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mimslibrary 's review for:
Blood Over Bright Haven
by M.L. Wang
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i can already see all the reviews saying that this book was too heavy handed, almost bludgeoning the themes and messaging over the reader’s head. and while, at times, the commentary on misogyny and systemic racism were presented rather bluntly, i think it was necessary to establish that understanding before exploring the deeper and darker realities that this book tackles.
this was by no means an easy read, in terms of subject matter. through the magic-based city of tiran, wang explores the carnage colonizers and oppressive governments leave in their wake while wielding organized religion to justify crimes against humanity. i thought the magic system itself was ingenious, especially for what it was meant to represent. throughout this entire novel, i was constantly comparing the plot points to real-life events. the harsh reality of exploitative organizations coupled with the raw, realistic—yet hopeful— ending, left me staring at the wall after finishing this book. i can see why blood over bright haven is often likened to babel, and being someone who loved that book it was no surprise i loved this one as well.
this was by no means an easy read, in terms of subject matter. through the magic-based city of tiran, wang explores the carnage colonizers and oppressive governments leave in their wake while wielding organized religion to justify crimes against humanity. i thought the magic system itself was ingenious, especially for what it was meant to represent. throughout this entire novel, i was constantly comparing the plot points to real-life events. the harsh reality of exploitative organizations coupled with the raw, realistic—yet hopeful— ending, left me staring at the wall after finishing this book. i can see why blood over bright haven is often likened to babel, and being someone who loved that book it was no surprise i loved this one as well.