Published by Del Ray on October 29, 2024
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 448
Format: Hardback
Source: Purchased
Content Warnings: Genocide, Misogyny, Mass Sterilization, Racism, Attempted Rape, Blood, Gore, Suicidal Thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Classism, Miscarriage, Police Brutality, Colonialism, Cultural Appropriation
Rating:
For twenty years, Sciona 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 at the University of Magics and Industry. When Sciona finally passes the qualifying exam and becomes a highmage, she finds her challenges have just begun. Her new colleagues are determined to make her feel unwelcome—and, instead of a qualified lab assistant, they give her a janitor. What neither Sciona nor her peers realize is that her taciturn assistant was not always a janitor. Ten years ago, he was a nomadic hunter who lost his family on their perilous journey from the wild plains to the city. But now he sees the opportunity to understand the forces that decimated his tribe, drove him from his homeland, and keep the privileged in power. At first, mage and outsider have a fractious relationship. But working together, they uncover an ancient secret that could change the course of magic forever—if it doesn’t get them killed first.
"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."
There are a lot of trigger warnings when it comes to Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang, but trust me, it's entirely worth reading. Blood Over Bright Haven follows Sciona, the first ever female High Mage in Tiran, and Thomil, a Kwen janitor turned assistant, as they uncover a dark secret and grapple with the social and political implications of their discovery. The story hits the ground running right from the get-go, detailing Thomil's clan's attempt to make it across the barrier into Tiran to escape Blight, a light that rips every living thing it touches to shreds. I didn't even know these characters yet and I was sobbing by the time Thomil successfully made it to safety heart racing the entire time. Thomil is by far my favorite character, his devotion to his family, clan, and the good of all is something to be admired.
Wang takes on some heavy social and political commentary but does it in such an amazing, eye-opening way. Sciona is not meant to be a likable character. She is self-centered and bigoted, and despite the misogyny she faces, she still seeks to uphold the oppressive systems against which she struggles. Sciona is a perfect depiction of many white women in the United States, which is probably why her character rubbed so many readers and reviewers the wrong way. It's hard to come to terms with your behavior when it's reflected back to you in a mirror. Sciona isn't meant to be the good guy, even though she does some good with her knowledge and power, but again, mostly for selfish reasons.
Blood Over Bright Haven shines a bright light on xenophobia and how the dominant culture dehumanizes those different from them to justify their abhorrent treatment. From mass sterilization to downright murder, the Kwen are routinely referred to as being dumb and animal-like. This is the same rhetoric colonizers used to dehumanize all non-white people around the world. The US continues this same rhetoric when referring to the Latine community and now seeks to remove anyone they deem "unworthy" of being her. Racial profiling has already begun, and Wang does not hold back on showing us just how wrong such an opinion is.
"You’re the worst kind of murderer, I think… The kind who won’t even acknowledge her crime. You’ve never worshipped a god of truth… You worship a delusion."
Everything Wang does in Blood Over Bright Haven is a mirror of what is currently happening in the United States. It was scary just how much overlap there is between us and Tiran. It would behoove us all if everyone read this book. Maybe then some would open their eyes to the propaganda being sold to us as truth.
"It’s much easier to tell yourself you’re a good person than it is to actually be one."
On top of loving Wang's social and political commentary, the magic system in Blood Over Bright Haven is the most unique magic system I have ever encountered. I know I have mentioned other systems being unique, but there is nothing that comes close to Wang's creativity. Sciona and the other mages siphon their magic from the otherworld, a realm beyond ours, a realm gifted to them by their god. Their entire religious system is built around siphoning, which is done through computer programming. The whole thing is absolutely genius and I loved every minute Wang spent describing how the system worked. She does an incredible job teaching the reader about siphoning and locating magical sources within the context of the story, so it doesn't feel like we are being educated. Her beautiful prose, world-building, and story-telling ability shine so brightly, I forgot I was reading a book and not watching a movie.
I absolutely devoured Blood Over Bright Haven and wish I could read it again for the first time. I haven't stopped thinking about it since I finished it a couple of weeks ago. My only complaint is there was some slight enemies-to-lovers romance going on, which can only be done when both parties are equal. Sciona and Thomil are not equals, making this more of a colonizer romance which I am not fond of. The romance, however, is light and not the main purpose of the story. While it does drive the plot and ultimately leads Sciona to make the choices she does, the story is more about tearing down oppressive, unjust systems, than it is about falling in love.
"Because good people can turn desperate when the horrors are upon them—especially people whose culture of plenty has left them with no systems to cope with scarcity or cataclysm. Good people will turn monstrous when it’s down to their survival or someone else’s."
If you want to watch the world burn, especially in light of recent events, Blood Over Bright Haven is certain to light that fire in you. First two reads for 2025 have been absolute bangers and I am thankful for that.
No comments :
Post a Comment
Building a community requires engagement. I would love to hear your thoughts!