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A review by jopolyd
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I'm so disappointed this book didn't rate more highly for me. Having seen how many 6* reviews it's been given, and with it's themes and similarities to other books I love I truly thought I would love this book.
But it was just fine.
The writing felt juvenile, and ultimately like it should have been marketed as a YA. Wang is not subtle with her points at all, and I felt patronised whilst reading this book. Not to mention the plot was so incredibly predictable and the characters felt exaggerated.
Our MC Sciona is meant to be incredibly smart, strong and talented and I appreciate many of her quirks and actions are a direct result of the oppressive society in which she lives. But she relies purely on Thomil - her subservient assistant - to put the dots together for her and teach her how to be considerate to others, and at times he really has to spell this out for her. If that cliche isn't bad enough for you, the journey she goes through is that of a teenager, not of the 27yo grown adult she is. I have a lot of issues with a number of the other characters too, it seems like no one - not even the mages - has a mind of their own, and that's something I can't quite wrap my head around. Typically those in power in impressive systems use tools like religion to oppress others, but it feels like the mages genuinely believed the stuff they were shouting and somehow Sciona was the ONLY one in hundreds of years to ever question this?
In addition to the standard "enslaved person teaches MC empathy" trope, Thomil is used as a vehicle to teach the reader about the magic system. The magic system is complex, and interesting, and integral to the plotline, so I understand why much of it needs to be told and now shown. But the fact that his intellectual inferiority is regularly brought up just felt a bit ham fisted, and added to the feeling that Wang didn't trust her readers to make their own deductions.
So much of the book could have been cut down and the message wouldn't have been muddied. Instead Wang could have taken opportunities to expand on other characters. Maybe, even the Kwen, their tribes, history and own magic. This for me, would have made a much more impactful story.
But I will say I loved the setting, I enjoyed the magic system and the story kept my interest piqued just enough to get me through to what I considered a perfect ending - if not as heart wrenching as everyone else thought.
But it was just fine.
The writing felt juvenile, and ultimately like it should have been marketed as a YA. Wang is not subtle with her points at all, and I felt patronised whilst reading this book. Not to mention the plot was so incredibly predictable and the characters felt exaggerated.
Our MC Sciona is meant to be incredibly smart, strong and talented and I appreciate many of her quirks and actions are a direct result of the oppressive society in which she lives. But she relies purely on Thomil - her subservient assistant - to put the dots together for her and teach her how to be considerate to others, and at times he really has to spell this out for her. If that cliche isn't bad enough for you, the journey she goes through is that of a teenager, not of the 27yo grown adult she is. I have a lot of issues with a number of the other characters too, it seems like no one - not even the mages - has a mind of their own, and that's something I can't quite wrap my head around. Typically those in power in impressive systems use tools like religion to oppress others, but it feels like the mages genuinely believed the stuff they were shouting and somehow Sciona was the ONLY one in hundreds of years to ever question this?
In addition to the standard "enslaved person teaches MC empathy" trope, Thomil is used as a vehicle to teach the reader about the magic system. The magic system is complex, and interesting, and integral to the plotline, so I understand why much of it needs to be told and now shown. But the fact that his intellectual inferiority is regularly brought up just felt a bit ham fisted, and added to the feeling that Wang didn't trust her readers to make their own deductions.
So much of the book could have been cut down and the message wouldn't have been muddied. Instead Wang could have taken opportunities to expand on other characters. Maybe, even the Kwen, their tribes, history and own magic. This for me, would have made a much more impactful story.
But I will say I loved the setting, I enjoyed the magic system and the story kept my interest piqued just enough to get me through to what I considered a perfect ending - if not as heart wrenching as everyone else thought.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Xenophobia, Police brutality