Blood Over Bright Haven
A Novel
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4.6 • 263개의 평가
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- US$12.99
출판사 설명
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.”—Booklist
AN ELLE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Originally self-published in 2023, Wang's overly ambitious standalone fantasy (after The Sword of Kaigen) addresses two weighty social problems: a wealthy, advanced culture feeding off a disadvantaged one, and talented women being kept subservient by a male elite. When a desperate tribe tries to outrace the deadly Blight and find safety in the city of Tiran, only a skilled hunter, Thomil, and his young niece, Carra, survive. Ten years later, as an underclass janitor, Thomil is surprised to be named the lab assistant of Sciona, a talented magical scholar and the only woman to have tested into the ranks of Tiran's ruling and mostly hostile mages. Working together, Thomil and Sciona gradually learn the city's unholy secret: Tiranese achievements depend on slaughtering the Kwen, Thomil's people, in a land called the Otherrealm, for magical energy. Wang slows her plot by minutely delineating this world's scientific magic system and endows her characters with jarring 21st-century adolescent lingo. The bittersweet ending only partially justifies Sciona's quest to change her society and Thomil's rage at its selfishness. Impatient sword-and-sorcery fantasy fans will struggle.
사용자 리뷰
6⭐️ Phenomenal
The uncanny parallel to today’s political climate is what most intrigued me about this book. All throughout, I couldn’t help but compare our real life situations with the universe in BOBH. I’m talking political ideologies under the guise of religion, misogyny, immigration, and outright racism. I adored this book. I will always think about it. It’s not a happy ever after but it’s real, and that’s what I loved about it. This book has made me continuously ask the question, “what does it mean to be a good person?”over and over again in my life. I will never look at good and evil the same again.
Great read
Loved this book
6⭐️
Blood Over Bright Haven: A RARE 6-STAR READ! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I am completely blown away by this book. To be honest, I was shocked by how much the political intrigue captivated me; I usually hesitate with heavy politics, but here, I devoured every detail. The book was truly unputdownable.
M.L. Wang has created a magic system that is totally unique. I've never read a system or concept like this. But it was the ending that truly solidified this as a favorite. It was unpredictable and refreshed me by avoiding the cheesy "perfect" resolution. Instead, it offered a realistic, bittersweet conclusion that tied up the loose ends without forcing a happy ending for everyone.
It’s a standalone! I’m sad to leave this world, but the story was the perfect length and didn't need to be dragged out.