Blood Over Bright Haven is set in the utopia city Tiran, a haven sheltered by a magical barrier that keeps out the cold and the blight. Sciona is a mage, who has spent all of her time studying magic so that she could attempt the exam that will allow her to become a highmage, a position that no woman has ever been allowed to hold. After passing the exam, she is assigned Thomil, a Kwen janitor, as her assistant. The Kwen are a race of people who come from outside of Tiran, making the dangerous trek into the city in the hopes of finding safety. Thomil's entire tribe was killed by the blight as they came to the city, leaving only him and his niece behind. Sciona and Thomil delve deeper into their experiments and the magical and religious texts about the magical barrier around Tiran. They discover some dangerous truths that have been kept hidden from the people in the city, making powerful enemies for these characters and everyone they love.

The magic system in this book was so unique and detailed. Each chapter started with an excerpt from either books on theory or religious text about the system of magic, which added a lot of depth. It was almost like a combination of magic and computer science, which is something I've never seen before and I really enjoyed. The story started off with a lot of action, but then it lagged a little bit in the middle, only to pick up again at the end. I thought the characters were really interesting and they allowed the story to look at sexism and xenophobia head on. They had arcs that felt realistic and were enjoyable to follow as a reader. Another bonus is that it is a standalone, so the story is all wrapped up in this book. This will be a good one for fantasy readers who like getting into the nitty-gritty of magic systems or stories about schools of magic.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted copy.

Well this is my favorite read of the year! And I know it is going to be my all time favorite book for years to come! I have never ever read a story this deeply impacted me with my whole being into my bones and blood. I do not even know how to write this review because I am still staring into abyss and do not know what to do with myself. Infinity ♾️ plus 6 ⭐️ or moreee!!! My rating system isn’t even fair for this masterpiece! Wow wow wow I am truly blown away!

I was provided eARC by publisher through NetGalley and this review is purely my own opinion.

I want to preface that I am scholar of occult science and a mystic. I perceive every story that I digest in symbolic and archetypal level even if they’re fantasy books so if my review would not make sense to you or I trigger you, I kindly suggest you stop reading!

This storyline is pure archetypal masterpiece. I have never read a story this much mirror to what we are experiencing in this dark age in this time. Yes I genuinely think we are spiritually experiencing very dark age in our current society and societal issues are pure reflection of this!! I deeply believe this storyline is truly a mirror to our current society! We as a society is in very similar position and if you can’t see it well you can stop because I am about to be bold af!

When I read first chapter I started to cry and I knew in that moment this book was going to impact me in soul level and INDEED IT DID! Do you know how hard it is to feel this deep let alone cry for a character in first chapter!??? Not even possible for me at least before this gem.

I am blown away by the character of Thomil. He is the perfect representation of how oppression is so real and one of the most disturbing reality of this magical world but in the same time in our world as well. It broke my heart what Kwen community went through in the story what they endure under the tyrannical Tiran government!!

Magic system was incredibly unique, creative, fascinating and how layered and intelligently crafted was truly fascinating! It took some time for me to fully understand and digest it but end of the book it has glossary I found it little later down in my read. (I didn’t go to end of the book to check because you know it’s ebook lol ) It took some time but when I understood everything then plot started to form which is very connected to magic system! I am truly blow away by it and it was amazing!

Sciona is not my favorite character at all. I disliked her from the beginning. Her lack of empathy and her pretentious attitude was overkill but in the same time I totally understand why the way she was necessary for the storyline and deep perspective towards how brainwashing works in tyrannical/religious system.

Sciona is a highmage which is the best of Tiran’s magic practitioner and she is the only highmage woman in this world! Sexism and how real it was reflected very deeply on her story and it was uncomfortable how real it was but she was also racist and classist through and through and her cognitive dissonance was disturbing and familiarity of it, was uncomfortable especially after what we went through as a society in recent years. She was the perfect representation of how people react when they uncover the truth in the beginning, but her character development was truly fascinating from there.

