Blood over Bright Haven

by M. L. Wang

eBook

Published by Del Ray.

ISBN:: 978-0-593-87336-6

Magic has made the city of Tiran an industrial utopia, but magic has a cost—and the collectors have come calling.

An orphan since the age of four, Sciona has always had more to prove than her fellow students. For twenty years, she has devoted every waking moment to the study of magic, fueled by a mad desire to achieve the impossible: to be the first woman ever admitted to the High Magistry. When she finally claws her way up the ranks to become a highmage, however, she finds that her challenges have just begun. Her new colleagues will stop at nothing to let her know she is unwelcome, beginning with giving her a janitor instead of a qualified lab assistant.

What neither Sciona nor her peers realize is that her taciturn assistant was once more than a janitor; before he mopped floors for the mages, Thomil was a …

Magic has made the city of Tiran an industrial utopia, but magic has a cost—and the collectors have come calling.

What neither Sciona nor her peers realize is that her taciturn assistant was once more than a janitor; before he mopped floors for the mages, Thomil was a nomadic hunter from beyond Tiran’s magical barrier. Ten years have passed since he survived the perilous crossing that killed his family. But working for a highmage, he sees the opportunity to finally understand the forces that decimated his tribe, drove him from his homeland, and keep the Tiranish in power.

Through their fractious relationship, mage and outsider uncover an ancient secret that could change the course of magic forever—if it doesn’t get them killed first. Sciona has defined her life by the pursuit of truth, but how much is one truth worth with the fate of civilization in the balance?

A standalone dark academia brimming with mystery, tragedy, and the damning echoes of the past. For fans of Leigh Bardugo, V. E. Schwab, and Fullmetal Alchemist.

3 editions

akmassey reviewed Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang

Really fun, but perhaps predictable

4 stars

Blood Over Bright Haven is extremely well-written and fun to read. It's refreshing to read a fantasy world that feels full without having to commit to a 12 book series. I also loved the creative magic system.

That said the allegorical aspects of the novel are a bit predictable in places. This doesn't really bother me much becuase it's still satisfying to see things play out sort of the way you would expect. But if you're more interested in reading something surprising, then this may not be the book for you.

Bellaajordann reviewed Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang

None

5 stars

First read (mar 21): 4.5/5

I had to take a day to figure out how I felt about this book. I loved reading it— the world building and magic system were so cool! Didn’t feel info-dumpy. We learned more about the world through the characters in an organic way. I did find Sciona to be a bit frustrating (that was probably the point haha) but wasn’t enough of a reason to not like the book!! Maybe, as a white woman, it felt a bit too much like looking in a mirror. I did struggle getting through parts of the end. Some parts dragged on for me, but seeing that it’s a standalone there was a lot to pack in to tie up loose ends, finish character arcs, etc. heartbreaking characters and connections.