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A review by aklaux
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
M.L. Wang is 2 for 2 on perfect books. It's been a few years since The Sword of Kaige left my heart bleeding on the floor. Now, she's back to leave my mind bleeding on the floor.
Sciona Freymen is the first woman in history to become a Highmage in the utopian city of Tiran. As she grapples with the challenge of breaking the glass ceiling and takes on an unexpected assistant, she comes face to face with a truth that could unravel everything she has worked for.
I fell in love with this book almost immediately. Let me say it loud and clear: THIS is how you build a fully realized world AND execute a plot in under 500 pages! At no point did the story drag. At no point did the author stray into self-indulgent worldbuilding that wouldn't benefit the story. Not to mention, I don't have to wait for another book of a series to have resolution. I so wish more authors could do standalone fantasy this well.
I adored Sciona and the workings of her mind. I often cringe at authors trying to write an intelligent female protagonist, because usually it just becomes a cliche of saying over and over that she is the smartest person to ever live without real proof. M.L. Wang doesn't tell us what Sciona is capable of, she shows us.
And the topics explored in this story… so many to count! Sexism, racism, colonialism, religion, and morality, just to name a few. It's not hard to see where she draws inspiration from. It's not subtle. Maybe it's heavy-handed for some readers, but I think she handled it well. We experience the character growth along with Sciona instead of being preached at. We see the beauty of how a person cannot "look away" from horror and how they can use new information to change their mind. Groundbreaking stuff, really.
I have hardly a critique for this, but maybe a few things to consider. Like I said, some readers may find the themes too blunt. The author does not mince words, so check the content warnings. There is also a lot of magical technicalities that could get overwhelming. It randomly reminded me of being overwhelmed by the amount of science technicalities in the book Project Hail Mary. If you are dead set on understanding every magical term, you won't have as much fun. Sometimes it's fun to marvel in the fact that you don't follow every step. It makes it more humble to experience it this way. I say that mostly because I didn't realize there was a glossary in the back of the book until I finished...
Anyway, this is an instant favorite. One that I would recommend to every single person who loves (or just tolerates) the fantasy genre. You won't regret it.
Sciona Freymen is the first woman in history to become a Highmage in the utopian city of Tiran. As she grapples with the challenge of breaking the glass ceiling and takes on an unexpected assistant, she comes face to face with a truth that could unravel everything she has worked for.
I fell in love with this book almost immediately. Let me say it loud and clear: THIS is how you build a fully realized world AND execute a plot in under 500 pages! At no point did the story drag. At no point did the author stray into self-indulgent worldbuilding that wouldn't benefit the story. Not to mention, I don't have to wait for another book of a series to have resolution. I so wish more authors could do standalone fantasy this well.
I adored Sciona and the workings of her mind. I often cringe at authors trying to write an intelligent female protagonist, because usually it just becomes a cliche of saying over and over that she is the smartest person to ever live without real proof. M.L. Wang doesn't tell us what Sciona is capable of, she shows us.
And the topics explored in this story… so many to count! Sexism, racism, colonialism, religion, and morality, just to name a few. It's not hard to see where she draws inspiration from. It's not subtle. Maybe it's heavy-handed for some readers, but I think she handled it well. We experience the character growth along with Sciona instead of being preached at. We see the beauty of how a person cannot "look away" from horror and how they can use new information to change their mind. Groundbreaking stuff, really.
I have hardly a critique for this, but maybe a few things to consider. Like I said, some readers may find the themes too blunt. The author does not mince words, so check the content warnings. There is also a lot of magical technicalities that could get overwhelming. It randomly reminded me of being overwhelmed by the amount of science technicalities in the book Project Hail Mary. If you are dead set on understanding every magical term, you won't have as much fun. Sometimes it's fun to marvel in the fact that you don't follow every step. It makes it more humble to experience it this way. I say that mostly because I didn't realize there was a glossary in the back of the book until I finished...
Anyway, this is an instant favorite. One that I would recommend to every single person who loves (or just tolerates) the fantasy genre. You won't regret it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Classism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Religious bigotry