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blackhat_cottagecore 's review for:
Blood Over Bright Haven
by M.L. Wang
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was deeply frustrating at times. The main character is intended to be unlikable, which fine, except that she's also so racist as a POV character. And while unlearning that is part of the story, it was both tough to read and not always fully acknowledged because she keeps being contrasted against other more racist characters.
The first half of the book also read more YA than adult to me, given the lack of subtlety in the themes and the romance set up.
That said: the second half picked up a lot. The writing was good, the magic system was interesting and central to the plot, and the ending absolutely slapped.
The first half of the book also read more YA than adult to me, given the lack of subtlety in the themes and the romance set up.
That said: the second half picked up a lot. The writing was good, the magic system was interesting and central to the plot, and the ending absolutely slapped.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Death, Death of parent