong to a man". And I'm like... girl go get a girlfriend then? Maybe if it was sapphic I would be more forgiving. LOL.
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