Author: M L Wang
Published: October 29, 2024 by Del Rey
Format: Kindle, 430 Pages
Genre: Fantasy
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
First Sentence: Thomil had taken the long way back from scouting. Against his better judgment, he let down his wolfskin hood and welcomed the wind’s needles as he pressed through the howling dark.
Blurb: 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 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?
My Opinion: Oh, man, was that intense.
Blood over Bright Haven by ML Wang is a masterclass in world-building and character depth. From the outset, the story introduces a plethora of names that I initially struggled to keep straight. I even took a few notes to help me track the characters. As it turns out, every name is important, and Wang does a phenomenal job of keeping each one fresh in the reader’s mind.
Each chapter is carefully crafted, sprinkling hints of the past and offering glimpses into the character's inner workings. These elements gradually build a bigger picture of the heart-wrenching future awaiting them.
Central to the story are the newly minted Highmage Sciona in the patriarchal utopian city of Tiran, and Thomil a lowly Kwen janitor turned assistant. Sciona, driven by ambition and ego, often makes ignorant off-handed comments about Thomil’s people that creates a hostile wedge and very little sympathy from the reader. It's a bitter irony, given that Sciona frequently comments on the perceived inferiority of others, all the while complaining that others do not see her as a scientist but as “just” a woman. This book navigates a world where sexism, xenophobia, colonialism, and conspiracy run rampant, and affects everyone in its path.
This book was not a quick read for me. The unexpected depth of conversations and intricate sections required moments of reflection. I found myself going back to reread paragraphs and conversations to fully grasp their deeper meanings. There were times when I held my breath as I turned the pages, engrossed in the intense narrative only to come to a section where the author weaved in a moment of humor, to allow me to catch my breath.
Blood over Bright Haven is a standalone novel that tackles themes, analogies, science, philosophy, and hard truths. It’s the kind of book that will have your head spinning for weeks, if not months, afterward. Every word and ridiculous situation captivated me, making this a memorable and thought-provoking read.
Blurb: 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 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?
My Opinion: Oh, man, was that intense.
Blood over Bright Haven by ML Wang is a masterclass in world-building and character depth. From the outset, the story introduces a plethora of names that I initially struggled to keep straight. I even took a few notes to help me track the characters. As it turns out, every name is important, and Wang does a phenomenal job of keeping each one fresh in the reader’s mind.
Each chapter is carefully crafted, sprinkling hints of the past and offering glimpses into the character's inner workings. These elements gradually build a bigger picture of the heart-wrenching future awaiting them.
Central to the story are the newly minted Highmage Sciona in the patriarchal utopian city of Tiran, and Thomil a lowly Kwen janitor turned assistant. Sciona, driven by ambition and ego, often makes ignorant off-handed comments about Thomil’s people that creates a hostile wedge and very little sympathy from the reader. It's a bitter irony, given that Sciona frequently comments on the perceived inferiority of others, all the while complaining that others do not see her as a scientist but as “just” a woman. This book navigates a world where sexism, xenophobia, colonialism, and conspiracy run rampant, and affects everyone in its path.
This book was not a quick read for me. The unexpected depth of conversations and intricate sections required moments of reflection. I found myself going back to reread paragraphs and conversations to fully grasp their deeper meanings. There were times when I held my breath as I turned the pages, engrossed in the intense narrative only to come to a section where the author weaved in a moment of humor, to allow me to catch my breath.
Blood over Bright Haven is a standalone novel that tackles themes, analogies, science, philosophy, and hard truths. It’s the kind of book that will have your head spinning for weeks, if not months, afterward. Every word and ridiculous situation captivated me, making this a memorable and thought-provoking read.