As a said another deeply mirrored part how brainwashed society reacts through media, politics, education system and religion and in this world people were brainwashed in the same way except we didn’t see a lot of media propaganda here. It was fascinating and sobering how people use religion towards their own gain and power same as our society. (As a I said I am being bold)

The author writes how real evil is in a way that it breaks your heart the reality of it and it’s on your face with thick ass truth. It was truly bold painful truth! (Yeap again mirror 🪞 to humanity) I have cried so many times.

Sciona was annoying but also such an unexpected character because the way she was bold and courageous the way she showed everyone and everything what truth is! Aftermath of her acts weren’t lost on me but author does incredible job again how seeing truth hurts so much and causes great disturbance I am in awe of Sciona’s last act which was truly inspiring and showed deeper occult insight through and through iykyk!

I am just so glad the way this story ended and what a deep message left behind! 🤯This story will stay with me forever as much as it was uncomfortable it was eye opening and inspiring to my core!!!

As I always say “Storytelling will heal humanity” and this storyline is perfect representation of it! 🥹❤️‍🔥

M.L. Wang's *Blood Over Bright Haven* immediately captivates with its complex characters and immersive world. The story of Sciona and Thomil pulls readers in, with Sciona being a brilliant, ego-driven, and flawed protagonist. Despite her faults, Wang masterfully makes her relatable, while Thomil, with his more emotionally grounded perspective, serves as a perfect foil. Their dynamic creates moments of tension and growth, making both characters deeply engaging. The novel’s intellectual depth stands out, especially in the way it tackles themes of morality, good versus evil, and social issues like race, religion, and human rights.

What truly sets this novel apart is its fresh take on magic, described as something akin to coding rather than traditional sorcery. This methodical approach to magic fits perfectly with Sciona’s analytical mindset and adds an interesting layer to the action scenes. Wang also doesn't shy away from tough topics, elevating the novel beyond typical dark academia by intertwining social commentary with the character’s struggles. *Blood Over Bright Haven* is a brilliant, thought-provoking stand-alone novel that challenges the norms of fantasy and offers something entirely new for the genre.

This was a bit of a disappointment. The first part of the book gives you a much darker feeling than the rest of the book, and it seems that will take the book to another place to where is going. After that, the book turned to more of a usual trope and a less darker pace, and I could see the big "puzzles" of the world and the direction of where things were going a mile away. It also bothers me that a character who shows up as someone important in the beginning disappears in the book's second part without even a mention. Finally, the whole "oh my god I don't believe this is happening" also dragged for a long time, and took from the story. In the end, it's a nice story, with an interesting premise, but I didn't love how it was executed, but its worth a read.

This was great! A little bit of Sci-fi with all the magic system! I think fans of HP or Mistborn, and the Magicians are gonna eat this up!

Magic School
Break down the Patriarchy
Social norms and stereotypes
Lab setting


It's hard to explain any part of this book without taking the suspense out of—I think it was the third chapter!
Once again ML Wang hits you right in the feels.

If the Author decided to include a "what inspired this book" page I would very much like to read it! if I had to guess it was directly inspired by several events in the summer of 2020.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an honest review. 4.5 stars.

Blood Over Bright Haven is a masterpiece. Watching an imperfect FMC not only fight the social constructs placed on them due to their gender, but then brutally and heartbreakingly come to terms with the evil that is behind the society she fought so hard to be a part of was like nothing else I've ever read.

The way this book discusses oppression in a multifaceted way was truly amazing. I cannot recommend this book enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC of this book!

This book was previously published but is now being published by Del Rey. I found it originally because it showed up on a list for dark academia fantasy novels, but the selling point for me was the magic being based on coding. Most of the magic is done by using something akin to a typewriter to compose spells in a similar way to how programs are coded on computers. This world is a very patriarchal society, only allowing men to be mages, until Sconia passes the tests brought forth by the society of old man mages. From there she befriends a janitor, which is when our main characters collide. The janitor used to be a nomadic hunter that lived outside the protection of the city. From there we learn the sinister secrets held by the mages and the truths they don't want the public to know. Excellent standalone fantasy, the ending is something I will never forget.

Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang is a book that I absolutely devoured.

