Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

 

Summary (from the publisher): Magic has made the city of Tiran an industrial utopia, but magic has a cost—and the collectors have come calling.

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?

A standalone dark academia brimming with mystery, tragedy, and the damning echoes of the past. For fans of Leigh Bardugo, V. E. Schwab, and Fullmetal Alchemist.

Review: Sciona was raised by her aunt after losing her mother at a young age and devoted every spare moment to the study of magic. Her goal is to become the first woman ever admitted to the High Magistry. When she achieves her goal, she finds herself unwelcome by her colleagues and assigned a janitor instead of a trained lab assistant. Her new lab assistant is named Thomil and he was born into a tribe of nomadic hunters who live beyond Tiran's magical barrier. From Thomil, Sciona gradually learns that not everything in her world is what it seems. And Thomil learns the truth behind the death of his family when they made the crossing to enter Tiran. 

This book had my immediate attention with the tension and drama of the opening scene. Despite not usually enjoying fantasy books on audio, I found this one compelling and easy to follow. This book had an incredibly unique magic structure and imaginary world. I was pleased to see the character development and growth over the course of the novel. 

My one criticism is that this book got a bit heavy handed and preachy with the relentless "men are oppressive in this society" rhetoric. They absolutely were! I loved that Sciona was championing the cause of women slowly earning autonomy and better treatment. But it was just so over the top and a constant refrain. I would have liked a little more showing versus telling in that regard. 

I don't want to give any spoilers, but I did think the ending, albeit bittersweet, was appropriate for this world and these characters. Principles and morality were always more important to Sciona than people. This is not a happy ending, but this also felt right for this book, as the whole time I was reading, I could not imagine a realistic way this ended well for Sciona and Thomil. I loved the realistic and heroic conclusion. 

Stars: 4