(I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review) Wow, this is the first book I've read this year that felt really really good. I literally got home and sat down reading until I finished it. It had got dark when I looked up and I sat there for a while, lingering in the book hangover. Basically, in terms of emotional punch and drive, five stars. The magic system was really interesting and though I guessed a certain amount of what was going on, the full truth did hit very well. In terms of the overall book, I do have to say 4.5 stars, because I feel like as much as I love a knock at white feminism, it's less good to be doing it primarily from the white feminist perspective? I wish that the other characters didn't have to spend so much of their time breaking it down for our main character. I do think that it's a well done rendition of how she has to get reminded again and again that people will buy into systems of power that serve them. I just think that it sucks up a lot of air of the story. Also I could have done without the love story. I will for sure be reading anything else this author does though. Finally some good fucking food.

I wanted to love this book. I tried multiple times to read and get through this, unfortunately this a DNF at just over the 25% mark. I absolutely LOVE the writing style and I enjoyed the magic alot. My hold up is simple, 1. The ham fisted messaging with sexism. I have absolutely no issues with it being a theme, it's part of what drew me to the book, however, in my personal opinion it's just to in my face. It was as if it had to be a part of every single page to make sure the point got across, and it really pulled me out of the rest. And 2. I just really don't like Sciona. Maybe that's the point, and maybe if I kept going I would change my mind, but I just have no desire to find out right now. In all honesty I'm wondering if it's just not the right time for this book for me. I don't see myself picking it back up anytime soon, but it's definitely one I will try again in the future. I am leaving a 2 star rating because I can not submit without a rating, and as I said I did enjoy the writing.

M L Wang has done it again! Fantastic read! This book, about a female mage, the first of her rank, will have you cheering and crying for the main character as she learns about the world she lives in. This book addresses feminism, sexism, prejudice, classism, and entitlement as the main character moves through her story to the conclusion. Wang effortlessly moves the reader through the story along with the character and when it's done you want more; it's just never enough. Wang's writing is so good, you just want her to keep going, and going. This is a story that everyone should read.

Loved this good. Incredible allegory of the world today in a fictional setting. The magic system is unlike anything I have read and the pacing was perfect

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the arc. While the story was interesting. The writing style wasn’t my favorite. I believe this will be popular regardless and as thankful for the opportunity to have early access to the novel,

A well written and interesting story. Enough twists to keep your attention although not exactly unpredictable.

What kept this from being really really good was the characters' reactions and evolutions; Sciona continues to ignore Thomil's point of view until the point where she transitions all the way over to it without any gradation. The antagonists are almost cartoonish in their devotion to their point of view and justifiy it circularly (which may the part of the point, but a more nuanced motivation/self-justification would have been more interesting IMO)

I’ve heard so many great things about this book. I tried to give it a chance but ultimately decided to DNF at 32%. I was just bored.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced eARC.

long story short...
this is a very mid book with in your face themes and an extremely predictable plot.

The long story...

The first chapter of this book is insanely gripping, it had me excited to continue reading and I couldn’t wait to read this magical, life changing book everyone is raving about…

but then everything went downhill fast…

The remainder of the first 30% of this book is spent over explaining a magic system that made me feel like I was in my Java 101 class. While I do think the magic system is fairly unique the author spends entirely too much time explaining it. Additionally the method of world building feels like a giant info dump. It is mostly presented in the form of out FMC teaching our MMC about magic so she can assist him in her research, what that really means is pages worth of dialogue that dumps more than needed information on a magic system that did NOT need to be explained in such detail. This is a STANDALONE novel, I do not need 30% of the book reserved for world building, it’s not worth it in my opinion.

I was told by many that loved this book that it is character driven and that’s where it really shines, ok cool. So why is it that we spend 30% of the book on the magic system, show maybe a single day or two interaction between the FMC and MMC and then have a FUDGING TIME JUMP, where we’re told the FMC and MMC come to care for each other?! I would have preferred to see their relationship develop over those weeks (months?) rather than have chapters worth of detail about coding on a typewriter.

40-60% The 40% mark is where the book actually picks up and the first time we get to see the MMC’s niece again. Why?! Why do we not see her and their relationship before the 1/2 mark when the first chapter makes it seem like she’ll at least be a fairly important minor character?!