Sciona Freynan is the main female character. I admit she starts out rather unlikable and stubborn but the character development achieved by the author is absolutely outstanding and you’re rooting for her unquestionably by the end. Because of this amazing character development, you’ll find yourself deeply invested in other characters, specifically Thomil and Carra as well.

This book has a unique magic system and is set in a richly detailed academic world. The world building is outstanding and the pace of the book is, in my opinion, just right as secrets are exposed and Sciona and Thomil begin to work together.

I have to say I REALLY enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. I was truly wowed!

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My Synopsis:
A story following two characters. Sciona, an incredibly talented and knowledge-hungry mage destined to become the first female high mage and Thomil, once a hunter among his people’s, now just a man trying to survive in a society where his people and culture are viewed as second class and barbaric. With Sciona’s appointment as a high mage at the Magicentre, the first female in a patriarchal society that mirrors the 1950s, she crosses paths with Thomil, a Kwen man turned janitor. Now with an unlikely assistant and a task at work pushing magic to its limits, Sciona’s pursuit of knowledge will uncover a truth that completely turns Sciona’s world and everything she believes to be true upside down.

My Review:
This book has one of the most fascinating magic systems I’ve come across yet! The character development of the two protagonists is just so well done, you can’t help but be emotionally invested as the characters and their relationship develops, rooting for them to overcome the obstacles they face. One of the best parts of this novel is seeing how the relationship shakes up who the protagonist is at her core bringing into question everything she has learned and needs to unlearn. This story weaves together a fantastical storyline that sucks you in from the very beginning while also philosophizing on topics such as gender equality, a sort of radical nationalism, cultural bias, the costs of idealism, colonialism, blind religion, and proselytism. The intricacies of the magic system and very clearly well thought out, a strong female protagonist who not only dominates her male counterparts but is also willing to put aside her own biases, and the overarching themes had me reading with every free second I had. M.L. Wang is a phenomenal author.

Final Thoughts: I love books that push you to step back and question anything and everything especially when it comes to topics of religious beliefs, society norms, and equality. To be able to do that with such a gripping plot is a gift. I NEVER get emotionally invested the way I did with this book, easily 5/5 stars!

Are you a good person?

Are you sure?

There is a specific point in blood over bright haven where you question if you truly are a good person. The main character says that if you have good intentions but everything that you leave behind in your life is destruction, are you actually a good person and will you be judged before God as such? If your intentions were good but all you left behind was suffering, he states that you should be met with the same fate that you left the world in regardless of what your intentions are. This was a very profound statement for me. He uses the word ravine to describe these types of people where you have the potential to be a river, or you could have been a river once before, but the potential to be a river doesn't water the crops and it doesn't bring water to people who are thirsty. The potential of being a good person does not make you a good person. So now I'm sitting here wondering am I actually a good person or am I just a ravine? It is easier to delude yourself into thinking that you are a good person by saying that your intentions are good, but it is much harder to actually be a good person and leave the world a better place. 

Sciona dreams of being Bright Havens first female high mage, a magic wielder, tasked to fuel their safe-haven, half dome of a world, surrounded by a vast ice expanse of wasteland. Inhabited by barbaric cannibals who suffer a blight of the unclean. 

Thomil, a refuge from the blight-lands residing in the slums of Bright-Haven, works his fingers to the bone as a janitor in the Highmage building. Seen as less than, stupid and unclean. An animal. 

When their paths cross, more than one secret is exposed, changing both of their lives, and both of their worlds forever. 

This is possibly the best book I have ever read in my life. There are many comparisons between the implantation of Israel in Palestine, and how Israel treats Palestinians, as animals. I don't think my life will be the same after reading this book. I will forever be questioning and striving to be a truly good person, not just diluding myself.

4.5 Stars 🌟

This is the second stand alone novel that I've read from Ms. Wang and so far, she is batting 1000. The unusual thing is that each book could not have been more different, even though I think The Sword of Kaigan is the book I liked best.

