Blood Over Bright Haven

Hands down to one of the best books I have ever readThe narration and the story will keep you at edge and it's a page turner. Those who haven't yet read, I urge you to read soon. I wish I could read this book again for the first time

Please do yourself a favour and read this one. It will stay with you with for a long time. It’s fantasy but it’s also valid stuff in the world we live in.

I also liked it much more than her previous 'The Sword of Kaigen'.The pace is fantastic from the beginning and there are no boring parts.I enjoyed how the magic was similar to computer programming, that was fun.The protagonists Thomil and Sciona are excellent and likeable.There was a lot of angst, just like her last book but unlike Misaki (from the Sword of Kaigen), Sciona isn't a senseless martyr and doesn't have some irrational hate for herself. There's a lot of steely resolve and a small amount of selfishness here. This is very refreshing.Almost everything in the book was superb, the story, the magic system, the characters, their interactions and the climax.I mean sure, there were similar tropes of sexism (an overbearing and somewhat irritating amount of sexism to be honest) , elitism, imperialism but it was well done as a whole.I just wish the ending was better. Don't get me wrong, it was brave and kickass, I just wish there was more closure, maybe an epilogue?I'm quite glad the author's writing again and look forward to many more books.

This is a Book we must all read. This should be made mandatory reading in school and colleges. The story telling is brutal but unflinchingly honest. As if like the protagonist, the author didn’t want to hide. There is no good endings, no justice for the murderers. Or at least, there is a good ending but not one that can be related to.Maybe that’s what we all need.

Did not expect it to be so amazing.i read Brandon, i read JRR...etc..So this book is actually a very good story

Started at 2am and finished in the evening the next day. This is an amazing peace of work that inspires others to write ....

A marvellous, powerful story well told! The characters are well developed, and learn and change throughout the book. I was entranced by their hopes and fears for themselves and the world they share. That world is frighteningly familiar. I will re-read this book many times, and I expect to find something new each time. And to M L Wang, I think we all would like to know how you imagine the future could proceed: to hear how these disparate people might forge a new world!

SUMMARY:Our journey takes us to beautiful city of Tiran. A city which is a magical utopia, where people are constantly in awe of advancements made by the mages. And the mages aren't stopping at just what they already achieved but now, they want to work on expanding. And one of them is newly appointed mage, Sciona. She is the first female mage in the High Magistry, already proving exceptional to everything.When she is tasked with most unexpected assistant, everyone aspects her to be lost. For her to lose her way and not work efficiently, but she makes the best of the situation and along with her assistant Thomil, the two of them try and find solutions for the advancements. And as we all say magic comes with a price, the question is what is the price and are you willing to pay ?"Your compassion does you credit as a woman, but it is not realistic."MY REVIEW:If you've read Blood over Bright Haven, you know how simplified the summary is and if you haven't trust me, this summary is nothing. I like to read books without knowing anything about the book and this version is like that, not spoiling anything. Blood over the Bright Haven by M.L.Wang made me realise why I fall in love with reading and why we need to read. This book shows time and again what is something we see all around us and the most underlying question, what if progress means scarifying some innocents? What will you do?"You- you're an innovator, Sciona. Regardless of where the magical energy comes from, you must respect what we've built here! The sheer vision and majesty of this city. You must."I had read in an Essay years ago where scientist said that we cannot stop progressing with the fear what humans will do with the innovation. And with it being the Oppenheim week around us, I've been thinking a lot about it. Blood over Bright Haven doesn't directly ask that question but the question at the back of the mind is similar, if your progress, your comfort, your innovation all comes from blood, do you still want it? And the age hold arrogance of men that women can't do anything. Because of course, it's the men's world. Because of course, men are the human who can solve problem and women? Well, if they prepare a good cup of tea, it's enough."Women are always told to be kind, be forgiving, be nurturing."Now, coming to the actual review. M.L.Wang is a genius. Every word, every sentence in the book is beautifully written, so thoughtfully crafted that I had to stop mid-sentence to marvel them. The story is beautiful, the problems showed are beautiful, the difference shown among the people is wonderful. I loved how grief was portrayed in various stages, how guilt was shown, how many layered emotions were present. I think, it is the sign of intelligence how the story was crafted. The prologue and the epilogue, showing in circle, from where we began to where we reach. And all the crust in between? UN.STOPPABLE. I was trying to be that healthy girl who would sleep on time and this book came, shattering all my sleep schedule. I was up till 1 AM. I read. I cried. And I read again."I am not your glory," Sciona realised aloud. "I'm your penance."Blood over Bright Haven is somewhat between a crossover genre, Dark Academia and Fantasy. Personally, I haven't read too many Dark Academia books and way too many Fantasy books, but don't let that comment steer me from the fact that this is one of the best standalone books, I've read in a while. This book has everything. A Good story. Characters that not only make you feel but rip your heart apart. A deeper shade of understanding with humanity, regrets, guilt, advancements, politics and ignorance.In short, do yourself a favor and read this masterpiece so we can cry over it together."... Don't do it for me- or for Tiran, or for the Kwen. Be selfish. Be arrogant. Do it for yourself."SPOILER ZONE:Sciona is freaking amazing. Everything she did. Everything she planned? Her journey? It is so inspiring. I loved the violent scenes, especially. The first time when Thomil told her what is actually happening. Her reaction. The way she couldn't believe. And than when she conformed what Thomil told her. Her reaction. How grief consumed her. How she couldn't just believe people did all this knowing the truth. Her episode at home. How the "doctor" that came to treat her, wanted to tame her. And finally accepting that yes, this is what is happening. And further, her refusal to use magic for mundane things.I loved Sciona and Thomil's unusual pairing. How they balanced each other out. How the expertise that they had helped bridging the gap between the knowledge. Oh and the talks of their faith, their belief. It was so beautifully written."I can be civil, ma'am or I can be honest. You can't have both in their entirety.""Why not?""Because Kwen truth isn't civilized, ma'am." ... "It's bloody, and Blighted and ugly. If you're going to let me stay, I can be always respectful or always honest."Just beautiful.More than anything I loved how despite everything, she did believe that no one knew the truth. She believed that no one voluntarily would kill and be okay with it. And feeling all that in a world of Mages... In a world of power-hungry, men dominated world, she hopped that they would be human.The scene where she showed the truth to everyone? I admit, she didn't think it through, but loved it. But the fact that she had the guts to do that. To show the reality, the truth to everyone? I don't know about others, but yes, she is a badass lady and I love her so much. For doing what no men can even think to do." Truth over delusion. Growth over comfort. God over all. "The reaction of the Kwen was expected but the brutality was an eye-opener.I love how like so many other women, her efforts would not be remembered by many, which was her fear. But she still did what she had to because truth was more important than fame, because after all, life is more important than luxury."To hope. Sciona lifted her glass, and Thomil raised a fist in return.To hope, Highmage Freynan. "