Hamad's Reviews > Blood Over Bright Haven

“It’s much easier to tell yourself you’re a good person than it is to actually be one.”

Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars

Wang's The Sword of Kaigen is one of my all-time favorite books, so I was eagerly anticipating her next release. When I heard about Blood Over Bright Haven, I was overjoyed. Though this book is quite different from her previous work, I’m thrilled to say that it stands out as another exceptional standalone fantasy novel. I’m also excited that it’s about to be traditionally published!

Wang’s writing style is poetic, dark, and utterly captivating. From the moment I read the prologue, I knew I was in for something special, and by the time I finished the last chapter, my initial impressions were confirmed. Although I’m not typically a fan of the dark academia genre, Wang’s storytelling made it hard not to enjoy this one. The story centers on Sciona, who strives to master magic and become the first woman admitted to the High Magistry. Unsurprisingly, her journey is fraught with challenges, including a thoughtful exploration of sexism and misogyny.

“So many parents will try to kill everything brilliant about a girl in the name of giving her a good life, a safe life, a chance at happiness.”

The magic system in the novel is intriguing, though it takes a bit of time to fully grasp. As a fan of magical schools, I knew I’d be drawn to this aspect, and my appreciation for the magic system only deepened as I read on. The world’s mystery element, while somewhat predictable, was both clever and engaging.

The book tackles serious issues and includes content warnings for gore, sexual assault, and suicidal ideation. Fans of Wang's work will recognize her penchant for brutality. The novel gave me vibes of Babel mixed with Foundryside, but with Wang's unique flair. Although I anticipated the ending, I felt it was the most fitting conclusion to the story and wished for it to unfold as it did.

In summary, while Blood Over Bright Haven is quite different from The Sword of Kaigen, it is brilliant in its own right. With its exceptional writing, well-developed characters, and captivating magic system, it’s everything I could have hoped for!