In this story, we are introduced to Sciona Freynan, who is a female Mage who has just become the first female Highmage in the history of Tiran. Tiran is a dome like city that exists in a type of protected state. The outside of the protection is thought of as the "wild" full of savages and dangers while inside the city they have modern conveniences such as electricity, trains, vehicles, etc.

Sciona starts off as a fairly unlikeable character. I think that one of the really great things that Ms. Wang achieves as an author is the way she develops the characters in her stories. We get to truly see the character arc that Sciona takes, and it is a doozy. The funny thing is that she never really loses her arrogance and her selfishness, and her ego and pride continue for the entire story. Yet she does grow. Somehow, she stays true to her character but develops a better self-awareness and for the first time in her life, she becomes aware of events that are occurring to the people around her, and how they affect those around her. That is the big thing. It is so interesting to see her confusion with these new feelings, because she is still so arrogant - she isn't sure how to react to her new feelings.

We also meet Thomil. He is my favorite character in this book. Thomil came from "outside" the barrier and he is fully aware of what life is like on the outside. They call these people the Kwen and they are regulated to a certain part of the city and are forced into certain "low paying" and dangerous jobs. This book really deals with some tough issues - but the biggest issues are misogyny, xenophobia, and racism. It doesn't shy away from them and at times, it is not easy to read.

So, Thomil is working as a janitor in the mage building and gets put with Sciona as her lab assistant. This is meant as a slight to her, because the men cannot deal with the fact that a woman has become a Highmage. Thomil breaks every pre conceived notion that Sciona has been told about the Kwen - he is smart, literate, intelligent and HE LISTENS to her. He is also able to give her a perspective that she was not expecting, and that changes everything

Anyway, let's just say that the two of them become a pretty good team and then are faced with some pretty awful circumstances when they discover that things are NOT the way Sciona has always been led to believe. The story takes off when Sciona (and Thomil) are faced with unexpected information and because she is so intelligent, she quickly realizes that something is wrong - and she doesn't fall for the stories that try to explain her new discoveries.

As I was reading, I kept trying to figure out "how" this was possibly going to end. One thing I can say is that the story does stay true to itself. It lets the circumstances play out, and even though it isn't a HEA type ending, it still plays it out until the end. No spoilers, so that's all I'll say.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone. This book comes out for traditional publication on October 29, 2024.

This is a carefully thought-out world of magic and consequences. This author has done a wonderful job creating a world and inhabiting it with people who are likable (at times), but mostly human. Much time is spent building characters sometimes at the expense of action. However, action does build and expand, moving quickly to its climax. The ending may not be to the liking of all readers but this one found it satisfying.

Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang captivated me from the start with its fearless exploration of power and oppression. Set in a richly detailed academic world, the story features a unique magic system and a fantasy setting that eerily echoes our own reality. Wang doesn’t shy away from tackling tough themes like sexism in academia, racism, prejudice, and misogyny, weaving them seamlessly into the narrative in a way that feels both relevant and thought-provoking.

The protagonist, Sciona Freynan, is a character who immediately drew me in. She’s ambitious, brilliant, arrogant, stubborn, selfish, and a little unhinged. At first, I wasn’t sure I would like her, but as the story progressed, I found myself rooting for her despite her many flaws. Her unyielding determination and bravery make her an unforgettable character, offering a deep, often unsettling glimpse into a corrupt world.

I also found myself deeply invested in the characters Thomil and Carra. I was hoping with all my heart for the happy ending they deserved. The emotional attachment I felt toward these characters was intense, and their stories kept me hooked until the very end. Speaking of the ending, it took me by surprise. It wasn’t what I had hoped for, but I appreciated how it stayed true to the story’s themes and messages, reflecting Wang’s commitment to honest storytelling.

If you’re looking for a fantasy novel that isn’t afraid to tackle real-world issues with depth and nuance, I highly recommend Blood Over Bright Haven. It’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Wow, thank you so much Netgalley for providing me with this copy to review! What a fantastic book! You really feel for the characters in this story, and it really makes you think about the idea that sometimes what we believe is right is not always the right way to think. Our actions always have consequences, and we must be prepared to face those consequences when we come to them. That we can change everything with those actions.

