If you're going to tackle writing about oppression and supremacy, this is how you do it. M.L. Wang continues to weave themes into her stories without If you're going to tackle writing about oppression and supremacy, this is how you do it. M.L. Wang continues to weave themes into her stories without oversimplification or trite solutions. She manages to deliver hopeful narratives, even when the material is bleak. Here, she takes on sexism, capitalism, colonialism, racism, and classism with her brilliant tact. And for good measure, she also drops in an ethics conversation that still has me thinking.
Just from a story-telling perspective, Blood Over Bright Haven has a unique and interesting setting; one of, if not the, best magic systems I've ever read; and compelling characters wrapped up in a plot that keeps you turning pages. I love the coding-like typewriters that are magic conduits! The academic setting was scrumptious. And the unlikable FMC who grows has got to be one of my favorite character arc structures.
I'm still reeling about the ethical weight of intentions vs. consequences when people take action. This question is dropped in the middle of the narrative and beautifully develops Thomil and Sciona's characters by showing what they believe on a theoretical level. It gives the reader something to analyze as their beliefs are tested in small and large ways throughout the story.
Finally, I am so pleased that in a story where there is no right answer, the message is that maybe someone else has a better answer than you do. Healing can come through surrender, trust, and hope. There is a letting go that can have profound impact.
My only note is that this story did not pack the emotional punch that The Sword of Kaigen did. For that reason, it isn't my favorite book she's written, but I cannot find fault with it. It is a clean and satisfying story about a corrupt system and the unsustainability of it. It illustrates how the average citizen can be both ignorant and complicit, and how one can be part of the problem and the solution. Love can change the game. Ego is its own kind of evil magic, casting the most unreasonable delusions. I could go on. There are so many takeaways because this woman understands NUANCE.
If you like Dark Academia, and fiction that offers insight into the complexity of the issues we face, I highly recommend this!...more
I loved this second foray back into the Alexandria Society, and this band of initiates. With Libby still missing, the remaining five classmates continI loved this second foray back into the Alexandria Society, and this band of initiates. With Libby still missing, the remaining five classmates continue their studies in the secret library. Reina explores the possibility that she and her fellow initiates may be the latest iteration of deity, while Tristan explores his powers at the edges of death's grip, in the hopes that he can manipulate matter beyond time's dimension. Callum is still spiraling from the events of last semester, but is also pursuing the mystery of Libby's disappearance, and combining his abilities with Reina's power to influence the most stubborn thing of all—the sentient library itself. All the while Nico is trying to find Libby and assist Tristan, all for Gideon's sake, to help his friend with his affliction of narcolepsy. Libby is lost in the past, trying to get home, and Parisa is trying to infiltrate Atlas's agenda and discover Dalton's secrets.
While critics have claimed the book has no plot, I find the exposition of the Alexandrian Society and Atlas's part in it to be intriguing and gripping. The exploration of the magic system as the characters embark on self-discovery, and expose one another is deeply fascinating and artfully done. And in the midst of it all, Libby is having a crisis of identity and morality in the past, and coming into her own villain origin story. I was so here for it.
Ezra, Dalton and Atlas have history, secrets, and agendas to slice and dice here, and it's done as the story evolves. The climax is satisfying and shocking at once. And leaves room for the initiates to take center stage in the final installment. I'm so ready for the Atlas Complex.
I am a fan of Olivie Blake, so I'm predisposed to like this. I won't recommend to all fantasy readers. But this series sits beautifully at the intersection of speculative fiction, literary character study, and urban fantasy, with some dark academia heavily steeped in the stitches of the thing. It's my actual fantasy come true. I really love it. This one is written for a specific audience. If it's you, it's gonna be everything you want and more. ...more
God this is an excellent specimen of tight narrative, original characters, and an unexpected plot delivered at a dramatic pace with clever and effectiGod this is an excellent specimen of tight narrative, original characters, and an unexpected plot delivered at a dramatic pace with clever and effective structure. Masterfully done!
V.E. Schwab takes the expected lawful-good superhero archetype, and twists it to write Eli and Victor—best friends and academic rivals, turned extra-ordinary—who are driven by ego, ambition, and relentless obsession. Clever enough on its own, but then she writes them so the reader cares about them! I was so invested by the climax, that I didn't know if I could be satisfied with any outcome, and then I was.
The plot of this story is so clean and delivered so well, I could hardly put it down. There is no filler. And I loved the academic setting. It helped shape the two characters and gave the book a tone reminiscent of other classics in the Dark Academia genre.
