This book gets pretty dark, but I really loved the academic magic system and the exploration of the cost of magic, especially when that cost is high, but hidden. Definitely check the content warnings if you're at all squeamish about violence. 

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for feedback!

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang is a standalone story. Dark academia and magical fantasy blend together seamlessly, in a book that isn't afraid to touch on more difficult topics like racism and sexism. It follows the story of female mage, Sciona, and her unlikely friend, Thomil, living in the magic-fueled city of Tiran, run by mages who look out for themselves. And only themselves. Worlds collide, and people change, in an emotionally packed story about love, hope, rebellion, and loss.

This book wrecked me.

Sciona was a loveable character, with admirable morals and a frustratingly ignorant view of the world. No matter how uninformed she was, I never hated her. She was a product of her environment, just like Thomil. He had so much depth to him, and while he was frustratingly patient at times, he never acted in a way I found unrealistic or off-putting.

The books willingness to talk so much about sexism, racism, and real problems we face in our society surrounding religion and moral compasses never felt stifling or restricted. There were some parts that felt too on the nose, some parts that felt overplayed or too harsh for the sake of making a commentary. I can't fault the book for this. It made me uncomfortable, and I believe that that was exactly what it wanted to do. So many of these problems are so deeply rooted in the city of Tiran (and by extension all of its citizens) but it never feels forced, it felt organic and executed in a way that showed how many years it had had influence over the people.
There was a large chunk about struggles with mental health in this book as well that featured some scenes or thoughts that could be triggering to some readers. While they were handled incredibly well in my opinion, it's an important thing to check before starting this book.

M.L. Wang's writing is effortless, and flows over the page like it's dancing. Information dumps felt like plot points, world building interweaved into the story seamlessly. It was an amazing, heartbreakingly beautiful story.
There is some serious talent in being able to so vividly craft a world like Tiran and not have your book be over 800 pages. The academic properties, the magic, the politics on which the city stand are such an integral part of the story without just being an information slog. Despite all of the backstory we needed, the pacing was still really good. Characters could explain things for a page or two without feeling like they'd been going on forever, and I didn't feel like I was talked at nor did I find myself skimming these sections.

Fans of dark academia will absolutely sink their teeth into this one, and I promise that the build up is worth it, in an emotional gut-punch that will linger in your mind in the best way possible.

I would give anything to read it again for the first time. 

The less you know about this book the better.

You can expect an original take on magic, an original setting, and a compelling story dealing with themes of sexism, classism and racism.

The book isn't preachy in how it delivers its the messages, but that means that it is absolutely unrelenting in showing them to you. M. L. Wang doesn't hold back, so expect to be uncomfortable at times, even with characters you might sympathize with. They exist in and are shaped by this deeply flawed world, whether we as readers like it or not.

Again, without spoiling anything, the main plot twist made me put the book down to collect myself. I also thought the ending was superb, and was impressed that the author had the guts to take the story that far.

This is the best fantasy standalone I've read so far. I honestly think everyone would benefit from reading this book. In today's world, we could all use the self-reflection that this story forces on the reader.

 

TERRIBLE LIBRO
Increible, hace mucho no leo algo tan bueno. Droga desde el capitulo uno. Leia con mi cara a 5 cm del kindle de lo inmersa que estaba.
Posta que abarco de todo y no es la fantasia mas larga que he leido, pero es muy compleja y cada palabra, cada oracion fue aprovechada para desarrollarla.
Misoginia, racismo, colonialismo, xenofobia, politica, magia, historia, moral, religion. En este caso NO aplica el dicho "el que mucho abarca, poco aprieta". La historia cierra por todos lados. Estas tan concentrado en x parte de la trama que te olvidas de lo que no esta resuelto hasta que la misma narrativa te lo recuerda para poder darle un cierre.
La verdad que el gran descubrimiento de la protagonista me tomo desprevenida por lo que dije en la oracion anterior, estaba tan concentrada en el presente de la historia que no hile las ideas, y para mi eso habla de lo bien escrito que esta.
Realmente se lo recomiendo A TODOS.

 

This book grabbed me by the lapels and held on TIGHT! While reading this, I was consumed by it. I could not stop thinking about this at work, while driving...while existing lol. The writing is phenomenal, the character development is flawless. You will be emotionally scarred after reading this. This is a solid dark academia/fantasy stand alone. The MC is a woman in her mid 20's and I LOVED that. It made the character more relatable to me because I am the same age as Sciona (the main character). This is definitely added to the list as one of my favorite books ever...along with The Sword of Kaigen. I think I have a new favorite author.

This book wrecked me.
It took me a long while to finish it, because I kept picking it up and immediately putting it down, not in the mood for something so heavy, so infuriating, so painful.
M.L. Wang knows like no other how to invoke emotions.

Brutal and unflinching, yet peppered with so many pure, tender moments. Beautifully written. Somehow both otherworldly and alarmingly close to home. Incredibly cool magic system and worldbuilding so clear it feels tangible. Everything is done well in this book. Everything.

This read really made me reflect and stretched my feelings to the max. I lost count of the number of times I gasped or clapped a hand over my mouth. Wang shocked me in ways few other authors have. Very eager to check out their other work now.