I already had the indie version of the book and I would compare what they changed in the traditionally published to the self-published while I was reading. What was changed was not too much, and if anything, it expanded upon what M.L. Wang was stating in the original. However, some of the charm of the self-published version could have been left in. It was still fantastic, though!

The story had me hooked from start to finish, and I am definitely looking forward to reading more work by M.L. Wang! This is one of my top reads for 2024!

Loved the writing and the story. I do wish there had been a confrontation with her bio dad, but I enjoyed the story nonetheless. I found it incredibly frustrating that Sciona couldn’t believe the obvious - that the mages were aware of the mass murder they were committing and that they didn’t care. Though I understand it’s all an allegory for racism and the things we as humanity have done to each other in the name of religion and “for the good of society”, but it still boggles the mind that we can be so entrenched in our denial of reality.

The book itself is gorgeous, and I know it'll be an easy sell in our store with the online popularity of M.L. Wang. While it was a solid standalone fantasy, I wasn't particularly blown away by the story and felt the pacing stalled in the beginning especially. The magic system was quite innovative, though, and it will definitely appeal to more scientifically minded reads.

Sciona Freynan has finally achieved her ultimate goal of becoming the first woman mage to be admitted to the High Magistracy after years of dedicating her life to the study of magic, but her colleagues aren't keen on working with a woman, especially when they feel threatened by her intellectual prowess, and seek to undermine her in every way. To show her that she doesn't belong in their exclusive male-dominated profession, her colleagues assign her Thomil, a Kwen janitor, as an assistance; however, unbeknownst to them, Thomil is one of the last of his people, who lived outside the Tiran border and were decimated by the Blight. Together, Sciona and Thomil uncover the truth about Tiran's power and industrial advancements.

This was an amazing but tough (in a good way) read that touched on heavy themes such as sexism, classicism, racism, xenophobia, colonialism, religion, and morality. M. L. Wang did such a good job at incorporating everything into her novel that felt natural to the story. Her characters were complex and dimensional, and being able to see different sides to the characters really reenforced some of the themes present in the story. Blood Over Bright Haven is such a thought-provoking book that I am still processing everything that happened. I think it's going to linger in my mind for a very long time, and I am ready for it.

I’ve never read anything by Wang before, but I’ve constantly seen her books all over BookTok and Bookstagram, so I was eager to see what all the hype was about. Let me tell you: it is well deserved. Everything from the writing to the characters to the magic system was so well done. I was instantly hooked and couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen. I thought Sciona was such a strong main character, and I admired her determination and dedication. There were so many complexities to her character, and I liked seeing all her different layers. I also liked the dynamic between her and Thomil (who I loved so much.) I thought the magic system was so unique, and it was explained in a way that never felt too dense. As for the writing, Wang touches upon some heavy topics such as colonization, systemic oppression, and misogyny, so I would suggest checking trigger warmings before going into this. Overall, I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to reading more from Wang in the future.

Blood Over Bright Heaven was almost a perfect book for me. I really love the technical plot combined with the magical academy and political elements of the story. I really loved all the elements of the story, but after the big reveal I felt the book shifted gears and didn’t quite come together cohesively. I loved the themes of oppression and denial in the face of violence and privilege, but the last half felt too didactic and obvious. Despite this I still overall loved the book and would recommend it.

WOW.

This book absolutely blew me away.

The main character Sciona is the first ever woman to become a high mage in the utopian City of Tiran. Immediately upon starting her job within this prestigious society of men, they make it known that she is not welcome among their ranks by taunting her and assigning her a janitor, Thomil, as her assistant as it would be “below” the other male mages to assist her. Sciona is determined to prove to them that she’s just as talented and deserving to be there (if not more so) but her and Thomil start to uncover some dark truths.

This book was so well written, I had trouble putting it down. Both the magic system and society are complex yet easily understandable. This book had so many twist and turns I didn’t see coming. I will definitely be looking into other books by M.L. Wang.

Thank you to Netgalley and PenguinRandom House for providing me a digital ARC of this book on exchange for my honest review.