I have no notes on this one besides checking trigger warnings. This is a villain origin story and there is murder, violence against women (not sexual), many near-death experiences, and lots of death in general. It reads a bit like a thriller.
I'm obsessed with this one. Highly recommend to thriller, fantasy, and literary fiction readers alike. V.E. Schwab just absolutely nailed it with this one. I know there is a sequel, but I feel extremely satisfied with where this left off. ...more
I was completely sucked into this world and these characters. It felt like A Series of Unfortunate Events met Jane Eyre in a chilling, coming-of-age, I was completely sucked into this world and these characters. It felt like A Series of Unfortunate Events met Jane Eyre in a chilling, coming-of-age, romantic mystery/horror. Such a genre mashup and it was executed brilliantly!
The academic rivals scenario had a dual purpose, as it was both immersive and used to shed light on the inequality of access, power, and credibility given to men over women in academia. Personally, this note throughout the book failed to move me, as I haven't experienced this blatant sexism myself. As both a plot and character device it worked though. It did make the plot fairly predictable, and I guessed the twist very early on since this theme is prominent from the beginning. As a young-adult book, though, I forgive it for it's predictability, and value the experience of reading the story more than its shock value. In an adult genre, I would expect these themes to be more subtle and nuanced.
I loved this romance, and greatly appreciated that in a book exploring sexism, the male protagonist shows an antithesis to what is presented as the norm. He is the full master of his feelings and behavior. He is empathetic, emotionally intelligent, competent, self-assured, secure in himself, and also willing to ask for help. He is helpful, respectful, affectionate when wanted, and brave enough to challenge convention and expectation. All very admirable qualities, wrapped up in an adorably nerdy package. He was extremely lovable.
Merged review:
I was completely sucked into this world and these characters. It felt like A Series of Unfortunate Events met Jane Eyre in a chilling, coming-of-age, romantic mystery/horror. Such a genre mashup and it was executed brilliantly!
The academic rivals scenario had a dual purpose, as it was both immersive and used to shed light on the inequality of access, power, and credibility given to men over women in academia. Personally, this note throughout the book failed to move me, as I haven't experienced this blatant sexism myself. As both a plot and character device it worked though. It did make the plot fairly predictable, and I guessed the twist very early on since this theme is prominent from the beginning. As a young-adult book, though, I forgive it for it's predictability, and value the experience of reading the story more than its shock value. In an adult genre, I would expect these themes to be more subtle and nuanced.
I loved this romance, and greatly appreciated that in a book exploring sexism, the male protagonist shows an antithesis to what is presented as the norm. He is the full master of his feelings and behavior. He is empathetic, emotionally intelligent, competent, self-assured, secure in himself, and also willing to ask for help. He is helpful, respectful, affectionate when wanted, and brave enough to challenge convention and expectation. All very admirable qualities, wrapped up in an adorably nerdy package. He was extremely lovable....more
There was a lot to love about this story. The setting is 1960s New England at a private college for girls. An academic rival, an alluring professor, mThere was a lot to love about this story. The setting is 1960s New England at a private college for girls. An academic rival, an alluring professor, murders, secret crypts, and private poetry lessons all drew me in. I love S.T. Gibson's writing style and prose, so I was predisposed to like this.
What didn't work well for me was the plot development. I struggled with the pacing. There were two points in particular where the professor made choices that moved the plot forward, but it was unclear why she was randomly taking action at that moment instead of earlier. Because we don't have her point of view, it pulled me out of the story. I didn't understand her motivations most of the time and didn't see what finally catalyzed her to action.
I also struggled with the relationships in the story. While I love how Gibson explores complicated and toxic attachments, Carmilla and Laura felt underdeveloped, and as a result, so did their relationship. It was presented as lustful initially, which would have worked if the story had progressed more towards obsession and smut. But it didn't. Which left me wanting more romance or emotional attachment development. Ultimately, I was left with a fairly shallow impression of their attachment, chucking it up to a first love/crush dynamic. Not a particularly compelling love story for the ages.
