Blood over Bright Haven

By: M. L. Wang

Narrated by: Moira Quirk

Brought to you by Penguin.

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.

For twenty years, Sciona has devoted every waking moment to the study of magic, fuelled 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 achieves her ambition 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 finally 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.

©2024 M. L. Wang (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Thought provoking

Beautifully written, deep feeling book. This book takes one through a journey and alllll the feelings of all things relative to the world we live in but wrapped in this beautiful fantasy. I feel this books should be studied in all schools so to understand the control race, gender and religion has over our society

A Masterpiece That Will Haunt and Enlighten You

M.L. Wang has crafted something astonishing. Blood Over Bright Haven isn’t just a fantasy novel, it’s a philosophical mirror held up to our world. The magic system left me reeling. It made me think about electricity, the internet, and all the invisible systems we rely on, powered by forces we rarely question, and resources we often don't understand or respect.

This book is lush, intelligent, and quietly devastating. It doesn’t scream its message, it bleeds it into you. The characters, the worldbuilding, the slow unravelling of truth… it stays with you long after the last word.

If you’re ready for a story that grips your imagination and punches you in the soul, read this. You won’t be the same after.

Great world building and narration

Loved the narration, did a great job at imbuing each character with its own voice and personality.

Insufferable main character

The story is average at most. the main character is one of the worst i have read.

Really really poor writing.