Before I go any further…

I get it, the author has built a world that reflects our own in terms of misogyny, sexism, classism, religion, morality, etc… but it is done in a very IN YOUR FACE LOOK AT ME AND HOW TERRIBLE THIS WORLD IS, kind of way. This is just my personal opinion but when reading fiction I prefer these topics to be included with more finesse and a lot less in your face. I like the idea of a fiction book that tackles hard topics, but does so in a way that isn’t so obvious, maybe even in a way that less discerning readers might miss. Again, just my PERSONAL preference. The only really well done aspect of this within Blood Over Bright Haven is the idea of intentions vs consequences. That was done with nuance and in a way that will have you thinking without shoving it in your face.

Now on to the last 40% of this book…

By this point in the book I was so angry and felt so duped (my fault for assuming the hype for this book was appropriate) that I had to take about a week break from the book. Once I started back up I could not care less about the plot progression, character arcs, or the story as a whole.

Look this book gets better after the 1/2 way mark but in my opinion it doesn’t make up for all the ways this book when wrong.

I’m giving it 3⭐️ because it does have some redeeming qualities but in the end there are better books out there.

With that, I still plan to read Sword of Kalgan and I won’t write off this author based off this book alone.

and lastly… The ONLY reason I finished this book is that it was an ARC - had I not needed to review it I would have stopped reading around the 29% point.

Thank you NetGalley and ___ for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I was kindly given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Blood Over Bright Haven is a beautifully written Dark Academia world that reflects real world social inequality. M.L Wang weaves themes regarding misogyny, xenophobia, colonialism, immigration etc. into a fantastical magic world.

The way she touched on these very heavy and emotional topics was deeply authentic and emotional. This book leaves you reflecting for days after.

“Each gear turned tidily into its neighbor in a soul-grinding system designed to sustain the men who had named the pieces and made them so: damsel, devil, servant, wife.”

Our main character Sciona, defeats the odds and becomes the first female mage in society. In a patriarchal system, she learns quickly that she will have to work harder than her peers. In her time as a mage she befriends a Kwen man, Thomil. He and his niece fight to survive after their deadly crossing into Tiran to face a society that outcasts and oppresses them for being Kwen. Together Sciona and Thomil uncover dark secrets regarding Magic and their government. Ultimately their lives can never be the same after learning the truth.


Blood over Bright Haven will be a book I think about for years to come. If you like fantasy books, but also appreciate the evocative nature of dark academia this book is for you.

Firstly, a huge thanks to the author, ML Wang, NetGalley, and the publisher, Del Rey, for the digital ARC copy of Blood Over Bright Haven. I loved this novel, and am looking forward to purchasing a hardcover copy of my own to keep! ML Wang truly brings magic to the pages. The characters leap to life through their suffering and growth. Sciona and Thomil will pull you into their world and make you want to stay, even though it is at times scary and unpredictable.

The story is dark and riveting; the writing itself exquisitely mythical in the way it structures and lays out a scene and story. I thought a lot of the word choices were no less satisfying than the first bite of a favorite treat, and the thoughts stirred when reading inspired me to think more about concepts like friendship, class structures, identity, hard work, and how pure bad luck in the genetic lottery can place people in the worst of situations.

If you ever thought about political events and wondered, “What would I have done? How would I have reacted,” this book will make you want to be a Sciona. She refuses to remain stagnant or be limited, and cannot help but be her, even if that leads her into a truly harrowing struggle. Sciona and Thomil feel like real people. Their struggles, even though on one hand, feel far from anything we can imagine on our planet, are common to most of us. We all feel we can be made smaller by the world around us, placed in a box preventing our reach into life paths that would be so enjoyable and challenging.

ML Wang is an extremely talented writer with a bright future ahead, and I am very much looking forward to more. A truly beautiful and thought provoking, genre-bending story. I highly, highly recommend. One of my favorite reads of the year so far.

Get ready for a transformative journey with this book! It will shift your perspectives, challenge your thoughts, and evoke a range of emotions. Prepare to be amazed, laugh out loud, and even feel a little uncomfortable at times. But most importantly, be ready to grow as a person. This book is a magical rollercoaster that will leave you wondering what just hit you!

