Blood Over Bright Haven

Very good read!

Honestly, I went into this not knowing what to expect and I'm happy to say I came out on the other side pleasantly surprised! After reading SJM and other popular modern-day Fantasy authors, M.L. Wang has given me hope again that good reads (ha) are floating around out there.

The first chapter hooked me instantly. Sciona hooked me instantly. Sciona and Thomil's slow burn romance hooked me instantly. The world and its magic systems hooked me instantly. The only part that didn't hook me was Thomil's niece and how she acted, but can you really blame her? Maybe her snarkiness didn't sit well with me.

I also felt that the Renthorn plot-line where he assaulted Sciona in the library was a bit out of the blue. Like I get it, there are evil men in this world. But this felt thrown in to force him into being one of the big baddies. Leaving him as obsessed with seeing Blight's effects on humans and animals would have secured him, and the other Highmages, as insane and deserving of the climax enough.

I enjoyed that M.L. Wang had the gumption to throw Alba disavowing Sciona during the climax as well. It provided a real reaction that brainwashed citizens of a dystopia such as Tiran would have when the dark side of their society was forcefully presented to them.

Overall, 4/5. Very high recommend that I've already sent to a few co-workers and reading buddies.