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Explore membershipsBlood Over Bright Haven
A Novel
Narrator
Moira Quirk
This audiobook uses AI narration.
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Length
15 hours 21 minutes
Language
English
Bookseller recommendation
“Sciona is the very first woman to become a highmage in Tiran, which comes with its challenges. The only lab assistant she's given is an immigrant janitor, Thomil, who knows nothing of magic. Together, the two of them will discover secrets about the world they live in that will turn it upside down. A fascinating take on the Dark Academia subgenre, tackling oppression, misogyny, faith, and doing what's right.”
— Amber • Quail Ridge Books
Bookseller recommendation
“A great audiobook for a great book. This book will grab you by the heart with the very first chapter and not let go until the end. The magic system feels both organic and original without being too overly complicated. This is a wonderful book for those looking for an original fantasy plot with an ending that totally sticks the landing. ”
— George • Shared Stories
Bookseller recommendation
“This is my first book by M.L. Wang and I was equally surprised and disappointed by it. I started it because I had read a lot about it and wanted a standalone book. I also wanted to read more Dark Academia to understand it better (having read Nomi Novic's Scholomance), and it seemed to have only some romance in it, so it didn't look like a classic enemies-to-lovers story with peppery spice ratings. Sciona is an orphan in the City of Tiran, which runs on magic as a fantasy substitute for electricity. All Sciona wants is to become a Highmage and a member of the High Magistry, the elite who control the flow of magic in a highly hierarchical society. Now aged 20 and highly skilled in mapping and siphoning magic, she is eligible to take the test to enter the Holy Halls as the first woman. So far, so good: the story starts as expected, with magic, tests, and an aspiring pupil. But then it takes a turn because the world that Sciona enters is not what she expected. She discovers that the magic that enables their comfortable lives in the city comes at a price she is not willing to accept. Within pages, we are confronted with patriarchy and the suppression of women, abuse of power, racism, genocide, societal denial, oppression of minorities (who are actually the majority), capitalism... the list goes on. Sciona's realisation is the reader's realisation, and it is shocking. Twenty years of illusion. Twenty pages of realisation. And imminent action to change.”
— Wolf - Otherland Bookshop Berlin/Germany • Otherland
Summary
The first woman ever admitted to a prestigious order of mages unravels a secret conspiracy that could change the practice of magic forever, in this standalone dark fantasy from the author of The Sword of Kaigen.“Powerful, thought-provoking. . . . Fans of R.F. Kuang’s Babel will find much to admire here, from the intricate magic system to the unflinching exploration of societal issues.”—BooklistAN ELLE BEST BOOK OF THE YEARFor 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.
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Audiobook details
Author:
M. L. Wang
Narrator:
Moira Quirk
ISBN:
9780593916193
Length:
15 hours 21 minutes
Language:
English
Publisher:
Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
Publication date:
October 29, 2024
Edition:
Unabridged
Libro.fm rank:
#130 Overall
Genre rank:
#12 in Science Fiction
Reviews
“A scathing but truthful look at the world we live in, and a stunningly powerful story.”—Terry Brooks“Some books read like a rare feast—so sumptuous you wish you could enjoy each delectable bite, yet you can’t help gobbling them up in a few greedy chomps. Such was the case for me while reading Blood Over Bright Haven.”—The New York Times
“Powerful, passionate, and painful, this book is like a file baked into a birthday cake: a surprise when you first bite down on it, but also a tool that can set you free. Innovative and brilliantly written, this is a glorious jewel added to the crown of dark academia.”—Seanan McGuire
“Wang deftly incorporates elements of science and philosophy into dark academia in this provocative stand-alone novel.”—The Washington Post
“Bears comparison to groundbreaking works by Ursula K. Le Guin . . . the best fantasy novel of the year.”—The Guardian
“Ambitious and mysterious, imaginative and haunting . . .”—Ms. magazine
“A gaslamp dark academia that will haunt you forever.”—Armed with a Book
“Fans of R. F. Kuang’s Babel will find much to admire here, from the intricate magic system to the unflinching exploration of societal issues.”—Booklist
“The best book—bar none—I’ve read all year.”—Evan Winter, author of The Fire of Vengeance
“M. L. Wang continues to deliver the goods. Blood Over Bright Haven is a storytelling masterclass. Deep themes run through this energetic tale of dark academia, and feats of imagination abound.”—Mark Lawrence, author of The Book That Wouldn’t Burn
“A fantastic page-turner—clever, emotional, and thematically rich. . . highly recommended! I was completely engaged the whole way through.”—James Islington, author of The Will of the Many
“Blood Over Bright Haven is the kind of book that knocks you down, kicks you repeatedly, and then makes you thank it for doing so. I can’t recommend it highly enough.”—John Bierce, author of the Mage Errant series
“With one of the most intricate and fascinating magic systems I have ever read, Blood Over Bright Haven masterfully draws you into the brutal web of power, corruption, and complicity at the heart of its society. This book is a merciless reckoning that leaves you reeling long after the last page is turned.”—Sara Hashem, author of The Jasad Heir
“Breathtaking in its scope, audacity, and the depth of its storytelling . . . the kind of story that changes your heart and mind forever.”—Andy Peloquin, author of Darkblade
“Beautiful, evocative, and haunting . . . I can’t get it out of my head.”—Dyrk Ashton, author of Rise of Gods
“Blood Over Bright Haven is fantasy at its best: a compelling read that I couldn’t put down, and probably one of my top ten books of this decade.”—Virginia McClain, author of Blade’s Edge
“Academia at its darkest . . . Blood Over Bright Haven will haunt you long after its final page.”—Trudie Skies, author of The Cruel Gods trilogy
“Vibrant, raw, and deeply emotional, this novel is a manifesto about justice as much as it is a thrilling work of fiction.”—Library Journal, starred review Expand reviews
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