Overall, I felt the concept was extremely strong and compelling, but it needed more to land. It lacked the depth and thoroughness I associate with S.T. Gibson. This one didn't quite meet expectations.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley....more
Encompassing all my favorite aspects of the genre, this book stands apart for its poignant depiction of the soul, and the barrier we face as humans inEncompassing all my favorite aspects of the genre, this book stands apart for its poignant depiction of the soul, and the barrier we face as humans in expressing our true selves. Through the lens of thespians in theatre school, we are shown six students who embody the human condition in all its vastness and limitations: loneliness, creativity, loyalty, bravery, chaos, discipline, confusion, focus, insecurity, confidence, jealousy, love, hatred, joy and devastation. These and all other passions never exist in isolation, and color the soul, demanding action, but so often without clarity.
As these students confuse their own passions with those of the characters they play, the story unfolds to somewhat violent ends. The narrative was so compelling, and told in such a stylistic way, via flashbacks from one character's point of view. There is Shakespearean verse throughout as the characters study Shakespeare and often speak to one another in verse, a language all their own. It was so creative and executed beautifully.
The end was astonishing and delicious, and I found myself smiling and giggling. I wanted to go back and start all over the minute I finished. ...more
This was maybe the most challenging book of the year for me to rate. It wasn't the best book I've ever read, but it completely took over my imaginatioThis was maybe the most challenging book of the year for me to rate. It wasn't the best book I've ever read, but it completely took over my imagination. I was totally immersed.
Conceptually, I loved the exploration of what it is to transcend thought and be made of passions only. These isolated, aristocratic, scholars study the Greeks, a passionate and artistic culture of philosophers and poetry. They are so attracted to the soul, yet they all live in their minds. It's no surprise that they are all substance-dependent, relationally codependent, and obsessed with their professor.
It was fascinating to follow the story as their curiosity and misplaced academic pursuits led them to terror and unintended violence. To watch that spiral into paranoia, secrecy, intimacy, manipulation, love, loyalty, desperation, and conspiracy was such a wild and addicting ride. I will be thinking about Richard and Henry for a long time, and will likely have to reread again and again.
I understand why this is the iconic story for dark academia lovers. It delivers. ...more
Reminiscent of other favorites enough to make me nostalgic, it has every element we fantasy romance readers love, and yet with all that, what should bReminiscent of other favorites enough to make me nostalgic, it has every element we fantasy romance readers love, and yet with all that, what should be a predictable ride feels fresh.
The FMC is an honorable underdog under the weight of brutal family expectations, which makes her relatable and interesting. The world-building gives us an immersive setting, political system, religious structure, history, and education/military construct that is tight and well-explained without being info dumped. The plot is well and consistently paced throughout. The story is not complex or difficult to follow, but it is detailed, well-planned and executed.
The hero’s journey is all here. The slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance is also here. I squealed, fist-pumped, blushed, and cried at various points throughout. Simultaneously, I couldn’t put it down and also wanted it to last.
Did I mention there are dragons, wyverns and griffins?
I was captivated by this story and will recommend it to everyone who read Harry Potter with me in high school and who watched Game of Thrones with me in my 20’s. That’s everyone. This is the book of 2023, but I have no doubt the series will be successful and the story will be loved far beyond this year....more
This was all of the character study work I've come to love from Blake. The secret society setting, physicsOlivie Blake apparently doesn't miss for me.
This was all of the character study work I've come to love from Blake. The secret society setting, physics-meets-magic theoretical discussion, sinister secrets, and sexual tension just melded together to create the most incredible vibe.
I enjoyed the pacing and structure of the book, and feel compelled to find out where this meta-narrative is going.
I always trust Blake to write honestly about the human condition. In a setting and situation this bizarre, that could prove difficult, but connecting the characters' magic to their psyches and souls works so well here. I can't wait to see these characters evolve in the next books.
I felt so much while I read. I saw myself in multiple characters. Everything felt appropriately nuanced and grey. Loved it....more
This dark academia had all the aspects of the genre that I've come to love—a found family/home environment; the stress-bond forged by isolation and riThis dark academia had all the aspects of the genre that I've come to love—a found family/home environment; the stress-bond forged by isolation and rigorous academic pursuit; the subtle corruptive force of group-think, self-preservation, and pretentiousness within academia; and the sinister devil within the composed exterior. The angst is shown so beautifully in this story between a love of the institution and hatred for its corruption.
Robin Swift is a foreigner, brought up in England, and groomed for the hallowed halls of Babel, a translation university at Oxford. There, he bonds with three other classmates, excels at translation, and learns about the silver bars manufactured at the institution. These bars are infused with magic that runs the British empire, by the power of translation and language. No sooner is he established at the school, than the secret society Hermes recruits him to sabotage, as they convince him the British government is extorting foreign peoples using the power of the silver bars, through colonization efforts. This magic system and setting were completely immersive and captivating, and Robin as a character is so compelling.
