Blood Over Bright Haven cover art

Blood Over Bright Haven

The must-read new dark academia fantasy from the author of The Sword of Kaigen

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Discover the
gripping dark academia fantasy about the limits of truth and power from the author of The Sword of Kaigen, perfect for fans of Babel by R. F. Kuang, Leigh Bardugo's Ninth House, and V. E. Schwab.

For twenty years, Sciona has devoted every waking moment to the study of magic.

When she finally achieves her ambition to become the first woman admitted to the High Magistry at the University of Magics and Industry, she finds herself undermined at every turn. Instead of a lab assistant, she’s paired with a janitor, putting her crucial research at risk.

But Thomil wasn’t always a janitor. Once a nomadic hunter from the wild plains outside the city, he now sees a chance to understand the forces that decimated his tribe and drove him from his homeland.

Together they will uncover an ancient secret that could change the course of magic forever – if it doesn’t get them killed first.


"The best fantasy novel of the year" The Guardian

“The best book – bar none – I've read all year” Evan Winter, author of The Rage of Dragons

"This book is a merciless reckoning that leaves you reeling long after the last page is turned." Sara Hashem, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Jasad Heir

"A scathing but truthful look at the world we live in… A stunningly powerful story." Terry Brooks, author of the epic fantasy Shannara series

"Innovative and brilliantly written, this is a glorious jewel added to the crown of dark academia." Seanan McGuire, author of the Wayward Children series

"A storytelling masterclass." Mark Lawrence, author of The Book that Wouldn't Burn

"A fantastic page-turnerclever, emotional, and thematically rich. I was completely engaged the whole way through. Highly recommended!" James Islington, author of The Will of the Many

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

Dark Fantasy Epic Fantasy Friendship Genre Fiction Magic Mystery Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Wizardry Scary Tear-jerking Magic Users

Critic reviews

This powerful and engaging novel… bears comparison to groundbreaking works by Ursula K Le Guin. […] For me, the best fantasy novel of the year.
A fantastic page-turner – clever, emotional, and thematically rich. I was completely engaged the whole way through. Highly recommended!
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.
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.
A storytelling masterclass. Deeper themes run through this energetic tale of dark academia and feats of imagination abound.
A scathing but truthful look at the world we live in… A stunningly powerful story.
Breathtaking in its scope, audacity, and the depth of its storytelling.
The best book – bar none – I've read all year.
Blood Over Bright Haven is, well, bloody brilliant. (Pun intended.) I wish I could craft a character half so well as M.L. Wang, that I could set a scene with half so rich an atmosphere. 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.
All stars
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Without a doubt one of the best stories I've listened too. Voice acting was great and I couldn't stop listening to it.

Incredible Story

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so much more than it initially seems. ML Wang is a genius. so so so good.

Read this

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After loving Sword of Kaigen, I knew I would adore this too. It’s a fantastically constructed story. Excited to see more from the author.

Loved.

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Loved it! Definitely one of the best books I have read in a long while. 5/5

Amazing

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I enjoyed this book a huge amount, the characters, the growth, the world and the story. The narrator does an excellent job with multiple characters and accents and really brought the book to life. 10/10 would recommend.

Couldn't stop listening

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