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.

This book was incredible. It introduces a fantasy world where Bright Haven, a city protected by magic, is a refuge from blight. It's founders created a place in which magic and industry thrive, but at what cost? 

The characters in this book are incredibly well written. From the beginning Sciona and Thomil are real people, with depth to their characterizations that is incredible. The reader can understand their points of view, can recognize the danger of Sciona's ego and the anger in Thomil's silence and still empathize with them. Their different views on morality and what makes a person "good" were so well written. I'm still thinking about one of their verbal debates.

The pacing of the story is tense and quick but never feels rushed. The way it unfolds makes sense but I was also unable to directly predict what was going to happen. And the ending is impossible to stop thinking about, even now over a day after finishing it.

This is my favorite book of the year so far.

 

How far would you go to discover, and honor the truth, even if it meant upending everything you know about history and god, and what is right and wrong? 

 

Although light on detailed intricate world-building (eg., The Fifth Season Game of Thrones, etc.), everything else about this dark academia fantasy from Sword of Kaigen author M.L. Wang is top notch and is a 5-star book for me. Character development and depth, dialog and banter, unique magic system and depth, plot and story pacing and writing are all excellent. It was a page-turner for me, addictive and fast-paced despite the length. 

 

The story follows a talented and ambitious young female aspiring mage named Sciona as she becomes the first woman ever to be admitted into the High Magistry in an industrial utopia called Titan protected and fueled by a unique magic system similar to coding and programming. Facing challenges and bullying from most of her new male colleagues, she does as she has always had to do - work twice as hard to get half the recognition and overcome their assumptions about whether a woman is even fit or capable of being a High Mage. 

 

Along the way she is assigned a janitor as her assistant as part of their cruelty, a man who escaped the harsh winterlands and vicious Blight that killed everyone he knew in their trek to find refuge in the magic-protected city of Titan. 

 

As they work together on a special project to expand the magical bounds of the city, they start to uncover an ancient secret that could change things forever, if it doesn’t drive them mad or get them killed in the process. 

 

I think opinions will be mixed on how "happy" or "hopeful" the ending is, but just like in real life, I think some things can be both happy and sad, hopeful and tragic, redemptive and heartbreaking and thought-provoking, all at the same time. The truth of the past, the truth about history, is rarely golden and blemish-free, and uncovering the truth about the past can often be uncomfortable. It's what we do with that knowledge that matters, if we accept the status quo, or choose to do something with the knowledge, that makes us who we are. 

 

 

 

Notes about content and themes: 

There is some graphic depictions of violence that are central to the plot and the overall core of the world and struggle between the protected civilization under the dome and the people they exploit for resources, with strong themes of patriarchy and misogyny, genocide, exploitation, racism and xenophobia, classism, religious supremacy and intolerance, and hints and allusions to imperialism, colonization, that are reminiscent of the dark past of western history. Romantic elements are not overt -- there are feelings and inklings of love between several key characters in a doomed forbidden romance, but no spice.  

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.

Wow. This book was so amazing. The only reason it didn’t get five stars was because of the info dump at the beginning. Even for a lover of world building and hard magic systems like me, it was a little too much. It was necessary to the plot, but spreading it out would have helped. Overall though, amazing book with a dark twist and a somewhat predictable but incredibly well done ending. 

This book came highly recommended and it didn't disappoint. I hadn't read any books by M.L. Wang before though I know of her and Sword of Kaigen. It's been in my TBR for a while now. This one on the other hand came out of the blue as far as I am concerned. 

Sciona and Thomil are the two protagonists. Sciona has been a prodigy, a genius and she has spent her life oblivious to everything and being as self absorbed and selfish as a person can be in her pursuit of magic. Magic is what makes the city of Tiran where she lives go around, and it is a gift from their god who embodies truth and a spirit of enquiry. In a world where women are expected to be the lesser citizens and denied opportunities for higher research, she is determined to succeed. But her entry into the High Magistry doesn't open doors as she expected it to. Her male colleagues are determined to think she didn't get in on her merit and shows their disdain by giving her a Kwen Janitor as an assistant instead of a qualified university graduate.

Kwen are the outcasts, the ones who comes from the wild lands beyond the barrier that keeps Tiran safe. The lands beyond are subject to the Blight, a bright light that strikes from above and kills instantly, by unravelling flesh and muscle till only blood is remaining of the victim. The Tirannish hold that it's a punishment from God for the ungodly ways of the Kwen. Tiran, under her magical barrier, is protected from the Blight. 

The janitor, Thomil is a hunter who had seen his entire family except his niece die from the blight before his eyes. He and his niece, Carra who he raises, are the last of the Caldonnae who once numbered in the thousands. The lands outside are rendered inhospitable since the Blight takes animals, plants and men alike. 

Sciona and Thomil form an unlikely friendship as they delve into Sciona's project: the expansion of the barrier. If she can come up with a viable method that's better than that of her peers, she can prove beyond doubt that she is worthy of being in the High Magistry, that a woman is capable of doing as well, if not better, than men in her chosen field. But her attempt to come up with a better way leads to her discovering the buried truth behind Tiran's magic and prosperity. It's a truth that destroys everything she believes in, and alienates everyone around her.

There were places in the book where I wanted to kick Sciona and places where I wanted to shake her. But thankfully, it all changed soon. I was so anxious for her that I had to stop reading and breathe for a bit. 

To say this book ripped the heart right out of my chest from chapter one is not an understatement. It was so intense, and I had so many emotions. The ending was strangely cathartic, and despite how sad I was, realistically, no other ending would have worked. 

This book deals with a lot of themes. Feminism, sexism, misogyny, colonialism, bigotry, racism, and the ills of all these are brought out in one way or another. Some of the characters are almost like caricatures, but even then, they remain representative of the evils they embody. 

I loved Sciona's character development as well as Thomil's. Even though she makes her appearance only after the mid way point, Carra is also a memorable character who grows in the space given to her. 

I needed two days to settle down enough to write this review. This book impacted me that much. Even now, I am not sure I'm doing justice to it. 

I would recommend it to anyone who loves epic fantasy, high fantasy, complex and well defined magical systems, character driven stories, and anyone who loves M.L. Wang's books. There's nothing about this book I didn't love. 

Just go and read it. You won't regret it!