This book is so dark in the best way! Some books I just can't put down, this one I had to put down a few times just to catch my breath. Absolutely riveting storyline, character development, and plot.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “It’s much easier to tell yourself you’re a good person than it is to actually be one.”

This is one of the best standalone sci-fi fantasy novels I have ever read! This is an ARC and its release date is October 29, 2024. I’m not even joking when I say that this book should 1000% be turned into a movie and the moral of the story is so important and so relevant not only in the US, but in many parts of the world.

First, can I just say how amazing the “about the author” section is… “M.L. Wang is an author, martial artist, and weird recluse currently hiding somewhere in Wisconsin with her maroon-bellied parakeet, Sulu. She enjoys gruesome nature documentaries and long walks in circles around her room.” UMM SAME M.L. SAME.

There’s a ton of spellwork and machinations that I still don’t understand in the book, but it’s written in a way that you don’t really have to get it to see what’s important. Sciona is an independent, uber focused woman who’s spent her entire life working to achieve the pinnacle of all jobs, a highmage. There’s a pretty severe hierarchy where the “haves” and “have nots” couldn’t be more different and the Kwen (have nots) are treated like garbage and their life really has no value to the people of Tiran. Anyway, it begs the question: if you unearthed a secret that all top officials have been keeping and innocent people, animals and lands are being murdered and destroyed… would you turn a blind eye to it or would you stand against the status quo and use your voice in an attempt to create change for the better? It brought to mind Christopher Columbus and his BS lies, the slaughter of indigenous peoples, the treatment of immigrants, child trafficking, nazi germany, segregation.. I mean the list goes on and on! This may be a fantasy novel written by a woman in Wisconsin chilling with her bird, but it’s SO much more than that. This book was powerful and I cried. Buy the book, trust me if you like sci-fiesque fantasy with magic and heart and love and compassion mixed with brutality you’ll love this! Again, this should be a movie.








#netgalley #netgalleyreads #netgalleyreview #arc #netgalleyarc #mlwang #mlwangbooks #bloodoverbrighthaven

Wow!!! Wang's weaving of religion, magic, and science creates an immersive and compelling world you want to linger in. It's a world where magic is studied like chemistry and physics, creating a unique academic setting. It is a little funny imagining characters wielding their magic by writing lines and shapes on stacks of paper, typing everything into a typewriteresque machine, calculating coordinates, and then hitting enter, but it brings to life the dark academic world in which the characters move in. Outside of the unique magic system, this world is enriched by having established class structures and the people's ideology is expressed throughout the story to reinforce the stakes and the opposition the characters are up against.

While I wasn't a fan of Sciona, I did appreciate her ARC and growth. She's a character that grows for the better but recognizes what makes her, her, isn't always morally good. She is a character that understands herself and doesn't shy away from the ugly parts and I can respect that.

I loved Thomil and his niece. I cared about them the most and while they may not be the MCs they are present enough to have a significant role in Sciona's story and smooth her jagged edges. They are the type of supporting characters that are in the story but they feel separate because they can't last in the world. That's one of the plot points in the book.

This book has been the best fantasy book I've read, so far, this year.

Well written but not for me. The concepts explored were perhaps too many/if the author had zeroed in on one specific issue and brought it to a resolution, the pacing may have been better. I also didn’t jive with the ending. 2.5/5

I absolutely loved this book. I am a pretty slow reader but I ate this up so quick! An easy 5 star read for me.

I am not great at writing reviews but one point I want to make clear is that this book is a must read. It’s SO good.

I am always a little imitated by fantasy books but this one was so easy to follow but discussed such deep topics. I loved Sciona and Thomil. Both were such complex characters. The story line is not completely new but I still really loved it especially with the magic system. I feel like it’s different than other books I have read. I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend

The Dark academia genre is really intriguing and I was excited at being able to read this book. Who wouldn't want to read about the sole woman allowed in the school working her way up the ranks to become a mage. I found the characters really interesting (even when they weren't the most likable) and I'm excited to read more books from this author

Bit too much going on, this book was kind of difficult to follow. There was a lot of info dumping at the start and I never really settled into the world. A shame because it's a good idea!

