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

dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I think it's really important to point out flaws in the narrative, most glaringly the racism and microaggressions that don't really resolve. Considering that (I'm assuming) this is a standalone novel, I think that should have had something more of a resolution (I want to say more but I'd rather not give spoilers), but I don't feel like we get that at all. 
 
I also think that while yes Sciona is intelligent, she's a really good example of int and wis being completely different stats. She's also incredibly stunted and awful with people, and I do wish there was more of her trying to be good to others. It can be argued that that's sort of the point, but I think it would have helped the novel have a more satisfying resolution. 

I did like the way that magic worked- basically as coding rather than what we typically see as magic where it's ✨OtHeRwOrLdLy✨ or a "gift from god". I also thought that having Sciona teach Thomil about magic and thus us as readers was very effective. 

Overall I thought it was a good read. I wanted to vomit and physically became ill when I figured out the twist and subsequently was right. I don't often like dual perspectives, but it was used sparingly and effectively. 

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