I found the plot to be familiar and engaging within the genre, it's twisted but wrapped in eloquent politeness and charm. Clearly, the academic world is portrayed as not just pretentious, but supremacist and racist, as well as sexist. However, because they are so accommodating, generous, and inclusive to Robin and his cohorts, the accusations of prejudice are argued away as a lack of gratitude. It's no wonder that Robin vacillates between the university and the Hermes society for much of the book. He is almost IN, and the survivor in him just wants to ignore the constant undermining and dehumanization.
I found the book to be very thought-provoking and moving, and would highly recommend it to fans of the dark academia genre. As for general fantasy lovers, it read more as historic political fiction, and for that reason, the pacing was slower at points. Robin makes some reactive decisions, that are justifiable, but admittedly made for vengeful reasons. He also experiences great loss and doesn't know how to process his grief and survivor's guilt. This ultimately leads him to desperate choices that are at once courageous and cowardly. It was challenging for me to parse out takeaways and a clear message beyond: these are the tragic effects of power abuse. No one wins. Violence is the only answer. These are complicated ideas and I'm left with more questions than answers. This was undoubtedly the point, and the book is therefore successful at its aim. Because the story so clearly feels anachronistic, I feel compelled to action but confused about how we are to destroy our Babel-adjacent, or somehow wrangle whatever it is away from the corrupt powers of today. ...more
This is definitely the strongest installment in the trilogy. It utilizes the magic system and world-building of the first two books to up the a4.25 ⭐️
This is definitely the strongest installment in the trilogy. It utilizes the magic system and world-building of the first two books to up the ante on the philosophical and moral questions the series has been asking all along—Where do wizards draw the line between malia and mana? In a world with horrible odds, how far will wizards go to increase them, and who will pay the price? Will it always be every wizard for himself? Is that the only choice?
Here we just see the politics and scheming of the scholomance played out on the world stage for wizards. The stakes now feel appropriately high, and El, as usual, can see the pragmatism in ruthlessness, but her hidden tender heart can't justify the sacrifices others are willing to make.
The use of Maw-mouths is really strong thematically, granting a satisfying payoff to El's run-ins with them in books one and two. The Golden Sutras also have a really satisfying payoff.
Overall, I found the twists and turns captivating, the escalation really exciting, and the themes to be really solid.
I could have gone without the physical relationship with Liesel, and the magic got a little ungrounded and vague for me at times. Still, I'm very glad I read this trilogy, and I think it stands out as something really unique. I'm always glad when a series just gets better, and this one does. (P.S. I would NOT compare it to Harry Potter or Hogwarts, which was how it was described to me.)...more
Such a solid sequel to A Deadly Education. I most appreciated the development of side characters and relationships, as Elle chooses who she wants to bSuch a solid sequel to A Deadly Education. I most appreciated the development of side characters and relationships, as Elle chooses who she wants to be in this installment. It's a believable and well-paced progression from her survivor's instincts and emotional constipation in A Deadly Education. In The Last Graduate, she is able to process what she could use her power for, and how she fits in with her peers and the magical community at large.
The biggest barrier to my recommending this series to everyone is that it is very stylistically written. The story is written in first person, from the perspective of a very surly, disgruntled, disgusted and always irritated teenager. It gives the high-stakes, morally intriguing themes, and clever world a very YA feel, even though nothing about the setting and plot is juvenile. Especially as this series progresses, the themes and development are definitely mature. The setting and plot are easily adult. The characters are now 18. But, the overall tone still feels very "angsty teenager."
I personally, am used to the tone and style. I appreciate it as a character choice, but I think it's a love-or-hate thing, and it will definitely turn off some readers....more
The setting carried this story for me. I loved the scholomance and the magic system here. This world with its ruthless dangers for magic folk is insanThe setting carried this story for me. I loved the scholomance and the magic system here. This world with its ruthless dangers for magic folk is insane, and felt high stakes and imaginative.
El was an acquired taste, as far as characters go, but the audiobook narration sold me on her. Her sarcasm made me chuckle constantly, and it became clear that her caustic attitude is mostly armor. Her backstory and nature get explored, and I hope we get even more in book 2.
The plot was probably the weakest aspect, though the pacing didn’t suffer much, since there was enough world building and character development to keep me interested. However, what was here was heart-warming and a good setup for books to come.
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