Thank you to the publisher for sending a copy to be reviewed

Short Answer: I absolutely loved this book. For many reasons.



We follow a woman named Sciona, who lives in a world where woman are determined the weaker sex in mind, body, and soul. In her case specifically, she was never meant to practice magic and become a Highmage. But despite societal pressures, she passes her exam and becomes the first woman ever admitted to her Magic's university.

(Likely spoilers from here)

There was so many times where I related to Sciona. At first, she wanted to run away from the truth, but she knew she could not lie to herself. Once she saw the Blight for what it was, she couldn't sit by and do nothing.
What I liked about Sciona was her pure fire and honesty. Like myself, she struggles with empathy and emotions, focusing only on the things that helps her own progression. At first, she is ashamed at this, but very quickly comes to terms with her own character. She knew she was selfish, she knew she rarely had empathy, and as the book progresses, she claims this proudly. As I read her character, I realized I wouldn't want her to be anything else. Sciona simply wouldn't be Sciona if she wasn't selfish and self-centered.
But what really hit home about her is that, when it comes down to it, she has a heart of empathy, selflessness, and love. The way she loves...it's incredible when you consider her circumstances and environment. She's shameless in the best way possible, and *takes* her credit. A strong female lead that I really should learn from despite all her obvious flaws.

Thomil, I don't have much to say on. But I love his character because he's so...simple? Like, of course he's not simple. He expresses his values and how he weighs good and evil in ways I've never truly thought of before, because I was scared to delve too deep into that section of morals. But everything about him came so matter-of-factly to the point of heartache. He knows what he believes in, knows what he's feeling, even when he doesn't. There's apart of him that's shameless, just like Sciona.


These two and their relationship grabbed my heart and squeezed until tears spilled from my eyes. It was clear that they could not have each other, but despite this, they still appreciate each other in small, subtle ways. They never even had a truly proper confession moment, never laid their hopes out because they both knew where their paths were headed. Yet, I found myself wishing I had a love like theirs(despite how they ended). Thomil was what Sciona needed. Sciona was what Thomil needed. They were a fleeting moment in each other's lives that felt like walking a marathon, but every step was worth it.


What I like about the book overall is that it's so *imperfect*. The characters were so shamelessly flawed (I know I've used shameless a lot lol), and instead of ending up saints, they *stayed* shamelessly flawed. Their imperfections, while they lead to their downfall, were also what helped them grow.

This book is not about happy endings. It's not about having a perfect love story or about making excuses to make yourself seem righteous. This book, in my opinion, is about having hope where it can not be found. It's about how we push *just a little bit further* with every breath we take, every step we walk, and every time we break, just to put ourselves back together again and go even further.

I absolutely loved this book.

Wang’s talent for character development, world-building, and themes shines in this book. Despite her challenges, Sciona’s selfishness and drive for truth and recognition push the plot in fascinating ways. Her growth, as she faces harsh truths, highlights Wang’s deep storytelling. Supporting characters like Thomil’s quiet strength, Carra’s intense anger, and Alba’s simple love add depth to the story. The villains, with their brainwashed, cruel, and oppressive behavior, make the narrative even richer.

The world-building and magic systems mix “Babel” and “Harry Potter” with magic that feels like coding. Tiran’s magical Barrier and comfort sharply contrast with the complex lives of refugees and those outside the city facing the deadly Blight.

The themes in “Blood Over Bright Haven” are thought-provoking. Sciona’s endless curiosity and her debates with Thomil raise questions about intentions versus actions. The book explores hope, love, and connection amid dehumanization in a world full of fanaticism and elite control.

“Blood Over Bright Haven” is dark, intense, and highly engaging. It addresses imperialism, racism, elitism, and supremacy while telling an exciting story. Wang surprises readers with bold, emotional choices. The magic system is logical and elegant, adding more intrigue.

Some might find certain characters simple, but the emotional depth and storytelling make “Blood Over Bright Haven” stand out. It tells a complete story with a satisfying ending, exploring gender injustice, faith, and the consequences of intentions. Wang takes bold risks and delivers powerful twists, making this book unforgettable.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the eArc!