Scan barcode
ebook_em's reviews
913 reviews
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
Pick this up for a surprisingly philosophical story set in an enchanting yet horrifying world!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I actually liked this even better than The Sword of Kaigen. This dark academia fantasy novel follows Sciona, who becomes the first woman ever admitted to the High Magistry that oversees all the magic powering the industrial utopia of Tiran. We also get to know her janitor-turned-assistant Thomil, who was one of the only members of his nomadic hunting tribe to survive the perilous crossing outside the city's magical barrier. Together they uncover a secret that could unravel the entire civilization of Tiran.
Things I loved:
- Steampunk vibes and fantastic world-building
- Super unique magic system involving magical typewriters
- A morally gray FMC
- Well-developed side characters
- Exploration of complex themes like sexism in academia, white feminism, xenophobia, community-oriented living vs. individualism, complicity in unjust systems, ethics under capitalism, and religious justifications for colonization
Pick this up for a surprisingly philosophical story set in an enchanting yet horrifying world!