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A review by brann_mac_finnchad
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-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
5.0
This book ripped my heart out and brutally danced upon it.
You should read it.
Holy crap. I started the book two days ago, read almost all of it between work yesterday, and finished the last chapters first thing in the morning...it was too compelling to put down, and quite literally had me shaking from emotions. That timeline isn't unusual for me, but the craving to keep picking it back up during every spare moment is.
It's a dark academia style novel set in a city with magic integrated industrialism, and the method of the spell work is fascinating, being worked on what are essentially typewriters like computer coding--a novel approach I have never seen before and was brilliantly done.
The MCs are a brilliant and ambitious young mage trying to become the first ever female high mage, and a "stupid barbarian" from the Blight who was assigned to be her assistant as a crippling tactic. Needless to say, that didn't work out, as she is assigned the task of expanding the shield protecting the city and sourcing the power it will take. Certain truths are uncovered and it is, to say the least, unpleasant.
The story itself hits hard with themes of sexism (in general, and especially academia), colonialism, systemic racism/jingoism/towards immigrants, and religion as a method of control and to excuse behavior.
Pair with Dark Academia music, and copious amounts of tea.
Trigger warnings; many, including sexual assault, murder, racism, severe sexism.
Highly recommend. This book will probably stand out in my reading list for a while.
[Cover of Blood over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang. White font on a black cover with a typewriter like device in gold in the middle, with a screen showing red flames).
You should read it.
Holy crap. I started the book two days ago, read almost all of it between work yesterday, and finished the last chapters first thing in the morning...it was too compelling to put down, and quite literally had me shaking from emotions. That timeline isn't unusual for me, but the craving to keep picking it back up during every spare moment is.
It's a dark academia style novel set in a city with magic integrated industrialism, and the method of the spell work is fascinating, being worked on what are essentially typewriters like computer coding--a novel approach I have never seen before and was brilliantly done.
The MCs are a brilliant and ambitious young mage trying to become the first ever female high mage, and a "stupid barbarian" from the Blight who was assigned to be her assistant as a crippling tactic. Needless to say, that didn't work out, as she is assigned the task of expanding the shield protecting the city and sourcing the power it will take. Certain truths are uncovered and it is, to say the least, unpleasant.
The story itself hits hard with themes of sexism (in general, and especially academia), colonialism, systemic racism/jingoism/towards immigrants, and religion as a method of control and to excuse behavior.
Pair with Dark Academia music, and copious amounts of tea.
Trigger warnings; many, including sexual assault, murder, racism, severe sexism.
Highly recommend. This book will probably stand out in my reading list for a while.
[Cover of Blood over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang. White font on a black cover with a typewriter like device in gold in the middle, with a screen showing red flames).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Blood, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, and Colonisation
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Minor: Cannibalism